Mock the Week Vs Have I Got News for You

**thesilverfox** · 27/10/2008, 12:43 PM

Ive always been a HIGNFY fan as it was the only current affairs comedy show on air, but since MTW has started its starting to grow on me. Im just ondering what would be your favourite out of the two?

Mock the Week Scene We Would Like to See

Mock the Week Arsenal meet the Queen

Have I Got News for You Boris and the Elephant

Have I Got News for You Paul Merton warning Gordan Ramsey

**Rambling Along** · 27/10/2008, 12:52 PM

Mock the Week by a mile!

**holidaysong** · 27/10/2008, 1:01 PM

I hadn't seen Arsenal meets the Queen before.. Hilarious!

**bennocelt** · 27/10/2008, 2:42 PM

but when Brian Blessed was on HIGNFY - that was one of the funniest and bizarre pieces of TV i have ever seen

**superfrank** · 27/10/2008, 3:21 PM

Brian Blessed was a brilliant one.

I'd go for HIGNFY every time, mainly because I detest anything with Dara O'Briain but also it's really funny tihe Merton and Hislop.

**stann** · 27/10/2008, 4:42 PM

HIGNFY is the classic show, but it has become less essential as the series have passed by IMO. It's still a fantastic show, and I'll still drop everything to watch it, but Mock The Week is simply funnier.
For all the brilliantly funny moments on HIGNFY, and there's been loads, they've nothing nothing to match Frankie Boyle, who is simply a comedy genius.

**John83** · 27/10/2008, 5:01 PM

Boyle's very funny, better than Merton now, though not the Merton of old. I prefer the HIGNFY format though.

**Neish** · 27/10/2008, 5:29 PM

Mock the Week is a decent show, but Have I got News for you is a classic. Merton is one of the most quick witted comedians about perfect for a that kind of show. Its also been running since 1990 does anyone think anyone will remember Mock the Week in 10 years let alone 18 and

**stann** · 27/10/2008, 7:47 PM

More than a bit harsh to hold it against a show that it might not be still going in years to come. You might think that, but you don't know it. The longevity argument can only be made when at least one of the shows have run their courses.

One other thing to throw onto the scales, though, is that HIGNFY is rather less of a pure comedy show than MTW, much more in the way of satire, as it has political figures as guests on a regular basis whereas I can't remember a single one on MTW.
So while you don't get nearly as many pure gags with HIGNFY, you do get hilarious moments like Derek Hatton trying to be the big 'I am' and getting a new one torn by Edwina Currie, or the Roy Hattersley / tub of lard episode, or Boris Johnson.
On the down side, IMO the format sometimes inhibits some comedian guests. How many times have you looked forward to someone being on it only for them to barely say two words all evening?
And on the same side of the scales you have Frankie Boyle with the Queen's haunted pussy gag, the old name for political correctness gag, the knocking one out to Saddam's execution gag, the famous Queer Eye For The Straight Guy gag, and the LHC 'Level 2' gag which is one of the funniest things I ever heard on telly.
Good topic though! For all I prefer MTW now there's really only a hair's breadth between them.

**Pauro 76** · 27/10/2008, 8:25 PM

I prefer Mock The Week. Frankie Boyle always takes it one step too far! He's a genius. I prefer just having the one presenter rather than HIGNFY. There's been some inspired presenting slots by Brian Blessed and Bruce Forsyth. Hate when the job is given to someone like Charlotte Church. I'd rate Buzzcocks above HIGNFY actually, but only just.

**BohsPartisan** · 27/10/2008, 9:34 PM

I don't get it. Why do people always have to have these "Which is better?" arguments. Are you this or that? Its like that whole Blur or Oasis thing. Why can't I like both? They're both excellent shows.

BTW I was trying unsuccessfully to find a clip of Deaton's final HIGNFY, where Hislop and Merton were baiting him over the whole prostitutes and cocaine incident. If anyone can find it on the web stick it up.

**Rambling Along** · 27/10/2008, 9:38 PM

Originally Posted by BohsPartisan

BTW I was trying unsuccessfully to find a clip of Deaton's final HIGNFY, where Hislop and Merton were baiting him over the whole prostitutes and cocaine incident. If anyone can find it on the web stick it up.

You mean this:

**BohsPartisan** · 27/10/2008, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by Rambling Along

You mean this:

Classic!

**thischarmingman** · 28/10/2008, 9:18 AM

Tub of lard:

Pot noodle:

**Macy** · 28/10/2008, 9:54 AM

I enjoy both, not sure they're even the same genre really - Mock The Week is more a comedy show. I don't mind Dara O'Briain, but take Frankie Boyle off Mock the Week and you aint left with much (Hugh Dennis does radio far better than tv imo).

**Neish** · 28/10/2008, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by BohsPartisan

I don't get it. Why do people always have to have these "Which is better?" arguments. Are you this or that? Its like that whole Blur or Oasis thing. Why can't I like both? They're both excellent shows

Yes you can like both but you probably like one a bit or a lot more than the other

**anto1208** · 28/10/2008, 10:58 AM

I just dont get mock the week at all, i hate these "quizz" shows where 2 bit stand ups come on and do little bits from there act. you have mock the week and basically any of the hundreds of shows Jimmy carr hosts.

Plus Paul Merton is the funniest man on TV

**Neish** · 28/10/2008, 11:00 AM

Can't remember how to post a video link so here is my favourite HIGNFY clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L8ij02Df2w

**dahamsta** · 28/10/2008, 11:04 AM

Mock the Week is garbage.

**noby** · 28/10/2008, 11:13 AM

MTW passes a half hour, but I get the feeling there isn't enough turn-over of people (two out of seven if you include the host), and it could get stale very quickly. Two of the regulars are pretty ordinary for a start.