Stephen Fry quits as QI host
"I thought it time to move on," says QI host after 13 years.
- Published by David Knox
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Just what will the ABC do without him?
Stephen Fry is to step down as the host of comedy quiz show QI after 13 years.
Fry, who has hosted since 2003, was originally signed to be a team captain opposite Alan Davies, but was a last minute replacement for Michael Palin “just for the pilot”.
He will be replaced by Sandi Toksvig, from BBC Radio Four’s The News Quiz. Alan Davies will remain as resident panellist.
“For 13 years I had one of the best jobs on television. Behind the camera squadrons of quite extraordinarily brilliant researchers, programme makers and uniquely curious (in both senses of the word) people making that job so much easier,” he said.
“In front of the camera generations of lively minds and above all of course the wonder of nature that is Alan Davies.”
The series covers topics under one letter each series and Fry said “after passing the alphabetical halfway mark I thought it time to move on, but I will never cease to be grateful to John Lloyd for devising QI and for everyone else for making it such fun”.
Show creator Lloyd said, “Though we are all very sad he’s decided to move on, I am confident that we have found the perfect person to occupy his gigantic shoes.
“Sandi will be the first female host of a mainstream comedy panel show on British television – an appointment that is well overdue.”
In Australia QI has been a dependable hit for the ABC, appearing at various stages on the schedule including as fallback programming when other shows have failed. It has also featured Australian panellists including Julia Zemiro, Adam Hills, Colin Lane and NZ born Cal Wilson.
The upcoming M series will be Fry’s last.
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14 Responses
It’s is the only show I can watch over and over again and not get sick of it.
Sandi Toksvig is a brilliant choice of host. I’ve loved her since she was ‘Ethel’ on Saturday morning live kid’s mayhem show, No. 73.
A long time for one gig….He will do well at what ever he does…has up until now…no reason not to in the future…. 🙂
I think QI is the only show I could binge watch. I will be interested to see Sandi Toksvig’s host- she doesn’t have the perceived inquisitiveness that Stephen Fry displays, but I am sure that whatever she brings to the job will be notable! Let’s hope QI goes on to letter “Z” and defy the naysayers!
Yippy does the happy dance.
Now its time to get this pile of vomit garbage sh&t off the air
I suppose not everyone is going to like it. Some folk find it a bit intellectually challenging
intellectually challenging, joke of the bloody century.
ABC should do the decency and get this garbage off the air once and for all.
Wow, does someone force you to watch it, or have you forgotten how to change channel or turn the television off?
*klaxon noise*
*”QI sucks” appears on-screen*
*klaxon noise*
Sandi Toksvig is a great choice of host, she’s been in some of the funniest episodes so look forward to her in the hosting seat from Season N.
Sandi is an excellent choice.
(Why is it, when Australian appearances on QI come up, that Julia Morris’ appearance in the first season rarely gets mentioned?
Answer: because its terribly excruciatingly embarassingly cringingly bad for all concerned, and only a non-human replicant wouldn’t feel a twinge of empathetic pity for everybody on the panel, Julia included.)
Answer: Because I scanned the last few seasons, it’s a snapshot that’s it.
Even Barry Humphries was on it a few years ago.
When I saw the headline on the main page my first thought was ‘who could possibly replace him?’, but can’t think of anyone more suited than Sandi.