QI

Image c BBC

QI
5 / 5

Also QI XL and QI VG
Channel: BBC 2, BBC 4 and BBC 1
Aired: 2003-present and continuous
Cast: Stephen Fry and Alan Davies with recurring celebrity guests

QI is in it's twelfth series (at time of writing), settling nicely upon the twelfth letter of the alphabet, L. The premise is simple: one series dedicated to one letter of the alphabet at a time, with Quite Interesting facts and musings relating to the letter. (see what I did there?)

It completely throws me when I learn that someone doesn't watch QI. Or know who Stephen Fry is. Baffles me completely. I suppose it's entirely logical, but it still leaves me with a sense of "so, what do you watch?" and a incessant need to pulverise them with exciting facts that nobody believes. That's basically what QI does: it takes hold of you and asks you to tell them a fact, then it shakes you violently (but kindly), tells you you're wrong and turns your world upside down as you realise you are actually as thick as everyone always thought you were. But don't despair! Turns out everyone is really stupid, it's not just you.

It is a panel show, which some people aren't keen on. The BBC have come under fire recently for apparently having far too many panel shows (mmm, off the top of my head: Mock the Week, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Would I Lie To You?, Room 101? They've got four channels, come on it's not that many). But I find QI to be different to your regular panel show. For one thing each participant isn't particularly vying for the attention of the (I'd say mic but they've got them attached from the off) audience, trying to get their best gag in. With QI you have buzzers for a start and a kind of school feeling, which isn't as bad as it sounds. Instead everyone gets a go, which is nice, and Stephen even singles each guest out on occasion to answer a question, which makes me feel pleased and like everyone is joining in. They've also been way ahead of the "one women per show" rule which the BBC have (rightly or wrongly) introduced, which feels a bit Quota Systemesque (but I'll rant about that another time).

It's also extremely intelligent, but in no way condescending. Intelligent comedy can be hard to get right; there needs to be a balance of common ground for everyone, but done in such a way that they have fun whilst learning. People these days seem to have an extreme phobia of learning new things: if you corrected someone on their grammar or fact they wouldn't thank you, would they? They'd feel embarrassed but wouldn't want to show it: instead they'll brush you off without so much as a thank you. Learning after you leave school is something most people seem to be very disinterested in, even abhor in some cases. QI teaches you, makes you laugh and makes you think. I've probably said before in any number of my previous reviews that comedy that makes you think is the best kind and I stand by that statement.

If you've never seen QI before (WHY NOT?!) then I suggest you enter it with as open a mind as you possibly can get. It is not an artsy-farsty show that demeans your intellect and it will not leave you feeling like you know nothing. It will leave you feeling like everything you know is wrong (it probably is, let's face it) and it will leave you feeling like you can grow as a person just by sitting on your arse and watching telly. What's not to love?

Plus Stephen Fry, man.