I’m not pleased he has been sacked. I can see how the sanctimonious tone that the programme takes is compromised by his antics. But I just want to watch a funny programme.
I think his contribution to the show is underestimated. He does read off the autocue a lot, but he does so with great comic timing. Paul Merton, brilliant improviser that he is, cannot do it so well : witness Room 101, where he is fine talking to the guest but awkward talking to camera.
Please don’t let his replacement be Clive Anderson, and especially not Johnny Vaughan! I seriously would prefer Roland Rat. I think I’ve seen enough of John Sargeant. Out of the names mentioned so far, I like Stephen Fry best.
My choice for a permanent replacement would be Geoffrey Perkins, failing that Nick Hancock. Or maybe Hugh Laurie.
Of course the best thing would be to keep Angus Deayton. Couldn’t they just put bromide in his tea or something?
Hello cart, welcome to the boards. And try not to get before the horse.
I think John Bird or John Fortune would be good, hey why not both of them, they do write lots of stuff for other folk.
Who is that Jeremy something or other, not Paxman, the geezer I’m thinking of is most often heard as a guest on radio shows such as Newsquiz, which is similar in many way to HIGNFY.
I reckon he’d be a good replacement.
Jeremy Hardy?? He’s very funny but may go OTT on the politics AFAIK he’s VERY left wing. Which I think is good but a lot of people may not like it.
Jeremy Hardy? More guest material than host IMHO. The link grimpixie posted makes a case against Fry or Sergeant and (reluctantly) in favour of Anderson.
I notice no mention of a revolution in BBC host circles, no woman has been put forward, could be its time to do something edgy, Linda Smith maybe.
Ooh, Linda Smith could be good. I like that idea.
Ooh yes, Linda Smith would be excellent.
My money’s on Stephen Fry, and if Angus isn’t back on as a guest within a couple of weeks then I’ll be very surprised. On an almost-related note, has everyone heard the John Leslie limerick yet?
Ooooh no, do share plank. I’ve always despised John Leslie.
And for what it’s worth, I always thought Angus Deyton has a nasty mean streak in him. I’d like to see Stephen Fry do it, if only as just reward for his line “I have not penetrated Prince Edward’s inner circle” on an episode last year.
(And as a complete aside, did anyone see The League of Gentlemen tonight? Papa Lazarou freaks me the fuck out. I love it.)
Damn! I love that show! My favourite Beeb show, together with “They think it’s all over” and <whatever Top Gear’s called these days - hang on, it’s still TG, it’s the other show that has all the ex-TG staff, but I digress>.
Stephen Fry would be most excellent. Who’s Linda Smith?
Tub of Lard, who’s he?
Ooh, another fun Beeb show I tend to watch: Never mind the buzzcocks.
John Leslie limerick? - be very careful with the libel laws here. Don’t forget a thread has already bitten the dust for that reason.
Linda Smith has been a guest in the past but works more on radio, especially on The News Quiz which IIRC was the parent of HIGNFY. That link also mentions Jeremy Hardy.
Tub of Lard, or to give it its full title The Rt. Hon. Tub of Lard MP, was an actual tub of lard used as a substitute guest on Paul Merton’s team when The Rt. Hon. Roy Hattersley MP cancelled his appearance at very short notice. It didn’t answer many questions.
Papa Lazarou? Yep, scary as fuck. Yoouu’re my waiiffe naowww Daaave
Never Mind the Buzzcocks (which has an American version I see) is also very good, and Bill Bailey’s introduction as a replacement for Sean Hughes proves a show doesn’t have to collapse just because a familiar face is no longer around.
Follow up story from the beeb’s website following the recording of Friday’s show. Contains spoilers of course.
I must also warn you before you open it, that you’ll need something to bite on before you read paragraph six.
Oh good god not Bird or Fortune please.
First choice would be Stephen Fry purely because of the same line Francesca mentioned.
I read everton’s link.
Noooooooo! please God no.
:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
Cheers jjim. And don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.
I thought, what could be that bad. Now I see. I hope it’s just misinformation so that when they appoint Johnny Vaughan we are actually relieved.
I would not want to watch the show, if the presenter mentioned in that link presented it for good.
Hislop and Merton would surely feel it their bounden duty to destroy that presenter on-screen.
I mean honestly, private behaviour getting in the way of the show? What about public malevolence?
Amen and Amen!!
Having said that - I saw her on Room 101 and she was quite different from her Weakest Link persona… It might be a good thing for her to do.
Grim