Have I Got News For You

Long-running topical panel game with a strong political slant, featuring team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton

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Genre: Panel Show
Broadcast: 1990 - 2021
Channels: BBC One, BBC Two
Episodes: 543 (61 series), plus 21 highlights / CIN specials / documentary
Starring: Angus Deayton, Ian Hislop and Paul Merton
Directors: John F.D. Northover, Ben Gosling Fuller, Paul Wheeler and Lissa Evans
Producers: Jimmy Mulville, Harry Thompson, Colin Swash, Nick Martin, Giles Pilbrow, Steve Doherty, Rebecca Papworth, Jo Bunting, Mark Barrett, Ben Wicks and others

Fill in the missing words: ______ is a popular topical panel game starring Ian Hislop and Paul Merton.

Originally on BBC Two before moving to BBC One, each episode of Have I Got News For You features a series of topical rounds. On one side is team captain Ian Hislop, editor of satirical magazine Private Eye; the other team is lead by improv comedian Paul Merton.

From its launch in 1990 up to 2002, the show was hosted by Angus Deayton. However, a series of tabloid scandals involving prostitutes and drugs resulted in the the long-time host being forced to resign. Since then, each episode has been hosted by a selection of guest hosts. The list of those regularly asked includes Alexander Armstrong, Kirsty Young, Jeremy Clarkson, Jack Dee and Jo Brand.

HIGNFY's influence spreads far and wide. It's been suggested by a number of commentators that Boris Johnson's popular appearances on the show may well have helped him go on to become Mayor of London.

More description

Series 61 trailer

Production Details

Production companies

Also known as

HIGNFY (Acronym)
John Lloyd's Newsround (Pilot)
Have I Got A Little Bit More News For You (Other official name)
Have I Got A Bit More News For You (Other official name)
Have I Got News For You? (Incorrect title)
Have I Got Old News For You (Other official name)

Soundtrack

Theme tune written by Big George.

Laugh track

Live audience

Broadcast details

First broadcast

Friday 28th September 1990 on BBC Two at 10pm

Last new broadcast

Monday 12th April 2021 on BBC Two at 10pm

Upcoming repeats

Series 55 Episode 1: Sunday at 2:35am on Dave
Series 55 Episode 1: Sunday at 9pm on Dave
Series 56 Episode 1: Monday at 1:20am on Dave
Series 61 Episode 2: Monday at 10pm on BBC2
Series 55 Episode 2: Sunday 25th April at 2am on Dave
Series 55 Episode 2: Sunday 25th April at 9pm on Dave
Series 56 Episode 2: Monday 26th April at 1:25am on Dave

Website links

BBC Homepage
The official homepage for the series.
UK Game Shows
A further guide to the show, provided by a site covering various game shows and quizzes.
@haveigotnews
IMDb
Wikipedia