Some things in life are a mystery to me.
How did Piers Morgan and Alistair Campbell worm their way back onto our Television Screens after the things that they've done? What is the point of Danni Minogue when Kylie is all you need? Why does Clarkson earn millions of pounds a year for being an arse when lots of us can do that?
Most mysterious of all, why is QI in its umteenth series since 2003 riding high in the charts with legions of devoted followers around the world? There are web sites slavishly copying down the transcript of each programme like it was some sort of important religious tract and adoring fan sites on every social network you can name.
I SHOULD like it, I admit.
I enjoy trivia and pub quizes and the programme often features some of my favourite comedians like David Mitchell, Bill Bailey and Sean Locke. I like Stephen Fry -"A Little Bit of Fry & Laurie" is one of my all-time TV Faves - and I even loved "Jonathan Creek" with Alun Davies. I like a panel show format and like a good joke.
But I LOATHE this programme with an intensity totally our of character with my mild-mannered, easy-going and ultra sociable personality.
I've tried and re-tried to watch QI thinking I can't be SOOO out of step with my peers, but nowadays I can't get past the ultra-twee opening sequence where Fry says a beaming "Good Evening" six times in a row then the four guests press their buzzer in turn to reveal nauseatingly un-humorous sounds as they make vacantly stupid expressions to camera, culminating in the meastro-of-Gurn, Alun Davies. He sits at the front of the class like the teacher's pet, desperate for St Stephen to bestow his approval as he fires away his quips and shows off in front of the others who he knows won't be there next week.
It is grossly unfair that the INFINITELY funnier and more brilliant "Would I Lie to You" comedy panel format with much the same guest list has been shunted around to minority time slots whilst the smug, up-its-own-bottom-so-far-it-requires-surgery Quite Interesting appears to go from strength to strength. I started referring to it as Quite Irritating but that doesn't sufficiently cover the loathesome tweeness of this waste of talent and waste of electricity.
Perhaps somebody could tell me where I'm going wrong?
Happy New Year Everyone!
22 comments:
I'm with you Rog, can't watch it. I would even go far as to say I would rather watch strictly on iplayer....hmmm.
Had you noticed I'm home alone today? with nothing better to do, while the boys do boys stuff, shooting and down the pub. hmmmm
You need to relax more, Rog, and stop taking things seriously. It's the one programme which makes me laugh out loud - in fact it's killed me twice.
You can smell the testosterone on this awful programme.
So you must be in touch with your feminine side Rog.
Good for you!
Stephen Fry always reminds me of a caricature of that Robinson chap in 'Ask the Family' in QI.
Sarah: I'm still coming to terms with dissappointment at Brucie not getting his Knighthood. I understand there are a lot of shootings in pubs in Essex.
Dave: It's brought you back from the dead? I bet you only watch it because, like onions, it's repeated on Dave.
Kaz: I've tried smelling Stephen Fry's testosterone - it's on sale in Debenhams isn't it? I've only got one pair of shoes so I haven't turned completely girlie.
Delcatto: Ah! Tish! Push! The Revered Robert Robinson! There must be a yearning for the smu-know-it-all approach to make people feel comfortable with authority.
I can bear it occasionally, but on the whole they all love themselves quite enough without needing me. It's all a bit of a mutual bottom-licking session.
I actually sat down and worked out that there's only seventeen people in British TV shows.
Stephen's stopped Twittering as he's got to concentrate on writing the continuation of his autobiography. Apparently he needs peace and quiet so I'm afraid we won't see him for the next 6 months.
Z: Oh you are SOOOO perceptive and clever! Hang on a minute...
Rosie: 17 - you're forgetting David Tennant.Or was it Jonathan Ross?
Geoff: Stephen had a strop recently because someone criticised his Tweets. I hope he reads this blog then...
Get off, Rog. No, really. I am only half dog and it's not the half that sniffs bottoms.
Stephen's valedictory blogpost (thank the lord that at least he no longer calls them "blessays" is a splendid example of everything you have described, albeit only unintentionally funny.
Z: Ahh, you ar I groping for the Flaubertian mot juste! I suspect he's not got a deadline, it's because he read my post!
I find myself siding with Dave. That's quite interesting isn't it?
Stephen Fry threatened to leave Twitter because someone had said his recent tweets were "slightly uninteresting" or something along those lines. How can such a sensitive flower exist in the public eye? Perhaps he would have been better suited to a career out of the public gaze, rather than being on every TV show and writing books and endless newspaper articles.
You're not going wrong, by the way.
I quite like it . . . eh, sorry.
However I do admire how much you loath it and just how excited you can get about not liking it. I can't summon that much enthusiasm for anything, not eben another mince pie!
the b and the v swapped places for a second
No, you're spot on, it's vile. I especially loathe Davies.
Erm...dare I ask who these people are that upset you so?
I've only heard of Fry. What am I missing?
Would this be a good time to mention that I am a fan of both QI and Clarkson (in spite of his disparaging remarks concerning bikers)? I will fully understand if you were to ask me never to darken your blog again.
Vicus: Always a first time!
Betty: Z referred me to his current blog entry. He's far too precious for the cut and thrust of this world.
Ziggi: Why, I'd vie to swap a mince pie for qi !!
Mr LS: There doesn't seem to be a middle ground here!
Christopher: You are missing nothing, my dear fellow!
Sir B: Well to serve you right, your other half has been given the afternoon off to practise "Buzz".
I'm with Dave and Vicus. And unfortunately Clarkson still appeals to the unreconstructed schoolboy bit of me. It is a sad fact that despite my advancing years, fart gags are still funny.
Richard: Go upstairs with Dave and Vicus to watch Pro-Celebrity Extreme Nude Paintball whilst I sit in the lounge with the girls to watch Loose Women.
Now that's a reality programme.
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