Acne, Humph and the dancing.

[whatho]

During one of my periodic phases in which I think it'd fairly nice not to have so much acne fifteen years after puberty, I purchased some description of potent cleansing wash. And I can really feel it stripping my face down to the canvas and burning up the underlying nerve roots. It's genuinely a bit like slathering very slightly diluted lava onto your skin. I've given it up now because I think it's better to have an acne-ridden face than none at all.

I've spent much of the weekend watching Humphrey Lyttleton tributes on BBC4. Now I'm missing him powerfully. He was a brilliant person at being a brilliant person. So many people have no facility for it. They go around being brilliant in a fashion that basically makes me want to see them trip over their laces and fall headfirst into a vat of gravy. But Humphrey Lyttleton was perfect. I miss all of them really, as the recording of the stage show reminded me - I particularly miss Willie Rushton, and he's been dead nearly as long as I've had acne - though I'm not sure if I miss them enough to support the return of ISIHAC. I really don't know what I think about that. I think Graeme and Tim and Barry need a similar outlet to perform in, but ... I don't know. What I do know is that I don't want Stephen Fry to be the new host. I just don't. He has QI and he's good at that, but I don't think he's suited to the ISIHAC host role in numerous different ways. Of the current lineup I favour Sandi Toksvig. I heard someone suggest Hattie Hayridge, who I think might have a sufficient air of studied vagueness to carry it off in good style. Though of course Humph's style can't and shouldn't be impersonated, I think it needs someone with a sense of detachment and of not quite fitting in. Humph did it via disdain and feigned exhaustion - I think scattiness or weirdness or even over-enthusiasm might carry it off. Someone not usually seen as a host might be a good plan. Someone who won't be a star about it and who won't try and diminish the roles of the contestants (not that that set would likely let them) while developing an inherently funny character in the background. But not Stephen Fry.

I still don't know.

I also watched the Strictly Come Dancing preview on Saturday. Obviously I want John Sergeant to win. That's powerfully not going to happen, so I'd also like Don Warrington to win, and Cherie Lunghi. But not James the dancer. Cherie Lunghi on her own. That's suit me fine. I wonder why Don Warrington and John Sergeant ever said yes so. I rather think they're wondering the same.

Comments

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

I do rather like the suggestion of Jarvis Cocker, which I've seen being bandied about in various places. I have to say I don't actually like the idea of Sandi Toksvig for the role, though I don't suppose she'd be able to do it anyway with her News Quizzing. Hattie Hayridge might be okay.

I just watched the recording of the Salford stage show, and thought it came across quite oddly. I don't know if the audience was actually as subdued as they seemed (unlikely), but there wasn't a sense of the sort of communal joy at all the old jokes, and the fun that the panellists had with the game and each other.

[whatho.livejournal.com]

I think they focused too much on the music rounds and the very scripted game-of-games, so there wasn't as much verbal play as there might've been. I thought it came across well in Uxbridge English Dictionary though. Hopefully they'll air the entire recording one day.

[pere-chan.livejournal.com]

Try Lush's Angels On Bare Skin? That's one of the only things that was ever able to cure my perpetually icky complexion. If you want your face cleansing more clinical and less like smearing plant guts on yourself (although I personally love it), I recommend Kiehl's face wash, possibly the one for sensitive skin. A cheaper alternative would be Boots' Tea Tree and Witch Hazel stuff. (Wow, I have spent too many years experimenting with my face.)

Sandi Toksvig!!!! I do agree: Stephen Fry made a great guest on the show, but he doesn't seem the right host for it. Ohhhhh, Sandi Toksvig. From the first line she ever said on the show she was a winner.

[whatho.livejournal.com]

Oh, thanks! I hadn't thought about Lush ... I do like their products. I've heard good things about Tea Tree as well. I shall have a look at some of those.

I love Sandi Toksvig. She's slightly great. I do very much agree with Barry Cryer that the new host, if it goes ahead, should be a woman anyway ... it's too good an opportunity to miss.

[beafarhana.livejournal.com]

Jeremy Hardy mentioned Judi Dench as a possible ISIHAC host, I don't know how seriously. But I think she'd be great at the double entendres and wilting putdowns.

[whatho.livejournal.com]

Yes, I can see her managing that aspect of it pretty well - otherwise, though, I think she might be a bit one-note. I guess we'll just have to see how the guest presenting goes. (But not Stephen Fry.)