Did you see HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU last night, with Ann Widdecombe presenting? Ok, Ok, she's a friend of mine, but I thought she was absolutely brilliant at it. She displayed a sense of humour which maybe people hadn't seen before and was quite willing to send herself up. Indeed, Danny Baker, one of the guests, was so impressed, that at the end of the programme he got up and bowed in a "we are not worthy" style. I think she's guaranteed herself a repeat booking. If you didn't see it, watch the repeat, which goes out on Monday night at 10pm on BBC2.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Widders Stars on Have I Got News For You
Did you see HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU last night, with Ann Widdecombe presenting? Ok, Ok, she's a friend of mine, but I thought she was absolutely brilliant at it. She displayed a sense of humour which maybe people hadn't seen before and was quite willing to send herself up. Indeed, Danny Baker, one of the guests, was so impressed, that at the end of the programme he got up and bowed in a "we are not worthy" style. I think she's guaranteed herself a repeat booking. If you didn't see it, watch the repeat, which goes out on Monday night at 10pm on BBC2.
I thought she was very good too. Definitely better than Ian Hislop who has been doing it for 15 years and a very good foil for Paul Merton. I still miss Angus though ...
ReplyDeleteHis Grace does not miss Angus in the slightest. One of this show's principal selling points has become the surprise chair(wo)man each week.
ReplyDeleteMs Widdecombe was as excellent as one might expect from one so politically astute and spiritually savvy. Far from being a 'dinosaur of the right, her pulse beats for 'Middle England', and it does so with charisma and charm.
Has it really been going 15 years? Holy Cow, I am getting old.
ReplyDeleteShe was OK, as opposed to very good. If we can't have Angus, it has to be Boris or Andrew Armstrong.
ReplyDeleteShe was very funny and was more than a match for the teams.
ReplyDeleteAnn Widdecombe is one of those Tories I have a soft spot for so I wanted to catch last night but missed it. Thanks for reminding me when it is repeated!
ReplyDeleteIt's Alexander Armstrong and he's my outstanding candidate for permanent host.
ReplyDeleteOh, you think she was sending HERSELF up?
ReplyDeleteDear Me, I missed that.
Yes she was good. If only she had shown that side of her character sooner...
ReplyDelete"Has it really been going 15 years? Holy Cow, I am getting old."
ReplyDeleteSeventeen I think. The first episode was I believe in 1989. It hit its peak in '94-'95.
It's actually repeated on Monday night 10.00pm
ReplyDeleteI thought she was very good and the panel clearly enjoyed themselves too. I thought her voice was interesting.
ReplyDeleteBoris is of course the champion guest presenter - the blondes clearly have more fun!
She has gone up in my estimation now that she doesn't take herself quite as seriously. See, there may be a benefit to spending a 'weird week/end with Louis Theroux'.
ReplyDeleteWho next for HIGNFY - Eugene 'terrifying' Terre'blance ?
She was as good as William Hague, I'd vote for either to take the hot seat.
ReplyDeleteIs there any way those of us who don't live in Britain can see it?
ReplyDeleteYes, I saw it too.
ReplyDeleteBut I thought I detected some unusual deference from the ‘panel’…it was rather like watching four people meeting someone like Princess Anne, and having to be subservient, but jolly and agreeable.
Anne Widdecombe is my MP (and – I think - Ian Hislop’s) and I actually quite like her too, so perhaps all this got me into a sort of position where I said – oh sod it, its only a TV programme. Dumb down.
So is this what celeb quiz masters or mistresses want?
I’m not sure if it works well that way.
So so far the two best presenters are both Conservatives...
ReplyDeleteWhat with all the blogs, the TV shows etc, it's quite strange how the left seems unable to make a joke... ever
She was in her element - very funny and engaging.
ReplyDeleteI really disapprove of people bowing "we are not worthy" - it is ostentatious and drawing attention to oneself. "Oh look at me, aren't I being cool by demonstrating that I'm in the company of someone important?"
ReplyDeleteAnn was very good. The worst presenters have been Neil Kinnock and Gordon Ramsey. And we've got Boris again the week after next.
By the way, HIGNFY started in 1990 - the Conservative leadership crisis was a key feature of the first series.
Blondes have more fun & she clearly has been since she became one. She not only did well but clearly impressed the panels.
ReplyDeleteI still think the best was Bruce Forsyth - much to the astonishement of sundry upmarket types.
I didn't like Angus, or Bruce Forsyth. Widdecombe was good.
ReplyDeleteverity - try asking on digitalspy