Writing 'Have I Got News For You'

As you may have read in our last writers newsletter, I'm now on a mission to add more behind-the-scenes insight to the website.

I'm pleased to announce that our next insight will be about writing for a topical comedy show, something we've not covered in any in-depth before.

I'll shortly be talking to some of the Have I Got News For You gag writers you see. It should be a rare, revealing insight into what goes on behind-the-scenes at the hit show!

If you've got any questions you'd like me to ask, post here. I'll add the best to my own questions.

Can I please write for your show?

Who does my wife have to sleep with to get me writing for the show?

How do you find new talent? Is it by sleeping with the applicant's wife?

Ask why they still write the gags in Deayton's style, which is why each presenter is never as good. Or why they have sacrificed political satire for John Prescott is fat jokes.

Or ask wot Boriz Jonson iz like LOL?!?!?

Deayton used to write a lot of the material in the early days of course, thus making Merton and Hislop's 'just reading aloud' argument incorrect.

Lol@Nuts.

It's a funny one Mark, because there's no face to the writers, it's not like we can tell who wrote what jokes. They use such throw away topical gags and there presence isn't felt it's hard to ask any questions with any depth.

What's their favourite colour?

Lol.

err..

Is it rewarding writing topical gags for a living?

How did you get started?

Are you ever biased towards your personal political opinions in selecting targets to satirise?

What is your deadline? Do you write up untill the recordings on the Thursday?

Ask them,

"why do you still write the show around a dated boring format, don't you have any pride in your work then?"

"as the guys on the show make it up as they go along, why are you needed?"

"what's it like working for your mum, dad, uncle, auntie, cousin, etc.?"

"who the hell do you think you are, we've got more talent on the whole of BSG than you have in your little finger.."

Ta!

Frankie xxx

I bet I can guess who next weeks guest host is going to be.

Not something I'd want to get into (mostly because I can't write topical stuff!) but it should be very interesting, cheers.

I've been asked loads of things.

Quote: Leevil @ October 17, 2007, 1:33 PM

They use such throw away topical gags and there presence isn't felt it's hard to ask any questions with any depth.

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I dunno - ajp29 has come up with some good ones. I think the fact people know so little about the making of HIGNFY shows just how interesting an insight it is hopefully going to be.

Quote: Frankie Rage @ October 17, 2007, 1:45 PM

"why do you still write the show around a dated boring format, don't you have any pride in your work then?"

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I detect some envy here Frankie. I think its audience ratings shows that most people don't think it is a tired and dated format, but you're entited to your opinion.

Quote: Frankie Rage @ October 17, 2007, 1:45 PM

"as the guys on the show make it up as they go along, why are you needed?"

View original

Everything the guest presenter says is scripted, plus there's always been hints that some of the lines the panelists come up with are not entirely thought off the top of their head shall we say.

Quote: Frankie Rage @ October 17, 2007, 1:45 PM

"what's it like working for your mum, dad, uncle, auntie, cousin, etc.?" "who the hell do you think you are, we've got more talent on the whole of BSG than you have in your little finger.."

View original

Woah, steady! Where'd that anger come from? Maybe I'm missing some sarcasm? Anyway, you'll never get into the industry with an attitude like that. I think most people on here would agree that, in the main, those in the industry are talented and to say otherwise is silly.

I don't think I'm allowed to say yet, but if you have the idea that it's just some pals brought in by Hattrick I think you'll be surprised to find out who writes for the show and the previous credits on their CVs.

Merton and Hislop only get to see the pictures in the odd one out round, and the clips at the start. And that's only about half an hour before. I think out of all the panel shows, this is the least 'staged'.

Quote: Mark @ October 17, 2007, 5:42 PM

Woah, steady! Where'd that anger come from?

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I agree! So it may have got a bit stale, but what do you expect after the billionth series? And some of the guest hosts may be a little drab, but Jeremy Clarkson and Jack Dee have done some of the funniest shows being host.

Could you ask them what was the first thing they ever had published or broadcast?

Oh, and ask them what University they went to. If they did. At all.

Your efforts are appreciated Mark! I think Frankie is just a grumpy git.

Yeah its a coup to get the interview. Basically, routes into the industry and advice is always welcome to us writers. I love the show.

Quote: Mark @ October 17, 2007, 5:42 PM

I detect some envy here Frankie. I think its audience ratings shows that most people don't think it is a tired and dated format, but you're entited to your opinion.

Everything the guest presenter says is scripted, plus there's always been hints that some of the lines the panelists come up with are not entirely thought off the top of their head shall we say.

Woah, steady! Where'd that anger come from? Maybe I'm missing some sarcasm? Anyway, you'll never get into the industry with an attitude like that. I think most people on here would agree that, in the main, those in the industry are talented and to say otherwise is silly.

I don't think I'm allowed to say yet, but if you have the idea that it's just some pals brought in by Hattrick I think you'll be surprised to find out who writes for the show and the previous credits on their CVs.

View original

Mark, do you often have a sense of humour failure? Sorry you didn't find any of the points I raised funny, but hey ho.

Most of what I wrote was jest, as for envy, anybody who knows me would tell you that envy is my middle name, er.. I mean that I don't have an envious bone in my body.

But I genuinely think it's a boring outdated format and would like to see some changes. It's OK for 'pipe and slippers' viewers who want to see the same old thing every week, but I don't.

And as for you telling me I'll never get in the industry with an attitude like mine, up yours!

Enjoy your interview ...and your pipe and slippers?

Frankie xxx

Quote: Leevil @ October 17, 2007, 5:55 PM

Your efforts are appreciated Mark! I think Frankie is just a grumpy git.

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See Mark, Leevil KNOWS me best!!!

Also, OF COURSE your efforts are appreciated, it's ALWAYS interesting to see what ANY writer who is successful has to say. If I didn't appreciate what this site does, believe me I wouldn't grace it with me 'eye' avatar!!!

Fair do's, dude?