How does Have I Got News For You work?
Posted by little_asparagu5@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 22 comments
The series timing is never logical. They air a few episodes and then it ends. The host never acknowledges it’s a new series or one coming to an end. Why? Is it the BBC finding a bit of a budget and making random episodes?
Also, what’s the deal with the scoring? How does that even work?!
MrMonkeyman79@reddit
They release a series of 6 or 7 episodes a few times a year, nothing random about it.
The scoring is the least important part of the show and is just there as a hold over from the early days where they had to pitch it to the audience as an actual competition.
Curious-Term9483@reddit
Worth pointing out this was pretty standard series length when they first started out. Back in the stone age before I was old enough to stay up and watch it!
I do like that they've stuck to this short run and not been tempted to commit to longer. I think that's part of the reason it's kept going as long as it has.
cuccir@reddit
I'd rather they did 1 a month.
I always enjoy the start of a run, when there's a few stories for them to get their teeth into, then by the end of a series I've got a bit bored of the format and am ready for it to end.
1 a month would mean they always had something with a bit of meat to discuss
Curious-Term9483@reddit
Ooh now that would work.
docju@reddit
The points and scoring rarely matter in British panel shows (if they even exist).
An exception is I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue where specific people are employed to carry out the scoring.
SonOfGreebo@reddit
Ah, the lovely Samantha and the famous Sven! Both of them able to score with enthusiasm.
PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit
It's not that random. There's a spring series and an autumn series. It's been that way for as long as I can remember.
The scoring is just a bit of fun.
ResplendentBear@reddit
The scoring used to be taken a bit seriously. Like Ian's rare wins would be celebrated and it could get a bit competitive if Paul was threatening a series clean sweep
This is back in the early days though, before Angus Deayton left.
Active_Doubt_2393@reddit
'left'
PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit
Possibly a bit before my time then!
I might start at series 1 tonight!
bahumat42@reddit
The scoring is reflective of other panel shows, the scores exist but they don't really matter.
The closest one to the scores mattering is taskmaster and that could almost be a different genre.
Alternative-Emu2000@reddit
The series timing is pretty consistent. There are two series a year, one in spring and one in autumn. Each series is around 10 episodes long. Once a series starts, they broadcast one episode a week.
As with most comedy panel shows, the scoring isn't particularly relevant.
Beartato4772@reddit
They don’t announce because they get repeated out of order on random channels.
ResplendentBear@reddit
They've literally been advertising the new series over the last couple of weeks.
They don't make loads in a row because it's British TV and the concept of making more than 10 episodes of anything makes heads explode.
martinbean@reddit
Then why’s EastEnders still airing?
ResplendentBear@reddit
A question many enquiring minds wonder about.
p1971@reddit
they should rotate the panel so they can broadcast it every week ... been loads of times things have happened when it's not airing that would have been cool to see on there
Tight-Principle-743@reddit
As for the series it’s just 10 episodes a series, two series a year(Spring and Autumn) and I guess due to the guest hosting the host never mentions it’s the series finale. But there is a have I got (insert year) for you which is like a compilation of the best bits from throughout the year, this is shown after the autumn series.
The scoring is kind of like mock the week as in it counts, but it’s never really taken into note that much from what I see (Paul always wins)
iamabigtree@reddit
The scoring is essentially random. Paul Merton always wins.
hermit_tortoise@reddit
They can't make random episodes because it's filmed the same week it goes out, Thursday night I believe so they're as relevant and on point as possible with the headlines.
rybnickifull@reddit
It's a satirical comedy show rather than an exam. It has been broadcast roughly over the second and fourth quarters of the year for about 34 years now.
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