I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue Live: v. 2 (BBC Radio Collection)

For those of you who haven't experienced the world of 'I'm Sorry I haven't a clue' let me take a few moments to give you some information and history of the show before I dive head first into the specific review for this product.

'I'm sorry I haven't a clue' also called 'clue' for short and sometimes simply 'ISIHAC' is a BBC4 Radio panel game that has been running since 1972. Each week the game has 2 teams comprising of a pair of comedians ...
...do by the 'Chairman'. Since the very begining of this show 'Humphrey Lyttelton', Jazz trumpeter and band leader, had sat in the honoured position as chairman, overseeing and often directing all baffoonery with his very own mildy paced dry wit. Sadly 'Humph' Died in 2008 so the role of 'Chairman' is currently filled by 'Jack Dee' another one for great dry wit!

The show is simply a parody of what at the time were seen as very stuff shirted ... more

For those of you who haven't experienced the world of 'I'm Sorry I haven't a clue' let me take a few moments to give you some information and history of the show before I dive head first into the specific review for this product.

'I'm sorry I haven't a clue' also called 'clue' for short and sometimes simply 'ISIHAC' is a BBC4 Radio panel game that has been running since 1972. Each week the game has 2 teams comprising of a pair of comedians who are given sometimes daft yet highly humourous tasks to do by the 'Chairman'. Since the very begining of this show 'Humphrey Lyttelton', Jazz trumpeter and band leader, had sat in the honoured position as chairman, overseeing and often directing all baffoonery with his very own mildy paced dry wit. Sadly 'Humph' Died in 2008 so the role of 'Chairman' is currently filled by 'Jack Dee' another one for great dry wit!

The show is simply a parody of what at the time were seen as very stuff shirted panel games and is affectionately known as 'The antidote to panel games'. The show itself exists as a panel game but it doesn't take you long to realise that they are very much poking fun at that which they portray.

'Clue' actually developed out of a previously existing show 'I'm sorry, I'll read that again' but the writers for this show, including John Cleese, David Hatch and Graeme Garden, at the time thought they were getting very little reward for the effort that was put into scripting this show. It was decided to change toward a unscripted show using improvisation.

The show now very easily fills theatres for its live recordings and gathers over 2 million listeners on Radio 4, being voted the second funniest radio programme behind the Goon Show with its own world of comedy.

Down through out the centuries of time humour has evolved, grown and at times often bewildered. Well here within the confines 'i'm sorry I haven't a clue' (ISIHAC) I give you some of the most bewildering comedy you are likely to laugh upon.

We all have our own different style and taste of comedy which regulates which comedians or features we are likely to turn to, ISIHAC somehow manages through both the sublime and the ridiculous to break down these barriers. I put it to you that you can sit anyone you like in front of this recording or any of ISIHAC and they will crack in the end no matter how much they tell you they won't. Even with hands firmly grasping the edge of a table and a firmly tied gag you still won't be able to help but laugh.

The beauty of ISIHAC is that it gives you the idea that this is a serious contest between two teams with humour that when used leans on the intelligent side when in actual fact they are bringing you Slapstick and outrageous comedy.

Within in each edition there are many differing rounds. some that will amaze with their word play and others that will have you in stitches with their pure simple foolery. One minute you will be laughing at a fantastic round of word play that yes is funny but at the same time clever! this could very quickly be followed by another round where the contestants (TIm Brooke-Taylor, Barry Cryer, Graeme Garden, Willie Rushton) Still holding their seriousness of the contest will be asked to perform the lyrics of one song to the tune of another! I can assure you that the thought that must have gone into some of these ideas is a lot and yet they make it seem such a simple thing.

Through out each edition, as well as the humour of each round, you are also presented with marvellous banter between the team members and the chairman, the late Humphrey Lyttleton, who introduces each round with many a quip and a dry Joke. There are often moments when the audience add some banter and soon find themselves put firmly in their place by the panelists.

This live recorded edition is also particularly funny as it includes some parts of the show that for .....cough cough.......certain reasons were never broadcast which leaves little to the imagination.

You will sit an be bemused, confused and at a loss to know what on earth your laughing at at times. One now famous game known as 'Mornington Crescent' which is basically a spoof of all intelligent games with ridiculous rules will truely confound your brain but still leave you in stitches.

There is nothing I can suggest better at the end of a stressful day than to free your self 30 mins to take in one of the editions included here with a good drink in your hand, BUT, I warn you now that once you have heard one you will soon find yourself sat listening to the whole lot in one go!! Anyone that tells you Radio and everything that springs from it is boring has lied to you terribly........possibly as they want to keep this gem all for their own pleasure. 

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