The Virtual Pub

Come Inside... => The Library => Topic started by: Grumpmeister on September 10, 2008, 10:17:43 AM

Title: Who could replace Humph?
Post by: Grumpmeister on September 10, 2008, 10:17:43 AM
Clue without Humph? Who could they get in to host it?

Quote
Long-running comedy show I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue will return to Radio 4, the BBC has confirmed.

The programme will come back with a new host as a result of the death of Humphrey Lyttelton, chairman of the series since its inception in 1972.

Radio 4 controller Mark Damazer said in April, when "Humph" died, he had an "open mind" on whether it would return.

A BBC spokesman said a new series was planned for next year, but no decision had been made on who would present it.

Innuendoes

"We received thousands of bits of correspondence, many expressing condolences for Humphrey, but the overwhelming majority wanted us to bring the show back," Mr Damazer said.

"The team also wanted to come back, so it will come back in late spring or early summer next year."

Lyttelton, famous for his innuendo and deadpan performances, died in April at the age of 86 following complications for surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm.

Just before the operation the BBC announced it was cancelling the recording of the latest series of the show.

Separately Mr Damazer has announced that Radio 4 will broadcast the dramatisation of eight John le Carre spy novels in celebration of "a great, great British author".

The George Smiley series of books was seen on TV in the 1980s, featuring Sir Alec Guinness, and will be broadcast next May over 20 hours.
Title: Re: Who could replace Humph?
Post by: Barman on September 10, 2008, 10:28:48 AM
Noooooooooooooooo!

Just repeat the old shows... You can't have the show without him...  noooo:
Title: Re: Who could replace Humph?
Post by: Snoopy on September 10, 2008, 10:34:36 AM
Can't imagine who could replace Humph although Tim Brooke Taylor would probably be able to do a decent job. All other candidates that spring to mind are already with Humph (Willy Rushton, Alan Coren to name but a couple).
Good news about the Le Carre novels but I doubt that anyone would ever be able to replace Alec Guinness as Smiley in my mind. I can "hear" and "see" him even as I read the books. Anyone else will, like a Humph substitute, just not be quite right somehow.
My vote would have to be leave well alone and think of something completely new. You cannot replace the irreplaceable.
Title: Re: Who could replace Humph?
Post by: Grumpmeister on September 10, 2008, 10:39:23 AM
Apparently someone has been banding Stephen Fry's name around but I can't see him being able to pull of fthe same sort of humour.  noooo:
Title: Re: Who could replace Humph?
Post by: Snoopy on September 10, 2008, 10:56:00 AM
If they must do it then they have to avoid anyone trying to be a Humph clone. The new host would need to be a wit in their own right so I suppose Stephen Fry would be a good as anyone. Trouble is that Stephen has many other fish to .......... errrrrr ......... fry ( redface:).
I just hope they don't give the job to one of the usual crop of "chairmen" like Des O'Connor or Des Lyneham or even worse one of those so called "comedians" or celebs they get to chair HIGNFY these days.



Oh what a horrid thought ~ surely even the Beeb wouldn't put Angus Deayton in the job?


Perhaps they will "think outside of the box" and go for someone like Alistair Campbell. After all that's how they got Humph ~ he was not considered the normal sort of chap for such a show.
Title: Re: Who could replace Humph?
Post by: Grumpmeister on September 10, 2008, 11:07:17 AM
There is a part of me that would love to see Eddie Izzard do it. His off on a tangent stram of consciousness style could work weill with the regulars.
Title: Re: Who could replace Humph?
Post by: Snoopy on September 10, 2008, 11:12:50 AM
Thing is that Humph was so good because he let it all happen whilst pretending that he'd rather be somewhere else. Most "names", including Izzard, would not be able to "take the back seat" as Humph could. Their egos wouldn't let them whereas Humph had no "side" about him. He was himself and felt no need to project his ego.
Title: Re: Who could replace Humph?
Post by: Grumpmeister on September 10, 2008, 11:16:24 AM
That may depend on whether or not the person they coose as the new host was a fan of the original show. If that is the case then they may try and keep their interaction to a similar level.
Title: Re: Who could replace Humph?
Post by: Snoopy on September 10, 2008, 11:18:44 AM
Possibly ~ I'm afraid that would mean a clone however and that won't work either. Someone, if it has to be done at all, has to "make it their own" as HL did.
Title: Re: Who could replace Humph?
Post by: Grumpmeister on September 10, 2008, 11:20:43 AM
It depends on how they do it. Bear in mind what made Humph was his personality and character. The new host can keep the same level of interaction without becoming a clone just by being themselves as long as the BBC doesnt specifically give the chair to a mini Humph.
Title: Re: Who could replace Humph?
Post by: Snoopy on September 10, 2008, 11:23:38 AM
We shall see ~ one thing for sure, whoever gets the job won't be ending each recording session by playing we'll meet again on his trumpet (not that one heard that bit on the radio but HL used to)
Title: Re: Who could replace Humph?
Post by: Uncle Mort on September 10, 2008, 11:28:09 AM
Bill Bailey - failing that get the lovely Samantha to do it  ;)
Title: Re: Who could replace Humph?
Post by: Barman on September 10, 2008, 11:30:57 AM
Bill Bailey - failing that get the lovely Samantha to do it  ;)
razz:

Or Mrs. Trellis...?
Title: Re: Who could replace Humph?
Post by: Darwins Selection on September 10, 2008, 12:47:23 PM
get the lovely Samantha to do it  ;)

Indeed, she was always bending over backwards to get hold of Humphs part.
Title: Re: Who could replace Humph?
Post by: Uncle Mort on September 10, 2008, 12:54:16 PM
Indeed, she was always open to a good offer.
Title: Re: Who could replace Humph?
Post by: Darwins Selection on September 10, 2008, 01:57:17 PM
She was to give a reading at his memorial service, but was overcome when she realised her passage was so big.
Title: Re: Who could replace Humph?
Post by: Grumpmeister on September 14, 2008, 08:46:23 AM
Humphs last televised performances were on BBC4 last night including the only 'Clue' recorded for TV. cloud9:

If you missed them they should be on iplayer.
Title: Re: Who could replace Humph?
Post by: Snoopy on September 14, 2008, 10:39:05 AM
Watched it ~ brillliant!
Title: Re: Who could replace Humph?
Post by: Grumpmeister on September 15, 2008, 10:57:05 AM
I'm trying to get iplayer working on my phone so I can have it on at work. Why can't they just put the shows on BBC7, there is only so much of the Navy Lark that they can put on.