# Stephen Fry to leave QI **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 14, 2015, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-fry-to-leave-qi/734658 "2015-10-14T20:41:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2015, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-fry-to-leave-qi/734658/1 "2015-10-14T20:41:31Z")
[Here is the story in Wired.](http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2015-10/14/stephen-fry-leaving-qi) It appears Sandy Toksvig will be the new head mistress. She’s been great as a guest. I wonder how she will do in the Big Chair? ---
**Author:** ![HowSoonIsThen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@HowSoonIsThen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HowSoonIsThen)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2015, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-fry-to-leave-qi/734658/2 "2015-10-14T21:02:05Z")
If I was in charge I’d have replaced him with David Mitchell. But maybe he’d be seen as too similar. Sandi Toksvig’s not a bad choice. My only problem is that she talks way too fast. ---
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2015, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-fry-to-leave-qi/734658/3 "2015-10-14T21:25:02Z")
Mitchell would have been brilliant! I wonder if they approached him. ---
**Author:** ![Septima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Septima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Septima)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2015, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-fry-to-leave-qi/734658/4 "2015-10-14T21:26:08Z")
I was all NOOOOOOOOOO, but when I saw Toksvig was taking over, I was fine with. She’s one of very few who can do it. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2015, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-fry-to-leave-qi/734658/5 "2015-10-14T22:15:04Z")
☹ Still, Sandi is an OK choice. She _was_ holding Neil Armstrong’s secretary’s hand when he landed on the moon. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2015, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-fry-to-leave-qi/734658/6 "2015-10-14T22:26:50Z")
Apparently Sandi Toksvig will be the first woman to host a major tv panel show. Really? ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2015, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-fry-to-leave-qi/734658/7 "2015-10-14T23:20:07Z")
It’s a sad day to hear that Stephen Fry is leaving one of the best British TV shows ever. He’s truly unique in his combination of intelligence, knowledge and wit and will be close to irreplaceable as host. > [@HowSoonIsThen](#): > > If I was in charge I’d have replaced him with David Mitchell. But maybe he’d be seen as too similar. David Mitchell would be a good choice but I think Sandi Toksvig’s probably more suitable. She’s very clever and knowledgeable about a wide range of subjects. She’s also got more of a didactic schoolteacher vibe about her, in a way that Stephen Fry does, which is more fitting for the show’s setup. > [@Mahaloth](#): > > Apparently Sandi Toksvig will be the first woman to host a major tv panel show. Really? I don’t think this is the case. For example, Sue Barker has hosted the BBC’s flagship sports quiz panel show _A Question of Sport_ since 1997 (sportsmen/celebs in a lighthearted panel game). More recently, Holly Willoughby has hosted the similar but more debased _Play to the Whistle_. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2015, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-fry-to-leave-qi/734658/8 "2015-10-14T23:51:24Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > David Mitchell would be a good choice but I think Sandi Toksvig’s probably more suitable. She’s very clever and knowledgeable about a wide range of subjects. She’s also got more of a didactic schoolteacher vibe about her, in a way that Stephen Fry does, which is more fitting for the show’s setup. I think being a great host on a show like this is a lot harder than it looks. When _Says You!_ (an American radio show) lost its creator and long-time host last year, one of the panelists took on the job. I really didn’t like him as host at first; he jumped in too quickly and too often. Being a panelist is about jumping in to the conversation with whatever funny or (quite) interesting thing you can think to say. Being the host is about serving up funny topics and then holding back to let the panelists work with what you give them. Mitchell hosts another show, I believe, and I should probably watch that to see what he’s like, but if he just took his _QI_ persona to the host’s chair I don’t think it would work. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-fry-to-leave-qi/734658/9 "2015-10-15T00:27:03Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I think being a great host on a show like this is a lot harder than it looks. When _Says You!_ (an American radio show) lost its creator and long-time host last year, one of the panelists took on the job. I really didn’t like him as host at first; he jumped in too quickly and too often. Being a panelist is about jumping in to the conversation with whatever funny or (quite) interesting thing you can think to say. Being the host is about serving up funny topics and then holding back to let the panelists work with what you give them. Mitchell hosts another show, I believe, and I should probably watch that to see what he’s like, but if he just took his _QI_ persona to the host’s chair I don’t think it would work. Yeah, _Q.I._ and Stephen Fry were perfect for each other and I don’t think there’s _anyone_ that would be able to match Fry’s genius. I saw the David Mitchell-hosted _Was It Something I Said?_ series and while he did a fair job and grew into the role, I think he’s better on the other side of the desk as a team contestant, a role in which he usually shines. He’s also a regular team captain on the excellent _Would I Lie to You?_ panel show, as well as guesting on a plethora of others. Toksvig’s hosted a couple of other quiz shows and done other presenting work, so she has the experience. David Mitchell’s also probably too young for the “teacher” role (41) while Toksvig’s the same age as Fry (57/58). ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-fry-to-leave-qi/734658/10 "2015-10-15T00:32:15Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > Yeah, _Q.I._ and Stephen Fry were perfect for each other and I don’t think there’s _anyone_ that would be able to match Fry’s genius. > > I saw the David Mitchell-hosted _Was It Something I Said?_ series and while he did a fair job and grew into the role, I think he’s better on the other side of the desk as a team contestant, a role in which he usually shines. He’s also a regular team captain on the excellent _Would I Lie to You?_ panel show, as well as guesting on a plethora of others. > > Toksvig’s hosted a couple of other quiz shows and done other presenting work, so she has the experience. > > David Mitchell’s also probably too young for the “teacher” role (41) while Toksvig’s the same age as Fry (57/58). David is great on Unbelievable Truth, though. However, I agree Tiksvig is a good choie. ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-fry-to-leave-qi/734658/11 "2015-10-15T00:36:18Z")
I was all set to stop watching _QI_ until I read that Sandi Toksvig would be the new host. I think she’ll be great. I’ve definitely enjoyed every episode in which she’s been a guest. ---
**Author:** ![Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uosdwis_R.Dewoh)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-fry-to-leave-qi/734658/12 "2015-10-15T00:52:23Z")
Wouldn’t Toksvig being the host possibly be in conflict with the BBC being, in theory, neutral politically and with her being the co-founder of the Women’s Equality Party? Have highly political people had shows on the BBC before? I’m not a huge fan of Toksvig. She’s alright, I guess. I’d rather it be David Mitchell, or Jo Brand maybe. ---
**Author:** ![urban1a](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e47c2d/32.png) [@urban1a](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/urban1a)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-fry-to-leave-qi/734658/13 "2015-10-15T02:00:46Z")
I would certainly miss Stephan but I really don’t have access to the show anyway since I live in the US. I have watched through maybe L on YouTube but those were shows which were recorded by a fan and uploaded. I don’t think I have ever seen Sandi so I can’t judge. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-fry-to-leave-qi/734658/14 "2015-10-15T02:42:37Z")
I’m a huge David Mitchell fangirl but he is already on every other show. He hosts some and is a regular panelist on “Would I Lie to You?” and is a guest somewhere every week. Being the host of QI would put an end to that. David’s wife, Victoria Coren Mitchell, was the host of a show [Only Connect](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Only_Connect) from 2008 to 2014. I’m stoked about Sandi. She’s great! ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-fry-to-leave-qi/734658/15 "2015-10-15T03:04:22Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > David’s wife, Victoria Coren Mitchell, was the host of a show [Only Connect](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Only_Connect) from 2008 to 2014. Isn’t she still? This is another one I watch on youtube, I think I’m about halfway through series 11 and she’s still the host. I always wonder how well I’d do on it if it weren’t for the cultural gap; whenever the category is something like “The Archers” or “Blue Peter presenters” I’m pretty much screwed. For that matter, I wonder if an American version of _QI_ could work. Bonnie Hunt would be a good host, I think. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-fry-to-leave-qi/734658/16 "2015-10-15T04:07:52Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Isn’t she still? Yes, she is. They’re halfway through broadcasting a series of _Only Connect_ right now, within which she is pregnant to the child she gave birth to back in May. ---
**Author:** ![MostlyClueless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@MostlyClueless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MostlyClueless)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-fry-to-leave-qi/734658/17 "2015-10-15T05:19:47Z")
I think she will do fine. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-fry-to-leave-qi/734658/18 "2015-10-15T08:05:13Z")
I am very sad. Fry was unique . Although Sandi can do the job, she has a similar public school vibe, although there’s a clear difference between Fry’s bookish, swot vibe and Toskvig’s jolly hockysticks tweed&manure persona No more Phil Jupitus [Fry impersonations](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IKIb5cRp9g)…☹ ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-fry-to-leave-qi/734658/19 "2015-10-15T08:53:08Z")
I am big fan of QI, and of Stephen Fry, but the show is not perfect. I hate when the panelists are just doing some goofy impression or something and milking a joke too far. So I would say there’s even room for improvement with the new boss. ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2015, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-fry-to-leave-qi/734658/20 "2015-10-15T09:26:45Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Apparently Sandi Toksvig will be the first woman to host a major tv panel show. Really? > [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > I don’t think this is the case. For example, Sue Barker has hosted the BBC’s flagship sports quiz panel show _A Question of Sport_ since 1997 (sportsmen/celebs in a lighthearted panel game). More recently, Holly Willoughby has hosted the similar but more debased _Play to the Whistle_. Another claim I’ve seen is that she’s the “first female host of a _mainstream comedy_ panel show on British TV”, but even that’s not right – HIGNFY alone has had (by my count) 23 female hosts (some of them on multiple occasions). She may be the first _permanent_ female host of a _mainstream, comedy_ panel show on _British TV_, but at that point I think the qualifications are becoming a little silly. She’s a woman who’s taking on a high-profile role in a field in which women are under-represented, is what’s happening. Which is good, but it doesn’t make a sexy headline. > [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](#): > > Wouldn’t Toksvig being the host possibly be in conflict with the BBC being, in theory, neutral politically and with her being the co-founder of the Women’s Equality Party? Have highly political people had shows on the BBC before? It _might_ be a problem if she was hosting a political or news-based show (as Angus Deayton found, it’s difficult to be properly satirical about the week’s headlines if you’re in them), and this is presumably why she’s no longer presenting _The News Quiz_, but I can’t see how it would affect QI. The BBC as a whole needs to be politically neutral: expecting every single person on every programme to be apolitical would be setting the bar too high. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-fry-to-leave-qi/734658.md?page=2)