In the landscape of British television, few shows have stood the test of time quite like the satirical comedy panel show, Have I Got News for You. For over three decades, this bastion of wit and irreverence has fearlessly skewered politicians, celebrities, and the news itself, all while making audiences howl with laughter. At the heart of this enduring success are two unlikely companions: the erudite Ian Hislop and the anarchic Paul Merton. Recently, these comedic titans sat down to share their unfiltered thoughts on the wild ride that has been creating and starring in Have I Got News for You.
Humble Beginnings and a Lukewarm Reception
The year was 1990, and the concept for Have I Got News for You was still in its infancy. Paul Merton, fresh out of a psychiatric hospital after a severe reaction to an anti-malarial drug, found himself in a sweltering TV studio in Wandsworth, unsure of what to expect. “There was a feeling of whatever the opposite of ‘a buzz in the air’ is,” Merton wryly recalls of that first pilot episode. His co-star, Ian Hislop, editor of the satirical magazine Private Eye, remembers his mother’s less-than-enthusiastic response: “Oh, never mind, darling.”
Despite the inauspicious start, the BBC had already committed to a full series. With comedian Angus Deayton at the helm as host and the incisive writing of producer Harry Thompson, Have I Got News for You began to take shape. Merton, determined to inject some anarchy into the proceedings, made a bold sartorial choice. “I wore a T-shirt because everybody wore suits and ties,” he explains. “I thought we looked like a parole board, and it needed an element of rudeness.”
An Unlikely Duo Strikes Comedy Gold
From the outset, it was clear that Hislop and Merton were a comedic odd couple. “Most comedy in Britain is about class,” Hislop observes. “Paul thought I was a stuffed shirt and I thought he was an oik. That dynamic was very clever.” Their contrasting styles—Hislop’s sharp wit and news acumen against Merton’s surreal flights of fancy—proved to be a winning formula.
I care about the news. He doesn’t.
Ian Hislop on his dynamic with Paul Merton
As the show found its footing, it quickly became known for its scathing takedowns of those in power. “Governments have leant on the BBC,” Hislop reveals, “saying this show is appallingly left-wing or right-wing, depending on who is in power.” But despite the political pressure, Have I Got News for You has never shied away from speaking truth to power with a punchline.
The Staying Power of Satire
So what is the secret to the show’s longevity? For Merton, it’s the ever-changing news cycle. “The news agenda always changes. In our history, the only stories that wouldn’t go away were Brexit, Covid and Trump.” Hislop agrees, noting that the rotating panel of guests keeps things fresh. “There are five people, three of whom weren’t there last week. No one is irreplaceable in show business.”
But perhaps the true key to Have I Got News for You’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to find humor in even the darkest of times. Through scandals, crises, and seismic shifts in the political landscape, the show has been a constant, shining a satirical light on the absurdities of the world.
The Future of Have I Got News for You
As for the future of the show, Merton is characteristically blunt. “We’ll keep going until the sun explodes and consumes the Earth, which will be the top story the following week.” Hislop, however, strikes a more cautious note. “I expect it’s just a matter of time,” he muses, acknowledging the precarious position of political comedy in an increasingly polarized world.
But for now, Have I Got News for You remains a beacon of satire, a much-needed dose of laughter in troubled times. And at its heart, two unlikely friends—the erudite editor and the wild-eyed comic—continue to prove that sometimes the most potent weapon against the powerful is a well-aimed joke.
As the laughter from the studio audience fades and the credits roll, one thing is certain: as long as there is news, there will be Have I Got News for You, ready to poke fun at the pompous and puncture the powerful with the sharp wit and comedic chemistry of Ian Hislop and Paul Merton.
