Have I Got News For You

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/04/12/nigel-farage-have-i-got-news-for-you_n_5137440.html?utm_hp_ref=uk&;ir=UK

One may not agree with Nigel Farage's politics but he did not deserve to be put up as the sacrificial lamb and verbally insulted on a light treated satirical show such as 'Have I Got News For You'.

The whole show was presented as an attack on Nigel Farage, how he managed to laugh things off I do not know, I wouldn't have blamed him if he got up and walked away in disgust.

But it didn't stop there even at the end the show's host actor and ??comedian?? Stephen Mangan had to have a dig at the Tories and the Lib Dems, but strangely nothing malicious aimed at Labour, but then we have come to expect this from our left leaning BBC.

[hc4361]

What can they insult or ridicule Reginald about? He's not a politician with his nose in the trough, he hasn't been involved in any scandal.
Jo Brand is never ridiculed on the show, nor is Ross Noble, Will Self, Andy Hamilton, Marcus Brigstocke, Dara OBrien, Lee Mack, Janet Street Porter......

[netibiza]

I am not at all political (being abroad) but I agree, I may not like Nigel Farage but he took it very well, I thought.

[emmie]

its normal, and it doesn't just happen to politicians, i believe that when the news broke about Angus Deayton's shannanigans, he once hosted the show, he came in for some very naughty comments from Hislop and Merton, i also think they once likened John Prescott to a lump of lard, or some such jape, i like the show, though i am sure one of these days someone will totally over step the mark, and by the way, Farage didn't have to go on it, he would know what kind of show it is.

[emmie]

ah Roy Hattersley, i knew it was someone rather plump

[mikey4444]

I will worry if Nick Griffin is ever invited on ( or maybe he has ? )

[emmie]

no, he has been featured, but don't think he has been part of the panel

[maggiebee]

OAG I have watched Reginald D Hunter live and believe me he is the most boring person I have ever seen on stage. Waste of £20 at the Edinburgh Fringe.

[emmie]

a one trick pony, he harps on colour way too much, and when he has been on HIGNFY he sometimes seems incoherent

[Gromit]

He was not forced on the show. In fact he will have jumped at the invite. HIGNFY gets millions of viewers and his appearance on it just before the Euro Elections is gold dust to UKIP.

Farage did very well. Much better than Boris who got a severe mauling by the panel.

If you watch the show regularly, Labour Politicians old and new who appear as guests or question master get treated exactly the the same as Farage did. It is lot BBC bias, it is what satirists do.

[emmie]

i wish they wouldn't keep on having Ken Livingstone on, he is a dull as watching paint dry, he should be put out to pasture. Bring back Brian Blessed, he livened things up quite a lot.

[Gromit]

Is it not a scandal that the BBC should give Farage such wonderful free publicity shortly before an election. I thought there were strict rules about not promoting any party during election time. The Apprentice series was scheduled to start later in the year in 2010 because Sugar was a Labour Lord and it was deemed biased to air the show during election time. Yet here we have a great fillip for UKIPs cause broadcast during electioneering time for the Euro vote.

As another poster noted earlier - a couple more UKIP seats. Attributed to Farage having half an hour of Prime Time television.

If there is any bias (which is only in the OPs imagination), it is surely a bias for UKIP, not against it.

Not one of your best questions AOG.

[emmie]

sorry what election, if you mean a general election its over a year away

[emmie]

how many care about the Euro vote, how many bother to vote
free PR, not really

[sp1814]

Could someone please explain to me why UKIP members should be given an easy ride on a satirical news quiz show?

Do people really think that the Coalition government and the Labour party aren't attacked?

It seems odd to me.

[emmie]

he wasn't given an easy ride, very few who go on the show, especially politicians ever are.

[black_cat51]

you are probably right gromit - purdah began on 7th april

[sp1814]

Gromit

You wrote:

"If you watch the show regularly, Labour Politicians old and new who appear as guests or question master get treated exactly the the same as Farage did. It is lot BBC bias, it is what satirists do."

Perfectly put.

[sp1814]

AOG

Should Mr Farage be treated with kid gloves then?

Would that be the 'level playing field' that you keep mentioning?