Whose Line Is It Anyway?

[Ed Wood Caulfield 0]

Anybody here watches Whose Line Is It Anyway? I've started watching the show again after abandoning it back in 2001. I've seen both the British version and the American (ABC) version and I can't decide which is better. I don't like how the show is a little predictable since Wayne Brady is a regular player of the show and he ALWAYS has to do one song on the show, but the rest is great. Ryan Stiles and Greg Proops are my favorite castmembers.

 

So, does anyone else watch the show?

[Guest Eagan469]

I've seen pretty much all the UK episodes Comedy Central has shown.

 

They really need to get Tony Slattery to do the US version at least once. He owns pretty much everyone when he's on the show.

[the max 0]

I can't stand Drew Carey, so I don't watch the American ones. The British ones are awesome though.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Yeah, the Brit version was vastly superior. The American Version does have its moments, but it's way more by-the-numbers and doesn't quite have the same unpredictable nature.

[MillenniumMan831 0]

I only watch in for Ryan and Colin. Especially when they're doing the news game where Colin is in front of a green screen and has to try to describe the footage playing behind him. Gold!

[KanadianKrusty 0]

I like both, Colin + Ryan = GOLD.

[River City Rocker 0]

I'll watch it whenever nothing else is on, but I infinitely prefer the British version. I have four VHS tapes filled with old Whose Line goodness that I recorded ten years ago.

 

Lately, my beef with Comedy Central is that if they even bother to show old Whose Line, they cut at least three or four minutes out of the episodes now. And when it's one I've seen or taped, I can almost guess which routines got edited out.

 

Fortunately, Canada's Comedy Network doesn't do any noticiable editing of episodes, I learned.

 

-Ben

[Guest MideonMark]

It was and still is one of my favourite TV shows ever, although I haven't seen it in a while as it hasn't been shown on British TV in ages. Drew Carey as the host of the American version is terrible, Clive Anderson is far superior. Best line up on the show for me is Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Colin Mochrie(sp?) and Tony Slattery.

[Guest Nightscrawler]

I used the watch the American version regularly last year, but I've stopped watching now. Ryan and Colin are my fav cast members.

[rising up out of the back seat-nuh 0]

The program rocks. Are they still making new episodes in the US?

[LaParkaYourCar 0]

I like both versions really. I have no problem with Drew.

[KingPK 0]

I enjoy both versions also. Ryan and Colin are the mainstays and probably veterans of improv, but I like Wayne and Cathy Greenwood also.

 

Of course, my favorite line of all time is from Scenes From A Hat:

 

Drew: "Things you can say to your dog, but not your girlfriend."

 

Colin: "Come."

[CanadianChris 0]

This is a GREAT show. UK version owns the US version, though.

 

Fave UK lineup is Greg Proops, Steve Frost, Tony Slattery and Ryan Stiles. Proops and Clive needling each other was always funny. Favourite woman from either show is undoubtedly Josie Lawrence.

[Betty Houle 0]

Awesome show.

[Mystery Eskimo 0]

The British version is better. The US show is ok but seems to lack a spark somewhere, I don't know why.

 

Tony Slattery was great. Sadly his career never really went anywhere as he suffered from clinical depression and got himself a cocaine addiction. He's better now though, I believe.

[Dr. Tom 0]

I prefer the British version. Drew Carey's OK, but he cackles far too often for my tastes. Clive Anderson is much drier, and a much better host overall, considering the format.

 

Besides, the British just do comedy better.

[starvenger 0]

This is a GREAT show. UK version owns the US version, though.

 

Fave UK lineup is Greg Proops, Steve Frost, Tony Slattery and Ryan Stiles. Proops and Clive needling each other was always funny. Favourite woman from either show is undoubtedly Josie Lawrence.

The Proops/Anderson interaction was ALWAYS funny, but I noticed that Clive never really had any comebacks whenever Greg pulled out the "no neck" card.

 

I actually like the UK Whose Line "Hollywood" eps better than the ABC eps. Debra Wilson and Phil Lamarr had good stints there, plus Wayne Brady wasn't on every single show. Wayne's great at what he does, but having him sing songs EVERY show takes away from the improv aspect. Then again, the ABC version seems to do the same games every time out, doesn't it?

 

My top 3 women are Josie Lawrence (whose 1 US appearance was pretty funny, if only for the swearing), Kathy Greenwood and Debra Wilson.

 

Lately, my beef with Comedy Central is that if they even bother to show old Whose Line, they cut at least three or four minutes out of the episodes now. And when it's one I've seen or taped, I can almost guess which routines got edited out.

 

Fortunately, Canada's Comedy Network doesn't do any noticiable editing of episodes, I learned.

In the US, reruns can be cut down to 22 minutes from 20 or 21 (can't remember which), resulting in edits and (of course) more ad revenue.

 

In Canada, I believe that you can only have 12-14 minutes of commercials per hour, which is why you see "newsbreaks" and such every hour - they help fill up that 1-2 minute void left from the US programming. Which is why things like UK shows are less edited. Legend has it that the ad time discrepancy is how the Mackenzie Brothers were created on SCTV...

[Guest David]

I occasionally watch the American version, My fav. cast member are Wayne+Collin+ryan