HIGNFY

As a long timer viewer I’ve rarely seen Ian so apoplectic - he vented pure anger at the shenanigans of Cummings and Johnson of late.
And Janet S-P was unusually quiet - is she sitting on the fence with this one? I think so.
The best HIGNFY since lockdown began.
But I agree, Paul has lost some of his spontaneous ripostes that used to be funny.

The format doesn't work as well but they're doing their best in the circumstances. So I will continue to watch. I thought Ian Hislop was spot on about DC. It was good to hear. Paul isn't as sharp as he used to be, but I still like him. Janet was grumpy and didn't contribute much imo.

I've stopped watching all chat shows type programs during lockdown as there's no atmosphere when each one is just sitting at home. I do, in general, like HIGNFY but it's getting too left wing now as it used to have a pop at anyone and everyone. There are groups in society who often deserve to be criticised but they never are, so it is very discriminatory, and a lot of important things to be informed about are allowed to slip under the radar without comment.

I have had a subscription to Private Eye for about five years now, and I am really looking forward to the next one as they delve into the Cummings farago. Bring it on!

No, Gill, you're not alone!
Excellent TV? Spot on! I've recently renewed my subscription to The Eye and this programme confirms to me that I did the right thing .

The lockdown format can make it a bit stilted sometimes, but despite that, last night's episode was excellent. Ian Hislop said what, imo, most intelligent people are thinking, and he seemed genuinely angry with the insulting nonsense from Cummings. I do like Martin Clunes as the presenter, he is such a giggler. Excellent tv, most refreshing to realise that I am not alone in my fury.

Usually enjoy HIGNFY, they really need a life audiance for the laughs, and what makes it sounds so strange is that there is only themselves to laugh at their quips.

For me the only programme that I have watched that I actually prefer in its new format is Springwatch. Was never a fan of round the fire bits, love it as it is

he Newsquiz on Radio 4 always beat HIGNFY into a cocked hat.

sorry shouldn't have used the dreaded apostrophe in comedians

I've been a fan of HIGNFY since it started, some episodes are funnier than others and it's always surprised me that some "comedian's" seem tongue tied on the programme. Admittedly the lockdown format isn't as funny as usual but Ian Hislop is brilliant at letting us know how he feels about the news, last night he was on great form, after all the serious discussions about DC he said in a few words what most of us think.

I thought Hislop nailed it. Cummings and Johnson are are joke! I also think these 'new freedoms' are the anticipated 'dead cat' story. Brought forward to take the focus from the Barnard Castle fiasco. The whole thing's a disgrace and HIGNFY was spot on!

Laughter is often the best weapon.

So much laughter on social media over this.

Well I thought it was excellent, maybe the best ever. Ian Hislop usually has a go at something but usually ends up smiling. This time he appeared really angry with the Cummings for breaking lockdown and taking us for fools with his story.

I thought that it was excellent. The anger was real but points were made. The government have made themselves a laughing stock.

eazybee??????

Didn't find it clever, satirical, waspish, amusing and certainly not lacerating; switched off halfway through the programme because it committed the cardinal sin: it was boring.

Typo.... was NOT as

Last night's HIGNFY as one of the best ever. Ian Hislop was just brilliant. And I still like Paul Merton.
I wonder if Dominic Cummings watched it?

I thought it was great! Hislop fairly 'went his dinger'! So much to lacerate about last week's revelations. Good on them.
PS I must say Paul's becoming a bit boring and predictable and, sad to say, not even funny any more but Ian's getting better every week.

If you look at the satire during the 18-19 century, what we have today is nothing compared to that.

People are a bit snowflaky today.

Satire goes way back in history though. It is sometimes the only tool the people have had. Especially where the government or monarch refuses to listen and tries to suppress criticism.

Satire is never kind

I stopped watching years ago....it used to be able to combine
A waspish satire with some genuinely funny bits thrown around by Paul Merton.There came a point where even he looked uninterested in proceedings, the waspish satire became excruciating stings and a coarseness became the name if the game.I remember watching Martin Clunes as a presenter looking very embarrassed reading out some awful
Stuff, even the studio audience didn’t do more than a horrified titter.
A great shame, as an irreverent look at those in politics and in the news generally is to be welcomed.

I do agree that I haven’t liked the lockdown format though.

That’s satire - definition “the use of humour, irony, exaggeration or ridicule to expose and criticise people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics or other topical issues”.

It’s not designed for comfort.

I stopped watching it last year because it became so nasty and made me feel uncomfortable.