Quote: Mark @ August 15 2008, 5:53 PM BSTHe was in most of the episodes of the first couple of series and probably would have become a team captain if he hadn't disappeared (think he's gone to America now to star on The Daily Show?)
Is he still doing that? Whenever I remember to watch it he's never on. 
Quote: zooo @ August 15 2008, 6:00 PM BSTIs he still doing that? Whenever I remember to watch it he's never on.
Maybe not. He's certainly living in America now though. He's in Mike Myers new film and a couple of other comedy things over there. He would appear to be too busy to make it to Edinburgh this year to host the Political Animal Fringe show as he normally would have.
(I just checked - looks like he is still on the team: http://www.thedailyshow.com/castBio.jhtml?castId=74954)
Oh. Come back Oliver!
Traitor!
And bring Simon, Russell and Ricky with you.
Nah, they're alright. 
Noo!
Hello all. Long time reader, first time poster and all that jazz 
I think the likeability of the panelists varies in each episode. Russel Howard is probably the best example. He can be quite funny but he seems to constantly crave attention and sometimes seems to just come out with something for the sake of speaking. Many times during this series I've seen one of the guests give him a look which clearly says 'What an annoying twat'.
It's a similar case with Frankie Boyle. Wonderful comedian, but sometimes it feels less like Mock the Week and more like The Frankie Boyle Show. It seems he has to respond to everything and is locked in a cycle of having to increasingly out do his trademark black humour. I feel sorry for Hugh Dennis- there was an episode this series where the banter was basically between only Frankie, Andy and Russel, with Hugh being forced to shout in order to get a comment in. You get the feeling that the show runners or editors are playing favourites. I noticed that the following week Frankie kept fairly quiet and allowed Hugh to get in alot more lines.
Interesting analysis. I'd definitely agree about Russel. I've noticed just in the past week or so he does seem to chime in with something almost purely for the reason of speaking - but I still like him.
Welcome to the site!
Hey Gelgoog 
I don't like RH (not Rolf Harris). I just don't see what it is he does that absolutely anyone else couldn't do. He has no wit, he just makes surreal remarks that might work but often don't.
No no, Russel has FAR more hits than misses.
Quote: Aaron @ August 16 2008, 11:37 PM BSTNo no, Russel has FAR more hits than misses.
AND he always laughs his arse of at his own (shit) jokes. He really is just a juvenile that somehow got on the telly.
A funny juvenile.
Thanks for the warm welcome
I think a good example of Russel missing it is his recent appearance on Would I Lie To You. Maybe it was because he was sat in the same position, but it seemed he expected the same response as he gets on MTW but fell flat, with team captain Lee Mack often turning his back on him. I get the feeling that Russel is a bit of a rookie who made it into the big leagues with MTW and has gotten a bit carried away, feeling he's made it and has star power now. He's constantly pulling this "Look at me, look at me!" act and his sheer crazed enthusiasm is often what hurts him. Good example of a bad joke- the time during the Wheel of News game he used the story about being in a jacuzzi with all his family. The punchline for that was beyond awkward, a very school kid joke. An example of him at his peak was the more recent rant about the voices for all the British newspapers.
I have a vague recollection of his telling a jacuzzi joke - and me finding it rather amusing. Any idea what it was exactly? YouTube?
