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Amazon.co.uk Review
Presented chronologically, The Very Best of Have I Got News for You is a massive three-and-a-quarter-hour compilation of many of the funniest and all the most famous moments from the first 12 years of the BBC comedy satire quiz show. From host Angus Deayton's witty 1990 hairstyle to his double introduction for the DVD and video versions of this compilation, revel in the ribald rivalry as "TV's Mr Sex" struggles to control team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton. Relive such highlights as Paula Yates dubbing Hislop the "sperm of the devil", Roy Hattersley's stand-in, a tub of lard, and Germaine Greer and the infamous "F-me shoes" incident. See Boris Johnson get well and truly "stitched up" over an ill-advised phone call, Mr & Mrs Neil Hamilton accept their fees in brown paper bags and Piers Morgan totally fail to understand what makes the word "jam" hilarious. Other great moments include the controversy over John Birt's attempt to gag the BBC referring to Peter Mandelson's private life, John Simpson's good-natured account of his jungle trip, and Merton desperately trying to keep awake as Sir Rhodes Boyson droned on, and on, and on about, err... something or other. It's quite simply, TV comedy at its best.
On the DVD: Have I Got News For You features a commentary with Ian Hislop and Paul Merton in which, rather than play for comedy, they talk interestingly about their memories of the various episodes. Nevertheless there are still some laughs to be had. Optional onscreen text provides a wealth of background to half-forgotten news stories, as well as usefully identifying the more obscure guests. Seven minutes of trailers are often hilarious, while a Newsnight feature intriguingly analyses why politicians go on HIGNFY. Terry Wogan tries to get the show into Room 101 in an extract from that show, and various politicians offer their views on the programme. The sound is functional stereo and the excellent picture is encoded to switch automatically from 4:3 to anamorphic 16:9 when HIGNFY moved to widescreen. --Gary S Dalkin
Special Features
English
Region 2
Region 2
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really Funny,
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This review is from: The Very Best of 'Have I Got News for You' [1990-2002] [DVD] (DVD)
It's amazing to think just how long HIGNFY has been going for now and just how strong it remains. Watching this compilation, what struck me is that it seems to have improved over time which is impressive.The DVD contains clips from all series upto the end of the Deyton era and you'll be laughing throughout. It's interesting to see how many stories that were featured at the start still seem to be rumbling on now. There all the classic moments here, The Tub of Lard, Boris Johnson's first bizzare appearance and my all time favourite, Ian Hislop doing battle with Paula Yeats. There is an enjoyable commentary track included with Ian Hislop and Paul Merton giving their comments on things. That's very funny in places and a good extra. Fans of the show will love this.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Close to perfection,
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This review is from: The Very Best of 'Have I Got News for You' [1990-2002] [DVD] (DVD)
This HIGNFY DVD has pretty much everything you want from a Best of. Three and a quarter hours of highlights, a commentary from Ian and Paul (who seems obsessed with his weight) that gives some really interesting insight into what went on backstage and what the guests were like, and because the commentary was recorded after the Angus stories broke, put all of the sex and drug references over the last twelve years into context. Some stories just never went away, especially Archer and Iraq and there is much discussion about how little the world changes. Plus trailers and trivia that I'm still going through even though I've been watching it for a week. There are a couple of niggles though. No Brian Sewell who was one of the best guests, and the editor doesn't seem to have any sense of comic timing, as some of the punchlines have been cut (much to Paul's chagrin). Overall though one of the best comedy DVDs available.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Satirical Commentary at its Best,
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This review is from: The Very Best of 'Have I Got News for You' [1990-2002] [DVD] (DVD)
.First things, first - Buy this! If there's one thing the British do better than everyone else, its satire and Have I Got News For You has quite comfortably been the best in satirical television for over a decade. It's sometimes as subtle as a sledgehammer but who cares? It more than filled the void left by "Spitting Image" at the end of the Thatcher Era and has managed to stay fresh and to keep hitting those targets ever since. The presenters make the show - Angus Deayton, in fairness, doesn't have much to do - but he delivers and manages the show well. Ian Hislop is "Private Eye" personified and Paul Merton is the most fantastically surreal comic I have ever seen on TV. Together they are sharp, witty, biting, slapstick and plain ridiculous, just brilliant. As for the DVD itself, well it has to cut and paste from 12 years and 23 odd series into 200 minutes and it does so as well as could reasonably be expected. All the funniest bits are there and officionados shouldn't complain if the odd item they like is left out - be reasonable! The manner in which the news has repeated itself over the years is fascinating and maybe quite alarming (Iraq, anyone?) The commentary from Merton and Hislop is fantastic, they are genuinely interested in reminiscing about the old shows, are very insightful and (unintentionally?) hilarious. The other extras (trailers, a Newsnight piece) are fillers but quite worthy nonetheless. All in all a great buy at a great price - not least to own a piece of TV history from the late twentieth century.
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