By Andy Simon @AndySimon55

Ah satire. Where would we be without it?

How much that show has improved since Angus Deyton left. Angus who you say? Never mind; forget him.

If you are like me, a bit of a news geek, who likes to keep up with all things news and current affairs, then this show ticks the boxes.

And for those who have no idea as to what I'm waffling on about, and I must admit, I would find that rather surprising considering Have I Got News For You has been running for an amazing 27 years, which for me, only goes to prove how successful it is, it's basically a quiz show loosely based on "The News Quiz" (BBC Radio 4) focusing on topical news stories of the week.You have to admit, if it wasn't for a bit of satire every now and then, the world I think would be a rather gloomy place. Thankfully for me at least, the BBC's highly successful satirical quiz show, Have I Got News For You", made a most welcome return on Friday night.

The aim basically, is to test your knowledge of news and current affairs but to be honest; it never really turns out that way.

The regulars, Ian Hislop and Paul Merton, who have been on the show since day one, not only provide accurate knowledge of the big stories, but also give opinions and sharp satirical wit on the subject matter being discussed which often leads to funny and even hilarious quips, opinions, views and comments that make this show so enjoyable to watch.

On Friday's show which began series 53, the guest host was legend Sir Patrick Stewart (Star Trek TNG, X-Men) who I think settled in very nicely into the host seat despite the hilarious gaffes he made while reading the auto-cue. Actors eh?

Paul Merton's guest was Richard Osman (Pointless) and Ian Hislop's was journalist Camilla Long. Within the first few minutes of the new series, they were talking about the General Election, nuclear war and Donald Trump.

Ian Hislop, regarding the General Election said, "Well, were off! We've not had one for two years."

Richard Osman said he was very glad to have invested in shares in voting pencils, and Hislops guest panellist Camilla came out with the best comment of the show referring to Theresa May's call for the General Election to be done and dusted by the time US President Donald Trump arrived by saying,

"I think she wants to "slide it in" before Donald comes."

It was a golden TV moment.
Have I got news for you is one of my favorite shows.

I've not missed loads of them, but I have missed a good few over the years, but I tried to watch it whenever I could because it's funny. It's quick witted, it's sharp, its current, it's unmissable.

Sir Patrick Stewart was an absolute luvvie on the show however, I do hope he doesn't host it again. There was some suspicion on social media that Sir Pat was a bit "Tipsy" during recording?

Personally; he always looked a bit that way to me anyway. And for me that's his appeal.

He did after all; beat the Borg.

As for Paul Merton and Ian Hislop, well quite frankly; the show would be very boring without them. So if you're fond of satire and you're also like me, into a bit of news and current affairs, then without doubt this show is for you.

I mean let's face it.

We've had quite a turbulent time since the EU referendum. We have a psychotic child in North Korea who's throwing teddys out of his pram and blaming it on America, we have a grumpy grizzly bear with a sore head growling in Moscow, a barmy blonde bomb dropping block head in the Whitehouse, and an approaching general election that quite frankly, could very well see the labour party's most unlikely and most unpopular party leader in it's history, moving into Number 10.

Crazy scary times? Yeah; you bet!

I reckon you journalists out there
have never been so busy!

All the more reason to have some light relief with a bit of satire. And it is for this reason I'm very glad Hislop and Merton, are back.

Thank goodness for satire. The 53rd series of Have I Got News For You continues next Friday on BBC1 at 9pm.

Try to watch it, before we all get blown to bits . . . maybe.

Thanks for reading.
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