Have I got News for You review (Have I got News for You)

Member Name: Walter_Kovacs

Product:	Have I got News for You
Date:	31/10/08 (53 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Hilarious, witty, clever, informative

Disadvantages: None

Have I got News for You is a British panel show focusing on the week's big news. It was first broadcast in 1990 and has been signed up until the end of 2009, which means it'll be running until at least it's 38th series.

The set up is pretty standard; there is one chairman in the middle, who is in charge and awards the points etc. To each of his sides there are two team captains, Paul Merton and Ian Hislop, and accompanying them are two special guests, usually a politician, comedian or TV personality. For the first twelve years the show was hosted by Angus Deayton, but in 2002 a story broke out about him, a prostitute and some illegal drugs. He was humiliated by the two team captains (which I still think is one of the funniest episodes) and was fired a few months later. To be honest, I couldn't see him carrying on, his dead-pan manner making fun out of everyone was magnificent, but with him now being made fun of it wasn't the same show and he wasn't as funny.

So ever since then it has been presented each week by different hosts. Some have done it more than once (Alexander Armstrong, Boris Johnson) and some have been funnier than others (Johnson again). A lot of the humour seems to come from the mick taking of the host, especially if they have done something a bit subject in the past.

This is such fun to watch, the jokes are funny and risque, and the team captains have great chemistry and work well off each other. Paul Merton in particular is fantastic, whether it's just randomly going off on a topic or making fun of the guest host, he is very quick-witted and has great improvisation skills.

Overall a very witty show and a hoot to watch, I would recommend this program to anyone who likes to hear about the news from a comedic angle, or anyone who just wants a laugh at the sometimes absurd stories that make the headlines, five stars!

Summary: One of the funniest british quiz shows ever!