I don’t know if this is particularly British thing, but the ‘QuizCom’ has been a staple here for many years. If the term is alien to you, a QuizCom is notionally a ‘quiz show’, except that no-one actually gives a flying monkeys about the score and it’s really just a vehicle for comedy - sometimes topical, often satirical. One of our TV channels ‘Dave’ made January ‘QuizCom month’ and showed loads of them, and it’s always fun to catch. Here are my favourites:
- Never Mind the Buzzcocks - this one is for the music lovers, has been going for over 10 years now, and is probably my all-time favourite. Unfortunately the show’s fantastic long-time host Mark Lamarr, moved on in 2005 and it hasn’t quite been the same since; the new regular Simon Amstell hasn’t really stepped out of Lamarr’s huge shadow yet, although the show has had some good guest hosts, notably Ricky Wilson of the Kaiser Chiefs did a pretty good job. Bill Bailey and Phil Jupitus are reliable stalwarts though, and the writing is still good even without Lamarr’s particular acerbic edge.
- QI - the relative newcomer but I’ve grown to like this one a lot; this time the theme is unusual and slightly geeky trivia. Because you get negative points for answering with the ‘obvious’ or widely accepted answer (that’s actually untrue), it’s not uncommon for most people to finish with negative scores - not that anyone cares. Stephen Fry is of course always superb, and Alan Davies is a perfect foil to his intellectual bent (no, that’s not a euphemism).
- Have I Got News For You - the granddaddy of them all - it’s been running for about 18 years now and doesn’t show any sign of stopping. Hyper-satirical look at the week’s news by Paul Merton and Ian Hislop (of Private Eye) which is a must if you’re at all interested in current events. Long-time host Angus Deaton got fired when he got into a sex & drugs scandal which meant the panel was taking the piss out of him more than the news on the show, but a string of quality guest hosts has kept it going. Probably famous for launching Boris Johnson’s career as the country’s ‘lovable political buffoon’.
I don’t watch lots of TV, but I can always make a bit of time for Buzzcocks or QI especially. Class. 
February 1st, 2008 at 7:43 pm
I’ve never heard of that term before, but i like watching Mock the Week, ive tried watching QI a few times but i cant really get into it.
February 1st, 2008 at 8:19 pm
QI is amazing, although I don’t watch the others, they’ve never really appealed to me and I’ve always found Never Mind The Buzzcocks quite annoying at times.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:44 pm
QI is ace.
Buzzcocks used to be crap with Lamarr, but the new series hosted by Simon Amstel is class. Look fot the one on YouTube where Preston storms off the set.
February 2nd, 2008 at 11:30 am
Philistines, Lamarr was completely awesome, Amstel is a bit too wet, and his posh whiny voice can get irritating after a while. Lamarr is a Marmite guy though, you either love him or hate him. Yeah, I saw the Preston episode.
February 2nd, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Yeah I think your right about him being marmite. Personally I find him too arrogant. Amstel is weedy but his timing is spot on.
Not a QuizCom, but what do you make of the Mighty Boosh? Its pure maddness, and I struggled with it through my first sitting but its a big grower. If you havent seen it yet, I suggest you try find the Eels episode.
February 2nd, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Yeah, I’ve seen the Boosh quite a few times, I like it. Whether an episode will be good or not is a bit random, but when they’re good, they’re very good (or as Vince would say ‘Genius!’). One of my favourites is the ‘coconut island’ episode with Milky Joe. Definitely takes some getting used to though, it’s quirky comedy at its most concentrated.