Have I Got News For You

[DMorgan]

Referencing this article from a weeks ago in The Independent:

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/have-i-got-news-for-you-just-started-its-50th-series-and-it-is-time-to-pull-the-plug-a6707996.html

Personally I couldn't disagree more. This series has been very good, especially the Martin Sheen and David Tennant episodes. I wasn't around when Ian Hislop and Paul Merton were fresh-faced youngsters so I don't have much of a reference point but I think that HIGNFY has remained pretty relevant in its format. Others news-related panel shows like Mock The Week don't even come close imo.

On a related note, Vicky Coren-Mitchell will present the next episode that airs on Friday

Anyone agree with the article that its list its touch?

[Karabiner]

I'm still a big fan and never miss an episode if I can help it.

I think it's managed to retain all of it's freshness over the years too.

It would be nice to see Angus Deayton back in the chair occasionally though.

[Tal]

In before Camel brag

[The Camel]

In before Camel brag

I just assume every thread with this title is going to be about me.

[booder]

I'm still a big fan and never miss an episode if I can help it.

I think it's managed to retain all of it's freshness over the years too.

It would be nice to see Angus Deayton back in the chair occasionally though.

[The Camel]

I'm still a big fan and never miss an episode if I can help it.

I think it's managed to retain all of it's freshness over the years too.

It would be nice to see Angus Deayton back in the chair occasionally though.

The other two have burnt their bridges with Angus haven't they?

[RED-DOG]

Still one of my favourite programmes. I think it has improved with age.

[ripple11]

Really enjoy it

[maccol]

Still enjoy it but I feel Paul Merton in particular seems to be going through the motions compared to the Angus Deayton years.

[DaveShoelace]

Still enjoy it but I feel Paul Merton in particular seems to be going through the motions compared to the Angus Deayton years.

Love the show, think the format is simple and timeless, but agree Merton doesn't seem particularly arsed anymore.

There were some classics though

Click to see full-size image.

[tikay]

I'm still a big fan and never miss an episode if I can help it.

I think it's managed to retain all of it's freshness over the years too.

It would be nice to see Angus Deayton back in the chair occasionally though.

Agree completely.

It's just such relaxing viewing. I have many of them recorded, & some nights, to wind down, I'll sit & watch an episode or 2.

Hislop has grown on me, he's pure gold, & funny in so many ways. Bright, too.

Some of the guests are a tad naff, but we can't have everything.

The "rotating" Presenters work pretty well, surprisingly, as I did not think Angus could be replaced. There seemed to be real animosity between him, Hislop & Merton at the end..

If I had to pick a single Presenter to do the Show each week it'd be a close run thing between Jack Dee, Martin Clunes or David Mitchell for me.

Alexander Armstrong holds the record for most appearances on HIGNFY - 26.

There have been 50 - fifty - series in 25 years, & Ian Hislop has never missed a single show. 

Love it to bits, truly timeless.

[TightEnd]

Merton and Hislop both national treasures

Merton has quite a unique wit, very keen sense of the absurd

i don't miss an episode

[Archer]

Another big fan here and courtesy of "series record" on the Sky box  I suspect it has been quite a long time since I missed an episode.

Also, I've quite a collection of DVDs. It was somewhat of a tradition for my kids to buy me one each Christmas.

[AndrewT]

I used to watch HIGNFY religiously (well, religiously like a Jew - every Friday night) but stopped a few years ago when I just couldn't take any more of the 'here's a funny video we saw on Youtube' and 'have you noticed how fat John Prescott/Eric Pickles is - haha' piffle they'd come up with.

Caught a couple of the episodes of this series (Charlie Brooker hosting and another one whose host I seem to have expunged from my memory) and they were worse than ever. Merton is still just phoning it in - I can understand why he might do this, it'll be great money for not much work but it's a waste of a real talent. Hislop just doesn't seem to have any fire in his belly at all any more - seems like he's settled in to become the cosy establishment One Nation Tory he always was at heart.

If the remit of the show is still to have some element of satire and speaking truth to power (as well as being actually funny) then it needs a total reboot with new people.

If you put this up against what John Oliver is doing on Last Week Tonight there's just no comparison in terms of TV satire.

[Tal]

I used to watch HIGNFY religiously (well, religiously like a Jew - every Friday night) but stopped a few years ago when I just couldn't take any more of the 'here's a funny video we saw on Youtube' and 'have you noticed how fat John Prescott/Eric Pickles is - haha' piffle they'd come up with.

Caught a couple of the episodes of this series (Charlie Brooker hosting and another one whose host I seem to have expunged from my memory) and they were worse than ever. Merton is still just phoning it in - I can understand why he might do this, it'll be great money for not much work but it's a waste of a real talent. Hislop just doesn't seem to have any fire in his belly at all any more - seems like he's settled in to become the cosy establishment One Nation Tory he always was at heart.

If the remit of the show is still to have some element of satire and speaking truth to power (as well as being actually funny) then it needs a total reboot with new people.

If you put this up against what John Oliver is doing on Last Week Tonight there's just no comparison in terms of TV satire.

Top post.

Satire on prime time in the UK is becoming rare. Brooker's Black Mirror and Dead Set are brilliant but marginalised. HIGNFY is funny but has lost the teeth it used to bite with.

I watch it when I can and see most episodes still. Even watch reruns on Dave every now and then.