Whose Line Is It Anyway? has received much more attention in the States
The improvisational comedy first graced our screens 25 years ago after a successful radio stint, but America seems to be the one who has capitalised.
Following the show’s axe in 1998 in Britain, ABC took the decision to create an American version which ran until 2004.
This summer sees the show’s revival on the CW in the States due to popular demand. The show drew in 2.9 million viewers against tough competition and has been commissioned for a second, much longer series.
The series’s run on ABC provided some comedy gold moments, including Stiles breaking a desk light with his head and the contestants’ uncontrollable laughter because of Mochrie’s refusal to give up a joke.
The wide variety of games provides something for everybody, but stand out games have always been Hoedown and the Irish Drinking Song, where contestants are required to make up lyrics about a particular subject suggested by the audience on the spot.
It’s such a shame that the show just isn’t popular here anymore, but there is no apparent reason for this being the case.
The CW has broken new ground by having a comedy show on its channel, so why can’t British channels take the plunge and revive the show? It would certainly be better not having the show interrupted after every game by an ad break.
The new series may be available on the Whose Line website, but we have lost that sense of British pride that accompanies the show being available on British TV.
Whose Line Is It Anyway? has an endurable quality that should ensure its popularity. Comedy genuises are always coming up with new ways to entertain, and games like Scenes From A Hat where the audience writes down suggestions for scenes they'd like to see are never going to run out of steam.
With the right contestants and the right host, I’m sure that improv comedy would be an instant hit again in Britain. Whose Line Is It Anyway? – it’s time to be brought back home.
by Julia Molloy
Tagged in TV