Have I Got News For You

Alexander Armstrong

During this interview, we were totally at Alexander's mercy. His eyes were screaming, "One false move and I'll snap you like a twig".

Q1.This will now be the twelfth time you've hosted the show. Do you almost expect to receive an invitation when a new series comes around? How would you feel if this was your last?

I kind of do expect to get one, but I always breathe a huge sigh of relief when I do. It would break my heart the day they didn't ask me, you know, the day a series came along that I wasn't in. It would be awful. Devastating. I love it.

Q2.What do you think is the secret to your success in the role and what tips could you offer to any first-timers?

Your job is just to get as much meat off the bone as you possibly can. The whole point of your questioning is just to prod the panellists into more comedy, so if it's coming without you having to do anything then all the better. You can just sit there and let it roll. You get those lovely moments at the end of a round when you're about to wrap it up, and all of a sudden a whole new vista of comedy opens up because Paul's thrown something in. It's great.

Q3.Do you sometimes secretly just want to be a guest, and if so, whose team would you want to be on?

I actually wouldn't want to be a guest, because it takes me about half an hour before I feel I'm ready to jump in. If I were a guest I wouldn't say anything to start with, and I think if you don't say anything to start with you've lost your opportunity. You can grow a skin on your custard pretty quickly.

Q4.How much do you know about tonight's guests? Have you met Frank or Kevin before?

I have actually. Frank Skinner was Buttons to my Prince Charming in a pantomime a few years ago. Kevin Maguire I haven't met but I've seen him on telly. I think he's quite good, Kevin Maguire. I like him. He's a strong Brownite, I believe, so it should be very interesting tonight with the whole Mandelson story.

Q5.Where do you think you fit in to the current British comedy scene? Do you think you offer something different?

I suppose Armstrong and Miller has remained true to what we wanted it to be when we started out. We choose our targets quite randomly but we're very specific about the things we focus on. I think Ben and I tried to bring as much acting into our comedy and make things as realistic as possible. We wanted to create a very particular atmosphere: not the dark atmosphere of A League of Gentleman, or the grotesques of Little Britain, but something that was mild but faithfully observed. Where we fit in British comedy I don't know, but if there is a place for us, I'd be absolutely delighted.

Q6.Often citing this very website in evidence, some people think it won't be long before the internet replaces traditional TV. Do you think it's ever going to happen? Are you personally prepared for such a shift?

I can only speak about my own viewing habits, and personally I very much prefer watching things on terrestrial television. Maybe because we grew up in the era of communal viewing, but maybe it's just nice to be watching something other people are watching. People also quite like to be led. I fear if you didn't have some kind of timetable a lot of really good things would just disappear under the weight of terrible crud.