If they decide to go back to having one permanent host again, Victoria would by far be my first choice. She is so good (in general as a presenter, but especially here), funny, knowledgable, quick, witty, she has all it takes for this show.
I've been watching this show from afar for many years now, I'm soon to return to Blighty. One of the first things I'm going to do is subscribe to Private Eye. Ian is a legend. And then I'll open a bank account and renew my driving license.......
Always glad to see Victoria and Helen. Maisie's reaction when she heard the Prince Philip/Diana's brakeline joke was priceless. All my favourite guests are such because of their minds, and most of them are women. That said, Victoria so made me wish for 3D TV on this episode.
What's a bit creepy is the need to specify - much like the previously mentioned non-dogging neighbours, at a certain point it begins to smell of protesting too much. Saying he was taking a photo of his own wife should have theoretically sufficed to point out said attraction.
The puns on dogs' favourite TV shows were particularly pleasing. You have two professional journalists on one side and two professional comedians on the other and the journalists were funnier.
Was there a lack of news this week or did they just not want to talk about it? The second lead story is a giant potato. Even the headline round was mostly about hats. Everyone was okay talking about corruption with Tory MPs but when it comes to Meghan and Harry the audience and VCM were not too on board - thank you Ian Hislop for not letting anyone off the hook. Not one of the strongest episodes but it seems to be mostly a lack of news to talk about.
This is not a news show despite the name, they whinge a little at the start about the biggest scandals that week, but after that it's just silly stories and headlines.
At one point there was a long and strange silence of _complete commiseration_ by all concerned. The parlous state of Britain was definitely involved. Sombre.
Mrs Richards: "I paid for a room with a view !" Basil: (pointing to the lovely view) "That is Torquay, Madam." Mrs Richards: "It's not good enough!" Basil: "May I ask what you were expecting to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically past?..." Mrs Richards: "Don't be silly! I expect to be able to see the sea!" Basil: "You can see the sea, it's over there between the land and the sky." Mrs Richards: "I'm not satisfied. But I shall stay. But I expect a reduction." Basil: "Why?! Because Krakatoa's not erupting at the moment ?
Hislop ought to make an audio-clip of him saying "Hey fuckwit" 'it be great as a "you got a text" message" on the phone. Make it purchaseable for say a pound perhaps?.. "In recent news, Ian Hislop, editor of the magazine and a host of BBC one's 'have I got news for you' have been made a millionaire!, yes, since launching his one pound for a short funny clip, bla bla" (I'd wager)