If HIGNFY isn’t funny any more, what is its function?

[Angstinmyspanx]

Is it to remind us of a happier time when it did used to be funny. And are we just not ready to let that go?

I find it depressing that people don’t seem to know about the contribution to investigative journalism that Private Eye and Ian Hislop have made. And he often says things on HIGNFY that very few other journalists are prepared to say.

My main beef with it is that it clashes with a good 1970s episode of Top of the Pops on BBC4. They should put it up against the second episode of a 1998 show - no idea why they show two of those.

I do find it funny. But it's hard to be satirical when the world is so bonkers.

I do know which is why I find the fact that HIGNFY won’t touch women’s rights with a bargepole and PE has only included the odd bit here and there when there’s also medical malpractice involving children going on so disappointing.

I still watch and enjoy.

It was in fact a bit of a lifeline during COVID when we were being presided over by top chumps Johnson and Trump.

Unfortunately, the world feels like it’s in quite a dark place with wars, AI and climate change so a lot of the actual news is hard to raise a laugh at!

Amazed that they can find so many niche publications still.

Maybe we can at least hope that Private Eye shows a passing interest in the potential misuse of ChatGPT / AI by an actual Employment Judge in the Sandie Peggie dog’s breakfast of a judgement.

I still enjoy it.

Don’t let the door hit you when you leave.

if i get to see it i find it amazingly funny

It’s still funny

I find it funny.

Martin Clunes is a great presenter,

Leave it.

So is Alexander Armstrong.

It’s still funny to me.

Inspired by this thread I watched some of last night's episode having not seen it in years. Some funny bits but definitely feels less edgy and rebellious than it was in the 90s.

That reads like this thread somehow hit a nerve with you?

I watched it last night for the first time in years and I laughed out loud several times. I thought Martin Clunes was a great host.

Phil Wang is so lovely!

i love him too

We still think it's funny.

Last night's was much more like it. A great host, one funny guest and one old hand who knew the ropes. Even Ian got some funny jokes in, and Paul seemed more like his old self.

Was a great episode last night. Really cheered me up.

We stopped watching it about five years ago, OP. Patronising, smug lefties.

We’ve just watched it, great wasn’t it?

I think Martin Clunes was a great host and had some rapport going with Paul Merton that made him more engaged. The guy on Ian Hislop’s team was hilarious.