QI

[Ed]

I was looking through the BBC site earlier, and I see they do a free video stream of one of the very few programmes I watch on TV and enjoy - http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/homepage/d/int/iplayer/heading/-/iplayer/page/item/b0080w4h.shtml?src=ip_mp

It's a kind of a quiz show, but it's quirky in that the questions are based on odd facts and common misconceptions. The contestants are 'B' list celebs, and the host is Steven Fry, who used to be in the Blackadder series, most recently in Blackadder Goes Forth, as General Melchet. He also played Jeeves opposite Hugh Laurie in the Jeeves and Wooster series, and played Oscar Wilde on stage and screen.

It's a bit of an odd programme, really, but it's pretty rare that I watch one that doesn't make me laugh out loud at some point. Sadly, this isn't one of the better episodes, but it's still worth looking at if you've got twenty minutes to kill. It's only up for the next five days, so watch it now, rather than putting it off to another day, if you're interested in it.

[Sallyq]

Oh I love QI! The series they're showing at the moment is a repeat of the first or second series I think, Ed. It's hilarious, whilst being very informative. Stephen Fry is such a clever man.

[delboy]

Yeah, great programme. Stephen Fry is excellent.

[delph_ambi]

Another QI fan here 

[Geoff_N]

Ditto.

Bill Bailey too is really funny. I also like it when some of the guests are pompous such as Gyles Brandeth, and although he knows a lot, much of it is wrong! Hah!

Stephen Fry is one of those individuals who is unable to forget facts - I used to be envious until in an interview he once said how the facts he remembers can be completely wrong and yet he can't forget those either!

Geoff

[Ed]

Me and the Mrs went to see Sean Locke do his standup routine a few weeks ago. I really like him - he's got a great sense of humour. Rich Hall is another of my favourites, as well as Joe Brand. There aren't any guests I can think of that I don't like, actually.

That elephant thing is an unnecessary gimmick, though, I think. I liked it better without that.

When you see the older ones, Alan Davies ends up as the dunce of the class every time - walks straight into every trap. But these days he seems to be wiser and lets other people fall foul of Fry's follies. I think he's underrated, myself. He's as integral a part of the show as Steven Fry, I reckon.

Anybody outside of the UK seen this prog and have any comments to pass? I'd be interested to hear what you thought of it across the pond. I can't imagine you've got any shows quite like it.

[canadian]

There's absolutely nothing like QI on television here. Pity.

It's one of the few shows I've ever watched which actually made my jaw drop in amazement.

[JonP]

Love QI. And Sean Lock ^^^ is a genius. Anyone who hasn't seen "15 Storeys High" (which means almost everyone on the planet) should order the DVD now.

[neilmarr]

I think you'll find all shows from every single season now on YouTube.com. Good fun. Neil

[bintarab]

Oh, that was great! Ed's link wouldn't work for me, so I thought I'd just take you all at your word, but now I watched the first episode on youtube and almost snarfed my water within the first couple of minutes. I had the good sense not to try to drink again until it was over, but I got dehydrated from all the laughing tears I cried.

I wish there was something like that here. It might even motivate me to get a TV set (probably not, but you never know). The closest thing I can think of in terms of spirit (not at all in terms of concept) is Comedy Central's "What's my line?" It really doesn't hold a candle to QI.

~bint

[bintarab]

Nuts! It's not "What's my line?" it's "Who's line is it anyway?" I just found out because I was going through someone's videos page on youtube to find the QI ones and "lerjse" has not only the QI episodes posted, but also some of those from Comedy Central. See, I told you it was the same in spirit -- at least one other viewer finds them both funny. They have the same "feel."

~bint

[Ed]

I've just been having a great time on youtube, watching all the Qi clips - thanks for the tip, Neil.

Steven Fry impersonates Vincent Price really well in this clip:

http://www.youtube.com/v/A2Ma7bZ2dH0&hl=en

Some funny bits here, too:

http://www.youtube.com/v/4ShrGkBiRvk&hl=en

[This Boy Is Twisted]

that vincent price clip gets me every time, i love QI. Between that and Never mind the Buzzcocks I get my fill of comedy panel shows.

[Ed]

Yep - me too, but 8 out of 10 cats is good as well, though. I don't watch much else.