Progressive Greetings stars on Have I Got News For You?

Sister publication has headlines used on Friday night’s BBC1 topical programme.

In what must rank as one of the most significant weeks in the UK political history, the scriptwriters and panelists of topical comedy quiz show Have I Got News for You (HIGNFY) were always set for a bonanza episode last Friday (December 20) – and Progressive Greetings played a starring role, appearing as the ‘festive guest publication’ on the programme.

“PG has arrived! – it has taken 29 years for the magazine to appear on the programme, but some things are worth waiting for!” stated Jakki Brown, co-owner of Progressive Greetings since 1990, the same year that Have I Got News for You was first screened.

The episode – guest hosted by Charlie Brooker – saw team captains Paul Merton and Ian Hislop joined by panelists Emma Barnett and Phil Wang in topical smorgasbord that melded politics, celebrity happenings, a festive flavouring – and a sprinkling of greeting cards.

Having showcased the front covers of three Progressive Greetings’ issues and explaining the magazine’s greeting card focus, which included featuring Emotional Rescue’s ‘Let’s stop card plagiarism’ advert, it was into the ‘Missing Words Round’. This featured a trio of quotes from PG with elements blanked out.

“What always puts a dampener on Christmas?” asked host Charlie Brooker as the first PG teaser. “Elections”, “pissing on your presents” were a couple of the suggestions before it was revealed that it was the threat of a Royal Mail strike that would have been a bane to Christmas card sending.

Sparking Paul Merton into top form, was successfully filling in the gaps on ‘As greeting card enthusiast Maxine’s famous rhyme goes; Don’t be [blank] send [blank]’

Without hesitation, the quick-witted comedian said ‘Don’t be hard, send a card’ quoting a mantra of Isle of Man post office’s Maxine Cannon. Feeling clearly chuffed with himself Paul added: “I had other suggestions… Don’t be soft, have it off” and “Don’t be silly, play with your neighbour”, which would not have been PG appropriate!

The final PG poser was ‘Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without [blank]’.

This time Paul and the other panelists failed to echo the quote which appeared in PG proclaiming that ‘Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without puns in Christmas cards’.

“It is wonderful that Progressive Greetings Worldwide achieved stardom in this highly viewed episode. Good to know that PG has followed in the footsteps of other luminary publications, including Goat World, Arthritis News, International Car Park Design, The Caravan Times and Diarrhoea Digest on the programme!” added Warren Lomax, co-owner of Progressive Greetings.

Want to read more news like this? Simply sign up to our daily digest by clicking here. You can also follow @LicensingSource on Twitter.

MORE NEWS
EleanorBowmerEIH500x500
 
The winners of this year's Excellence in Housewares Awards were crowned last night, with Eleanor Bowmer and Pure Tabletop picking up the hotly contested Licensing Award....
SidemenTMNT500x500
 
The range of TMNT-inspired clothing and boxing accessories will be a key focus of The Sidemen’s new retail store opening in the Birmingham Bullring on Friday 4 October....
SmileyModibodi500x500
 
Global period wear brand Modibodi has partnered with SmileyWorld to spread 'period positivity' with a new limited edition swimwear and underwear collection....
ThreeDeep500x500
 
Ahead of the 2024 NFL London Games on 6 October, the Minnesota Vikings and Mitchell & Ness have partnered to launch the Three Deep collection, with a weeklong takeover of Mitchell & Ness’ pop-up store at 140 Wardour Street in Soho....
LeoTheTruck500x500
 
Independent preschool content production company, Project First has appointed Caravanserai Partners as its new licensing agency for the Leo the Truck brand....
HamleysChristmasTransformers500x500
 
From Stitch, Moana and Hulk to Bumblebee, PAW Patrol and Numberblocks, an A-list cast of much-loved screen characters will feature in this year’s Christmas bestsellers list, according to Hamleys expert buyers....
Get the latest news sent to your inbox
Subscribe to our daily newsletter

The list doesn't exist! Make sure you have imported the list on the 'Manage List Forms' page.