The Very Best Of Have I Got News For You DVD

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 Highlights from the first 13 years of the TV comedy news quiz. Includes many classic moments from regulars Ian Hislop, Paul Merton and Angus Deayton, as well as special guest appearances from Neil and Christine Hamilton, Boris Johnson, and Paula Yates.