While waiting for the groceries to arrive this morning (read as: 8:00-11:45), I had a little Whose Line Is It Anyway (US) Season 1 marathon. I loved watching this show and the original UK version on the Comedy network when I was in high school/uni and was an improv-er myself (Improv Dogs represent, w00t!). While watching this series, though, a few things occurred to me:
1. Wow, they really, really, REALLY had to explain the premise 3 or 4 times a show so American audiences don't get confused.
2. Drew Carey seemed to be auditioning for his later gig on the Price Is Right (he even says "Come on down!").
3. Colin Mochrie (sp?) has one of the most mobile and expressive faces in comedy, and Ryan Stiles, despite a body like a bag of wire hangers, is extremely physical.
4. The only segments that don't hold up are the musical numbers, which is strange, because I used to look forward to seeing Wayne Brady sing each week. However, when watched consecutively, it becomes clear that those segments play host to some of the least creative improv on the show. I think when I first watched it, I was just blown away by Wayne Brady's musical talent (compared to the UK and other US performers, who let comedy come first). Now, you can actually see his mind looking for lazy rhymes and padding things out with lots of "Whoo" and "Yeah!".
Which brings me to...
5. The fact that this show was on YEARS ago and still seems current made me realise how current-events-based Australian television comedy is (in the realm of "those clown in parliament have done it again" and "doesn't that one politician have big ears"). That's why they've not released a proper DVD set for the stellar "the Glass House". In fact, I've read that there was one week where the Glass House was preempted, and ABC and the writers were at loggerheads to release the show or just bin it. The reason? All the jokes were about things that happened a week before and thus were not funny.
In conclusion, screw Flanders.
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