Have I Got News For You
Unlike practically every other panel game show, Have I Got News For You has managed to stay fresh and funny since it was first aired in 1990.
Have I Got News For You, also referred to as HIGNFY by journalists and people fond of unpronounceable acronyms, has been on TV such a long time that just about everyone has been on it - from Bruce Forsythe to Eddie Izzard to Salman Rushdie. You, the very person reading these words, have probably been on it. In fact, it's such a mainstay of telly that it's easy to forget how sharp and subversive it can still be.
It's seen Paul Merton repeatedly describe the new Pope as having the "eyes of a killer", Will Self accuse guest host Neil Kinnock of political hypocrisy, and Robert Kilroy-Silk relentlessly challenged on his views on Muslims.
But perhaps the greatest guest of all was a tub of lard (by which we literally mean a container filled with animal fat) which bravely stood in for Roy Hattersley. Apparently, the tub of lard was "imbued with much the same qualities and liable to give a similar performance" as the former deputy leader of the Labour Party.
Of course, the show itself made the news back in 2002, when Angus Deayton – despite being seemingly as impeccable as a well-folded restaurant napkin – was embroiled in a big, hanky panky-infused tabloid scandal. Of course, he came in prepared, kicking the show off with "Good evening and welcome to Have I Got News For You, where this week's loser is presenting it." Alas, poor Angus! Still, the vacated host's chair has at least been filled by... well, by just about anyone who's anyone, from Bruce Forsythe to Brian Blessed (who was in full, barking mad "Thank you Flash!" winged barbarian mode, much to the whole universe's delight).
Given the literally epic run of this show, a list of stand-out moments would result in a tome even thicker and more liable to be used as a weapon than the last Harry Potter novel. Peeking into the mists of time, we can see MP Gerald Kaufman playfully declaring the studio to be full of a "rigged Tory audience, just like it was a rigged Tory electorate". There was also a lovely appearance by Spike Milligan (we have Merton to thank for his appearance), as well as the notorious bust up between Ian Hislop and Paula Yates – a confrontation that seemed to run on almost as long as the series itself, resulting in Yates declaring Hislop to be the "sperm of the devil" – still perhaps the most famous single insult yet thrown on the show.
And of course, there was Boris Johnson. Let's face the ugly facts: nobody knew him before he was on Have I Got News For You. Well, some people did, but they were the sort of people who tend to be concealed from the world behind the rustling pages of a broadsheet. But then he came on HIGNFY, all baffled and grinning and mock-insulted, and the nation fell in love with his Victorian-style buffoonery. "I'm way out of my depth here," he blustered, winningly. "I want it on the record that I've walked into a massive elephant trap." Is it too much to say that, without HIGNFY, Boris would never have become Mayor of London? No, no it isn't. And who knows, perhaps one day we'll be saying that HIGNFY directly led to the ascension of a British Prime Minister (not that Boris would EVER own up to such aspirations – he'd probably be denying it even as he blundered into 10 Downing Street...).
When is it on?
Have I Got a Bit More News for You is next on at 8:50 pm on Wednesday, 29th May on Dave.
Have I Got A Bit More News For You
Extended version of the topical news quiz. Regulars Paul Merton and Ian Hislop are joined by guest host Frank Skinner and panellists Reginald D Hunter and Janet Street-Porter.
- On at 9:00 pm on Thursday, 30th May on Dave
- On at 10:00 pm on Thursday, 30th May on Dave Ja Vu
- On at 12:30 am on Friday, 31st May on Dave
- On at 1:30 am on Friday, 31st May on Dave Ja Vu
Have I Got A Bit More News For You
A bumper edition of the evergreen comedy news quiz. Joining Paul Merton and Ian Hislop this time are guest host Jack Dee and guest panellists Caroline Wyatt and Jon Richardson.
- On at 8:50 pm on Wednesday, 29th May on Dave
- On at 9:50 pm on Wednesday, 29th May on Dave Ja Vu
- On at 12:20 am on Thursday, 30th May on Dave
- On at 1:20 am on Thursday, 30th May on Dave Ja Vu
Top 10 Have I Got News For You guest presenters
The presenters who've been the most memorable - and not always for the right reasons.
Mock The Week vs Have I Got News For You
They're the two titans of satire, but is Have I Got News For You the daddy of news-based quizcoms, or has Mock The Week stolen its print-smudged crown?
Quotes
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On reading the A to Z: Can't wait to see what happens at the end. The characters aren't up to much but the places, they seem so real.
- Paul Merton
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I think Iran and Iraq had a war simply because their names are so similar. They keep getting each other's post.
- Paul Merton
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My aunt died at precisely 10.47am and the old grandfather clock stopped at precisely the same time also. It fell on her.
- Paul Merton
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On my first day in New York a guy asked me if I knew where Central Park was. When I told him I didn't, he said: Do you mind if I mug you here?
- Paul Merton
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The first Underground station ever opened was Baker Street in 1906. What was the point of that? Where would you go?
- Paul Merton
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I used to go out with a giraffe. Used to take it to the pictures and that. You'd always get some bloke complaining that he couldn't see the screen. It's a giraffe, mate. What d'you expect?
- Paul Merton
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On David Cameron being sneezed on: This is what happens in this country. In America they assassinate people; here we just wipe snot on their backs. Fundamentally we're better people.
- Paul Merton
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There are various ways to give up smoking — nicotine patches, nicotine gum. My auntie used to pour a gallon of petrol over herself every morning.
- Paul Merton
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My school days were the happiest days of my life, which should give you some indication of the misery I've endured over the past twenty-five years.
- Paul Merton
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About Angus Deayton: His name is Angus. The G is silent.
- Paul Merton
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Am I the only one who's always tempted to light the wick on top of a beret?
- Paul Merton
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If you stay in a house and you go to the bathroom and there's no toilet paper, you can always slide down the banisters. Don't tell me you haven't done it.
- Paul Merton
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I'm always amazed to hear of air crash victims so badly mutilated that they have to be identified by their dental records. What I can't understand is, if they don't know who you are, how do they know who your dentist is?
- Paul Merton
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It's silly to make generalisations, but if you talk to anyone in the south for longer than five minutes, they will try to sell you fruit.
- Paul Merton
Ian Hislop profile
Vertically challenged he may be, but he has a brain as big as an elephant's buttock.
Comments
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RichardH21569 | 7 Dec 10
Hope everyone's noticed Dave now has the longer HIGNFYs - every evening at around 2230 (with 3 breaks unfortunately). Seemingly no publicity from Dave tho.
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keithP52333 | 16 Nov 10
love watching old episodes of HIGNFY but can we have some different ones pretty please mr.dave as you only seem to show about 10 different ones from years gone by and there's over 30 seasons to choose from
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RichardH21569 | 23 Oct 10
Great last night to see the full show in which Angus is pulled apart. Hopefully we'll now see the ones made just after that (Angus's last few) including the one where he attacks Christine Hamilton and she hits back referring to his, er, infidelity.
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rsoles | 23 Oct 10
Would the above author like toi be on the panel by any chance? It is Paul and Ian that make the show and would just loose the appeal if they were to be replaced. I do agree with getting Angus back though, most of these guest presenters are so wooden when reading the autocue they look like they are badly in need of glasses
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normanL40629 | 23 Oct 10
H.I.G.N.F.Y. sadly is looking a bit dated,not help by the latest batch of guest host who seem to be on every so called comedy show on T.V. Maybe we can get Angus back as a regular host, and replace Paul and Ian with guest panilist every week.
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JeanY63772 | 22 Oct 10
Watched tonight's (Friday)repeat of Have I got news for you. Disappointed that you showed this particular repeat.Being a fan of the brilliant Angus I was even more rattled by seeing again Paul Merton's vicious, non-stop attack, weakly backed up by his pal Mr. Hyslop. Even Dave Gorman (WHO?) with his limited presence and equally limited wit on the show felt he had the right to have a go. Ken Livingston was the only one to 'behave' and Angus bore it in dignified fashion and with the wit that obviously Merton and company were ultimately delighted to get rid of to leave them to shine.
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sarahC8067 | 5 Sep 10
I remember Piers saying to Clive "What do you know about running a newspaper?" and Clive came back with the great put-down, "About as much as you do!" Piers is still full of it. If I see him on programme I switch off!
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rsoles | 5 Sep 10
So full of himselfit wouldn't go down well at all
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RichardH21569 | 5 Sep 10
Yes yr memory is better than mine – but then Clive Anderson said "Piers, I may not know much about editing a paper (a reference to a previous comment), but I DO know that Ian's a regular on this show. They come to see him, not us", which didn't go down well with Piers.
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sarahC8067 | 3 Sep 10
Oh yes, the bit where Piers answers a question with the word 'jam' (Eddie Izzard had answered a question the week before with the word 'jam') Piers was miffed when no one laughed and mentioned that when Eddie had said 'jam' the week before everyone roared with laugter. Ian retorted: "But people like him!" That was when Piers said about not making it popularity contest asked the audience if anybody liked Ian and Ian got a huge cheer!!
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RichardH21569 | 3 Sep 10
Hi Sarah. Yes, maybe they either don't think them worth showing again or they only lease them from the BBC or 'Hat Trick' for a certain time. I think – not sure tho – that the series Paul did was something to do with Tony Hancock? (remaking famous scripts from Hancock's series?). Bits of the Piers Morgan/Clive Anderson show are on 1 of the video compilations, I think it’s the "The Very Best of Have I Got News For You" one, which is about 3 hours long and features bits of Angus's entire time on the show (ending with the famous Tshirt that Paul was wearing under his sweater). Yes agree about Piers Morgan. In the show you mention there was a great bit where Piers tried to get the audience on his side against Ian -and failed miserably!
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sarahC8067 | 31 Aug 10
Hi Richard. They repeated the pre-2000 shows on what used to be called UKTV DOCUMENTARY a couple of years back I think, so I can't see why they can't be shown again. I'm sure some really old ones from the first series were on more recently though. Now you mention it I seem to remember Paul was contracted to do something else, though I can't recall what. I don't think any of the Piers Morgan show was featured on the best bits which was a real shame. It was a classic! Ian REALLY didn't like Piers and I think vice versa! Mind you, Clive had a go too :) Piers deserved it, he really was/is obnoxious. He's landed on his feet since that Daily Mirror business, he seems to be everywhere. Unfortunately :(
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RichardH21569 | 31 Aug 10
Me again sarah - Paul just missed 1 series I believe cos he was contracted to Carlton for a comedy show.
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RichardH21569 | 31 Aug 10
Hi Sarah, I assume the pre-2000 shows are 'unavailable' cos they're on video. The one u mention I agree is one of the best and u can certainly get the best bits of it (if not the whole of it) on video (or DVD?).
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sarahC8067 | 29 Aug 10
I've watched HIGNFY since the early days and I never miss it. However Dave never seems to show many episodes from pre-2000 or so. I'd like to see shows from when it started in 1990 up to 2000. I remember when Paul Merton stopped doing the show for a while and I seem to remember they had a guest team captain. Eddie Izzard was always hilarious. And one of my favourite Paul Merton-less shows was when Piers Morgan was a guest. Ian Hislop and Clive Anderson gave him quite a lot of stick! This one has never been repeated. Come on Dave, show it again!
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RichardM52005 | 13 Jun 10
News satirism at its very best. But please can we have "Have I Got a Bit More News For You" as well? We have both "QI" and "QI XL", so why can't we have extended HIGNFY episodes as well? There's extra jokes, extra rounds and even goofs and recording xxxxxx-ups within the episodes from 2007 to the present day. I hope Dave really considers this, as "Have I Got a Bit More News For You" is never repeated on the BBC.
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RichardH21569 | 20 Apr 10
To Glenda - there's a new series on BBC2 at the moment - presumably Dave will go back to having episodes that are 'new to Dave' when that finishes.
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glendaC84714 | 19 Apr 10
when are you going to make a new serice because i think it is a brill show its a shame not to make a new show.
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RichardH21569 | 17 Apr 10
What's happened to HIGNFY? All of last week's planned episodes were replaced - most by "Men Behaving Badly". Tonight, James May's programme is replacing it. The only comment on here is that "HIGNFY is off-air at the moment". Has it been banned from Dave while the current series runs on BBC2?
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rsoles | 12 Apr 10
I have watched most of the H I G N F Y and then again some more than once, the same goes for Q I, I can only watch so much of most T V as it bores me or I justdon't get the point of it but bring more of the above. Irene Newton
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glendaC84714 | 15 Feb 10
I have watched mostly all of have i got news for you and i would not mind filling the chair . i am witty as well as the panal
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AlexM47563 | 2 Feb 10
HIGNFY is rubbish without Deayton. After persevering for a few years I gave up. It might be better if they found a good permanent host, but after a while, the never ending rotation of awful presenters just makes the show feel messy and un-professional.
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TonyP33483 | 25 Jan 10
I agree that since deaytons departure they have as you say more spread across the show for general banter, I'm not sure this adds to the show at all. I think perhaps they could go back to guest presenters. Its a good show thou.
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normanL40629 | 10 Jan 10
After watching the early shows of have i got news, it became quite clear that Angus Deayton was always on top of the situation regarding the banter with Paul and Ian,since the departure of Angus,Paul and Ian now control the show which they was not able to do before.Any one else have a view on this.
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the-young-ones | 9 Jan 10
have i got news for you has become one of my favourite shows at the moment, i've become addicted to paul mertons quick witted style of comedy :)
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normanL40629 | 1 Dec 09
it would be nice to see some of the early shows which sadly never get shown
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QueenBexy | 13 Aug 09
ha ha haaaaa~ hignfy very very funny x
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mystic-moaner | 31 Jul 09
why have they never shown the older ones as angus deayton as host they were all excellent
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Ruggyboy1 | 4 Jul 09
Hi all Sorry to say this as I love Dave, but I'm getting seriously bored with the re-runs of re-runs. I have seen the ones with guest hosts Julian Clary and Michael Burke about 3 times this week. Can you please show the Boris Johnson ones again?? Have I Got News For You is one of my favourite programmes and I'm sure there is an almost infinite number of episodes to show. Please listen to our comments, isn't that what a forum is for??
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FlagHippo | 16 Jun 09
37 series (I think!). Can you not show more of the old ones?
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djdjdjdjdjdjd | 13 Jun 09
Its a good show but why do you have to show the same episodes over and over again?
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quavercheese | 9 Jun 09
Still going strong. I'd love Angus Deayton to come back and host a special.
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Flumpface | 29 May 09
One of the best shows ever, no shortage of episodes to watch either! Paul and Ian should be knighted.
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Debz77 | 14 Apr 09
Have been watching this show for years and i love it. Although I do miss Angus Deaton as the host. A few have done a sterling stand in job (John Seargent and Boris Johnson are personal faves) but there's no one quite like angus for ian and paul to spar with!!
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Peter1995 | 27 Oct 08
paul merton is mint!!!
Latest post
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RichardH21569 | 7 Dec 10
View all commentsHope everyone's noticed Dave now has the longer HIGNFYs - every evening at around 2230 (with 3 breaks unfortunately). Seemingly no publicity from Dave tho.