Have I Got News For You

Guest Interview

Miranda Hart

Because Miranda is in sitcoms, this interview was conducted in front of a live studio audience. As expected, they howled with laughter at all the right moments.

Q1.This is your first time on the show, what are you hopes, fears and dreams?: My hopes, fears and dreams are all based around some kind of love tryst between me, Ian, Paul and Jack.
Q2.You used to be an agoraphopbic. Is that why you took a part in the sitcom Not Going Out?: Now that's funny. And may I congratulate you because you are the first one to make said joke. How satisfying for us all. Oh and no, it's not the reason. Because in reality of course it's a television programme and to make it I have to go out to get to rehearsals and to the studio to record it, so don�t be so silly! Although I have to say, on a more serious note, when I did still have agoraphobia I found a theatre or a TV studio total bliss to be in - dark, sound proof, total escapism from the world. So look at that, some pertinence to your question. Not Going Out was a very easy job to say yes to because of working with Lee Mack and Tim Vine, and having the opportunity to do a studio audience sitcom which is a genre I love and, although making a bit of a come back now, was hardly in existence a few years ago when I was starting to work.
Q3.You first went to Edinburgh in 1994 and last went in 2005. Do you miss it and would you do it again?: I do miss it yes. Some of my happiest times were in Edinburgh. It's very hard work and I only paid back the debt for a 2002 show at the beginning of this year, which is absurd, but (and I don't think this is right) it still seems you need to go there to get noticed by industry professionals. And of course it's great to be able to do a month's run of your own show as performing regularly in front of a live audience is the only way to hone your written material. I would definitely do it again yes and ideally without having to share a double bed with 3 people which I did for the first three years of going up there. Unless it was to do with the aforementioned love tryst.
Q4.On your website you say you are obsessed with animals. What animals would Paul and Ian be and why?: I like to compare people to breed of dog - narrows it down. I would say Paul would be an Irish Wolf Hound - lanky and bumbling, amusing and clown like and if an Irish Wolf Hound could speak I reckon it would probably sound like Paul. Ian, umm, he would more likely be a Maltese - small and cute, but very yappy/chatty. If you went in for a cuddle you would probably get a growl. Although to continue the analogy one step beyond anyone's interest, a bit needy and worried below the bravado.
Q5.Your show Miranda Hart's Joke Shop has had successful runs on Radio 2 and has now been made into a TV sitcom pilot. Are you going to put some whoopee cushions down before the show or do you have any other pranks up your sleeve?: I would like to excitedly and proudly inform you that it's being made in to a SERIES for BBC 2, not just a pilot. Oh yes. Hark at me. It will film June and July next year. I am as excited as a snake popping out of a joke tin of beans. I hadn't thought about the whoopee cushions but what an excellent idea. Jack Dee opening the show with a fart could only be a great start to an episode of Have I Got News For You. Particularly if there wasn't a whoopee cushion on his chair. I hasten to add that my series isn't based around pranks. The character I play happens to work in a shop but that's as far as the comedy around jokes goes. Otherwise people might read this, before it's even got on air and think 'that sounds terrible'!