Whose Line Is It Anyway? (U.S): The Points Don't Matter.
119 replies, posted
Hello and welcome to a thread dedicated to Whose Line Is It Anyway?, an improv show where everything was made up, and the points didn't matter. That's right, the points were like peroxide bleach to a natural blonde.
In other words, Whose Line Is It Anyway? was an improv show that started out in the UK, but eventually had a US spinoff which was way more crazy and awesome. This thread is about the US version, but feel free to discuss the UK version if you really want to. The show was hosted by Clive Anderson in the UK and Drew Carey in the US.
[img]http://www.channel4.com/assets/programmes/images/whose-line-is-it-anyway/whose-line-is-it-anyway-20090521141846_625x352.jpg[/img][img]http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Drew_Carey.jpg[/img]
Anyway, the premise of the show was that there are four performers in the show, who do improvised performances based on the games issued forth by the host. Below is a list of some of the regular performers, many of them improv actors.
[img]http://img1.tvloop.com/img/showpics/da/3d/l35a427760000_1_9394.jpg[/img]
[B]Ryan Stiles[/B] ("This is a hard stone to pass")
One of the taller actors, he was known for his shoes, as well as his dislike of the Hoedown games, which you'll see soon.
[img]http://www.pollsb.com/photos/o/361246-colin_mochrie.jpg[/img]
[B]Colin Mochrie[/B] ("Meow")
Colin was a pretty cool guy, and what he lacked for in terms of hair, he made up for in his ability to reduce people to fits of laughter, commonly with rather weird tactics, such as sanity-shattering final verses in the Irish Drinking Songs (oh eidie-diedie-diedi-diedie-diedi-diedie-di!), and was able to keep a straight face when he said things of a peculiar nature. He was also the recipient of a fair share of bald jokes, which he took in his stride.
[img]http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ldx24qOYRa1qee5q0o1_500.gif[/img]
[B]Wayne Brady[/B] ("What you talkin' 'bout Willis?")
I don't know much to say about Wayne other than that he was another great performer, and one of the three main regulars, the others being Colin and Ryan. He also has his own talk show, and does a rather neat Gary Coleman impression.
[img]http://i.ytimg.com/vi/HWtaBEeblT8/0.jpg[/img]
[B]Greg Proops[/B] ("I have a giant fish head on")
Greg seems a little more serious than the other cast members, which is apparent in the Hats/Dating Service Video game when he dons one of the more ridiculous hats. This leads to him being the "host" in many of the Party Quirk games.
The games in Whose Line were many, and many of them were awesome. Below is a list of a few games played during the show's run.
[B]Scenes From A Hat[/B]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3OiI3yVHYc[/media]
The premise of Scenes From A Hat is that before the show, the audience writes down things they'd like to see, such as scenes for the performers to act out, and the good ones go into a hat, and Drew reads them out for the performers to do. At the conclusion of this game, Drew tends to throw the hat, sometimes hitting the camera, and in one case, assassinates a cameraman in the style of Oddjob.
[B]Hats/Dating Service Video[/B]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHCfBddTqVw[/media]
With Dating Service Video, the performers must don the hats, and make up as many examples of the world's worst dating service video. In this video, Greg finds a fish-head hat, and cracks up upon donning it.
[B]Irish Drinking Song[/B]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1B5L9AKd3Y[/media]
In this game, the performers sing an Irish Drinking Song one line at a time with the help of improvisional musician Laura Hall on the ivories, and a member of the audience has to suggest a topic of the song, such as "yelling out the wrong name in bed", "giving birth", "slept with an ugly woman", and other cherished classics. In this game, whenever Colin gets the final line, his line has a high chance of dealing a critical hit.
[B]Props[/B]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLDtdtZLPBw[/media]
In this game, the performers split into two teams, usually Colin and Ryan against Wayne and the "fourth musketeer" for that episode. Each team is given some props with which to do funny things, depending on what the prop is. Rather fun, this game.
[B]Hoedown[/B]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMY90_NNdxo[/media]
Similar to Irish Drinking Song, only each performer sings a four-line stanza that has varying levels of relation to the subject matter. Ryan doesn't really like these, and tends to make this apparent in his stanzas. ("If we do another Hoedown, i'll slit my fuckin' wrist") No really, he said that in one of his stanzas.
[B]Newsflash[/B]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXT6foyWZCw[/media]
In Newsflash, one of the performers (usually Colin) goes in front of a greenscreen, and acts as a news reporter, whilst a video clip is played and appears on the screen. He can't see it, but everyone else can, and it's up to other performers to give him hints as to what it is, whilst acting as newscasters at home in the studio. Also, this particular Newsflash had a perfectly-timed bald-joke, contrary to Colin's belief.
Wel,, that pretty much covers it. So go on, discuss Whose Line and watch the videos, that's what the thread's for after all.
A fucking brilliant show, anyone who hasn't seen it must do so immediately!
Aye, 'tis a great show. Shame it ended around '07.
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drew_Carey%27s_Improv-A-Ganza[/url]
Here's the closest thing we're probably gonna get to a rerelease. Close enough for me!
Hey, any of you guys know who can break a neon sign with their head and still continue a scene?
Oh man I love this show, I catch on at 11 PM sometimes, not sure what channel, might be TBS though.
Also Ryan's shoes are too loud.
This show was ruined for me when I learned that it's not actually improv.
It's completely scripted.
[QUOTE=The_Marine;28977266]This show was ruined for me when I learned that it's not actually improv.
It's completely scripted.[/QUOTE]
Where are you getting that idea?
Ryan smashing the neon light was the best part.
[QUOTE=ironman17;28971801]Aye, 'tis a great show. Shame it ended around '07.[/QUOTE]
ITS COMEING BACK UNDER A NEW NAME :D
[QUOTE=GrimBloodyFable;28972114][url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drew_Carey%27s_Improv-A-Ganza[/url]
Here's the closest thing we're probably gonna get to a rerelease. Close enough for me![/QUOTE]
"Charlie Sheen - guest performer"
yes please
[QUOTE=shadow_of_intent;28977569]Ryan smashing the neon light was the best part.[/QUOTE]
And that wasn't scripted.
I think they give the actors general guidelines on what they'll be doing that night, and then the actors build off of that.
[QUOTE=Schmaaa;28977975]I think they give the actors general guidelines on what they'll be doing that night, and then the actors build off of that.[/QUOTE]
That isn't how improv works. Are you aware that there are improv clubs/groups all over that do this kind of stuff without any prior knowledge. The people on the show have had a lot of experience doing improv and that is why they are so good at it. If you for some reason don't believe that you can improvise lyrics, I think you should meet a friend of mine who does it with ease.
show of the year
every year
all year
fuck you
yes it is
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBzwv057GPs[/media]
Just like this thread, the points don't matter!
Nah, just kidding. :v:
But yeah, this show was amazing. I wish it never got cancelled. :frown:
But hopefully the new show is like it.
[QUOTE=Schmaaa;28977975]I think they give the actors general guidelines on what they'll be doing that night, and then the actors build off of that.[/QUOTE]
There are bits where they ask the audience for the setting, characters, etc.
Whose Line got me through some tough times.
Think I've seen every episode.of the UK one, I should get round to the US one soon :v:
I love this show. Did you know that Ryan and Colin are best friends?
I gotta say, the episode with Richard Simon's is probably the best of the whole US Seiries
They should make more of this. :v:
Saw an episode of this yesterday because of this thread, I was pleased.
Thanks.
I loved this show. I always thought the UK version was better though.
One of the funniest things I've ever seen. I absolutely loved this show. The UK version is great, but the US version has so many great moments.
[editline]ohboyherewego[/editline]
[b]MEOW[/b]
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