09 January 2008
QUINTESSENTIAL INHABITANTS
I like QI. I've watched every episode many times over. I frequent the official forums. I have had correspondence from John Lloyd. And I even got the play-at-home game on DVD at Christmas 2006, though I've only looked at it once.
So, here goes with hopefully a mildly controversial and provocative thread on the best possible QI quartet, from all who have appeared. It's based on their knowledge, ability to spark debate and facility to amuse.
1 - David Mitchell
2 - John Sessions
3 - Bill Bailey
4 - Jeremy Clarkson
Mitchell is the funniest man on British television right now, and his appearances in the just-ended "E" series were all-compassing and superb. Sessions has used QI as a vehicle to become likeable again, and that's no mean feat. He's also superb when being anecdotal. Bailey's got this improvisational branch to his performance on the programme; he gives off many signals that the panellists have no notion of what is ahead of them. Clarkson provides an element of tension due to his sometimes offbeat views, but he maintains a sense of humour and furnishes the panel with great stories.
Leaving out Sean Lock and Dara O'Briain was very hard. Leaving out Alan Davies was a lot easier - I don't dislike him, but his shtick at being the supposed thickie and Fry's "victim" is now a tad tedious. Rich Hall and Phill Jupitus are likeable enough but the former says too little and the latter always finds himself surrounded by funnier folk.
I like QI. I'm glad Dave thinks it is laddish enough for them, when in fact it isn't actually that laddish at all.
So, here goes with hopefully a mildly controversial and provocative thread on the best possible QI quartet, from all who have appeared. It's based on their knowledge, ability to spark debate and facility to amuse.
1 - David Mitchell
2 - John Sessions
3 - Bill Bailey
4 - Jeremy Clarkson
Mitchell is the funniest man on British television right now, and his appearances in the just-ended "E" series were all-compassing and superb. Sessions has used QI as a vehicle to become likeable again, and that's no mean feat. He's also superb when being anecdotal. Bailey's got this improvisational branch to his performance on the programme; he gives off many signals that the panellists have no notion of what is ahead of them. Clarkson provides an element of tension due to his sometimes offbeat views, but he maintains a sense of humour and furnishes the panel with great stories.
Leaving out Sean Lock and Dara O'Briain was very hard. Leaving out Alan Davies was a lot easier - I don't dislike him, but his shtick at being the supposed thickie and Fry's "victim" is now a tad tedious. Rich Hall and Phill Jupitus are likeable enough but the former says too little and the latter always finds himself surrounded by funnier folk.
I like QI. I'm glad Dave thinks it is laddish enough for them, when in fact it isn't actually that laddish at all.
Comments:
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Jo Brand? Andy Hamilton? Arthur Smith? Mark Steel? Vic Reeves? Rob Brydon? Clive Anderson? Doon Mackichan?
What about brand new guests? I suggest Tony Hawks (the comedian, not the skateboarder, obviously), Omid Djalili, and David Tennant, because he is far from the most boring man in Britain, as he claims.
By the way, what's your name on the QI forums? As you can guess, I'm Gluben, and I too have had correspondence from John Lloyd. Having seen 4 audience recordings for series E, I'm going for more for seires F, and hopefully meeting them in the Green Room afterwards!
What about brand new guests? I suggest Tony Hawks (the comedian, not the skateboarder, obviously), Omid Djalili, and David Tennant, because he is far from the most boring man in Britain, as he claims.
By the way, what's your name on the QI forums? As you can guess, I'm Gluben, and I too have had correspondence from John Lloyd. Having seen 4 audience recordings for series E, I'm going for more for seires F, and hopefully meeting them in the Green Room afterwards!
All the folk mentioned are worthy contenders (though I'm not a fan of Mark Steel and never have been) but I'm content with my choices.
Hey, I'm out and proud on Blogger, but will remain incognito at QI...
Hey, I'm out and proud on Blogger, but will remain incognito at QI...
Hmmmm...I'm not so keen on David Mitchell, so i'd leave him out. I'd probably substitute Jo Brand for him, but i'd agree with all your other choices (although I do like Phil Jupitus on the panel)
Personally, as long as Stephen Fry is there and Johnny Vegas isn't, i'm happy
Personally, as long as Stephen Fry is there and Johnny Vegas isn't, i'm happy
# posted by 
: 4:25 PM
: 4:25 PM
Everything about the QI dynamic depends on that between Stephen Fry and Alan. Take that out and it's a different show entirely. And to replace him with Jeremy Clarkson is absurd. His hostility upsets all the charm of having an intellectual show be kind and welcoming.
# posted by : 4:40 AM
: 4:40 AM
I don't think Clarkson is remotely hostile on QI. Sean Lock clearly doesn't like ("have you ever tried one of my turds?") but that's his problem, not Clarkson's.
Yes, it's surprising that they appeared on that episode together, given that (or perhaps because) Lock put Clarkson into Room 101. I find Clarkson funny once you get over the attempts to be controversial. Sure, they sit uneasily with some audience members, but that's why I like him.
As for not having Alan, this pretty much happened in episode 10 of series D, when he went to watch a Champions League final. The episode really suffered from his lack of presence.
Still, I'd love to see Graeme Garden back, as well as Charlie Higson.
As for not having Alan, this pretty much happened in episode 10 of series D, when he went to watch a Champions League final. The episode really suffered from his lack of presence.
Still, I'd love to see Graeme Garden back, as well as Charlie Higson.
The Daviesless episode suffered because two of the remaining panellists were unfamiliar for QI, therefore it was hard to know how well they'd do - however, I thought both Garden and Vaughan did well.
I watched the Rory "know all" McGrath episode last night, where Lock could barely disguise his frustration ("do you get called tosser a lot?") and this does a funny man no credit at all. McGrath was overbearing, but anyone criticised for being super-intelligent deserves a little leeway.
Ok, he was boring. I admit it.
I watched the Rory "know all" McGrath episode last night, where Lock could barely disguise his frustration ("do you get called tosser a lot?") and this does a funny man no credit at all. McGrath was overbearing, but anyone criticised for being super-intelligent deserves a little leeway.
Ok, he was boring. I admit it.
Clive Anderson surely must have a shout as the one that knows the most answers.
# posted by : 4:36 PM
: 4:36 PM
I do sort of wish Hugh Laurie would return for another episode. He was too tense originally, because it was the very first episode, and he did it as a favour for Fry. But he could easily hold his own alongside the other panellists.
Failing that, another bit of Fry and Laurie? I know they're older now, but I reckon they could make something truly superb.
Failing that, another bit of Fry and Laurie? I know they're older now, but I reckon they could make something truly superb.
I don't think Dave is a 'laddish' channel. Top Gear isn't really all that 'laddish', nor, say, Whose Line Is It Anyway. Buzzcocks is probably the closest.
All things really have across-the-board appeal, with just a wee bit of anarchy to appeal to people's rebellios nature - particularly to the slightly older viewer. Perhaps we need to rechristen it a 'daddish' channel?
(Helpfully, my Dad's name is Dave, too, so that works out just about fine for me...)
All things really have across-the-board appeal, with just a wee bit of anarchy to appeal to people's rebellios nature - particularly to the slightly older viewer. Perhaps we need to rechristen it a 'daddish' channel?
(Helpfully, my Dad's name is Dave, too, so that works out just about fine for me...)
# posted by : 1:22 PM
: 1:22 PM
I would say that the best contestants have probably been: Sean Lock, Gyles Brandreth, Vic Reeves, Graeme Garden and Andy Hamilton.
Worst, for me, would be: Jimmy Carr, Phil Jupitus, Johnny Vegas, Phil Kay, Liza Tarbuck, and Helen Atkinson Wood.
Worst, for me, would be: Jimmy Carr, Phil Jupitus, Johnny Vegas, Phil Kay, Liza Tarbuck, and Helen Atkinson Wood.
Of your 'worst' list, I did used to dislike Jimmy Carr intently, and I think when he hosts stuff on TV he is eminently kickable. But on QI, aside from his mugging to the crowd, he comes across well.
From what I hear on the comedy circuit, Mr Carr is apparently a very nice man...
I'll swop you a Lock for your Sessions.
I'll swop you a Lock for your Sessions.
Gluben - how have you managed to get tickets for so many shows? I've had my name down with Applause Store for ages and heard nothing.
# posted by : 5:13 PM
: 5:13 PM
Jon - I honestly think it was just luck. I put my name down for practically every episode, and fairly close to the recording dates. But they always over-subscribe anyway, so what I did for this year was to get a Gold Membership card, so that I would be guaranteed some sort of seat. It costs £15 I think, and if you go to a lot of these things, it's well worth the money. Otherwise, I can't really help you, sorry!
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