It shouldn't work, but it does. This week, the 50th series of I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue opened in quite splendidly silly, rambling, schoolboyish fashion. The "self-styled antidote to panel shows" returned to Radio 4 on Monday evening (the repeat is on Sunday) and I tuned in over a spot of ironing.
The team were in Croydon ("a sparkling gemstone" suggested Humph, mischievously), working their way through rounds of increasingly preposterous challenges and gags. They had to come up with introductions for the Hairdressers Ball ("Mr and Mrs O'Tay and their son, Tim"; "The artist formerly known as Rinse") and complete greetings in especially cheesy cards. One, for a divorcing couple, said "you seem much happier now", only to be completed as "you seem much happier now that she knows you're a tosser, and you know she's a cow". Then we were on to the majestic One Song to the Tune of Another, always a highlight. This edition included The Ugly Duckling to the tune of The Can-Can and Rob Brydon's majestic version of Who Do You Think You Are Kidding Mr Hitler? to the tune of Yesterday Once More by The Carpenters. Mesmerised by the latter, I burned a big hole in a favourite top.
But is I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue the jewel in the crown of Radio 4 panel shows? Is it funnier than the very charming Just a Minute? Or is the News Quiz your favourite, despite (or because of) Sandi Toksvig? Some of you, I realise, may even treasure the nauseatingly twee Quote, Unquote. Much comedy on Radio 4 is about as funny as verrucas, but the network does do this format with aplomb. I lost track of my ironing in admiration for one of them: how much do you love, or loathe, these shows?
