The I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue Info Site
January 23, 2007 3:40 PM   Subscribe

The I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue Info Site. A huge collection of short transcripts and one-liners from the perennial antidote to panel games, organised by game and category -- including some never-before broadcast! Personal favourites are the One Song To The Tune Of Another introductions and the "while Samantha"s.
posted by chrismear (24 comments total) 6 users marked this as a favorite
 
(Because I'm a pianist and a pervert.)
posted by chrismear at 3:40 PM on January 23, 2007


I have R4 on pretty much 24/7 when I'm at home, but I do find ISIHAC pretty grating - it's often my cue to turn on the stereo - give me Down The Line, or Ed Readon's Week, or Clare in the Community any day.
That said, it does have its moments of brilliance - moments that seem to be condensed on these links - esp. those Samantha gags (I no longer believe there can actually be a 'Samantha' working on the show). Thanks - I think a few of my coworkers will enjoy this too
posted by Flashman at 4:09 PM on January 23, 2007


I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue is, by a comfortable margin, the greatest achievement of British civilisation. It really is just fantastic in every way. It's by far the best thing on radio; I can't bear more than thirty seconds of any other Radio 4 so-called comedy.

It has to be heard (rather than read) to be appreciated, I think. Humphrey Lyttleton's comic timing is fantastic. I would be quite happy if every post, every day was about this.

Having said all that, try listening to some of the 1972 editions, they were awful. It's one of the few comedy programmes which have just kept getting better with age.
posted by matthewr at 4:24 PM on January 23, 2007


You can listen to a 2002 edition on BBC 7 here. Go to 2:05 to skip the end of the previous programme and the usual trailers.
posted by matthewr at 4:33 PM on January 23, 2007


Oh thank you, I couldn't sleep, this is perfect Chrismear
posted by Wilder at 4:42 PM on January 23, 2007


I'm sorry, I haven't a clue how to avoid blinding the people that look at my web site.
posted by koeselitz at 4:53 PM on January 23, 2007


Sorry for that, though. This is great. "I'm sorry, I haven't a clue" is completely, absolutely awesome.
posted by koeselitz at 4:54 PM on January 23, 2007


I can't bear more than thirty seconds of any other Radio 4 so-called comedy.

What? But you have heard Old Harry's Game, right? ISIHAC is of course majestical and justly longevitudinous, but Andy Hamiltons, tale of 2 reluctant arrivals in Hell and their adventures there are hugely inventive and witty. Gotta be heard.
posted by dash_slot- at 5:01 PM on January 23, 2007


I'm a fan of The Now Show, esp. Mitch Benn. But you just can't beat ISIHAC :)
posted by kaemaril at 6:13 PM on January 23, 2007


This is great. There's at least several hours of not working to be had in this. And I agree, I think ISIHAC narrowly beats out Shakespeare, Byron and the Beatles as the pinnacle of Britain's cultural contribution to the world.

Now, where were we? Ah yes...

"Totteridge & Whetstone"
posted by flashboy at 6:24 PM on January 23, 2007


Oh, come on, Flashman. Of course there's a Samantha on the show. As I recall, she also edited the last reprint of Stovold. Bright girl.
posted by motty at 7:09 PM on January 23, 2007


Fans of R4 comedy are strongly advised to check out the new spoof radio phone in show, done by The Fast Show people. The first one was hilarious, imnpho.

ISIHAC hasn't been quite the same since Willie Rushton unfortunately passed away, but it still reaches great heights on a regular basis. Humph' must be what, 85 now? I fear neither he, and consequently the show, are not long for this world.
posted by vbfg at 1:18 AM on January 24, 2007


btw, I fully expected the comments in this thread to be a list of London street names. Well done all for resisting the temptation.
posted by vbfg at 1:19 AM on January 24, 2007


I only expected one...
posted by goo at 1:28 AM on January 24, 2007


And good lord that is an ugly site.
posted by goo at 1:28 AM on January 24, 2007


it's okay, goo, I think we crashed out their MySQL server, and all we're seeing now is error messages.
posted by scruss at 4:26 AM on January 24, 2007


I fear neither he, and consequently the show, are not long for this world.

Well Desert Island Discs survived the sad departure of its long-time presenter so perhaps it will live on.

I can't bear more than thirty seconds of any other Radio 4 so-called comedy.

What?? The News Quiz knocks the Daily Show into a cocked hat and Marcus Brigstock might well be Britain's funnist person.
posted by dmt at 4:36 AM on January 24, 2007


This is the greatest link posted on Metafilter ever.

I also heartily recommend the Uxbridge English Dictionary as a genuinely funny spin-off, and not just the usual cash-in nonsense.

(Although many are on here: http://www.g0akh.f2s.com/isihac/New_Definitions_Page.php including my favourite: Diarrhoea: An unattractive bottom. No wait, it's: Countryside: To kill Piers Morgan)
posted by Hartster at 4:59 AM on January 24, 2007


Also, have just read and laughed at

...Samantha tells me she has to nip out now, as she's off to meet a gardener gentleman friend. She says he's recently planted an apple orchard with a view to getting into commercial scrumpy production. Samantha says that if his forecasts are correct, he's going to be really big in cider... (during the Gardeners' Film Club round)

For the uninitiated, you've got to remember that's read out by 86 year old jazz legend Humphrey Lyttleton
posted by Hartster at 5:02 AM on January 24, 2007


Finally managed to connect to it, and have since done my career prospects no good at all by laughing my arse off at the round introductions page. Humph, thy legend is eternal.
posted by vbfg at 5:17 AM on January 24, 2007


What?? The News Quiz knocks the Daily Show into a cocked hat

Fair enough, I'd forgotten about the News Quiz. I still think it was better with Simon Hoggart as presenter, and I do prefer Have I Got News For You. /grumble
posted by matthewr at 5:23 AM on January 24, 2007


Nah, The News Quiz is another true classic. Even with Nigel wossisname. But Humph is irreplaceable, ISIHAC will most likely wither without him.

Though i know the boys will also satirise the event in the usual way. I can't imagine another nation doing that.
posted by dash_slot- at 6:39 AM on January 24, 2007


The News Quiz was better with Simon Hoggart and Linda Smith.
posted by Busy Old Fool at 7:49 AM on January 24, 2007


The clever thing about ISIHAC is that even that you know it's a bunch of pensioners squinting at a script, the magic of radio transforms it into the greatest ever Boxing day afternoon with the finest uncles imaginable.
posted by Busy Old Fool at 8:07 AM on January 24, 2007 [1 favorite]


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