Boris Johnson made yet another appearance as guest presenter on ‘Have I Got New For You’ this evening, and as always he was incredibly funny. Boris is just so earnestly incompetent in the role as presenter that you just cannot help but laugh.
I was worried that the novelty may have worn off after so many previous appearances, but the classic mess-ups, almost constant confusion, and of the course the obligatory miss-pronounced popular culture reference were just as hilarious as always.
Everyone likes a befuddled toff and Boris plays up to the role with aplomb, although his bumbling ineptitude is just the tip of the Johnson comic iceberg.
Boris is always so unfailingly funny precisely because as a politician he feels obliged to defend his political viewpoints. Whereas most guests under pressure on the show can simply squirm their way out of a difficult situation, Boris will always nobly attempt to develop serious political discussion.
As anyone can see, to possess a firmly held belief – and what’s more to proudly demonstrate the fact – is fatal on a show such as ‘Have I Got News For You’. Even Ian Hislop was mercilessly mocked a few series back for his constant criticism of the European Union and Jacques Delors, so really Boris doesn’t stand a chance.
On tonight’s show Paul found much fun in toying with Boris’s royalist leanings by repeatedly accusing Prince Phillip of being involved in the death of Princess Diana.
However it must be said that Boris takes it all in good humour (and more to the point keeps coming back) so he must feel that he’s getting something out of it. Certainly he does keep a consistently high profile as a result which his Tory overlords have been quick to pick up on.
You can witness amusing evidence of this with the latest WebCameron (see what they’ve done there…) update presented by Mr Johnson. Being Boris it is obviously hilarious, particularly as he consistently refers to Cameron as ‘Dave’ without a hint of irony!
Also, look out for the curious man who peeps his head around the door about 10 seconds in – pure class.
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Tags: BBC1, boris johnson, conservatives, have i got news for you, ian hislop, paul merton, television
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