I think I am a little bit in love with Ian Hislop

[SleeplessinSouthwold]

I mean, fearlessly slaying BS for Britain since forever, or what!
No one's too scary, too rich, too big or too pompous for Ian. He has encyclopaedic recall and is quicker and wittier than anybody. (His cute little shaky-shoulders laugh!)

Not an obvious crush, maybe, but when watching IHGNFY of a wintry night, next to a more classically handsome and averagely entertaining DH, I catch myself musing about what could clearly never have been. Reminiscing about being young and dismissing a lovely chap or two because their looks were a little unusual. My loss, probably. It's not always the obvious ones. Somebody knew the decent, intelligent thing to do and married him - Victoria Hislop - the clever clogs! Can she ever be bored? Surely not?

So Ian Hislop: the (moderately, in my case) Thinking Woman's Crumpet?

Can you think of people that - with hindsight - you wished you'd given more of a chance?

Disclaimer(s): I have never met Ian Hislop in RL. But I wish I had. DH and I are doing fine. I am no great catch myself.

I can't forget that he downplayed the sexual harassment scandal in parliament. HIGNFY were proper smarmy about it all, Jo Brand had to tell them off.

I bet if you took him to bed, he would put his trousers in a Corby Trouser Press and hang his shirt neatly on a coat hanger before getting on with it 😂. I bet he would be spotlessly clean and smell nice though.

For some reason or another, I ended up watching the episode of Mock The Week from the night before (or a few nights before) the first lockdown was announced about a year ago, and it's a totally bizarre watch from a 2022 perspective.

a split second of extra eye contact when we said goodbye at the end of the evening
Yah. Absolutely.
💔but also 💪
I hope Victoria hasn't noticed and/or could't care less and that she'll keep you on the dream dinner parties list; that's the main thing. Keep us posted.

Jo Brand keeping it real, always. I love her.

I also have a thing for him

He's fantastic, I adore him

I'd have him as my brother or uncle but crush.... eewww just no!

Agree with a pp - fancied Ian but now my big crush is Richard Ayoade.

I married a nerd tho so I’m all in on this one.

I'm sticking with Richard thanks.
Osmond that is, not Hammond.

I long to meet a man who is as engaged and informed. Someone who is willing to risk court for speaking the truth. Men like that are few and far between.

He doesn't risk anything. He's only ever won one libel lawsuit and all the other losses were paid for by the magazine. Its not like he oats any type of personal price. I'd love to be in a position to gob off about anyone and someone else pays for the defence costs and compensation to the suer.

I have a bit of a crush on Ian Hislop too. He's easily old enough to be my dad but yes, he's funny and intelligent.

Revealing the corruption and fuckups that go on in any country brings people's ire. I think he's very brave. If you think it's not brave to reveal the dodgy dealings of people in power why don't you try it for yourself - even on a local level - to people's faces and see how much nerve it takes.

I do think that Private Eye is still obviously mostly written by men and occasionally gets the tone wrong on things that affect women more, but that is changing.

I have met him @SleeplessinSouthwold and he was very nice, thoughtful, less brash (of course) than on the telly. Seemed good hearted. You'll be relieved to know I left him for you though rather than seducing him myself.

Ooh, Richard Ayoade 😍 He's hilarious and so clever. I married a nerd too, and I don't regret it.

Revealing the corruption and fuckups that go on in any country brings people's ire. I think he's very brave. If you think it's not brave to reveal the dodgy dealings of people in power why don't you try it for yourself - even on a local level - to people's faces and see how much nerve it takes.

What nerve? That's his job. And Private Eye pays his costs. I'd be very happy to speak out about local things and make accusations if

a) I were being paid to; and
b) someone else paid for my cock-ups

In fact, I'll make a deal with you, I'd be happy to speak out without being paid if you pay for my legal and court costs and any compensation that needs paying. How about it?

Ooh I’m such a sucker for a witty guy apparently. Ayoade, Dara and Ian. All seem like they would be VERY lovely to spend an evening with. I have a bit of a crush on David Mitchell as well.

I have a huge soft spot for Ed Balls as well. I think Ms Cooper is a very lucky woman.

He's about as attractive as John McCririck. Says something 'witty' or 'cutting' and looks around smugly for appreciation. Ugh!

What piece did he run on you @MarshaMelrose?😂

Very thoughtful of you @GoldenCupidon Although it is right to respect the fact that Victoria is still in the picture, I am keen to claim my place in the queue inside my head, so I appreciate that.

So a charming little intimate tableau is starting to emerge here: Ian MarkWarnering it en famille in Greece, Ian making delicious tea, Ian the traveller, Ian carrying elderly ladies' suitcases, Ian the bridge player, the nice, thoughtful Ian...(sight), coupled with the brilliance of the public man. I am not sure what to do with all this information?... Although right now, I am thinking probably sausages, beans and mash. For now.

when I was a student in the90s we made a documentary about political satire, and I interviewed him at the offices of Private Eye. He was absolutely lovely, really generous with his time and expertise, and helped us by giving us quotes that could be cut and edited easily. He was in no rush to get us out and very tolerant of our obvious incompetance.
Likewise Matthew Paris and Tony Benn.

I think he is actually a co-owner of Private Eye so really he is partly paying himself/covering his own costs.

Private Eye has an incredible instinct for reporting on stories or scandals that others won't catch up to for years or even decades. They listen to people in the areas they cover (politics, media, science, local govt, to name just a few) and report what they are being told from various sources i.e. basic but rare journalism. It must take brains and determination to keep that show on the road for so many years. I expect he does get bitter sometimes seeing the utter piffle spouted on a daily basis, but I think that anger and grit and idea of what is RIGHT is probably what keeps him (and all of them) going.

Check out Dave on Freeview. A lot of erm, ‘classic’ episodes of various series come up on there.

He lives in the same village as me and he is lovely. Completely down to earth nobody makes a fuss or treats him differently to anyone else. We have this bonkers local event every year he helps organise it, joins right in dresses up joins in at the local pub and chats to everybody in a complete down to earth way. He was absolutely lovely with our little boy handing out the fancy dress prizes. In the private eye he often tries to mention where he lives and our local village magazine etc.

I saw him walking down the street in London once, swinging a little case and beaming from ear to ear - just how I imagined him.

Definitely one of those people you’d invite to a dinner party.