I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue

Stephen Fry, the first of Clue's replacement chairmen is, without doubt and in other places, a very funny, clever, witty, charming, versatile man. The problem here is that he shows it by performing every line. Where Lyttelton made them seem as if they had just entered his head, Fry sounds as if each one has been the subject of lengthy study.

The script's rudery, therefore, no longer comes as a surprise. It's overt, intended, inescapable. Victoria Wood, last night's guest panellist, has said she found doing the show "oddly relaxing". Maybe that's why she hardly shone. Or maybe the show is just in transition.

I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue Review

Lyttelton's great conceit was to behave as if he held the show, its contestants and, indeed, Mrs Trellis, in utter contempt, a trick that the benign Fry will never be able to pull off. I cannot wait to hear Jack Dee have a go.

Video: Popular Radio 4 comedy returns

The much-loved Radio 4 comedy I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue is returning to the airwaves after the death of its chairman Humphrey Lyttleton last year.

Graham Satchell went to a recording of the show in Newcastle, with Rob Brydon putting in an appearance as guest chairman.

After two weeks of trailers few can be unaware of the return of the "antidote to panel games" with Stephen Fry in the chair. Recorded at Her Majesty's Theatre weeks ago, the audience roars approval for Fry's saucy delivery of Iain Pattinson's salty script. Sven replaces Samantha as the invisible scorer, offering more chances to spot the innuendo. Graeme Garden, Barry Cryer, Tim Brooke-Taylor and guest panellist Victoria Wood make merry with the customary multitude of entendres, double and single Colin Sell, as ever, is at the piano.

Why won't they let a woman take the chair?

If I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue is such a daring show, why won't they let a woman take the chair?

Life after Humph

Monday night sees the return of the imperious Radio 4 comedy fixture, I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.

Clued-up for a new start

The 'antidote to panel games' is back on air next week - this time without Humph. The Independent assesses the show's new hosts.

After the sad passing of our beloved Humph, ISIHAC could have quietly shuffled off into the sunset, but it returns with guest host (and former panel member) Stephen Fry. Regulars Graeme Garden, Barry Cryer and Tim Brooke-Taylor are joined by new girl Victoria Wood, who turned down the chance to appear on the show 19 years ago, but hopefully will make many more appearances in future.

The return of I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue

After a long and understandable break, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue returns to Radio 4 at 6.30pm on Monday 15th June. Use the player above to listen to the opening of this historic episode.

Stephen Fry: the day the comedian became Humphrey Lyttleton

I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue returns to Radio 4 on Monday without the late Humphrey Lyttleton. Catherine Gee attends a live recording of the panel show.