- Sat May 05, 2012 4:31 pm
#223429
The HIGNFY panel makeup is usually Hislop & Stooge/Ballast, Merton & Funny (typically a comedian or other entertainment celeb, funny journo or 'good bloke' MP). If the stooge isn't a panellist, they'll be the presenter.
The stooge's job is to attract flak. The ballast is there to keep schtum or to answer the one question invariably tailored for them. The funny's job is to sit next to Merton and crack wise (but not overshadow Merton or Hislop).
If the stooge is a presenter, chances are the episode will be tailored around them. Guest presenters who are not stooges fall into the camps of either 'reliables' (Kirsty Young, Alexander Armstrong etc) or 'inspired' (Brian Blessed). Clarkson used to be a reliable, but moved into the stooge camp last night.
Some stooges in the past (such as Nigel Farage) have misunderstood their defined role, in the case of Farage launching into spectacularly mistimed and misjudged rants that quickly evaporated whatever "Oh well, at least he can laugh at himself" feeling had been built up to that point.
As for Nancy, I don't think she was a good choice of guest (it does help to have a clue what's been going on in the world), but I think she acquitted herself OK in the circumstances. Aside from being self-centered and working for News International she's not really done anything to cause much resentment.
The stooge's job is to attract flak. The ballast is there to keep schtum or to answer the one question invariably tailored for them. The funny's job is to sit next to Merton and crack wise (but not overshadow Merton or Hislop).
If the stooge is a presenter, chances are the episode will be tailored around them. Guest presenters who are not stooges fall into the camps of either 'reliables' (Kirsty Young, Alexander Armstrong etc) or 'inspired' (Brian Blessed). Clarkson used to be a reliable, but moved into the stooge camp last night.
Some stooges in the past (such as Nigel Farage) have misunderstood their defined role, in the case of Farage launching into spectacularly mistimed and misjudged rants that quickly evaporated whatever "Oh well, at least he can laugh at himself" feeling had been built up to that point.
As for Nancy, I don't think she was a good choice of guest (it does help to have a clue what's been going on in the world), but I think she acquitted herself OK in the circumstances. Aside from being self-centered and working for News International she's not really done anything to cause much resentment.
"There ain't nothing you fear more than a bad headline, is there? You'd rather live in shit than let the world see you work a shovel."