Press clippings Page 66

This esoteric quiz continues to leave us feeling we've learned something new. Tonight Stephen Fry and Alan Davies welcome guest panellist Barry Humphries. Let us hope that Humphries will display the same acerbic wit as his alter ego, Dame Edna.

Vicki Power, The Telegraph, 12th February 2010

Only Idiots Assume wins protest song competition

Stephen Fry said: "I am insanely in love with Only Idiots Assume. It's got the anger, the wit, the musical skill - all in a wonderful package that reminds me of the high days of my youth when punk roamed the land and the young were angry and funny and spunky and spiky."

dontdisconnect.us, 3rd February 2010

I missed Stephen Fry's explanation of what "gallimaufrey" means, but it's apparnetly "a motley assortment of things", which basically means this edition of QI wasn't constrained by a strict topic. It made me wonder: is QI's alphabetical adherence to topics in its best interest? I know it gives the show structure and order, but there must be times when the behind-the-scenes "elves" are tearing their hair out trying to think of compelling subjects/trivia with a vague connection to the year's particular letter. God help us when we get to "Q" or "X"...

The guests this week were again rather restrained. Hugh Dennis and Andy Hamilton are both intelligent people, which can help push the show onwards without it getting bogged down in too much toilet/sexual humour, but they can also make it feel a little plodding. Still, I always like it when the guests throw in their own "quite interesting" facts, such as Hugh's story about a communist state altering their highway code so "red" meant go and "green" meant stop, but forgetting to change all the traffic lights.

Phil Jupitus continues to have a very odd presence on this show, looking half-embarassed to be there, or unsure of himself in some strange way. Alan Davies was okay, but it always bugs me when he bludgeons a joke to death with repeated play - this week, his impression of German car inventor Mr. Bentz writing his own driver's license. Funny once, not so funny the fourth time.

Dan Owen, Dan's Media Digest, 23rd January 2010

Stephen Fry is a national treasure says Prince Charles

Stephen Fry was hailed as a national treasure who has "enhanced our lives" by the Prince of Wales as he was honoured at the National Television Awards.

Anita Singh, The Telegraph, 21st January 2010

Stephen Fry ended Twitter exile at TV awards

Stephen Fry has celebrated his success at the National Television Awards with a brief return to Twitter.

Tim Masters, BBC News, 21st January 2010

Stephen Fry interested in writing 'Doctor Who'

Stephen Fry has expressed an interested in working with new Doctor Who star Matt Smith.

Alex Fletcher, Digital Spy, 21st January 2010

The "G"-series topic this week was "Germany", with guests Jo Brand, Rob Brydon and Sean Lock joining regulars Alan Davies and "QImaster" Stephen Fry. The juice of QI isn't as succulent as it once was, but you're always guaranteed some eyebrow-raising trivia and a few good moments of comedy banter. I'm frankly bemused Jo Brand still gets work (because she's like a comedy blackhole to me), and this episode wasn't helped by weaker than usual turns from Brydon and Lock.

Still, "Germany" was a topic that particularly interested me, as I used to live in Germany and once worked with a Germany lady living here in England, so cultural differences and Anglo-German relations is something I've discussed many times. It's certainly interesting subject matter for Brits, who have a strange relationship and perception of our European neighbours. In this edition of QI we learned that Germans don't care that England beat them in the 1966 World Cup, that they're unaware their countrymen have a reputation for rudely claiming sun loungers with beach towels while on holiday, and that they broadcast an old Freddie Frinton and May Warden comedy sketch called Dinner For One every New Year's Eve (simulteneously, on every channel).

Dan Owen, Dan's Media Digest, 16th January 2010

Stephen Fry quits the web to write his autobiography

Broadcaster and writer Stephen Fry has said he is "switching off his connections with the outside world" to concentrate on his autobiography.

BBC, 2nd January 2010

A festive dollop of the panel show that encourages comedians (not that comedians need much encouragement) to twist the truth into interesting new shapes for our amusement. With David Mitchell, Stephen Fry, John Lloyd and Rob Brydon on board, this promises to be a lavish smorgasbord of skulduggery and fabrication.

Gary Rose, Radio Times, 28th December 2009

QI: Review of Series G, Episode 1

QI is the cockroach of the television world. Not because it is a pestilent interloper disseminating disease and effluvia throughout the world. It's because that it seems impervious to the world surrounding it. Stephen Fry and four of his witty acolytes could be confined to a bunker while a nuclear holocaust unfolds outside, while they cheerily debate the merits of giving honey to a bee to keep it alive or savour the fantasy of sinking the entire French Navy.

The Custard TV, 2nd December 2009

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