Gary Kirk

The funniest thing I’ve ever seen on number10.gov.uk.

Last night I was on South Bank at the London Studios for the recording of this Sunday’s News Knight with Sir Trevor McDonald, the second show in this new series. I was hoping that Clive Anderson would be one of the comedians featured on Trevor’s “news team” but it was not to be. It was someone better! Alexander Armstrong, nine-times guest host of HIGNFY, joined Reginald D. Hunter and Marcus Brigstocke to dissect some of the week’s stories. I’ve always felt that what we see Marcus saying on TV and radio programmes is only half of what he actually said - as in, the strength of it - and I wasn’t disappointed. It also transpires he can do a remarkable impersonation of Moira Stewart, and he claims his favourite favour of ice cream is raspberry sorbet.

I was disappointed that Alexander spoke so little but, like Clive Anderson the previous week, it’s harder being on the end of the line as they both were. Watch out for a special hand-waving technique Reginald taught all the audience

Some great things to report today!

First, the BBC announce that iPlayer is to be launched in beta on 27 July. This, together with the BBC Archive trial I am part of is very exciting and shows the BBC is fully committed to New Media, as they call it.

Secondly, BBC Head of Comedy Jon Plowman, is to stand down - but only to go back to BBC Two to make programmes. If you’ve never heard of him, then this guy is very good, and this is really amazing news. I like this guy probably as much as I like the legend that is Paul Mayhew-Archer.

Thirdly, looking at BBC Two’s Autumn schedules, I see Steeve Coogan is back in a third series of Saxondale. I liked this, probably because I like Steve, and the actress who played Myfanwy in all three series of Little Britain is in it too. So basically, summer and autumn on the BBC looks good!

I admit I’m watching this. However, I really hate the fact that Piers Morgan is on the panel. I don’t like him and it’s annoying that - at the moment - he’s being reasonable, albeit labouring under the impression the contestants give a toss what he thinks. I want him to fulfil the arsehole on a judging panel stereotype, as demonstrated so wonderfully by Louis Walsh on The X Factor.
Opinion?

If anyone is feeling generous towards me, first of all - hi! Now will you please buy me this to show your gratitude?

All females so far? Not complaining
Things I like about Big Brother 8:

• The Diary Room
• Emily
• The twins, with their mics removed

Things I dislike:

• People getting booed
• Tracey. Sorry, but no.

The EastEnders webcams at bbc.co.uk allow visitors to take a sneak peek at what is being filmed at the current time. There are three cameras - one showing Albert Square, one showing George Street (where the nail bar is, under the viadict) and the third showing Turpin Road (where Scarlet is, I think). Recently the Albert Square one was blanked (”This webcam is censored”) and apparently the Vic was covered in something. Well, today it isn’t, and I’ve uploaded a few interesting screenshots of what’s happening right now on the Xinki Wiki: do look as it’s fascinating! I just saw what looks like a policeman… look out for one on 22nd June!

I’m not sure if reality TV is a good thing for the people involved. Watching Wife Swap tonight I’m feeling a little uncomfortable. It’s not the kind of feeling you get watching the appeals on Comic Relief, like you know you should do something…it’s different from that. I’m thinking of the effect on the people who take part whether they like to or not.
I’ve spoken to two former Big Brother contestants and both were a little crazy. I know people who want to go on it and some who would never consider it. Marcus Bentley, who has narrated all thirteen British series of Big Brother (including the Celebrity and Teen BBs) told me personally he never would, though this was more due to him ‘loving [his] job too much’ I believe.

The thirty-third series of HIGNFY starts this Friday - tomorrow. It’s recorded the night before transmission - tonight then - and I’m sure we can guesstimate some of the topics they might be discussing. Faye Turney and the other marines taken hostage by Iran selling their stories to the media, and the government’s U-turn on whether that was the right thing to do. Odd as when I first heard that name (Faye Turney) I thought of Faye Rainey, who is audience co-ordinator for Hat Trick Productions who make the show, as well as being a member of HIGNFY’s production team - see the credits.

Anyway, HIGNFY starting Friday is the main point of this entry. The first of eight shows features Jeremy Clarkson guest hosting and Krishnan Guru-Murthy (This guy is good, as you’ll know if you watch Channel 4 News) and Michael McIntyre (don’t know who he is) joining the usual suspects, team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton. Something new this time around is the addition of a podcast. Have I Got News For You - The Inevitable Internet  Spin-off will be available after the show’s transmission, 9:30pm Fridays.

• BBC Comedy

What was up with the music on the first show of Millionaire’s new series? It sounded normal but parts including the Ask the Audience music went funny, like a guitar being tuned (any instrument I guess; I only know what a guitar being tuned sounds like). Anyway, I hope it was just that particular show because it was awful and I hated it.