Well, it's back again tonight at 9.30 on BBC One with Jack Dee as the guest presenter. I estimate this to be the 27th series. Whenever it comes back for a new series I always wonder if they're going to refresh the set, but they never do. I think the last time it changed was in 1995 for the notorious Paula Yates show, when all the red panels changed to green. It was short lived, though - they reverted to red after just one show. According to the on-screen text commentary on the "Best Of" DVD, psychologists said the green colour was to blame for the aggression between Hislop and Yates.
The set is now screaming out for a good tweaking - nothing too radical, just something a little more modern perhaps. I know they don't want the show to appear glamorous or showbiz, but having the same set for 10 years just makes it look stale.
Personally I miss the days of Angus Deayton and wish they'd bring him back (even as a guest panelist or guest presenter for one episode) because his sarcastic, sneering tone was the highlight of the show. I feel the guest presenter idea was a great novelty when it started but is now running out of steam, especially as the same presenters are being asked back for the second or third time.
There were reports not so long ago that they were looking for a permanent host again. Not sure what's happened to that - maybe they couldn't find the right person. I agree though, the novelty of the guest presenters has well and truly worn off now.
How long is this series going to last? I seem to notice that comedy series such as Have I Got News For You and Dead Ringers only run for about six weeks and then finish again. It's a shame because some of these are really funny.
How long is this series going to last? I seem to notice that comedy series such as Have I Got News For You and Dead Ringers only run for about six weeks and then finish again. It's a shame because some of these are really funny.
HIGNFY has always had 8 week runs, starting every April and October, with the occasional Christmas special thrown in.
I preferred the days of Angus Deayton. I did actually quite like Charlotte Church when she guest presented it. She came into herself when it came to discussing celebs.
I would like to see it come back with a permanent host. Jack Dee should be pretty good tonight.
I will be tuning in at 9.30.
There have been some classic HIGNFY episodes that will be hard to beat. Replacing Roy Hattersley( i think it was him. Correct me if i'm wrong) with a tub of lard is one and putting Paul Mertons wife (Caroline Quentin- now his ex) on Ian Hislops team.
It's the 30th series I believe, and I was there for the recording last night. I have to say it wasn't one of the best that I've seen, but Jack Dee did a great job. Look out for the recurring 'posh ferret' joke from Paul Merton as well - had the audience rolling around with laughter for ages. David Blunkett also took a beating throughout most of the recording, though I'd expect a lot of the content to be edited out.
This series runs through to 16 December, giving a total of 9 shows I think.
And no, there have been no tweaks to the set at all. Even the circular rug in front of the desk is the same one that's been used for years now, and close-up it looks absolutely threadbare and completely ruined at the edges.
But why does it need a new set? The show is as funny as ever, changine the set for no reason would be completely pointless and it would destroy the "branding" of the programme. Anyway, people watch it for the satire and the comedy, not because they like the set. Most panel programmes have roughly the same format and and often precisely the same set throughout their runs: from They Think It's All Over and Never Mind the Buzzcocks, to Question Time (they've been using the current set for years, the predecessor was more or less the same)
And I agree that the pissing Gnome was very funny, though i also liked the, "In the spirit of fairness, we should mention Liam Fox ... [pause] ... 'Hello Liam' !"
If they are to go back to one presenter, it should definately be Jack Dee. All 3 of the shows that he has done must be somewhere in the top 10 of the best ever.