Maybe it's the nature of comedy itself: you have to send yourself or others up as objects of ridicule. If you are right wing and try this you look like a bit of a bully? I don't know, but I'd disagree with there being any kind of left wing message in current mainstream television. It's all New Labour corporatism.
Waaay off-topic now, I know. So I'll just comment that the HIGNFY theme tune must be pretty special to still be catchy and not tired after all these years. 
Quote: Basil Rathbon @ May 29 2013, 12:45 PM BSTIt would be far more interesting if they had a right wing comedian and a left wing politician rather than the other way round.
There is a shortage of right wing comedians. And left wing politicians.
Quote: Snafu @ May 29 2013, 8:58 AM BSTThat last episode appeared like a little bit of a stitch-up, isolating Josie Long amongst that row of Public School boys, whereas the comedians' spot is nearly always next to Paul (who is incredibly generous with helping out other comics on this show, and was noticeably quieter in this recent one as well).
I actually do not understand what you are getting here. Josie was sat next Paul. How was she isolated? And Paul has been noticeably quiet for about ten years now.
In any case she has been awful whenever I have seen her on panel shows, so I am not sure you can blame the producers.
I think Josie was sat next to Ian.
Oops yes, you are right.
Quote: Snafu @ May 29 2013, 1:41 PM BSTI'd disagree with there being any kind of left wing message in current mainstream television.
A funnier quote than has been on HIGNFY for years. (And that's not to do down HIGNFY.)
Quote: Basil Rathbon @ May 29 2013, 12:45 PM BSTAnd why is virtually every "alternative" comedian left-wing? It would be far more interesting if they had a right wing comedian and a left wing politician rather than the other way round.
That would indeed be a far more interesting contrast. Can't think of any right-wing comics though. I've heard Henning Wehn described as libertarian and lumped in as right wing accordingly, but that's down on the axis, not right.
Quote: Tursiops @ May 29 2013, 2:06 PM BSTThere is a shortage of right wing comedians. And left wing politicians.
I actually do not understand what you are getting here. Josie was sat next Paul. How was she isolated? And Paul has been noticeably quiet for about ten years now.
In any case she has been awful whenever I have seen her on panel shows, so I am not sure you can blame the producers.
I think what I was trying to point out was that, as a comedian whose material is aimed primarily at privilege and inequality, it must have been a tough introduction to the programme to be sat amongst three of the most privileged men in the country and being asked to do your usual material. You'd think that the bookers, producers, whoever would try to arrange guests in a way that was most conducive to laughter, and sat Josie alongside Paul Merton. Though perhaps that in itself may have been dodgy ground for compliance, as it may have looked like Lefties versus a Tory/Liberal coalition!
As for the general bias of the media, I suppose it all really depends on whether you think the Blair years were more left wing or corporate, as the media certainly did seem to love him (despite the heinous crimes 
). But when TV hosts and anchors habitually repeat stock phrases like "public ownership didn't work because British Rail sandwiches", or "the end of the cold war proved that Socialism fails", you start to suspect that some of them are really more about the champagne than the socialism! 
(Sorry for dragging this back off-topic. I thought Warwick Davis was excellent the other week.)
Quote: Aaron @ May 29 2013, 5:41 PM BSTThat would indeed be a far more interesting contrast. Can't think of any right-wing comics though. I've heard Henning Wehn described as libertarian and lumped in as right wing accordingly, but that's down on the axis, not right.
Is Henning Wehn a character comedian? I've seen him live once and on loads of radio and TV. I thought he was a lot like The Pub Landlord in that respect, and more of a send-up of British stereotypes of German nationalism. Agreed though that it might be funny and different to see him taking the piss out of someone like George Galloway on the show.
Discussing political wings with concern to this pile of meandering liberal fence sitting shit is a waste of time. It is about as cutting edge as a thing that is very blunt with a thick carpet tied around it and stored in a locked box
But have the corners of the box been sandpapered?
Quote: Snafu @ May 29 2013, 9:18 PM BSTBut have the corners of the box been sandpapered?
Yes no sharp edges are apparent 
Quote: Raymond Terrific @ May 21 2013, 12:02 AM BSTHe's not great at reading from an autocue though. A bit slow, ruined the delivery a bit.
I didn't know whether or not he is dyslexic, due to the tint on the lenses of his glasses. During teacher-training we were taught that certain shades of lenses or pen colours helped people with dyslexia to read better. I didn't know whether the glasses were for that or just for fashion.
Much funnier, less painful guests this week.
Quote: Raymond Terrific @ June 2 2013, 9:30 AM BSTMuch funnier, less painful guests this week.
Agree. And Frank Skinner as a host feels natural. Not like a novelty as with some others.
This show needs a major rejig, get rid of Merton and Hislop and have a regular host or just put it out to grass.
I like Merton and Hislop. They're comfy, like an old shoe.
Quote: zooo @ June 2 2013, 12:35 PM BSTI like Merton and Hislop. They're comfy, like an old shoe.
They're smelling.
Quote: Pingl @ June 2 2013, 11:53 AM BSTThis show needs a major rejig, get rid of Merton and Hislop and have a regular host or just put it out to grass.
Yeah, let Lee Nelson and Russel Howard take their places!
