Stephen Fry leaving Q.I.

ThisRegard · 14-10-2015 1:23pm #1

after the current season to be replaced by Sandy Toksvig as host. Can't say I can see her being a good host of this show, but that's probably just because Fry IS Q.I.

Firewalkwithme · 14-10-2015 1:27pm

Stopped watching it ages ago anyway since it got dumbed down so much. Sandy Toksvig is a sensible replacement though but I'd be surprised if it ran much longer.

Agent Coulson · 14-10-2015 1:51pm

Hopefully they will move Alan Davies on now as well and freshen up the whole show.

Firewalkwithme · 14-10-2015 1:53pm

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Hopefully they will move Alan Davies on now as well and freshen up the whole show.

Yeah he's another reason why I stopped watching now that I think of it. The whole "Alan is thick" joke got very boring.

Basq · 14-10-2015 2:02pm

Huge shame!

Sandy Toksvig, while she seemed very intelligent on any episodes I've seen her on, lacks the wit and warmth of Stephen Fry IMO.

lertsnim · 14-10-2015 2:05pm

They have the perfect replacement.

Mars Bar · 14-10-2015 2:13pm

I'm so heart broken. I tried to get tickets a couple of times but wasn't successful and now he's leaving. Sandi really is the best replacement they could have gone for though.

Harry Palmr · 14-10-2015 3:00pm

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Hopefully they will move Alan Davies on now as well and freshen up the whole show.

He is staying which is a problem for the programme as he is the idiot pupil to Fry's headmaster so without that dynamic Davies doesn't really have a role.

Not a particular fan of Ms Toksvic either to be honest, expect lots of shiny gay women as guests from series N

qweerty · 14-10-2015 3:05pm

Toksvig presented a radio comedy panel show on Radio 4 called The News Quiz for ten years. She brings lots of experience from that. I think she'll be very good.

efb · 14-10-2015 3:07pm

Love Sandy but Stephen is a big loss

Thargor · 14-10-2015 3:10pm

If I had to go down a list of these token female "comedians" they're mandated to shoehorn into panel shows these days and find the absolute worst choice guaranteed to ruin a programme it would be Sandy fcuking Toksvig, she is brutal.

Victoria Coren is wasted on Only Connect because of its boring format, she should have gotten QI, that would even have improved it, a bit sick of Stephen Fry these days.

Thargor · 14-10-2015 3:11pm

If I had to go down a list of these token female "comedians" they're mandated to shoehorn into panel shows these days and find the absolute worst choice guaranteed to ruin a programme it would be Sandy fcuking Toksvig, she is brutal.

Victoria Coren is wasted on Only Connect because of its boring format, she should have gotten QI, that would even have improved it, a bit sick of Stephen Fry these days.

Harry Palmr · 14-10-2015 3:17pm

She is very mannered.

bnt · 14-10-2015 3:29pm

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Not a particular fan of Ms Toksvic either to be honest, expect lots of shiny gay women as guests from series N

Just like all those shiny gay men Stephen had on the show ... who are the female equivalents of Jimmy Carr, Bill Bailey or Jeremy Clarkson?

I've listened to the News Quiz podcast for years, so I have no worries about Sandi's credentials for this job. Fry wasn't even supposed to be the presenter at all - he was originally the other team captain, but then Michael Palin pulled out from the presenter job. (Would Palin have lasted 13 seasons?)

Remember also that they have excellent writers, who happen to have their own excellent podcast (No Such Thing as a Fish), and they aren't going anywhere. Stephen's hosting of QI has become a bit of an institution ... and who wants to live in an institution? 8)

Giblet · 14-10-2015 3:40pm

She was great on Whose line back in the day

Sieghardt · 14-10-2015 4:05pm

Absolutely depressing news, this was the only thing on BBC worth watching and it joins Top Gear and other iconic shows that will be worthless without their stars

Just kill the BBC, put it out of its misery

Mars Bar · 14-10-2015 4:13pm

Thargor wrote: »

If I had to go down a list of these token female "comedians" they're mandated to shoehorn into panel shows these days and find the absolute worst choice guaranteed to ruin a programme it would be Sandy fcuking Toksvig, she is brutal.

Victoria Coren is wasted on Only Connect because of its boring format, she should have gotten QI, that would even have improved it, a bit sick of Stephen Fry these days.

I don't mind Victoria Coren but Only Connect suits her because the show is boring. I think QI would be painful with Victoria Coren at the helm. Sandi is extremely quick witted and is actually very intelligent also. Of all the female comedians out there, she is the best. Of all male and female potential QI hosts out there, she is still the best.

Snakeweasel · 14-10-2015 4:20pm

Sandi is the best choice to replace Stephen. However, I think they should have just pulled the plug. I know Buzzcocks was far better when Simon replaced Marc (IMO) but when Simon went the whole guest host thing killed it for me. I don't see Sandi having the same Simon factor!

bur · 14-10-2015 4:20pm

Sieghardt wrote: »

Absolutely depressing news, this was the only thing on BBC worth watching and it joins Top Gear and other iconic shows that will be worthless without their stars

Just kill the BBC, put it out of its misery

IvySlayer · 14-10-2015 4:21pm

It's a smart choice, so there won't be complaints of all male shows.

David Mitchell/Victoria Coren would've been better. Sure get Richard off Pointless, he has the charm.

I think Sandi is OK as a guest, one of the few female comedians who can outwit everyone imo

mewso · 14-10-2015 4:43pm

Yeah I like Sandy as a guest but QI is Stephen Fry. Simple as that. Should have been contracted all the way up to Z ffs.

efb · 14-10-2015 4:44pm

Thargor wrote: »

If I had to go down a list of these token female "comedians" they're mandated to shoehorn into panel shows these days and find the absolute worst choice guaranteed to ruin a programme it would be Sandy fcuking Toksvig, she is brutal.

Victoria Coren is wasted on Only Connect because of its boring format, she should have gotten QI, that would even have improved it, a bit sick of Stephen Fry these days.

VC and OC are perfect match

Imnotthehulk · 14-10-2015 4:54pm

Being listening to the News Quiz for the last few years and Sandi Toksvig is a great replacement for Fry. Certainly I'd expect Susan Calman to appear on a few more episodes ... but I wouldn't complain if some of the news quiz regulars like Andy Hamilton popped up on QI a bit.

delthedriver · 14-10-2015 5:01pm

QI is Stephen Fry !

Without Stephen Fry there is no QI !

14-10-2015 8:11pm

Awwww.

I do like Sandi Toksvig but I really can't imagine QI without Stephen Fry.
It did seem like it was being dumbed down a bit, with quite a few very unfunny and/or dull guests on it, but still had moments of greatness.

Thargor · 14-10-2015 8:19pm

Mars Bar wrote: »

I don't mind Victoria Coren but Only Connect suits her because the show is boring. I think QI would be painful with Victoria Coren at the helm. Sandi is extremely quick witted and is actually very intelligent also. Of all the female comedians out there, she is the best. Of all male and female potential QI hosts out there, she is still the best.

Dara O Brian would be best.

Posy · 14-10-2015 9:54pm

Oh no. I'm so sad.
I think they made a mistake making each series a letter. Stephen is QI and now it's going to be ruined half way through.

Mars Bar · 14-10-2015 11:32pm

Thargor wrote: »

Dara O Brian would be best.

I wouldn't have minded him either.

I think what's important is that they have someone who gives the appearance that they actually have quite a bit of knowledge. I think that's why Sandi, David Mitchell and Dara O'Briain would work. You'd believe that they just happened to know the stuff!
I just checked wikipedia there and she has been the winner on nine occasions that she has been on the show.

pixelburp · 15-10-2015 9:30am

I think Toksvig is as good a fit as any: it was quite clear the role Stephen Fry was playing was of the slightly exasperated (boarding school type) teacher, the poor unfortunate trying to herd the children around him; and this is something someone like Toksvig would do just as well, herself having a very dry wit & delivery, and she comes across as a very clever person in her own right. She's no Stephen Fry - who is! - but she's as good a fit as any. Dara O'Brian is a very funny, clearly intelligent guy also, but his comedic form & delivery doesn't really match the kind of role the QI head is likely seen as.

Truth be told I stopped religiously watching QI a year or so ago anyway: the humour really had started to lean on toilet jokes & innuendo as a default response, it had got quite tiresome. The guests too seemed to dip in quality, which ultimately killed the fun for me. Johnny Vegas in my QI? No thank you sir!

ThisRegard · 15-10-2015 10:22am

pixelburp wrote: »

Truth be told I stopped religiously watching QI a year or so ago anyway: the humour really had started to lean on toilet jokes & innuendo as a default response, it had got quite tiresome. The guests too seemed to dip in quality, which ultimately killed the fun for me. Johnny Vegas in my QI? No thank you sir!

Same as myself really.

However I do differ on Johnny Vegas. I actually thought he was ok on QI, it's Phil Jupitus that I hate as a guest.

valoren · 15-10-2015 10:30am

Did they ask Michael Palin?

He was to be the original host but turned it down

He could have been convinced this time with a couple of weeks work in May/June on a now successful show.

Mars Bar · 15-10-2015 12:20pm

ThisRegard wrote: »

Same as myself really.

However I do differ on Johnny Vegas. I actually thought he was ok on QI, it's Phil Jupitus that I hate as a guest.

But Jupitus is so good at winding Stephen up!

I hate seeing Johnny Vegas and Jo Brand in the line up.

David Mitchell is in episode 3 and 5 of the new series.

somesoldiers · 15-10-2015 1:21pm

Oh no, please no....this is my favourite TV show. I have been watching the show on a loop for years and must be on my 20th go around at this stage. I had always hoped Stephen would see out the full 26 episodes.

ST as replacement: again please no. She ruined 15 to 1 in my opinion. Is it still even on? She has to comment on every answer, showing off that she would have know that, whether or not she is reading from the card and turn it into a chat (or a least she did on the first two episodes I watched). While I do like her in some roles, (Was it Call my Bluff from years back?, am not familiar with her radio show) but I can't see her being a suitable replacement for Stephen.

Every episode of QI she has been on she has to shoe horn in some of the below
(1) She is Danish
(2) She lived in America
(3) She is a lesbian
(4) She has kids
Yes we know, why do you have to constantly remind us, who cares?

On some alternatives suggested above
Dara: maybe, he needs to stop saying "eh" at the end of everything he says on QI, once you notice it it is damn annoying

VC: I do like her but would she be able to keep going a full 30/45 mins? the odd quip in OC is great, there was an episode of QI she was in possibly her first one that she said virtually nothing except something about an Aztec rabbit dream she had....hearing about people's dreams are my pet peev.

Her Hubby David Mitchell: yeah maybe, I completely don't get Peep Show or any of his other works but he does have the correct level of intelligence, sophistication that Stephen brought to the role

AOB
Johnny Vegas: line about the marzipan fighter planes is up there with my top 10 QI moments

FunLover18 · 15-10-2015 1:32pm

qweerty wrote: »

Toksvig presented a radio comedy panel show on Radio 4 called The News Quiz for ten years. She brings lots of experience from that. I think she'll be very good.

Yep having listened to the News Quiz for many years myself, Sandi is definitely a great choice for this. I can see why people may not like her as a panellist but she works so much better as a host.

In the same way that David Mitchell and Dara O'Briain are wasted as hosts. I don't like the strict formatting of Mock The Week anyway but one of my main gripes is that the funniest man in the room is stuck reading questions and dishing out points. Similarly I listen to David Mitchell hosting The Unbelievable Truth on Radio 4 and I just feel it's a waste. People like Dara and David need interaction to others to be at their best and they get that more as panelists than as hosts.

IvySlayer · 15-10-2015 10:25pm

Dara as QI host? Not for me. Mock the week is much more scripted and formulated.

Richard Osman imo should have got it. He has that charm brainy wit that Stephen has.

Maybe have Sandi Toksvig as a regular. Alan is getting more tedious each season. The guests imo are more miss than hit, you get some who contribute absolutely nothing funny.

If James May wasn't on Amazon was he a possibility?

Cows Go µ · 16-10-2015 12:03am

I don't know, I generally like Sandi as a guest, but not sure about as a host.

Would have loved Dara O'Briain, I can totally see him as a host for QI. He would have been very different to Stephen Fry but not in a bad way.

Ruu · 16-10-2015 12:10am

Love Dara, he certainly has the intelligence but not sure he would have the same following as host. I watch Mock the Week and it is very safe for the most part, I still like it, but that is going off topic. I never really minded Sandi as a guest.

Mr.Nice Guy · 16-10-2015 1:19am

I'm very surprised some are suggesting Victoria Coren as host. The show needs a host with warmth and Victoria Coren has all the warmth of an igloo.

IvySlayer wrote:

Richard Osman imo should have got it. He has that charm brainy wit that Stephen has.

That's who I thought of too. I think he would have done a great job.

Pretzill · 16-10-2015 1:29am

It will be hard to follow Stephen Fry whoever takes up the hosting job - but Sandy no thanks, I watched 15-1 a couple of times and her presenting style on TV is terribly dull.

lertsnim · 16-10-2015 2:53am

In fairness 15 to 1 is hardly a show to showcase anything other than dull

Sleepy · 21-10-2015 2:02pm

James May would have been good at this but I can't see myself watching the show without Stephen Fry tbh.

21-10-2015 2:20pm

Nah, James May has no connection with QI and would likely alienate a lot of their audience. Would personally have seen David Mitchell, but Sandy is wonderful.

sonofenoch · 23-10-2015 4:55pm

She's the one guest I'll usually switch off when watching all the repeats on Dave, can't stand the pompous little cow .....can't see myself watching at all if she's host.....there's a whole host of names anyone could come up with who would be better than her

Vic Reeves off the top of my head, there's a showing worth tuning into

bnt · 24-09-2016 10:55pm

Info on this TV listings site has QI Series N starting on BBC2, 10PM, Friday 15th October. First Episode title "Naming Names".

batistuta9 · 21-10-2016 1:22pm

Back on tonight at 10

ScumLord · 21-10-2016 1:32pm

Basq wrote: »

Huge shame!

Sandy Toksvig, while she seemed very intelligent on any episodes I've seen her on, lacks the wit and warmth of Stephen Fry IMO.

Everyone lacks the wit and warmth of Stephen Fry.

Mars Bar wrote: »

I think that's why Sandi, David Mitchell and Dara O'Briain would work.

I don't know if I'd like Dara, it doesn't matter how smart he is, to me he's the messer at the back of the class, I think he'd have to much energy for a show like QI, he almost drowns out everything around him.

somesoldiers · 21-10-2016 1:39pm

end of an era as far as I'm concerned QI ended at series M.

I'm afraid to watch N in case it taints my memories of the series completely. I watched Sandy on 15 to 1 when it came back and she destroyed it for me, nothing against her as a guest just not the host

Agent Coulson · 21-10-2016 2:35pm

I wonder will they get Stephen back as guest contestant at some stage.

Mars Bar · 21-10-2016 2:39pm

ScumLord wrote: »

Everyone lacks the wit and warmth of Stephen Fry.

I don't know if I'd like Dara, it doesn't matter how smart he is, to me he's the messer at the back of the class, I think he'd have to much energy for a show like QI, he almost drowns out everything around him.

He has been fantastic any time he has been a guest. I think he tones down because of the nature of the show.

goose2005 · 21-10-2016 3:10pm

I hear Chris Evans is available

ScumLord · 21-10-2016 3:26pm

Mars Bar wrote: »

He has been fantastic any time he has been a guest. I think he tones down because of the nature of the show.

I like Dara, and I suppose I am comparing Fry on QI, to Dara on Mock the week, which probably isn't fair.

Stephen Fry leaving Q.I.

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