Ian Hislop

How fabulous to have an episode of Have I Got News For You, filmed as election news was still coming in (Friday, BBC1). With all the demob feeling of "EastEnders go to Marbella", this had a real frisson of the improvised. There was a certain catharsis to be had hearing Ian Hislop officially voicing what everyone had been talking about all day: "Everyone said it was unpredictable. Because they'd got it wrong."

And the live quality really added something: "Can I just tell you something? It is the end of Farage." "Can we stop for a minute? Nick Clegg has resigned." Line of the night went to Romesh Ranganathan, on the failure of Mori and the like: "Farage has been banging on about not trusting the Poles for ages ..." And is there any reason why Jo Brand shouldn't be the permanent host?

The same privileged old guard, the unchanging rituals, the forced smiles and occasional moments of genuine delight: yes, the enduring satirical panel show and the general election were clearly made for each other. Still, in the runup to the election, the media has been filled with political behaviour even more ludicrous than usual, all of which should be fecund ground for Paul Merton and Ian Hislop. Jo Brand hosts tonight, while comedian Romesh Ranganathan and newsreader Jon Snow help uncover the truths behind the manifesto promises.

Ian Hislop has big showdown with John Prescott

That was a bit of a tense Have I Got News For You wasn't it? Presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell, episode two of the latest series saw Ian Hislop come to verbal blows with John Prescott.

Clarkson pulled out fearing Deayton-style 'humiliation'

The former Top Gear presenter withdrew because he knew he would be 'slaughtered' by panellists Paul Merton and Ian Hislop.

Ian Hislop on the attack on Charlie Hebdo

"I am appalled and shocked by this horrific attack - a murderous attack on free speech in the heart of Europe."

Radio Times review

Where were the court jesters when we needed them? Through the heavy developments of the past few months, we could have done with a few satirical sideswipes from the Have I Got News for You panel to lighten the load. There's nothing like a barb from Ian Hislop or a childish quip from Paul Merton to put recent events in perspective.

Now at least, they're back for a new run, and in the hot seat once again is the unflappable Jennifer Saunders as guest host. Even better, the great Armando Iannucci joins one of the teams, not least to offer a Scottish point of view, while excellent actress and stand-up Sara Pascoe makes her debut.

Ian Hislop and Nick Newman interview

The long-term writing partners talk about a disastrous experience with a confused Hollywood megastar led to their first play together since their teens.

Highlights include a mickey take of The Office and a brilliantly-observed version of The Killing that mixes the dark thriller with children's television character Pingu.

Harry and Paul don't shy away from the controversial parts of the BBC's history, with a version of Call My Bluff in which the chosen word is paedophile. And after a picture of a BBC chief called Bert John is flashed up that bears more than a passing resemblance to ex-director general John Birt, fictional head of drama Jonathan Oxford-Cambridge (played by Whitehouse) refers to Bert John as, "a total c..." before he is cut off.

Enfield plays main narrator, the historian Simon Schama, plus Michael Gambon, Stephen Fry and Ian Hislop, while Whitehouse's characters include Paul Merton, Mary Berry and BBC creative director Alan Yentob - who he plays as a mixture of Gollum and Yoda.

Yentob showed he could take the joke though. Most of the show was filmed around the old BBC Television Centre in west London which is being redeveloped. Originally Harry and Paul were denied access but Yentob sorted it out for them. Harry said at a screening of the show: "Yentob made it happen. I think he might live to regret it don't you?"

Ian Hislop: There aren't enough happy women on shows

Ian Hislop has said that a large part of the problem with getting more women on panel shows is that they simply don't want to take part because of the format.

Radio Times review

As the big beast of the panel-show genre rouses itself for a 47th series, we know what to expect. Nobody would pretend the show's satirical edge is as sharp as it once was or that the scripted gags supplied to the host aren't sometimes embarrassingly poor (you can often see team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton wince in sympathy). But it's still the best place to see the week's news given a going-over and it's good to have it back.

Jennifer Saunders takes the presenter's hot seat for the first time and Richard Osman, who generally raises everyone's game a peg or two, is a guest.