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Special guests and lack of skit diversity is KILLING this brilliant show

posted 9 years ago by westcottjohn
23 replies | jump to latest

As a long time fan of this show, I have never seen a worse season than the current one of Whose Line. It's absolutely horrible.

The main players are, as always, brilliant. Colin, Ryan and Wayne are their usual great selves, but they don't get to shine like they used to.

I was watching old episodes from the Drew Carey years last weekend and I was reminded of all the great games they never ever play any more. It's like they gave up on some of their best bits. Now they play the same games almost every episode.

The other thing is, obviously, the special guests.

What happened to taking audience members into the games? That was far funnier to see their unprofessional reactions and the things they do in the games no one could possibly expect. The professional guests, normally actors, try to run the games and overact and lead things where no one wants them to go. They talk when they should be quiet. It's incredibly annoying.

The latest episode with Kathy Lee Gifford was one of the worst examples. I just knew from the moment they brought her out that there would be a ton of overacting and leading the games, when she should have been nothing more than a prop for the real improv masters. And they brought her out for THREE DIFFERENT GAMES! That's, what? Two games left I can enjoy without her hammy ass trying to lead things?

I like Aisha Tyler. She's no Clive but she's funny enough. I like how she herself sometimes gets into the games for a moment. She's cool.

They have to bring back games like superheroes and Irish Drinking Song and completely AXE the special guests in favour of audience members to return to former glory.

Worst season ever... but it's not the fault of the host or the improv guys.

Long live the glory days of Clive, Greg, Wayne, Colin, Ryan, Jeff, Chip and Brad. I fear they're not likely to return.

[–] Michael_in_London 9 years ago

The constant use of special guests has been making the show feel stale. They rarely add anything and pretty much mean they always play at least two from Duet, Dead Bodies, Living Scenery, and Helping Hands. It is a shame because there are so many games they can play, that the show should feel fresh. It is so long since the ABC version, let alone the Channel 4 one, that for the CW audience any of it will seem new whilst older fans will enjoy the nostalgia.

But I have just seen last week's episode "Gary Anthony Williams 2" and it felt like it was made from off cuts from other recordings.

World's Worst had just one scene and fast cuts between the players rathe than having them walk on and off.
They played Whose Line and Irish Drinking Song.
And no special guest.

It was more like an ABC version that a CW one. And it was by far the best episode in a long time.

(And though I usually do not enjoy the musical part of Greatest Hits, this was an exception. Gary and Wayne were excellent in it.)

Sadly I feel it will be the exception, but with only a few more episodes left this season I can only hope that next year they mix up the games more and have fewer special guests.

[–] westcottjohn 9 years ago

Yes. Sadly, it was back to the norm this week. The week previous had THREE song games! Way more games than their usual these days. And NO SPECIAL GUESTS! It was great! A return to form... that, sadly, crashed and burned this week.

[–] westcottjohn 9 years ago

I'll have to revisit this thread I started and bring up last week's episode. Anyone notice anything? THREE, count em THREE drinking songs, a variety of games and NO GUEST STARS!

It was the funniest episode I've seen in ages.

I thought they'd turned a corner and finally learned their lesson.

Alas, this week was a return to form with the Danish model guest star.

Not even close to being as funny as last week.

It saddens me, because last week was a real return to form for the show, worthy of the old days. It was great.

It's very clear that the lack of variety of games and those DAMN GUEST STARS are absolutely killing this once fantastic show.

Aisha Tyler is fine. I have always liked her. A worthy host. The guys are, as always, brilliant when unleashed.

[–] sportdistant 9 years ago

The episodes with no guests, just 4 performers are clearly the best episodes. The guest star skits aren't funny at all and seem forced.

I also like how Aisha is getting more comfortable with her hosting role and even trying to sneak in a few skits even though she isn't as funny as main performers. Drew wasn't that funny to me but I still thought it was cool that he participated.

[–] westcottjohn 9 years ago

And again, we can compare last week to this week. Last week? No special guests. It was a great show.

This week? As cool as Bill Nye is... he's a scientist, not an improv comedian.

[–] cold_sky 9 years ago

Bill Nye episode was one of my least favorites (and there are only a few) of this new reboot. Colin had some great stuff though, but even one of the girls in the audience behind Aisha looked bored the entire time. Bill acted like a robot.

[–] westcottjohn 8 years ago

Another season begins and they use a guest star in THREE of the skits on the show right off the bat.

It's a shame they won't listen to the fans. The guy from Fresh Prince is okay, but not a fit for this show.

[–] willywonkasrevenge 8 years ago

Really? I thought Alfonso was the best guest in years because he was a great fit for the show. He's a talented singer, dancer, and has a quick wit. To be honest, I'd like to see them rotate him in as a regular "4th member" of the crew.

At the same time, I totally agree when a guest isn't a good fit it's awful to watch. It's usually someone who obviously hasn't seen the show before and doesn't quite understand that some of the physical humor is dirty and embarrassing. Someone on another thread brought up Heather Morris and she's a great example. That episode was a long time ago but I still remember her "Get me out of here so I can fire my agent!" look while Colin was dry humping her.

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[–] michelleod1 8 years ago

Do they have to bring CW actors as guests on the show or else they get cancelled or somethin??? lol please i want more audience interaction! or even BETTER celebrity guest stars! Like ACTUAL celebrities!