Television Archive: Have I Got News For You December 1992 Peter Cook Douglas Adams

Ian Hislop, Angus Deayton and Paul Merton are joined by Peter Cook and Douglas Adams in December 1992. Revenue from the ads goes to the rights holders and Google, not me.
© BBC 1992. This does not appear to be accessibly archived elsewhere. Will rapidly comply with any takedown request.

[@EoinFC]

RIP to all from that show who died......Peter Cook, Douglas Adams and Angus Deayton's career.

[@joeboorer5341]

EoinFC don't fotget Dr David Kelly!

[@loureviews]

Both guests now long gone, as well as Diana, mentioned as 'future Queen of England' in the first clip. What a difference twenty years can make.

[@dandare1001]

Wow. Peter Cook and Douglas Adams. Now there's a bit of history. Despite the guest hosts since being occasionally very good, I found Angus excellent, and miss his style. Thanks for sharing this.

[@ShamelessHorse]

Peter Cook and Douglas Adams on the same show! That is like booking Socrates and Plato!

[@affalaffaa]

I'd forgotten just how good the calibre of guests could get on this show. Also a very ill fitting jacket for Angus

[@92RedRevolver]

I know!

[@andrewbevan4662]

the Russell Brand and James Corden of their day

[@citizen1163]

Andrew Bevan I'm guessing/hoping you're joking!

[@grahamross6397]

That's how we wore them back then. Cook and Adams, though. Last one of these I saw I didn't even know who the guests were - despite the unrecognised host quoting their names.

[@howardparker923]

Cook and Adams, two wonderful people that I wish had lived longer.

[@GirGir183]

Not much contribution from either tho, was there? I really admire both of them, but they were unusually silent here.

[@jamesking3654]

I dedicate this video to my good mate Scott Donohue from Fleet Hampshire.. I remember watching this with you you loved Cooks humour. I remember sitting in your brothers bedroom in the early 90s watching this.. RIP Scott. I wish you were still with us..

[@ilikezappa3268]

4.10 " Diana has been invited on a boxing day shooting party by the Royal Family- She is being given a half hour start ..." oooooer

[@Tweed.Echidna]

Cook AND Adams. What a combo!

[@gailranson3966]

Douglasa Adams was great and very much missed

[@dogsnoses]

Two greats. Pete and doug. Rip lads.

[@DanGolag]

"Late-ex Nun" RIP, you glorious beacon of hilarity.

[@zapfanzapfan]

+Gal Dagon Yes, that was a good one!

[@pr4442]

Are you talking about Angus D?

[@klnine]

a beacon of reality

[@Mr_Gray_Sky]

Probably the most stacked panel the show has ever had.

[@kingshearer2]

Angus is a legend, wish he was back.

[@MythicSuns]

christ, Angus mentions all of The Hitchhikers Guide merch except for the towels! how could you forget the towels?!!!

[@donroberts2126]

I was going to 'like' this comment, but then I saw how many there were...

[@k-leb4671]

@@donroberts2126 Dammit, someone went over the sacred number! How ignorant.

[@GodlessGrandpa]

He's clearly not a Hoopy Frood

[@TheChipmunk2008]

I forgot how awesome this series has always been. 2 legends along with angus and paul and ian... Thank you for uploading this :)

[@euristic]

Peter Cook and Douglas Adams.......where did all our heroes goes. Possibly the grave but can we get some more?

[@Biigfish559]

No, we're not allowed to laugh at what we like any more.

[@alpinenewtplaysgames4509]

Oh my goodness. I would have been 13 when this was broadcast. So sad to think that both guests have been dead for so long. Big fan of both of them.

[@ladyi7609]

MIchaelKingsfordGray OMG you're trying to lecture someone for having a username but you can't even do simple math?!?! Dude, 1992 was TWENTY-SIX years ago, meaning they're 38 - 39 (depending if they've already had their birthday this year or not)! Go take several seats and sit your ass down.

[@aliservan7188]

Good Lord, Cook and Adams on one show!? I didn't know either of them where on. This is indeed a rare treat, thank you so much for the upload. Wow Paul really didn't like Angus did he :D

[@shadow-Sun]

HIGNFY is such an institution , you just don't realise how long this show has been on air and yet every episode is as fresh and entertaining as the last ...long may this show continue to grace our screens it's a true Gem of british television .

[@bigglessy]

It's bizzare thinking this was filmed 2 years before I even existed, yet I can still get the jokes.

[@Fedaykin24]

You half existed, the egg you gestated from existed in your mother.

[@sminkycorp]

Fedaykin24 Allegedly.............

[@sminkycorp]

***** That was an in-joke that peole who watch this show would have got. Thanks for the comedy biology lesson though!

[@klnine]

did you get the reality ?

[@truthtrumpsdumbness638]

Magical - a "Hubble telescope" into the past - to a time before we knew of the unfolding events - the sad demise of Mr Cook and Mr Adams; the shaming of Mr Deayton - and the eternal (if greying) brilliance of Mr Hislop and Mr Merton (long may they thrive). Thank you for this wonderful upload

[@mistacoz]

It was a shame Angus messed up and had to go, there's been some great guest hosts since but some of them (John Prescott anyone?) made for a train wreck of an episode. With Angus he didn't just host, he ripped into dodgy politicians with conviction. With him gone it's left to Hislop (and the occasional guest) to take them to task.

[@SoapClawtooth]

And curiously the demise of Dr. Kelly, too. Who was also mentioned in the video.

[@marmite400]

mistacoz I lost interest when Angus left.

[@qhsperson]

And the death of Diana.

[@nathanw851]

Angus did a bit of charlie and lost his job - entirely unfair given half his guests would have enjoyed a line or two. Besides, I think Jimmy Savile was still on the payrole in '92 and the beeb never did anything about him.

[@abidaker4632]

This is an excellent episode. Is it my imagination or was this show much better in the 90's?

[@scottishwildcat]

It was better with Angus, full stop.

[@isabellaangeline2175]

@@scottishwildcat Just my opinion, but I like the program better without Angus as he’s far too twitchy and not that funny. He’s constantly shifting about and it’s distracting. Makes me wonder exactly how long he was using drugs?

[@TheMorbius1]

What a line up. Peter Cook and Douglas Adams! These days the show often has nobodies as guests.

[@teejgreen6591]

thanks for the upload. two of britains greatest comic talents of all time. a treat

[@GamesPlayingGames]

Awesome upload of 3 greats shortly before they passed. Peter Cook, Douglas Adams and Ian Hislop's hair.

[@TheSmurfboard]

hair today, gone tomorrow

[@kingoftheseamusic]

Peter Cook's JFK joke was beyond great.

[@Taksebes]

Glad to see Peter Cook again! Thanks for sharing!

[@TheTurksMusic]

great quality for such an old video as well

[@antonylawler3423]

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe that Peter Cook may have been Ian Hislop's boss at the time. Ian worked for Private Eye, which was partly funded by Peter Cook. (In case you were wondering why Hislop was unusually polite to his co-panellist)

[@smudger671]

Proof that Angus Deaton is till the best presenter of this show.

[@Silajala]

God I’d forgotten all about Angus Deaton! Thanks for uploading.

[@Professor6871]

2 greats sadly missed here.

[@quantumbleep]

truly wonderful - thanks

[@silvershocknicktail6638]

Holy shit, Douglas Adams! There's a pleasant rarity.

[@badgersgetabadname]

Ahhh when auntie was good. Thanks for uploading.

[@creadishcread2243]

I didn't think it would last 2 series without Angus. But it limps on, with more 'guest host' episodes than we ever had with Angus in the chair.

[@Bickars]

love the old production pan outs with the Audience in shot, sooo Bullseye! Epic show, ESPECIAlly with these leg-ends, COOK and Adams....

[@PatchedThePipe]

I didn’t realise how old this show was!! It’s been playing away in the background my whole life nearly. Sometimes il stop to watch but if I had to guess I’d have went 1999/2000

[@unclescary6665]

Peter Cook and Douglas Adams are Godz

[@Grazikon]

Diana should've kept the bike for her Paris trip.

[@neildahlgaard-sigsworth3819]

Grazikon or got George Best to drive - at least he could take corners when pissed.

[@danieloneill9560]

@@neildahlgaard-sigsworth3819 *doffs cap* well played sir

[@georgianwindow]

So much better in 1992 than it is today in 2018 Well since Angus Deayton was relieved

[@rabidbigdog]

How have I not seen this before!!!!!!

[@mycroftwells3804]

Fun Fact: Angus Deayton was the next door neighbour of Douglas Adams.

[@MisterPeterColeman]

Utterly irrelevant point. Bet ye didn't know that Irish band "The Fureys" and Davy Arthur and Billy Connolly and Barbara Dickson all lived in the same house in Edinburgh.

[@lesleyvivien2876]

@@MisterPeterColeman - at the same time?

[@sleekburnslim]

terrific blast from the past

[@loungejay8555]

Ian Hislop and Peter Cook together. Two men who pretend to be against the establishment but craved to be a part of it.

[@alexanderg1935]

Alan Hartley true. The mark of a good old fashioned satirist

[@psychachu]

Christ they look so young.

[@Showtime6192009]

Fantastic i had been looking for sum older shows :) thanxs

[@palimpsest2011]

I did try to upload the following week's show with Stephen Fry and Frank Skinner, but it was immediately blocked worldwide by the rights owner so I had to delete it. Not sure why they blocked that show and not the hundreds of other HIGNFY shows on KZbin, especially as they are earning money from the ads on this one.

[@Showtime6192009]

yer for sure and that's a shame would have loved to have seen that one :/

[@mikelheron20]

This programme was so much better with Angus.

[@JohnWilliams-ew1oh]

He was an immaculate presenter with a great sense of humour!

[@siddywiddyb]

yep! I stopped watching it after he went :-(

[@BBRC7612]

Surely depends on whos presenting..Boris Johnson and Brian Blessed do a good job in the banta!

[@Cruithneach]

In case you're wondering, it's a different Dr David Kelly...but he's also dead now...

[@theinternetkilledmusic2054]

+Cruitheach I wondered.

[@iwakuraSanta]

+Cruitheach I was wondering ,I did a search and indeed the famous Kelly murdered by Blair cropped up

[@Ingens_Scherz]

+Cruitheach Yes, and just as I was posting the question, some bright spark must already have answered it after all this time, thought I. Thought I right: I thank you.

[@Cruithneach]

ludocrat My pleasure :))

[@mickelodiansurname9578]

Cruitheach I was wondering...

[@nickj.648]

Current affairs indeed Dan...

[@jeanmyers1787]

Love Peter so much. Please play one where Peter & Ian go round to Mirror offices whilst you know who is in States with case of Scotch so are welcomed in. They go into his office & ring him up. It is so funny.

[@Mr2at]

Wow, how the world has changed.

[@farerolobos9382]

It hasn't (except for Russia).

[@coldwarjet]

Douglas Adams and Peter Cook? OMFG!!!

[@cbak12sg]

Oh, to have seen Peter Cook on the same show as Peter Hitchens.

[@garethm3242]

To have seen Christopher Hitchens on this show even once!

[@martydav9475]

cbak12sg Peter Hit hens has always been a self-important loony.

[@ZnenTitan]

My gosh, they look so young!

[@varamyrz2920]

I was expecting more from this, considering Peter Cook and Douglas Adams were on it. Cook, in particular, seemed quiet.

[@leopardbasement2915]

Wow Douglas Adams and Peter Cook

[@paulwarren6105]

''History Repeats Itself''.!! ( - ;

[@DavidOfWhitehills]

Sterlingboard pinned with dowel. Is what those panel fronts are made of. You're welcome.

[@porkwoofles3909]

Great guests, and wasn't Angus an amazing host? He really held the show together. He plays the serious, straight man so well, it amplifies the humour but also caters to serious political discussion when it's appropriate.

[@DennisMoore664]

Great quality in every way!

[@WalterBurton]

Thanks.

[@MrTUCTUC1]

Presumably the Michael Winner underwear jokes in this are the ones he tried to sue the show for

[@coombzy283]

Douglas Adams!??! WE'RE NOT WORTHY! WE"RE NOT WORTHY!

[@versioncity1]

god watching this makes me feel old.

[@andyg9835]

I hate to be the bringer of bad news ... but, God watches everything.

[@lulusaintly631]

Interesting to see the needle between Deayton and Merton - they always hated each other.

[@citizen1163]

Lulu Saintly I don't blame Deayton. Merton was the fly in the ointment for me!

[@lesleyvivien2876]

Merton actually holds the programme together. I went to a recording not long ago. Every time the action flagged, which was often, Merton piped up and energised them. If he left, they'd need double the recording time and twice as many gifted editors.

[@lesleyvivien2876]

@Qwfwq66 Yes @ Merton but sometimes his rants do stop the programme stagnating, and occasionally defuse tension. Agree about Lenny Henry (sir? seriously?) 100%. He was a mildly entertaining schoolboy novelty when he won New Faces, impersonating soft targets like Frank Spencer and Stevie Wonder, and has been going downhill ever since.

[@citizen1163]

@Qwfwq66Merton told of honing his act while working at his desk as a civil servant. Speaks volumes about Merton & lazy, waste of space & taxpayers £, civil servants. 'Sir' Lenny Henry? Friend of BBC/Establishment but then so was SIR Jimmy Savile.

[@bazouteast]

Interestingly at 2m25s there is a story of an ex-pat arrest in Saudi, given a sentence of 100 lashes with a cane. Hislop says 'The Foreign Office intervened…" and Peter Cook quips "so they gave him 200 lashes". Rather prophetic in the current 2017 reign of Boris Johnson....

[@nisbend]

How did you know about Nazneen Ratcliff and Boris a year ago? I'm impressed :-)

[@thedr00]

Wow, good work HIGNFY, getting legends like Peter Cook and Douglas Adams. Compare that to the current crop of "celebrity" guests, nobodies like Louise Mensch and Big Brother contestants. A visual depiction of the decline of the BBC.

[@vermilliongecko]

What Big Brother contestants have been on HIGNFY?

[@poolworld1]

Jimmy Savile

[@vermilliongecko]

poolworld1 Jimmy Savile was never a contestant, he was just a very temporary house guest. He never stayed overnight, thank goodness.

[@dannyflynn5681]

poolworld1 Jackie Mason

[@simonlake_]

If you look at other guests from that series, most of them could or have appeared in the last few years on the show ... Jo Brand, Frank Skinner, Danny Baker, Rory Bremner, Sandi Toksvig, David Baddiel etc. Seen as a whole, it's more a visual depiction of the stasis of the BBC.

[@ChildDirectedFilms]

By the time you read this, Nerd3 will have died :(

[@thijsje545]

Where you send here by a man who erupted from a spawning vulcano as well?

[@chrisstehlik7927]

Wow 1992. Ian and Paul ahve been doing this for a long time.

[@R33Racer]

The show was more than 3 years old at this point. They were on HIGNFY from the start in 1989.

[@chrisstehlik7927]

R33Racer Even though the news is dated, the show is still entertaining. That's a fun show.

[@Ri0tGoin0n]

Peter Cook!!!! My god!!

[@martyg8137]

whoah this used to be on BBC 2?!

[@BLINDTUBEMARES]

Good old Angus!

[@MakinMovies7]

I loved Paul when he was this funny.

[@endrightwinglunacy]

Wow, Cook and Adams.

[@higgledypiggledycubledy8899]

Man, Deayton was so good, in this and later in WILTY. And the BBC fires him once for having an affair and possibly a coke habit (didn't know those were frowned upon in showbiz), and then again for... making fun of Savile.

[@lesleyvivien2876]

Thank you, I didn't know he once hosted WILTY. I bet he was brilliant. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIKcg6OrZ86bkNk

[@tunefultonyjohnson4100]

WILTY stands for "Would I Lie To You?"After Deayton's exposure in the tabloid media because of his sex and drugs scandal, Ian Hislop was furious with Deayton, because he thought that the whole HIGNY show would be cancelled by the BBC... It wasn't, but they haven't spoken since.........

[@MrRugbylane]

Holy moley - can it be possible that show was on the go in 1992 ?? I was only 21 - Im 47 now.

[@jamesrothwell8693]

I was 5 when this aired.

[@ivorbigonee]

Wow really?

[@WolfieRich1]

Excellent quality considering the age of the source!

[@shaunkelly9860]

Peter Cook was a comedy genius.

[@qhsperson]

"That was Stars for Thatcher. No wonder we didn't recognize any of them." Sort of like the Trump inauguration.

[@simontaylor2319]

A very subdued and polite Peter Cook. The presenter dominates leaving the others rather bored...I'm glad he went

[@styxcreek]

2 of my most favourite humans, both gone far too early

[@MrsMill]

The desk is made from OSB plywood and bamboo sticks! Such innocent times.

[@IWillNeverMakeVideos]

I watched half an episode of the Simpsons and I'm still alive

[@jasrust]

Went downhill after Angus left.

[@jamesmurphy5751]

It's too obvious and gameshowy now

[@JavertRA]

I wouldn't say entirely downhill then - it was now when they just recycle the same hosts and fill the guest spots with no name MPs

[@rahuljoshi6951]

Fully agree

[@johnmartinez7440]

It was good for a very long time, but having no set host meant they had to recycle a lot of people and it did get slightly stale

[@oscartravis5740]

Ah yes, from a time when HIGNFY was funny and the BBC's sphincter hadn't tightened up about censoring everything remotely spicy, controversial or challenging, which is the whole bloody point of satire

[@kidmohair8151]

Douglas Adams wins for "...the late ex-nun..."

[@georgerobbie4355]

I wonder if the NHS would have recovered him. Poor bugger. By all accounts a lovely chap, much missed and generally irreplaceable. I hope this vid remains up and working for my children to find one day.

[@narinda108]

very impressive if you listen carefullly...

[@lumpyfishgravy]

Back when it was funny.

[@dakiblabla]

Imagine having Peter Cook as a boss.

[@beenaplumber8379]

I don't think I'd like it. I imagine him saying things about me, as if I weren't there, like, "Look at the loathsome little turd who cannot manage even to fart productively, let alone meet his monthly target figures." I'd do a Reginald Perrin.

[@cjknotty]

Forgotten just how long the show had been running!

[@jeanmyers1787]

Then Maxwell is on verge of suing Private Eye when he disappeared, Ian Hislop was so crowing over it

[@Jdn19]

Dr David Kelly... Wow. RIP

[@Barrybeastmode]

Angus Deyton's initial joke about Douglas Adams doesn't really work when you consider that he wrote the radio series before the books.

[@preciousbodilyfluid1]

I think that was the actual joke

[@VegardMinde]

Nytt på nytt!

[@TheDigitalNerd]

i was sent here by a man who spawned volcano's aka Nerd³ 101 - Populous: The Beginning

[@keithrose6931]

Angus on top form !

[@jeanmyers7113]

Bring back Angus