Some thought it was ‘hilarious,’ others thought it was ‘disgraceful’…
Viewers have been divided by the BBC’s special send-off episode of Have I Got News For You for Boris Johnson.
On Friday night, the satirical series recorded a special instalment, titled “Have I Got News for Boris: A Very Special Tribute.”
And, as usual, the likes of Paul Merton and Ian Hislop didn’t hold back.
Paul opened the show by commenting on how it had been billed as a “tribute” to the Prime Minister, before Ian said: “Tribute? Funny way to spell ‘good riddance’”.
The show was hosted by comedian Jack Dee, with Janet Street Porter and Phil Wang the guest panellists.
Have I Got News For Boris: A Special Tribute.
Hosted by @TheRealJackDee, with panellists @PhilNWang and @The_Real_JSP joining Ian and Paul. Tonight – 9:30pm on BBC One. pic.twitter.com/tDRyyvOyDG— Have I Got News For You (@haveigotnews) September 2, 2022
Some were big fans of the special episode. One person said: “Whoever greenlit the absolute unironic ROAST of Boris on have I got news for you is my new hero.”
Another echoed this sentiment, writing: “The Have I Got News For You #HIGNFY roasting of Boris Johnson as his leaving present is thoroughly outstanding. Brutal. Savage. Hilarious.”
The Have I Got News For You #HIGNFY roasting of Boris Johnson as his leaving present is thoroughly outstanding. Brutal. Savage. Hilarious.
— Iain M (@RedLeics) September 2, 2022
The Boris Johnson special of Have I Got News For You tonight needs to be on regular repeat as a reminder of his law-breaking, lies, bluster, conspiracies, embarrassments, and sheer incompetence – just in case anyone has short memories. You really couldn’t make it up. #HIGNFY pic.twitter.com/neGTxRJQY7
— Peter Barron (@BarronMedia) September 2, 2022
A third person admitted that they’d had doubts about whether the special was a good idea, but concluded that it “should be required viewing for the Tory members before any future vote.”
But as you may expect, many had a negative reaction to the show.
One person wrote: “I see the BBC has now hit the lowest of the low. A full program aimed at disrespecting the outgoing Prime Minister. Whether you like Boris or not, it is not the BBC’s job to sink to this disposable level of broadcasting. I’m referring to Have I Got News For You.”
I see the BBC has now hit the lowest of the low. A full program aimed at disrespecting the outgoing Prime Minister. Whether you like Boris or not, it is not the BBC's job to sink to this disposable level of broadcasting. I'm referring to Have I Got News For You.
— John B. (@A12TCT) September 2, 2022
A second labelled it “severely misjudged” and said they didn’t like “the tone,” whilst another described the program as “disgraceful.”
I tuned in for about 5 minutes to -have I got news for you last night , how the hell can they get away with something like that , the bbc are really getting into the gutter disgraceful .
— pat wheeler #BACK BORIS# (@patwhee69705809) September 3, 2022
@bbcPoV don’t like the tone of Have I got news for you tonight mocking Boris severely misjudged programme idea
— Richard Smith (@smithyrichie) September 2, 2022
Boris Johnson will officially leave his position as prime minister on Monday (September 5), when either Liz Triss or Rishi Sunak will replace him.
Related links:
- Boris Johnson’s energy bill advice dubbed ‘visionary gibberish’
- The Osbournes rebooted on BBC after nearly 20 years
- Man wakes up to Boris Johnson surrounded by police raiding his house
