Shown exclusively on BBC2, this evergreen show of consistent entertainment, childish chuckles and quite interesting but largely useless information, remains one of the few solid reasons to check the BBC iPlayer for something worth watching. I have been an avid fan since season 1, or the letter A, since 2003, and have not missed a single episode in that time, utilising the catch up feature to its maximum potential right from the start.
Running from 6th September to 21st February, series 17 was all about the letter Q, including things Quirky, Quiet and Quintessential. The eminently likeable Sandi Toksvig presided as host for her fourth year, and is now comfortably ensconced in the chair we could never imagine, at one time, belonging to anyone but Stephen Fry. As always, there were 16 original episodes, shown as 30 minute edits and then an extended 45 version, known as QI XL. There were also 2 special compilation episodes, a delightful mainstay since series G.
There’s never a lot new about the format, but unlike a lot of other panel shows, it manages to remain unaffected by monotony and repetition. They have got very good at getting the guest chemistry just right over the years, which is crucial. Including the delicate issue of making sure women and different cultural backgrounds are represented. QI is nothing if not PC, at least in the Toksvig era. I have no idea why it continues to be as fresh as it ever was? Maybe it just appeals to my sense of humour and need for geeky facts…
I have to say, it is my absolute go to TV show for relaxation and comfort. If I am tired, or have had a bad day and need something effortless to cheer me up, then this is my first stop every time! It is just so easy! I have been known to watch the same episode over and over without ever getting sick of it. In fact, I must have seen some of the early episodes about six or seven times now. I just adore it.
To complete the alphabet, it needs to keep going for another 9 years, and I see no reason for it not to achieve that. It will be some acheivement for Alan Davies as the only ever present guest to make it that far, as I am sure is the plan. By then he will have appeared in almost 400 episodes! Only Paul Merton and Ian Hislop on Have I Got News For You could rival those numbers.
Most importantly though, it makes me laugh. Waiting for Jimmy Carr to be inappropriate, or Johnny Vegas to be weird, or Ross Noble to be surreal – you always feel like anything could happen, in a very middle class, middle aged, dinner party kind of way. Which, shoot me, kinda does it for me, as a middle aged, white Englishman… More power to it in the remaining years; how else would we have that feeling that we know a random fact about something, but are not sure why. Much loved.
8/10
The Wasteland 