Review of Have I Got News For You: Best Of The Guest Presenters (two disc set)

Introduction

After the success of last year`s "Best Of" DVD, a new release for this Christmas.

After the BBC finally caved in and sacked Angus Deayton due to various revelations in the tabloids, a new presenter was needed to fill the void left after Deayton has spent about 12 years in the job. They still haven`t managed to find a permanent replacement, though the rumour mill suggests that Alexander Armstrong (who guested in the run showcased on this DVD) is hot favourite.

So while the search goes on, the show has gained in popularity again by featuring a different guest presenter every week. Fans have all had their own favourites, but what`s presented on disc 1 are 4 whole episodes from the show (slightly extended from the broadcast versions), and then another hour of clips, featuring various other presenters and guests.

The second disc contains further features, more on those later.

Video

A mighty fine TV transfer, with everything in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen as you might expect. There are no problems with the image and everything looks as good as first broadcast.

The game to play when watching Have I Got News For You nowadays is to see what hideous outfit Paul Merton can wear next. Watch the extras on disc 2 for a classic example.

Audio

A DD2.0 stereo soundtrack, as first broadcast, and no complaints here either. A totally dialogue based show, everything is clear and crisp.

Features

The biggest extra is "The Full Boris", which looks like almost the full recording of the show presented by journalist and MP Boris Johnson, a great British bumbling buffoon. This is an excellent extra, as it`s funny, but it also gives you an insight into what gets trimmed for final broadcast. Obviously some of the fooling around and mistakes are trimmed, but also some really good jokes never make it to the final cut. A good insight into the editing process, and a chance to have a laugh too

Next up we have an interview clip taken from the filming of a recent episode of Room 101, in which Boris Johnson was the guest. Paul Merton asks him various questions about his appearance on Have I Got News For You and it`s quite amusing. It`s probably funnier if you`ve seen the episode of Room 101 since it explains why Merton and Johnson appear on screen as they do.

Coming along after that we have inverviews with Bruce Forsyth and William Hague spliced together into one feature. They both talk about their appearances on the show, how they got involved etc. Good to watch.

Ian Hislop & Paul Merton also appear in a 20 minute feature where they talk about the different guest presenters and what they thought. Funny and insightful at the same time.

A well rounded set of extras.

Conclusion

A DVD release of a topical news quiz? Yes, and it works. Unlike some topical comedy, the key to Have I Got News For You is that the topic is always clearly explained for those of you who can`t recall it. If you listen to an old episode of The Mary Whitehouse Experience or The Now Show for example, then you`ve got to have a good memory to remember just who or what it is they are lampooning.

So this DVD is still funny after the event. I was laughing long and hard throughout, and it`s just as funny second time round. The combination of the madcap surrealist genius of Paul Merton and the more direct style of Ian Hislop still works. Hislop was one of the best contributors to the early Harry Enfield series - he knows how to get a laugh.

A continued supply of good guests helps to keep the show going, and it`s nice to see people like Linda Smith, Jeremy Hardy and Mark Steel putting in appearances.

Fans of the show should love this, and it will make a great Xmas present for one!