FAQ U

FAQ U is a television programme that was broadcast by Channel 4 in the United Kingdom in 2005.^[1] It was shown every weeknight, Monday to Friday, just after 11:00 pm. It was presented by Justin Lee Collins in its first week, David Mitchell in the second and Karen Taylor in the third.^[2] It included four comedian guests and an audience. The presenter put "frequently asked questions" to the guests and they answered them in a humorous way. The show's title was frequently pronounced by the presenter as "Fak You".^[3]

Mitchell received a nomination from the The British Comedy Awards at the end of 2005.^[4] The show was produced by the company Endemol.^[5] Each episode was filmed the day it is aired in front of a live audience.^[6] 400,000 people watched the show's premiere.^[7]

Guests

Guests included:

• Matt Blaize
• Elizabeth Bower
• Frankie Boyle
• Ruth Bratt
• Alan Carr
• Paul Foot
• Cherry Green
• Iain Lee
• Alex Lovell
• Henning Wehn
• Alex Zane

Reception

The Lancashire Telegraph criticised the show, writing, "Panel of irreverent comedians discuss the day's news. More like irrelevant comedians — this is dire."^[8] Charlie Courtauld of The Independent penned a negative review of FAQ, saying that it "takes an untalented host, Justin Lee Collins, and provides him with a ghastly car-crash of a jokey script".^[3] In a positive review, the Sunday Mirror's Ian Hyland wrote, "the host Justin Lee Collins has more in common with Jethro than simply having a silly beard and being from the West Country. He's as funny as him as well."^[9]

The Evening Chronicle television critic Jamie Diffley criticized FAQ U, stating, "The idea is to get 'top comedians' to talk on topical subjects. A bit like Have I Got News For You without the actual quiz show bit. Or the laughs."^[10] Teddy Jamieson of The Herald agreed, calling it a "frankly dreadful" show that is an "uninspired offcut" of Have I Got News For You.^[11]