Heh heh. Which of the two do you prefer? Personally I love Paul, but Ian's very cool too. Are we allowed to choose a favourite, by the way? Maybe I'm breaking some unwritten code here...
Oh, and is it true that they hate each other? Please don't bash me because of my HIGNFY ignorance, lame though it is.
Thanks.
The Apple Scruffs Corps, 05
Let's Get Yogurt!
Both of them, together, doing something silly.
I think there's an unwritten rule that the show would not work as well without Ian's *slightly* snobbish view of politics and the guests on the show, and of course the fact that he's a very clever bloke is important, just as the show wouldn't be as good without Paul's wonderfully deadpan wit.
There was a series a few years ago in which Paul made only one apperance - as a guest on Ians team. They only did it to boost ratings, and it worked - when Paul came back ratings soared and everything was good again :-)
So, to answer your question, you can pick a favourite. But deep down we all know that it's both of them that make the show what it is - really good.
I don't think they hate each other, but they certainly don't socialise. think about it - Ian is a Public school boy who edits a satirical magazine and has a background in journalism, Paul comes from the east end of wherever and is a stand up comedian and improviser, through and through. They're like the odd couple.
I am what I am and I do what I can.
Ah, of course the show would be nothing without both of them. After all, it's the zany pairing of their opposite wits that makes the show so good, and if either of them left, it wouldn't be half the show it is. But still. I mean, some people must have a favourite.
Or maybe not.
The Apple Scruffs Corps, 05
Let's Get Yogurt!
I have always thought that Paul and Ian bounce off each other because of their differences in class and comedy. They have excellent chemistry which I think is key to the success of the show.
If you listen to the DVD commentary on "The best of Have I got news for you" you can hear that Paul and Ian are very chummy, and on the show there is allot of good natured teasing between them. Like when Paul teases Ian about knowing nothing about football or pop music.
I love it when Paul puts on his upper class voice and does an "impression" of Ian
"I edit Private eye, Don't ye know!"
OH! Do you remember the time when Ian actually got the right answer on a football question.
PAUL: "Oh my god! I think he's been taken over by a robot! you murder what have you do with Ian! You made a fatal mistake there my firend! Ian Hislop Would know nothing about FOOTBALL!"
IAN: (Playing along) DAMN!!!! (jumps out his chair and pretends of walk off stage)
I could never pick between them, because they are two halfs of the same coin. Briton is made of upper class public school boys like Ian, and middle class did not go to collage only got metal work guys like Paul
Don't seek happiness through destorying others, Seek happiness in others to find your own
i like both of the, but am always rooting for paul to win the show
i love ians sarcasm, and the fact he knows nothing about popular culture, apart from when he mentioned thierry henry and beyonce
i love pauls bizarre ramblings. at one point he said "what the hell am i talking about?!" which made me laugh
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I don't see why Ian is ratty and annoying. He is there to act as a foil to Paul and they compliment each other well. Ian is playing up to his stereotype as the public school Oxford graduate and Paul only pretends to be thicker than he is. Both are very intelligent and have a good rapport going.
Ian's degree from Oxford vs. Paul's "ungraded" GCE 'O' Level in metalwork.
It is just fantastic and clever, irreverant humour week after week. Both Paul AND Ian are needed to make it succeed and they do it very well. That is why the programme has been a work of genius for 16 years.
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(¸.·´ (¸.·´ It's a load of old Pony...
Ditto on everything Movie Junkie91, michelle mabelle, lauracrazygirl, hippychic46 and retrogal83 have said.
"Dont let it end like this... tell them I said something."
Check this out http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1662893/
I prefer Paul. Ian always seems to get bogged down in political jokes that often dont work properly, whereas Paul Merton's surreal jokes are unstoppable once started. I do agree that they compliment each other although i would say that Paul is the stronger of the two (mainly because he is a comedian). I often think that of the two team guests, ian often gets comedians and such because he is the weaker of the two...
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i think it's the contrast of the two that makes it work so well, ian could make a brilliant joke about a recent political occurrence, than paul could run with it and turn it into an insane, improvised, hilarious ramble, which are never boring and always make me laugh.
What's that? You just called me a bastard didn't you!
To me, Ian's jokes seem more witty and topical (which is what the show is supposed to be about). Paul cartainly has his moments, but sometimes his jokes seem to be a little forced and bordering on unfunny.
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at the very start of the show, Ian was the one who actually knew what was going on in the news, and it was very clear that either paul had not read the papers or was pretending, because all his jokes were childish and had nothing to do with the topic. Its much better now that they both get into the spirit of things. Overall tho, Paul is ok, but his humour tends to be for those who perhaps arent up to date with news or politics, and Ians humour is hilarious (but only if you know who/what he is referring to). Now that i am much more into politics (studying it at uni) I find Ians wit far more superior and consistent. but as has already been stated, they work best together and thats the way it should stay.
shareI always thought in addition to the class difference Ian sort of represented the broadsheet angle (his Private Eye position notwithstanding), and Paul the Tabloid. But I have to support the poster above who refutes any animosity between the two. They appear on various DVD extras as very close and I think their appearance together on the last Room 101 supported this, as did their marvellous double-act on Angus in his final show.
I think they respect each other as both very intelligent and witty men, and leaders in their respective fields.
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I grew up watching this show, and I've always liked Ian most. Obviously when I was very young a lot of the satire went over my head. Still I imagine Ian's a little easier to get on with than Paul.
shareGotta go with Paul, i love his improv style although he often needs another good comedian to work of or a good line from Ian to work. Ians a lot more consistent but i love Pauls surreal over the top style
sharePersonally I find Ian much funnier than Paul, however as others have pointed out the genetics of the show requires the two contrasting personalities. Paul's jokes can often be unfunny and a little predictable whereas Ian's are full of wit and humour.
The weakest aspect of the show at present is the inconsistencies with the guest presenters, there have been too many who have been unfunny and unable to control both Ian and Paul which has been to the detriment of the programme as a whole.
I prefer Paul. I find Ian rather sanctimonious. I thought it was ridiculous in the edition where he kept on and on about Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross, and how bad they were for taking the mickey out of Andrew Sachs. I thought, "hang on a second, Ian, you're the editor of Private Eye. You've done and said much worse things than a prank phonecall".
Plus, Paul is actually funny.
I only vaguely remember the episode but I'm pretty sure Ian was being facetious.
shareWe know it simply does not work without Paul after that spell where he left. The guest captains besides a couple of novelty episodes (the men behaving badly pair teaming together was a nice touch) werent as good as Ian had the rule on them having been there so long.
We dont know how it would work without Ian but i would hope we never have to find out.
I worried when Angus left, but he couldnt stay after losing face in front of two team captains who really were never going to let it lie. And the guest host thing actually works better as they get slaughtered each week by the PAUL/IAN double team.
If you are looking for a clever and witty signature... you have come to the wrong place.
Definitely Paul because he is simply funnier.
Ian is obviously more topical but relies far too much on simply stating the obvious to get laughs, he just explains the news in a certain way... not that it isn't funny but Paul's humour is much more prominent.
I think they both make up the show but Paul is what makes it unique.