Private Eye - The Year in Review 2022

An all-star cast brings the Private Eye Annual 2022 from page to stage for a Christmas bonanza at the National Theatre. Starring Ian Hislop, Lewis MacLeod, Jan Ravens and Harry Enfield.

[@AcidOllie]

The Eye is the only piece of paper worth reading in this country.

[@ynotnilknarf39]

The Light Truth paper

[@thedave7760]

I like to get my propaganda from all sides.

[@keithroy9217]

Well, it’s certainly ahead of the pound note at the moment!

[@vidurbutalia2130]

Apart from the bar menu, definitely

[@yoyo6661000]

The guardian is still excellent

[@bigron7009]

My Subscription to Private Eye is easily the best money I spend every year. Bargain, for some of the best REAL journalism around. Like the X Files said: 'The Truth is out there'...but it bloody hurts. Keep up the grand work 👏

[@rutepina8822]

I live for this every year. Love to see our beloved Ian speaking truth to power! He and his team restore my faith in humankind that not everyone is despicable and corrupt.

[@JelloTypeR]

Not everyone, just almost everyone.

[@Lynnefromlyn]

@@JelloTypeR certainly in the Tory party.

[@blindstagehand]

Come on down to Cigarette Island Come and join the band Come on down to Cigarette |sland Come and make a stand Come and join all you bleeding hearts and artists We'll clue you what to do We'll bang our heads against these mad buggers wall Till our message gets through and the mighty fall Come on Stikers and Protesters The trampled down long forgotten uderfoot workers The mill trodden worn through nurses and teachers The unelected politicians and unrepresented voters Ukirainian soldiers and Iranian gals It's down the end of Bleedin' Heart Lane Under the Sun setting screaming howls we'll remember their names Missy (uop: of Who fame, yes the Doctor's arch enemy, retired and redundant, she's the boss): no cut 'n paste now boys x [Rowly origination: The Tories Have DESTROYED the Economy. | Debate kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKOrcnR-bK5jmMk] Daleks patrol dressed as Beefeaters. Rowly tested the edit drive: below radar. 3:25 [Iaan, the Tardis class babel fish [translator. [Iaan: oh just google it if you don't know!]] desc: [decription] In summary the debate starts with a round on 'tax the rich': (uop: Iaan translates descriptively and literally, hence desc: and lit: although lit: is a default and often omitted.) Bandit: Wof! [Iaan]: Who's this bloke then? ? Grizzly Bear (on Piano and Earth current affairs editor,) [Iaan]: Eliot Wilson! .. he not in the wiki, got T.S.Elliot, Elliot Ness, George Elliot, Elliot Spitzer, Simon & Garfunkel... Blindstagehand: What? Deviation! Missy Upheld Lord Vader: Boom! [Iaan, desc:] Lord Vader has a double barrelled tennis ball gun because Bandit, the ship's dragon terrier, loves to chase them. Bandit: scatter, scatter vita voom zoom. Missy: [Iaan: as Janey Godley]: Ah telt ya not ta let that dog scratch mah deck! but the boo was already half way to the other end of the galaxy. In anticipation, Rowly (uop: the ships semi AI auto pilot) loaded the Gary Stevenson drive, saved, and resumed Eliot Wilson at 3:17 4:09 Lord Vader: Eliot makes the point that high taxes for the wealthy will send them away... Grizzly Bear: A fair tax system is fair for the wealthy and the poor. The argument Eliot makes is a red herring to a binary choice you don't have to make. It can all be paid for by a 1% transaction tax on goods and services, rending all other taxes obsolete. Wealth is only of any use when you spend it, every time it is spent, by whoever spends it, on goods or services or labour or anything, everyone pays a 1% tax. You can't reclaim it if your a business, it doesn't get passed on exclusively to the end user, VAT at 25% paid by the end user becomes 1% paid by everyone all along the supply chain, employment tax, inheritence tax, council tax, all other tax is redundant, unnecessary. It can all be paid for with a 1% transaction tax on goods and services. That is fair for rich and poor alike x What say you to that panel? Jemma Forte meet Gary Stevenson x I say there is a balance that needs to be redressed, an embezzlement that needs to be repaid, a corruption of fraud that needs to see the Tower, so right now one person's debt is another's asset, and we simply need to do a bit of debt restructuring..!., [Rowly shares the Gary's Economics site and prayed the share would hold~: Debt and The Fiscal Black Hole kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqfMi6OCqdKCi6c] 5:34 for Dr Shola from Gary Stevenson: Do not think in terms of money but in terms of assets, the assets exist in this country. 6:37 @Jemma: Grizzly Bear: When the tax rate is only 1%, and is levied only when the payer, the demand, willingly gives their money for a product, then tax avoidance becomes something so trivial as to not be worth while. 8:11 Lord Vader: Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. [Iaan:] This was a subtle segwey to the ideas and concepts of distributed descision making Lord Vader knew Grizz Boo was about to play, he could almot hear the Daleks preparing their ear plugs; Dalek: Oh no, 'ere we go again, scrape scrape, neva a tune you can dance to! Equality and Diversity are both function so wealth in an economic society! Blah Blah! But Missy held the band back from the chorus just yet. Grizzly Bear: Oh, don't get me started on what it means to be 'masters of our own destiny'! This was defoz part of his plan 'cept 'e called it 'each individual's own personal voyage of discovery' x the ultimate hedge fund spread bet! Jeez! Before we can solve the most important problems we have to solve the first problem, Democracy! (uop: Lawrence Lessing x) Missy: ok let's do voting with money the game show deconstruction format blended with some critical feedback for this lot et? Bandit [Drums: laid out the beat]: Vothing with ballots is for suckers, voting with money's a much better idea! Blindstagehand: Right, first you need the question written on the screen in the background, The big question being 'The Tories Have DESTROYED the Economy. | Debate' and then below that the question actually being debated, Now.. you need an audience, and then you give the audience each the same amount of money (uop: real money helps focus the mind) to spend on each panel member for each questionl... think about it, it's very loose, each round you have say £10, and at the end of the round you have to spend it amongst the panel, all for one, some for all, a bit for one, most for another... you can spend the money any which way you like, and if you don't like any of the panel, it comes back equally to the audience. Missy: Not bad, that's actually the rules. Blindsatgehand: Now that would provide an interesting, non binary, democratic deconstruction of the argument! 13:01 Laugh out loud as Eliot Wilson get's completly destroyed for his condesention by Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu! Classic! 16:55 Deviation! Eliot Wilson you are a devious! [Yeah, rules of Just a Minute]

[@slothrr776]

Isn't it like a very bad episode of The Now Show? (Which is very very bad!)

[@victoria9590]

Well said

[@ashroskell]

That phrase, “Quintessentially British,” has never been better epitomised, especially when referring to the British sense of humour, than in the pages of Private Eye. It’s a British Institution that feels like the bespoke, taylor made suit: not for everyone, but for those who wear it, it fits perfectly. I always enjoy these reviews of the year, from all types of publications and media outlets, which always say so much about the people behind them. The Eye will always be my favourite, for as long as it remains, keeping us honest and down to Earth about who we are and what we care about. Thank you, Private Eye. And thanks to the National for staging them. See you all next year . . . we hope . . .

[@gstephenson9442]

It’s a National Treasure

[@Adombom]

I'm more impressed that Private Eye has a KZbin account - thank you for this!

[@Adombom]

Come to Canada, Ian! Please!

[@the_grand_tourer]

They probably have no idea how it happened themselves.

[@MrMusicbyMartin]

As the years go by, it’s reassuring to see that Ian Hislop still retains all the qualities of a cheeky schoolboy! Also, I could listen to Harry Enfield forever.

[@BoojayDeeth]

What's happened to his teeth? Don't get me wrong I like the man, but the last time I heard dental sibilance like this was Lemmy and he died 9 months later. For gods sake Harry get on the statins!

[@splinterbyrd]

So could Harry Enfield

[@wattage2007]

A cheeky public schoolboy.

[@paulinecoburn181]

Have you seen The Windsor’s, Harry Enfield as (then) Prince Charles is brilliant…as are the rest of the cast.

[@pixelfrenzy]

First time of catching this... Jan Ravens and Lewis MacLeod really nailing the impressions there.

[@goodwood-rc4nx]

if can find both on a radio show called dead ringers

[@hallohallo1332]

What a wonderful Christmas surprise. It's the first time I've come across the annual show and I love it. Thanks.

[@gillianr-w8720]

There is something about Private Eye and all their writers I would trust them over any politician and seeing how Boris was unable to cope with Ian or Paul when he was on HIGNFY I will never understand how he was able to get into politics and become PM.

[@itkapatanka]

We play a game when watching this, every time Hislop says 'erm' we have a drink. Its dlgoiun evrwy wel.

[@punamtiwari5087]

It feels great that everyone is back and supporting this important magazine

[@judicator375]

Yeah this really deserves a time slot on the bbc and not just a theater showing. Its brill

[@nickdoughty518]

Glorious! Well worth the wait. John Sessions missed dreadfully of course.

[@Elwaves2925]

I hadn't realised he'd passed until seeing this just now. I always enjoyed him in Porterhouse Blue and his many appearances on Whose Line, along with more modern work.

[@howdj]

@@Elwaves2925 John Sessions was the most unbearable man, finally this is watchable!

[@Google_Does_Evil_Now]

John Sessions was amazing in Stella Street. Stella Street was brilliant. Love seeing the reruns of it.

[@stevengascoigne8627]

John Sessions,O missed so much..steve ps the rest of the Team are true to form as for baroness moan...SLUG

[@markclevedon81]

Outstanding and a reminder of why we need Private Eye. Roll on 2023!

[@TubeWeasel1]

Good to be able to watch this. I particularly enjoyed Jan’s impression of Liz Truss!

[@jahazbrooga309]

So pleased Harry Enfield's Stavros made a cameo as the leader of Atlantis

[@julielily6517]

In California- we love love love Ian and Private eye

[@archvaldor]

Just curious how do you even know who Ian is? I didn't think they had any presence stateside?

[@lindaschweiner200]

@@archvaldor Wisconsin also loves Ian and Private Eye. I just received my Private Eye 2022 Annual from Waterstone. We know him mostly from HIGNFY on KZbin.

[@archvaldor]

@@lindaschweiner200 Wow, it is very impressive that you take an interest in matters far afield.

[@RichardM-kv4uu]

That Johnson impression is amazing, as are all the others, esp Miriam Margolyes!

[@clarissagafoor5222]

So many people here complaining about PE and this show! yet here they are, watching it!

[@zenbudhism]

MP gets 200 million contract. What a coincidence

[@mandiabrahams7824]

Nice to see Harry Enfield

[@Raven-Claws88]

Absolutely brilliant, great way to commemorate the saddest, funniest and maddest moments of 2022! Keep up the good work in 2023 Private Eye. Impressions by Jan, Lewis and Harry were uncanny!

[@neilprimrose8720]

Hearty thanks to all concerned. This alone is worth the licence fee.

[@richardomahony8865]

Jan Raven's Truss is the only good thing to come out of those 45 days.

[@martyheresniak5203]

This is the first I had heard John Sessions had died. I have been rather sealed in the hermitage. Good Night, Sweet Queen Gertrude.

[@grahamepalmer3281]

Back in the 1970' my late dad said to me: "If you really want to know what's going on in the country, just read Private Eye..." So that's all I read, and am super-informed.

[@annetteallison1029]

If you want to know what is happening watch UK Column News. Private Eye is dead.

[@barbararowley6077]

My compliments to all involved in this wonderful production from an equally wonderful publication!

[@susiehenders]

The Brian Coxman was spot on 😂

[@helipeek2736]

Now this is a proper way to start Christmas; Private Eye on the KZbin thingy, the door bolted against the outside world, a glass of something deeply warming, all whilst being ensconced by the fire.

[@hawkpaul8735]

Oh how I've missed this. SO glad to have you all back and what a great show.

[@ElectronicazMusic]

Wonderful stuff. I now need to re-watch The Windsors! Harry was so good in that, as were they all.

[@johardy8512]

Gosh I so agree. If you need to find out what is happening, read the Eye. My father taught me and I have taught my son. Please don't ever stop.

[@Supermunch2000]

Ian Hislop is my spirit Ian Hislop - probably the only person in the world that I'd like to buy a pint for.

[@TP-om8of]

Cheapskate.

[@papamurrth1]

Highlight of the year so far

[@captainjamesmartin]

So happy for the return of this

[@liketheroman]

RIP John Sessions. Miss his humour so much.

[@drssexy2142]

a bit late, dude

[@Google_Does_Evil_Now]

Private Eye is the only newspaper I bought regularly as an adult.

[@derekspitz9225]

Harry's Brummie accent is great. Nice to see an attempt at the accent that doesn't end up being yam-yam.

[@babaganoush6106]

Adrian Chiles does it better

[@j.r.mccalla8662]

I've been looking forward to this. Thanks to all involved.

[@Deepthought-42]

👍And the only magazine you can truly trust.

[@dusty0608]

This was truly hilarious, can’t wait to try and buy tickets for next year. Bravo all.

[@NothingToDismay]

So funny I forgot to laugh

[@alwolfy1782]

The perfect way to end boxing day. Brilliant.

[@gabrielahmad1294]

Excellent! Glad to see you all back at it!

[@crashingmojo1554]

The penny just dropped...Liz truss was actually Miranda Richardson in Blackadder

[@teb__]

First time seeing one of these. Great laughs! Well done.

[@tormid100]

Absolutely brilliant. Thank you.

[@staninjapan07]

Great tie, Ian! EDIT Beautifully done, everyone!

[@kai-leeklymchuk744]

LOVE JAN RAVENS. Such a talented woman.

[@pdrg]

Enfield's Prince Charles really is spot on

[@B3ntheboy]

I didn’t realise this existed. What a lovely way to spend an hour 😊

[@euanwalters8246]

Good to see Kraftwerk are still going.

[@daykz69]

Simply, brilliantly funny

[@kizfrancis1838]

Thank god for Ian Hislop bringing some sanity into the World, or else we’d all be truly rubber-ducked if we’re left to just Robbing-Rishi and the ghost of Christmas past Jacob Rees-Mogg.

[@tomglenn485]

what a highlight.

[@jlvfr]

"Crimea and punishement"... I lost it there... :D

[@mcollier4566]

Once per year does sound about the right time frame to be producing an annual.

[@farokudahitam]

Love Boris quoting " carry on Cleo"

[@robcall5182]

New Year resolution, buy Private Eye.

[@janwallace5005]

So good I had to watch this again 😁

[@biddylisduff]

Love it, even though I've read the issues with the same stories. If you read a great book, it stands up to a second reading. Obviously a night for PE fans, don't know why people are watching it just to say how bad it is in the comments! I'd love to be there after a few drinkies in the bar, laughing along with like minded people.

[@grizcuz]

It's certainly not the typical Kraftwerk gig, but it's far funnier.

[@blatherskite3009]

Glad I'm not the only one who saw the thumbnail and thought "Kraftwerk...?" :)

[@johnlanham4050]

On word to Hislop- Angus! I do not forget!

[@dondoodat]

Private Eye became a proscribed organisation in late 2024.

[@StultissimiAmatorii]

You had me at Jan Ravens.

[@ajw9533]

As journalism as we knew it evaporates into a vapid search for clicks, the investigations of Private Eye are one of the last ways in which public figures are held at all accountable. That's why I subscribe. The humour is great, but it's a bonus.

[@cmasseylynch]

thank you for this

[@Wagoo]

Getting Phil Cool out of retirement as one of the cast next year would be ace :D

[@strangelove9608]

+1

[@eshaibraheem4218]

I very nearly laughed myself to death during the quiz show questions and answers.

[@michaelaskew6025]

Excellent, very witty and beautifully performed.🥰💚🌱

[@christopherrobinson7541]

The usual comments I received from my lovers; but don't tell the wife.

[@janwallace5005]

Excellent 🤣🤣🤣

[@RetroKidd]

I need to see this live next year.

[@drssexy2142]

why?

[@RetroKidd]

@@drssexy2142 Why not? It looks like really good fun to see live.

[@drssexy2142]

@@RetroKidd yeah, if youre a tw** lol

[@RetroKidd]

@@drssexy2142 HAHAHAHAHHAHAAHAHA

[@trishtraynor]

Bloody maaaaahvellous!

[@JM-yf3ol]

Love this. How about doing one up North next year Ian?

[@babaganoush6106]

And one in south west wales near Fishguard

[@eshaibraheem4218]

@@babaganoush6106 And one in Cairo.

[@babaganoush6106]

@@eshaibraheem4218 absolutely and for fairness and education….Belgograd?

[@anonitachi7488]

Excellent

[@gm38253]

The Fischer Sozin Attack... nice!

[@jedtattum9996]

brilliant. thank you.

[@oldstatueface6317]

Brilliant. First time I've seen one of these. Won't be the last.

[@xeecec]

How did i not know about Private Eye since today, thanking Jon Stewart that led me here.

[@babaganoush6106]

Bloody fantastic

[@paullakin7777]

Bless you, one and all, may you long continue to dig for the truth.

[@jclebourdais10]

always delightful

[@BeerElf66]

Thank you! Much needed laughter as well as political bits, mind you, they write themselves a lot of the time.

[@russellholmes3187]

Nice one, guys, Season's Best to you

[@AdrianColley]

34:30 Liz Truss sounds uncannily like a perfect mixture of Violet Elizabeth (from Just William) and Queen Elizabeth I (from Blackadder 2).

[@zapfanzapfan]

That sort of makes up for the too short season of Have I Got News For You 🙂

[@RichardM-kv4uu]

RIP John Sessions, I had no idea he'd passed away, very sad news.

[@keithhardy8513]

Brilliant ! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ACinDorset]

This is so great! Lewis and Jan do superb impressions on BBC Radio 4s 'Dead Ringers' and have a great Christmas special, well worth a listen and a laugh.

[@EmptyGlass99]

The Dead Ringers Christmas special is a good one.

[@davep7589]

The start sounded like top tips from the amazing viz

[@ansfridaeyowulfsdottir8095]

Why is the volume always so low on these things? {:o:O:}

[@andrewharrison8975]

Brilliant!

[@b1aderider]

some of the subtitles are just as funny as the items of the year

[@pwuk]

Love Harry Enfield's King (formally known as Prince) Charles. If you've not seen "The Windsors" then get stuck in.

[@stevot8439]

Does Nick Cohen work for Private Eye?

[@rubikscubeking8398]

Brilliant.

[@anniehadfield6637]

Brilliant! Have shared!

[@matt_cummins28]

Genius. Thank you so much.

[@abistonservices9249]

I could agree on that!👍

[@MasonS60]

With Camila's voice I am too used to Hugh Dennis' impression from Mock the Week

[@tornagawn]

Been reading it since I was but a teenager in the 1980’s

[@drssexy2142]

sorry, i'm all out of medals

[@pwuk]

So moving, I put a quid in the virtual bucket.