Have I Got News for You

I don't usually like cable news shows, but I thought that this American spin on the venerable UK panel show was surprisingly likeable and funny. Roy Wood Jr does a great job as host, and co-captains Michael Ian Black and Amber Ruffin are fun and good-natured, if a little stiff in the first outing. By the third or fourth episode, everyone has gotten more used to the format, and MIB and Ruffin get faster on the jokes and better at expounding on each topic. The show is at its funniest when it lets the guests and hosts really go off on tangents, like a hilarious bit about an early acting gig of MIB's in the fifth episode. They could definitely dig a little deeper on the jokes; I think they're a bit afraid to get 'mean' given how early the show is in its run and CNN's centrist reputation. Overall, however, the show has consistently improved each week, and I'm excited to see how it continues to evolve as it establishes itself.

...but this one does.

Roy Wood Jr. Is an excellent host, quick-witted and thinks on his feet, while both Ruffin and. Black show great promise as returning captains - especially Black surprises me, he is razor sharp and has a dark dark sense of humour.

To me it is clear the tone of the show is a close copy of the British original, and I think that is a great choice instead of trying to "americanise" it, as it is exactly that laid back, but clever, irreverence which has meant the British version is currently running its 68th season.

BTW I would love to see the American show do an episode with the British team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton being the guests - I think they would pair beautifully with Black and Ruffin respectively.

3 episodes in, I think the show is only getting better, and if it continues like this, I'll watch it every week.

But I really Enjoyed it.

Roy, I lived in Alabama for 15 years so I am legal bound to love him.

Amber, Does "Things Seth Can't Say" so I am legal bound to love her.

Micheal, Will always be Johnny Blue Jeans, so I am legal bound to love him. And who knew he was so well informed, up to date on current events, and intelligent.

Matt, is a highly regarded and respected Journalist and Commentator so I am legal bound to have no influence on him what so ever.

Robin, First African-American woman to be head writer. So I am legal bound to say she is an absolute wonder and almost old enough for me to date her. Yet I still would. (sometime rules need to be broken)

First Show and right out of the gate you picked good guest so I am legal bound to say I am going to watch it again next week.

Please Keep it up.

At times watching the episodes I was rolling around with laughter. I've given up watching the UK version as it's become somewhat stuffy and dated with team captains now into their dotage. The younger, fresher team captains and presenter, a great mix of guests and a far broader sense of humour without the endlessly now dated pedantry of Hislop and phoning it in occasional quip from Merton makes this one far fresher, funnier and more vibrant in character.

Truly a great reimagining of the UK show with broad appeal even to UK viewers who are in tune with US politics, cultural and social references.

You might not find it as funny if you're expecting it to be a facimile of the UK format, but you'll love it if you enjoy a show where women and minorities are not always the just the token guest or presenter as is the case with the UK show.

I used to love the UK show, don't get me wrong. But they self-censor themselves so much now due to Hislop's history of ending up in litigation that it's always "oh we can't say this" and Paul Merton barely says a word most weeks now.

The US one definitely feels like a breath of fresh air in comparison.

I didn't want to like this show, but I can't help it, I loved it. This game show is extremely clever. It's on CNN, so it's obviously left leaning but done with a great sense of humor. Roy Wood, Jr. Is so quick witted and the rest of the cast is hysterical. Michael Ian Black is brilliant, informed and funny. I love the idea that it includes the most current events and brings levity to such a crazy reality we're all dealing with for the past week. I hope they are able to keep up the freshness and the lighthearted appeal and not slide into stale repetitive content. I think it helps that they are genuine comedians that are quick on their feet to keep it high spirited and current.