Rolf Harris

Even if you're not a fan of the homely comedy, quite possibly you'll find yourself unable to resist this hour-long, humbug-packed Christmas episode. It follows the Harper brood (mostly mum Sue and dad Ben) over the entire festive period - from their pre-Christmas, wry grumbling session up until New Year's Eve. This year, Sue decides to cancel Christmas. Ben, however, feels uncharacteristically in the mood, a miraculous change that occurs when a sweet little girl sits on his knee and asks for his help. Later, the Harpers plan a New Year's Eve party to rival their neighbour's glitzy gathering. Can appearances by Rolf Harris and Ainsley Harriott persuade revellers that theirs is the cooler shindig? Take a wild guess.

For me, the latest edition of topical news quiz Have I Got News For You was the show at its absolute worst. Rolf Harris was this week's guest-presenter and he acquitted himself well at reading the autocue and laughing along to jokes at his expense. He wasn't the problem. The problem stems from the show's move into the whole "guest presenting" format, following the dismissal of original host Angus Deayton years ago. HIGNFY's never been the same since, really...

The problem with the new format is simple: some guests are better than others. That's an inescapable symptom of rotating the presenter. But what's really hurting HIGNFY is how the guest-host totally overshadows the show's raison d'etre: to satirise the week's news.

There were times during the Rolf Harris edition when I actually forgot this was designed to be a news-based quiz, as it had instead turned into a kind of Rolf Harris festival and appreciation society. Knowledge of Rolf being in the hot-seat had me awaiting the unavoidable mentions of Australia, didgeridoo's, art, animals, etc. And the show didn't disappoint: Rolf drew cartoons, played his stylophone, made some jokes based on his Animal Hospital days, and dropped in mentions of painting the Queen. They even played his old swimming public service video!

I can't remember a single joke about anything relating to the news or current affairs, just an endless stream of Rolf-based gags and references. The audience were even encouraged to sing-a-long to a few of his songs! Admittedly, I was watching the extended edition on Saturday night (elongated by 10-minutes from Friday's edition), so perhaps things felt worse than they were for the "proper" episode... but still. HIGNFY regularly indulges its guest-presenter in the same way The Sunday Night Project fawns over theirs, and it's becoming incredibly tiresome.

Clearly, the producers have no intention of replacing Angus Deayton fulltime, so the guest-host format is going to stay put. But please, can we move away from spending 90% of the time poking fun at the host, and actually focus back on the news? Have I Got News For You? Well, no, not usually!

In the history of public service broadcasting has there ever been a show that delivers a greater service to the public than turning the week's grim news on it's head so we can laugh at its silly bloomers? Whatever, tonight's guest chairman is the venerable didgeridoo-wrangling entertainer Rolf Harris, who says he's nervous about facing the sharp wit of regulars Ian and Paul. We're sure they'll be kind. Well, ish...

Guest Host interview: Rolf Harris

An interview with guest host Rolf Harris.