At last. The good people at the BBC have decided to release a compilation DVD for, perhaps, Britains finest comedy show. Not only were its panelists spot on with issues surrounding current affairs, but they delt with it in such an amazing satirical way, that even the hard nosed conservatives found it funny in places.
Spanning 12 years and 22 series(as of 2002), this show has earned a place as Britains longest running comedy show. And its not hard to see why. The regulars comprising of Team Captain #1 (IAN HISLOP), Team Captain #2 (PAUL MERTON) and host (ANGUS DEATON), welcome a 2 guest each episode to mull over the weeks current news affairs. WIth the guest list reading like a Who's Who of Brittish tabloid, each show (since 1990) is kept amazingly fresh. Paul Merton remains unbeleivabley hilarious and, haircuts aside, hasnt changed his surreal/spot on humour. It seems this man gets funnier with age. Ian Hislop, for me evokes a sense of awe, with his anarchic brand of comedy and political awareness directing the show, the way it needs to go. Finally Angus Deaton (there is no other person capable of taking his place) anchors the show SO well (forget the fact he is reading from an auto-cue), ad-libbing fantastically, when appropriate.
The DVD has several extras, but the pick being the audio commentary from Ian Hislop and Paul Merton, which has them recalling each episode and era. They are both on top gag cracking form ,and it fills you with weird sense of chivallry, as you here them getting on like two school kids.
As a plea to the BBC, either get Angus back....or kill this amazing, definative comedy.
Spanning 12 years and 22 series(as of 2002), this show has earned a place as Britains longest running comedy show. And its not hard to see why. The regulars comprising of Team Captain #1 (IAN HISLOP), Team Captain #2 (PAUL MERTON) and host (ANGUS DEATON), welcome a 2 guest each episode to mull over the weeks current news affairs. WIth the guest list reading like a Who's Who of Brittish tabloid, each show (since 1990) is kept amazingly fresh. Paul Merton remains unbeleivabley hilarious and, haircuts aside, hasnt changed his surreal/spot on humour. It seems this man gets funnier with age. Ian Hislop, for me evokes a sense of awe, with his anarchic brand of comedy and political awareness directing the show, the way it needs to go. Finally Angus Deaton (there is no other person capable of taking his place) anchors the show SO well (forget the fact he is reading from an auto-cue), ad-libbing fantastically, when appropriate.
The DVD has several extras, but the pick being the audio commentary from Ian Hislop and Paul Merton, which has them recalling each episode and era. They are both on top gag cracking form ,and it fills you with weird sense of chivallry, as you here them getting on like two school kids.
As a plea to the BBC, either get Angus back....or kill this amazing, definative comedy.
