Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Whose Line Is It Anyway? is a short-form improvisational comedy show originating as a short-lived British radio programme, before moving to British television in 1988. Following the conclusion of the British run in 1999, ABC began airing an American version, which ran until 2007 and was later revived by The CW in 2013.
Each version of the show consists of a panel of four performers who create characters, scenes and songs on the spot, in the style of short-form improvisation games, many taken from theatresports. Topics for the games are based on either audience suggestions or predetermined prompts from the host. Both the British and the American shows ostensibly take the form of a game show with the host arbitrarily assigning points and likewise choosing a winner at the end of each episode. However, the show lacks the true stakes and competition of a game show (by design). The "game show" format is simply part of the comedy.
Versions
- Whose Line Is It Anyway? (radio series), the short-lived radio series which inspired the television series
- Whose Line Is It Anyway? (UK TV series), which was broadcast from 1988–1999
- Whose Line Is It Anyway? (U.S. TV series), which has aired from 1998–2007 and again since 2013
- Whose Line Is It Anyway? (Australian TV series), which is scheduled to air in 2016