QI  

If you've heard of QI, the chances are that you've heard of the BBC2 comedy panel quiz of the same name, hosted by Stephen Fry. Unlike any other quiz show you will have failed to avoid catching, QI's questions are impossible to answer, but at least the guest panel of top-shelf comedians can laugh at themselves (and the universe in general) while trying. QI is now into its fourth series (all things beginning with 'D') on BBC2, running to 12 episodes from late September until Christmas, and is rapidly rising to be the top comedy slot on television. At its core, it enshrines the original view of Lord Reith that the BBC should 'educate, inform and entertain', all three of which duties are carried out to the great enjoyment of panel and audience alike. The series is also broadcast on BBC4 (where it is breaking records) one episode ahead of the terrestrial broadcast, and repeats are shown regularly on UK Gold.