Have I Got News For You is a British television panel show produced by Hat Trick 
Productions for the BBC. It is based loosely on the BBC Radio 4 show The News Quiz, and has been broadcast since 1990, currently the BBC’s longest-ever running panel show. The show has cultivated a reputation for sailing close to the wind in matters of libel with its satirical, light-hearted format. The original line-up, from 1990 to 2002, was Angus Deayton as chairman, with Ian Hislop, the editor of Private Eye, and comedian Paul Merton as team captains. Each captain is accompanied by a guest, usually a politician, journalist or comedian, or somebody particularly relevant to recent news. In recent years, the late-night weekend repeat has occasionally contained extra material from the week’s recording. This became a permanent feature from the spring 2007 series, with the repeat having a running time of 40 minutes, and being titled (in the TV listings) Have I Got a Bit More News for You.
After May 2002, following newspaper headlines of his adulterous use of a prostitute and illegal drugs, Deayton was ridiculed on the show by Merton and Hislop. Following further allegations Deyton was fired. Despite a search for a permanent successor to Deayton, having a different guest host each week proved successful, with average audience figures increasing from 6 million to 7 million. It was therefore announced in June 2003 that this feature would continue.
When did Have I Got News For You Jump the Shark ?
22 votes so far...
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Still the king of the comedy panel shows. There must be lots now that have came and went in the years that this has been running. Still as funny as ever and the guest presenters usually (with afew exceptions) add to the comedy. Never jumped.
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Is it fair to say that everyone involved on HIGNFY looks bored now? Paul sometimes says nothing at all or very little in some episodes and looks like he would rather be anywhere but there. Ian now drones on about the same politicians doing the same stuff for what seems like 10 minutes at a time. I expect him to get to some kind of punch line eventually but it never happens. Its as if you can hear the dissapointment from the audience.
Its certainly not the show it used to be. Not really because of Angus leaving though. Ive kinda noticed it more this last couple of series.
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Never jumped. Still the best of all the comedy quiz shows.
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Its not all about Paul Merton and Ian Hislop. The presenter matters too. If you get a guest presenter who looks uncomfortable and cant think on his feet then its not the same show. Someone has to be in control and more importantly they have to keep the comedy flowing.
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Still a good show. But when Paul Merton cant be bothered neither can i realy. When hes on form and in the zone hes one of the funniest comedians on television. When he cant be arsed, well he just sits around saying nothing looking glum. Makes for a shit episode.
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Its not the same now. Jumped once Angus left. He was a smarmy twat at the best of times but it just worked better with him on the show. Obviously because of his erm…..other interests it just wasnt feasible anymore. Some of the guest presenters have been terrible and i think it effects the flow of comedy on the show.
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I missed Angus at first and thought for a while it was the end of the show. I think the complete opposite now. The guest presenters keep things fresh. Paul and Ian are always on form. Angus who….?
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I miss Angus Deyton. It seemed like there was genuine animosity between Paul and Angus and that always made for some tension on the show. And Ian Hislop wouldnt hesitate to get one up over Angus given the opportunity.
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I dont think the presenters realy matter. I sometimes think Paul Merton cant be arsed though. Not so much in this series but in earlier ones he seemed to spend alot of time saying nothing and looking bored. Aslong as he is at his stupid best then the show will carry on. Ian Hislop can always be relied upon.
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Aslong as they keep the shit presenters ( Neil Kinnock etc ) down to minimum then theres no reason why the show cant go on and on. As it has done for years now. Like others have said it realy depends on Ian and Paul. Sometimes in the past Paul looks like he couldnt care less.
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Dont think its jumped. But it has suffered a little after losing Angus Deyton. Some of the guests are quite crap and it can effect the dynamic of the show. But its still enjoyable.
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I would have to disagree with the majority here. I loved the banter between Ian, Paul and Angus. Who could forget the brown suit episode ? Theres no tension anymore. I always felt Paul was on the edge of seat just waiting to let rip on Angus when he was the regular host. Its still funny due to Ian and Paul but i have no interest who is presenting. I would rather a permanent replacement was found.
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No its never jumped. There is always a fresh supply of news to make fun off. Some guest presenters were pretty bad but it doesnt reflect badly on the show. Aslong as Paul and Ian are on form then long may the show continue.
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There are afew shitty guest presenters from time to time. Although its Merton and Hislop that are the main draw it does make for a lack of chemistry. Neil Kinnock for example was one of the worst. But when they get it right its great (Boris/Brucie etc)
I wonder if the shark will start circling HIGNFY soon though. There are alot of comedy panel shows out there now that are pretty funny. Maybe another show will knock this from the top spot?
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I dont think Angus leaving did the show that much harm. But at the same time some of the guest presenters are pretty shit and it can sometimes effect the quality of the show.
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Never jumped. I dont think Deyton leaving harmed the show at all. I think the complete opposite actualy. Lets be honest he rarely ad libbed during the show, prefering to read from the safety of the auto-cue instead.
Most of the guest presenters are great. Especialy Boris, Brucie and the legendary Brian Blessed. Hope the show goes on for a long time yet.
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This never jumped. Its as good now as it ever was. Always funny from week to week.
Deyton couldnt stay any longer simple as that. After Merton and Hislop ripped him to bits on screen it was the beginning of the end.
To see Christine Hamilton of all people getting one over on Deyton was tragic. No longer could he be the sarcastic host making jokes at contestants private life. He had now became a bigger joke than alot of them.
I dont think either Merton or Hislop lost much sleep over him leaving……….on with the show.
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Hm – tricky. Deayton was ok as a presenter, but the hatred between him and Merton was palpable, and made for some really awkard moments – I still remember the car-crash of their clash in the episode AFTER the brown-suit one (which was a classic) and Deayton taking the huff when Merton made a wacky joke in the odd-one out round. Not sure what the reason was, but in the Bafta’s or some-such awards ceremony just prior to this episode, Merton beat Deayton to win something – is this why Deayton got the lip out? Or was it just cumulative effect?
Back to our regular topic….
I did like the guest presenters at first, and we’ve have some crackers – Boris Johnson, take a bow – but it’s getting a bit old. They need to find a new regular.
Does anyone have Alexander Armstrong’s number? He’s Deayton squared – as suave, better presenter, and knows when to take a back seat and let Hislop and Merton take the spotlight.
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No. Not at all !!
The programme hasnt suffered at all from Deyton leaving. If anything the guest hosts can give it new depth. Have you never seen John Sergeant, Bruce Forsyth or Boris Johnson presenting to name afew ???
Merton and Hislop are usualy on top form too. Consistantly funny for me throughout every series.
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Controversial i know but once Deyton left it went downhill.
Its not the same now. I enjoy seeing Deyton getting ripped to bits every week by Hislop and Merton. Remember his brown suit?
You dont get the same banter with the guest presenters.
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