Editing Paul Merton (section)

=== Television ===
Merton's breakthrough as a television performer came in 1988 with Channel 4's improvised comedy show ''[[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (British TV series)|Whose Line Is It Anyway?]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-02-25|title=Josie Lawrence: 'Of course I don't think I'm sexy!'|url=http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2020/feb/25/josie-lawrence-of-course-i-dont-think-im-sexy|access-date=2021-01-28|website=the Guardian|language=en|archive-date=6 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206085339/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2020/feb/25/josie-lawrence-of-course-i-dont-think-im-sexy|url-status=live}}</ref> which moved to TV from [[BBC Radio 4]], though he had previously performed on the channel's ''[[Saturday Live (UK TV series)|Saturday Live]]'' and compered its series Comedy Wavelength in 1987.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Comedy Wavelength - C4 Sketch Show|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/comedy_wavelength/|access-date=2021-01-28|website=British Comedy Guide|language=en-GB|archive-date=28 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228041328/https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/comedy_wavelength/|url-status=live}}</ref> He remained on ''Whose Line'' until 1993. ''[[Have I Got News for You]]'' began in 1990, and two series of his own [[sketch show]], ''[[Paul Merton: The Series]]'', followed soon after.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-02-01|title=Paul Merton, The Series|url=https://www.britishclassiccomedy.co.uk/paul-merton-the-series|access-date=2021-01-28|website=British Classic Comedy|language=en-GB|archive-date=6 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206230446/https://www.britishclassiccomedy.co.uk/paul-merton-the-series|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1995 he presented a documentary series celebrating the history of the [[London Palladium]], entitled ''[[Paul Merton's Palladium Story]]''. In 1996, Merton performed updated versions of fifteen of [[Ray Galton]] and [[Alan Simpson (scriptwriter)|Alan Simpson]]'s old scripts for an ITV series, ''[[Paul Merton in Galton and Simpson's...|Paul Merton in Galton & Simpson's...]]''. Six of these scripts were previously performed by [[Tony Hancock]]. These were very badly received by critics, and although a selection of episodes was initially released on VHS, it was not until June 2007 that the complete series was released on DVD.

Also in 1996, Merton took a break from ''Have I Got News for You'' during its eleventh series, making only one appearance as a guest on fellow captain [[Ian Hislop]]'s team. Merton later said that at the time he was "very tired" of the show and that he thought it had become "stuck in a rut". Nevertheless, he added that he felt his absence gave the programme the "shot in the arm" it needed and that it had been "better ever since".<ref>''The Very Best of Have I Got News for You'' (2002): DVD commentary</ref> In 2002, following allegations in the UK tabloids linking the show's chairman, [[Angus Deayton]], with prostitutes and drug use, the host was asked to resign from the show. Merton hosted the first episode after Deayton's departure and was described as "merciless" in his treatment of his former co-star.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2384165.stm |title=Show goes on after Deayton exit |work=BBC News |date=1 November 2002 |access-date=3 March 2010 |archive-date=19 May 2009 |archive-url=<!--  https://web.archive.org/web/20021103122442/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2384165.stm -->https://web.archive.org/web/20090519073450/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2384165.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1998 and 2001, Merton had the role as the voice of Dr. Dogg in the [[Aardman Animations|Aardman]] comedy series [[Rex the Runt]].

In 1999 Merton replaced [[Nick Hancock]] as host of ''[[Room 101 (British TV series)|Room 101]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/499514/index.html|title=BFI Screenonline: Merton, Paul (1957-) Biography|access-date=27 August 2021|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304115720/http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/499514/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> a chat show in which guests are offered the chance to discuss their pet hates and consign them to the oblivion of [[Room 101]]. His first guest was Hancock. He hosted 64 editions. In 2007, his final guest was Ian Hislop (who became the first interviewee to appear twice, having also been on an edition with Hancock). Hislop's selections deliberately included items that Merton was known to like, such as [[The Beatles]] and the films of [[Charlie Chaplin]].<ref>{{cite news|title=No Room for Merton|work=Chortle|url=http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2006/12/09/4793/no_room_for_merton|date=2006-12-09|access-date=9 December 2006|archive-date=30 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930155146/http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2006/12/09/4793/no_room_for_merton|url-status=live}}</ref>  Hislop's final choice was Merton himself, done to represent his departure from the show.  Merton cast himself in the room to end the show, although on the condition that Hislop would go in with him.

Merton is one of the recurring stars from the 4 [[ITV Panto]]s. His best role came in 1999, where Merton starred alongside [[Ronnie Corbett]] as one of the ugly sisters in [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]'s Christmas [[pantomime]] of Cinderella. His other co-stars were [[Julian Clary]], [[Samantha Janus]], [[Ben Miller]], [[Harry Hill]], [[Frank Skinner]] and [[Alexander Armstrong (comedian)|Alexander Armstrong]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cinderella|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/cp72r/cinderella/|access-date=2021-01-28|website=Radio Times|language=en|archive-date=7 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207155623/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/cp72r/cinderella/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the same year – to coincide with the launch of his first stand up tour in 10 years, ''and this is me...Paul Merton –'' he was given his own one hour ''[[South Bank Show]]'' special. The show charted his beginnings in the comedy business, to the development of his improvisational skills, his mental breakdown, and the popularity of ''Have I Got News For You''.

[[File:Paulmerton.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Merton at [[Ely, Cambridgeshire|Ely]] Maltings in 2007, after giving a talk on his book ''Silent Comedy'']]

He was rumoured to be a possible new host of ''[[Countdown (game show)|Countdown]]'' to replace both [[Richard Whiteley]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Pickard |first=Anna |url=http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/culturevulture/archives/2005/09/05/moustache_9_let.html |title=Filling Richard's shoes from Guardian Unlimited: Culture Vulture |work=Blogs.guardian.co.uk |access-date=3 March 2010 |location=London |date=19 August 2008 |archive-date=23 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523084724/http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/culturevulture/archives/2005/09/05/moustache_9_let.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and his successor, [[Des Lynam]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5402246.stm |title=Holmes and Aspel lead Lynam race |work=BBC News |date=3 October 2006 |access-date=3 March 2010 |archive-date=7 November 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061107110504/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5402246.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> but decided not to pursue this.

Merton is a keen student of comedy, particularly the early silent comedians<ref>{{cite news|author=Jury, Louise|title=Paul Merton: Have I got laughs for you|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/paul-merton-have-i-got-laughs-for-you-681874.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907034743/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/paul-merton-have-i-got-laughs-for-you-681874.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 September 2010|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=31 August 2011|location=London}}</ref> and in 2006, [[BBC Four]] broadcast ''Paul Merton's Silent Clowns'', a four-part documentary series on the silent comedy craft of [[Buster Keaton]], [[Charlie Chaplin]], [[Laurel and Hardy]] and [[Harold Lloyd]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/cinema/features/silent-clowns.shtml | title=BBC Four: ''Paul Merton's Silent Clowns'' | publisher=BBC | access-date=21 May 2007 | archive-date=30 October 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030201942/http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/cinema/features/silent-clowns.shtml | url-status=live }}</ref> He examined their respective careers, interspersed with moments from a live show in which he presented clips of their work. Among the audience were many children, who were seeing the performers for the first time. Merton took a stage version of this show to the 2006 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and in late 2007 took the show on a UK tour. A tie-in book, ''Silent Comedy'', was written by Merton and published by RH Books in late 2007. ''[[The Independent]]'' described it as "clearly a labour of love" but criticised the exhaustive and overly-thorough plot synopses of the films discussed.<ref>{{cite news|first= William|last= Cook|title= Silent Comedy, by Paul Merton|url= http://arts.independent.co.uk/books/reviews/article3164441.ece|archive-url= https://archive.today/20081226135029/http://arts.independent.co.uk/books/reviews/article3164441.ece|url-status= dead|archive-date= 26 December 2008|work= [[The Independent]]|date= 15 November 2007|access-date= 12 January 2008|location= London}}</ref>

Also in 2007 Merton presented a four-part travel documentary, ''[[Paul Merton in China]]'', which was broadcast on [[Channel 5 (UK)|Five]] from 21 May 2007. His second travel series, ''[[Paul Merton in India]]'' was transmitted from 8 October 2008 on the same channel. A third series, ''[[Paul Merton in Europe]]'' began broadcasting on 11 January 2010, again on Five.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.five.tv/programmes/documentaries/paul-merton-in-europe |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120804174928/http://www.five.tv/programmes/documentaries/paul-merton-in-europe |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 August 2012 |title=Paul Merton in Europe |publisher=Five.tv |access-date=3 March 2010 }}</ref> In 2015 he was commissioned by [[More4]] to present ''[[Paul Merton's Secret Stations|Paul Merton’s Secret Stations]]'', a travel documentary series about some of Britain's little-used [[request stop]] railway stations inspired by travel writer [[Dixe Wills]]' book ''Tiny Stations''.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Paul Merton, station master: Comic takes to the railways for new documentary |url=http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2015/07/08/22799/paul_merton%2C_station_master |website=www.chortle.co.uk |date=8 July 2015 |access-date=11 July 2015 |archive-date=10 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710184448/http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2015/07/08/22799/paul_merton%2C_station_master |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2009, Paul wrote and presented ''Morecambe and Wise: The Show What Paul Merton Did''.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}}

Merton hosted the British version of ''[[Thank God You're Here (UK TV series)|Thank God You're Here]]'', which aired on ITV in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thank God You're Here - UKGameshows|url=http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Thank_God_You%27re_Here|access-date=2021-01-28|website=www.ukgameshows.com|archive-date=20 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120135450/http://ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Thank_God_You%27re_Here|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, Merton directed and presented a documentary on the British films of [[Alfred Hitchcock]], in a series of star-presented documentaries on [[BBC Four]].<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/sep/12/television Merton and Hislop extend their rivalry on BBC4] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308210212/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/sep/12/television |date=8 March 2016 }}. The Guardian. 12 September 2008</ref> In May 2010, Merton temporarily co-presented ''[[The One Show]]'' after [[Adrian Chiles]] left the show.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Conlan |first1=Tara |title=Paul Merton and Matt Allwright to be guest hosts on The One Show |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/apr/27/paul-merton-the-one-show |access-date=23 October 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=27 April 2010 |language=en |archive-date=26 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026221029/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/apr/27/paul-merton-the-one-show |url-status=live }}</ref>

His three-part documentary series ''[[Paul Merton's Birth of Hollywood]]'' about the early history of Hollywood was broadcast in May 2011 on BBC2. In Merton's third TV series for 2011, ''[[Paul Merton's Adventures]]'', he travels around the world going on popular tourist trails, but still manages to find some extraordinary things.

In 2021, Merton returned to Channel 5 for a new travel show, ''Motorhoming with Merton & Webster'', a 6-part hour-long series which sees Merton travelling around Britain with his wife Suki Webster in a camper van.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://realscreen.com/2021/04/12/channel-5-hits-the-road-with-motorhoming-with-merton-webster/|title=Channel 5 hits the road with "Motorhoming with Merton & Webster"|access-date=29 July 2021|archive-date=29 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729125516/https://realscreen.com/2021/04/12/channel-5-hits-the-road-with-motorhoming-with-merton-webster/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/arts-and-culture/film-and-tv/paul-merton-and-suki-webster-head-to-the-lake-district-in-new-channel-5-motorhoming-show-3325163|title=Paul Merton and Suki Webster head to the Lake District in new Channel 5 motorhoming show|date=28 July 2021 |access-date=29 July 2021|archive-date=29 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729125513/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/arts-and-culture/film-and-tv/paul-merton-and-suki-webster-head-to-the-lake-district-in-new-channel-5-motorhoming-show-3325163|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.televisual.com/news/c5-hits-the-motorhoming-road-with-paul-merton-and-suki-webster/|title = C5 hits the Motorhoming road with Paul Merton and Suki Webster|date = 12 April 2021|access-date = 29 July 2021|archive-date = 29 July 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210729125514/https://www.televisual.com/news/c5-hits-the-motorhoming-road-with-paul-merton-and-suki-webster/|url-status = live}}</ref>

In October 2023, Merton appeared on an episode of ''[[Celebrity Antiques Road Trip]]'' with his wife Suki.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001rchf|title=Celebrity Antiques Road Trip|website=bbc.co.uk|accessdate=7 October 2023}}</ref>

In 2024, Merton appeared as the guest on the programme ''Perfect Pub Walks with Bill Bailey''. Merton and [[Bill Bailey]] walked, talked and visited pubs on the [[Isle of Purbeck]] in [[Dorset]].