h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

AS he has been fired from Have I got News for You - who do you all (I guess I mean you all that are in the UK or get the show somehow) think should replace him

a limited list is on the bbc news page here

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2371705.stm

But I think there should be some better ones - maybe a guest each week the others can rip apart - Saddam Hussain, Anne Widecombe, Micheal Barrymore perhaps all spring to mind.

CH

I think Clive Anderson would be quite a good replacement.

I'm more interested in seeing what Paul Merton's like as host, though

John Sergeant.

PP

You can't have HIGNFY without Deyton. It didn't work when Paul Merton was absent for an entire series in the mid 90s.

Out of all the choices tho, Clive Anderson will probably be the one who will take over.

Stephen Fry might be good. Thinking about past guests, what about the tub of lard?

The perfect stand in while Paul Merton is doing Angus' job

I think they should be honest, call the show "The News Quiz" (for those who don't know the longer running Radion 4 News comedy show, and get Simon Hoggart to chair it.

CH

Got the radio on at the moment, and Fi Glover (BBC Five Live late night presenter) has just finished talking with "Jungle Girl" Christine Hamilton, and she's shown an interest in throwing her head into the arena.

I don't have a problem with that, just as long as it's been cut off first

I thought it was your hat that got thrown into the arena?

Hamilton? She may be relatively quick-witted for a professional Tory wife, but that's hardly saying much.

Clive Anderson might be OK - he can be a bit much undiluted, but with two other people (plus transient guests) to stop him being the focus of attention, I could see it working. Similar for Stephen Fry.

Not Clive Anderson - nobody would get a word in while he says "erm...yes well....er...ok....right" for 10 minutes and then talks about himself for 10 more.

Can we nominate other people not on that list? If no then I would vote for John Sargent, if yes then I would like to see Alexei Sayle having a go.

Bleeding lazy tabloids - this morning all the prss were speculating and all they could come up with were, surprise surprise, those names listed on the BBC site.

Jeremy Hardy would be fun.

CH

It can't be Simon Hoggart! I have my own personal mental picture of him as I have only ever heard him on radio and it would be weird to see what he looks like.

Given that Paul Merton says that Angus' job was just 'reading words out loud' does it matter who does it

I'd vote for Stephen Fry. Not just witty but tremendous depth. If not then John Sessions. Or as a total dark horse why not Simon Callow

Dermot whatisname...

Not Andrew Marr because I would spend the whole time trying not to look at his ears!

Richard Wilson would be an interesting choice. Not to mention ironic. On second thoughts no. no no no no no . I take it back. Stephen Fry will probably get it me thinks.

I doubt if it will be "Dermot whatisname" as he is about to host a topic satire/news show for BBC Choice - sorry Abi (although if you get BBC Choice I guess this is good news)

CH

Dermot who?

I think Angus is irreplaceable, even if it is all scripted, irritating pompous git that he is.
Tub of Lard might work, though...

Just because a person is a good guest on the show it doesn't mean to say that they would make a good host.

Technically as HIGNFY was based on the News Quiz which used to have strict rules about taking part, the successful candidate should be a journalist. I wonder if this is the route they will take. The presenter doesn't need to be naturally funny, they need to be able to deliver a script. That is afterall what Angus Deayton does.

Or rather, did...

Perhaps Deayton could front a revamped What's My Line