My wife and I loved this show so much we made it part of our wedding. A la the game "Whose line?" when guests first entered, we asked them to write movie quotes on slips of paper (not love based, just their favorite ones). Unbeknownst to them, we later each randomly took three slips each - having no clue what they were - and read them out loud in blank spaces of our premade pretend wedding vows. So we had amazing moments like: "Everytime I wake up and look at you in the morning, I can't help but think to myself - What we have here, is a failure to communicate." GOD it was great.

“the rules are made up and the points don’t matter” what a lovely sign off.

You cut off the best part after Colin says “we’re watching animal porn!” “Mary had a little lamb” 😂😂

"Bill Cosby and Hitler. Certainly unlikely roommates." Not unlikely enough.

Great video essay man. I think you perfectly described how genuine the original American version felt. 10/10

"And the points don't matter" - Almost started to cry

'ooh a terrrrn....an arctic terrrn' 'What sounds does an arctic tern make?' 'Backstreet Boys!' Funniest lines never written

My few favs added to the already mentioned were : 1. Ricki Ricardo and Great cigars 2. The bit with the Cat

What a good take on a wonderful show. This is such a nice video essay. Thank you for creating it.

This is probably the best way to explain what this show is. Since 2012, I’ve watched this show on KZfaq and still find myself wanting more even tho I’ve seen every episode at least 3 times. Good job on the editing and how you got your message out. Love to see more!

A lot of what I've learned about performing improv comedy is about building trust with the audience, especially if you don't know them. Audiences are able to see right through you, and if you're not trying to make a connection, they're going to build a wall and it's nearly impossible to punch through. They say the #1 rule of improv is you can't say no, but I think being natural is probably even more important. When your audience really feels what your group is trying to do, they AND you are going to have a much better time. Failed jokes or jokes that don't quite land can sometimes be even funnier than a nailed joke. Whose Line is the epitome of authentic improv. Drew, Wayne, Colin, and Ryan made it feel like you're having fun with them, even though you were watching them through a giant tube TV with a 24" screen back in the late '90s. They were what sparked my interest in learning about improvisation and comedic timing.

Oh God, I didn't expect that to make me cry. That was so touching, this was the show I shared the hardest laughs with my best friend we would watch the DVDs for days straight on long sleep overs. This show is so special, and the message rings true. Thank you for creating this and sharing it with us Internet roamers. ✌️

Yo, that Katamari music! I didn't expect to hear it in a video about Whose Line is it Anyway. You have great taste in video game music and TV shows.

This show really was a treasure. The golden era of Whose Line was just magic. It remains utterly hilarious and fun no matter how many times you go back to rewatch the old stuff. The core group that made the show work are simply special. They just felt honest and that lack of production made it easier to simply enjoy the craziness.

“BED COT FILLY PAPER RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS” 🙎🏼‍♂️💁🏼‍♂️

Thanks KZfaq randomly recommending this. Good watch.

I always use this show when people try to make arguments that people are too PC or whatever for comedy, because though yes some of their punchlines may be shocking they were never usually “offensive” but true comedic talent.

This is incredible, thank you so much for such a beautifully crafted video. Whose Line was (and still is) an amazing, unique, inspiring piece of television and this breakdown of the show certainly nails that essence. Again, thank you

Your reaction to the new series is pretty much the same reaction that many UK fans had towards the US version back in those days. Everybody gets used to a certain atmosphere. As a longtime watcher of the show, I can tell you that as long as you follow Ryan or Colin, you're bound to find lots of gems in all three versions.

wow i didnt think i would be walking away thinking about life as 'the rules are made up and the points dont matter.' but that makes so much sense. i enoyed your video and the ending the most. very well done. lol i swear im not crying

Thank you, algorithm, for showing me this video. Aside: Is it bad that we're deifying a big math equation? Yeah probably.

The authenticity is uncanny. Watching them mess up and then make it even funnier, or reference it later. I absolutely love their ability to make people laugh. We saw their touring show recently and it was very awesome! The spirit of it is still there.

One thing I can add to your argument about the CW's incarnation about Whose Line being less free-flowing than the ABC incarnation is the increased limitation of games in which the audience can provide suggestions for the performers to act out...or at least such was the case in the beginning. I sure miss Superheroes, Bar Scene/Bartender, and Film and Theater Styles, that's for sure. Also, don't forget that a lot of the moments from the ABC run in which the players slipped up with their language had been cut out to keep the show a TAD friendlier for families than it otherwise could have been. Not so much for the CW run, where there's been PLENTY of bleeped-out profanity that has made its way into the final televised product. Critiques aside, though, good video! :)

Yeah, that's one thing I don't like about the new Whose Line. There's less interaction with the audience, which was some of the most fun parts about the original. Great video though Chris! Breaks up the Smash content. lol

that moment when ryan headbutted the light by accident was one of the funniest things I ever saw on tv. he became my fav that instant.

"One night I was gettin' freaky-- With my Ergirlelaine-- Boy, we had some fun--" *Ryan Noises*

Very well spoken, and powerful. Whose Line was my absolute favorite show when I was younger, and now I'm performing improv weekly with a troupe that I lead. It's the best form of pure play in existence! If you ever come to Arizona, you should come play with us!

I didn't even know this show existed and yet you made me nostalgic

start with season 5 of the British show, that's when Ryan started to be on every week. They're all on KZfaq and they are much darker/allowed to swear because it went out at 10pm

I think the point that you've so well captures is a nostalgia for a time when TV was more real. It was friends horsing around that happened to be filmed more so than polished, focus-grouped comedy. I think that's why British panel shows are still so funny to me today. All they do is create a reason for comedians to be in a room together and film it. It's not even a compelling reason to be in that room, but the reason doesn't matter. All that really matters is that the comedians are having a good time. If they do, we probably will, too.

I clicked on this without really realizing what it was (just wanted to see some Whose Line clips) and this really warmed my heart. Thanks for making this!

Years before film school, me and my buddies would do scenes from a hat. You completely nail why the show was capable of bringing real, simple, untethered joy. Great work Chris!

When you watch the UK version, Mike McShane and Josie Lawrence do a series of duets so great I'm still having a hard time believing they weren't scripted.

I remember once someone I knew had never seen Whose Line, so I went to KZfaq to show them a clip. I accidentally clicked on a newer Whose Line episode, not realizing it was different, and neither of us laughed. The actors aren't bad, the lines aren't terrible, but it is missing that magic. You described it so well. I hope the cast of the original knew how integral they were in shaping the humor and personalities in a lot of kids growing up when the show was on air. I'd like to thank them for that someday.

Yo man. How did you make me tear up on a video about WLIIA? This was great. 'The rules are made up, and the points don't matter'

You show it in the video, but the time where Ryan cracks his head on the light on Drew's desk was the funniest and most memorable moment for me from this show. I think it had a big effect on me, too. Things never 'broke' in TV or movies. There were never accidents or fuckups. -but this showed one "live" and the peoples' honest reactions to a real mistake. -and it showed that "Hey, it's okay. It's funny. We'll roll with it." The acknowledgement on TV that not everything was perfect was HUGE and the cathartic laughter that followed went deep. You feel like you'd never see an 'accident' like that today. Hell, it felt like we shouldn't have seen it THEN. -but we did. -and it was so honest we loved it.

Beautiful video, honestly. I'm rather young, and never knew about Whose Line until I saw clips on KZfaq. It very quickly became one of my favorite bits in comedy. Just with how it's crafted and genuine, and how you actually never knew what could ever happen next. Thank you for making this video.

"That quacking elephant" made me laugh so hard when it happened my whole family was crying. One of all time favorite moments in television history.

Thats right the points don't matter, just like Ryan's sense of style...

Truly amazing video. Colin was and always will be my favourite

Great essay man. Life with my best friend always came to a screeching halt when Who’s Line came on. It was a staple of our weekend sleepovers and there was never a bad episode.

Colin's news anchor bits were probably the only truly rehearsed portions. But he'd deliver them with such a gamey sense of professionalism, it made every one of his breakdowns that much more genuine and hilarious.

I grew up in a hyper christian private school as a kid and this was one of the few comedy shows I was allowed to watch for some reason but god I loved it so much. I even did mock renditions with my classmates as a kid taking turn play drew and the improvs. Really great vid!

I was not ready for Katamari music in a Whose Line video. Excellent video with excellent music!

whose line will always be my favourite show of all time. you're right, the original US version really had that magic to it. i love the new series too but man i can rewatch the drew version all the time, its the best comfort show ever.

OMG I love Whose Line. Freaking hilarious. Everyone remember the Richard Simmons episode?? Honestly still one of my favorite episodes!!

I never realized how much this show's tag line describes life

Well said. Up until watching this, I never had any understanding why I loved this show so much beyond its comedic strengths.

Wow I did not expect this video to be what it was. Well worded, heartfelt, the ending monologue touched me and it made me smile just like the narrator talked about. Giving a like cause I was effected by it deeply as someone who grew up watching whose line as well.

I genuinely hesitated when this popped into my feed for fear it was going to be some joy-killing diatribe about how fake Who’s Line was/is and I just couldn’t deal with that. Then I accidentally tapped it, and am now all squishy and happy inside. Thank you for making this. Auto me, Who’s Line was about two things:Joy, and friendship. Even their guests, for those hours, were their best friends. I never watched an episode where I dudn’t feel better after. Anime has a term for a certain kind of show, Iyashikei, or healing. It is a show that isn’t about a deep plot, angsts romance, huge spectacles. Just a simple show that makes you feel nice. Who’s Line is the epitome of that genre, done through comedy. It is a genre we need more of, in these times of conflict and worry.

When Colin kept meowing one episode was great, right into the ho down. "Me-yow ". That's one of my all time favs.

Back in 2006 when I had just moved to a new high school and hadn’t made many friends yet, I used to watch the reruns with my parents every Friday night and we had so much fun busting out laughing together. Good family memories 😊

Idk how you could make talking about WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? bittersweet, but you did it. Beautifully done. 👍

Ok random recommend video.. this was beautiful and so well done! I even teared up a bit. This needs more views!!

A game of Party Guests which had Ryan Stiles miming a foal being born is still the funniest thing I've ever seen.

The CW version tried to capture more risky humor that ABC would shy from, but the guest stars would always bring things to a halt for me. The BBC run will always be the pinnacle for me.

Great video! You vocalized my love for the show in such a great way! I still watch compilations of this show even if I’ve seen them already!

"Instead of performing a reality, the show is about the reality of the performance." Nice one, man.

This video is plain lovely and definitely makes me want to rewatch the entirety of the show. Great job!

damn. you just made that line even more iconic. I'mma put that on my wall. THE RULES ARE MADE UP AND THE POINTS DON'T MATTER.

I loved this show so much. It would come on at like 12 am and if I was up I would watch back to back episodes in the basement dying of laughter at 3am hoping my parents wouldn't hear me and tell me to go to bed. This show felt like taking high school acting classes. You're absolutely right - the energy was so genuine in the room you could tell the chemistry of the original cast was irreplaceable. Thanks for reminding me how much I love this show!

This is a spectacular video. Thank you

I can really feel the heartfelt honesty of this overview. It's great to see someone point out what what has been staring everyone in the face, but no one seemed to notice about the shows we love and the lives we live because of them.

Colin is the Dad that I always wanted and has become one of my inspirations as a Dad myself. His sense of genuine joy brought that show up so much, and everyone around him seemed to shine brighter because of it. This is an amazing video, thank you for making it.

Brilliant man. Absolutely fantastic look at what is one of, if not the best improve shows ever. Well done

Nice job my friend and your call-back ending was perfect. I loved the show back in its early days, I was never even aware of the Vegas rendition and I do enjoy the reboot but your description of it was spot on.

this made me so incredibly happy!! i used to stay up late to catch whose line as a kid and it makes me laugh as hard as when i first saw it. thanks for the nostalgia rush

You had no right to give me so many feels about a show that is so light-hearted. Amazing video keep it up.

Very insightful commentary on a show that constantly amazes me. Thanks for sharing.

Whose Line was an important part of my childhood too. Your video brought back some nice memories, and I think you’re spot on about what made the show great! Good stuff man

Nicely done~! I think you really captured what made the original Drew Carey run of Whose Line? so much fun and so memorable at the same time, and I think you won't be disappointed with the British version if you get the chance to see it. Most of the stalwarts of Drew's version were regulars on the UK show, and there's still a lot of good snarky banter between some of the contestants and their host Clive Anderson (Greg Proops will never change in that regard)... just in a more dry, sarcastic and eminently British way. Man, I miss the days when Comedy Central used to air the UK reruns all the time...

Wonderful essay! I've always loved this gem of a show and I think you put into words what that love's form is, great work!!

I think this just jumped to the top of my list of favorite analysis/essay videos ❤❤❤

Me: Phew, I've made good progress trimming down the number of channels I've subscribed to. Time to relax and, oh hey a 'Whose Line' video! *12:44** and one subscribe later* Me: Welp, that was nice while it lasted.

Why did this have my crying at the end? (also loved the Katamari Damacy music!)

You turned the show's catch phrase into a really motivational mantra at the end there. Nope, more than that. I'm actually tearing up.

Dunno why this was recommended, first I'd ever heard of you. Knocked it out of the park. Subscribed.

Wonderful, touching, and authentic. You changed an awful night and reminded me of how easy it is to focus on the fun and smile. Vive la points!

Great video Chris. Would love more like this, either walks down memory lane or reactions to current stuff. Whatever you review is always fun but also very insightful.

I have been thinking about this video a lot over the last couple of weeks, and I think that this may have something to do with the rise of some specific personalities on KZfaq. While it isn't structured in the same way as Whose Line necessarily, all of the Game Grumps' content is designed to have this feel. I'm also reminded a lot of the so-called "Old Guard" of KZfaq- Grace Helbig, Mamrie Hart, Hannah Hart, Tyler Oakley......and the sheer magic that any combination of the 4 of them had on-screen. I understood the point of challenge videos when those 4 would do them together, because it looked FUN. I don't know, this essay is just very well done. Thank you for giving me some really fun food-for-thought! :)

This is probably the best video essay I have ever watched.

What a great tribute to a great show. Thank you for making this!

I remember my first time watching this show. I had just finished my OGTs (Standardized tests are the worst!), and had finished early. The person who had been filling in answers on the scanatron for me (I was terrible at it, and my disability allowed me to have someone do that) was really cool, and showed this to me on the computer.

This is a really well made video. It took me by surprise as I was looking for more old Whose Line clip compilations. I'll be looking forward to future releases on your channel. Well done.

Awesome video essay! I too have learnt so much from whose line. and seeing this video makes me happy!

Colin Mochrie as a man who suspects that people are not the sex they claim to be and is trying to find out for sure will always bring me great pain through laughing cramps.

Some of my favorite memories as a child watching this show. I was cracking up just watching this video. I had no idea it started as a radio show. Thanks for speaking on this wonderful show :)

Great video. Loved the original show and I wish something could capture that magic again.

Damn. Perfect ending. Perfect explanation of this show. Good job

Really happy that you acknowledged the UK series. I’ve only ever seen that one (on reruns obviously) and it kind of saddens me that people don’t know about it

Great video, I'm very glad to have found this. I always wondered what the reboot was missing. I'm glad to have people like you to articulate where I cannot.

Never really comment on KZfaq... but... just want to say thanks for doing this video. Heartwarming AF. Cheers, dude.

This was brilliant. New subscriber after watching that. This will always be my favorite show to watch, with special interest taken in the older episodes, and I must say, the original version is great as well. Lovely video, can't wait to see what's next.

I grew up watching Whose Line when my grandma was the only one who could afford cable. I remember singing along to the Irish Drinking Songs, my favorite segments were Scenes from a Hat and Props, and my all-time favorite part that stands out from all the other skits was when Wayne Brady was the Weather Man and pretended to be a Girl Scout possessed by the devil. I'm glad somebody is talking about Whose Line in 2019, shit's great, and I miss the times I used to rush to the tv when a new episode came on. Thanks for the nostalgia!

you shouldve added the bit with the light the line after words where colin says "wouldve been better if you head set on fire" best part of that and also going along with them just being real with each other and everyone

The first US WLiiA saved my life during my divorce. My daughter and I would watch it on KZfaq for hours at a time, busting up laughing in the midst of our lives falling apart. I've had the opportunity to see some of the performers live, and they do not disappoint. I enjoy all permutations of the original (and the original British) offering, but the original US run was brilliant, and so far unmatched.

This was beautiful to watch.... I completely agree with your thoughts on the newer renditions of Whose Line. I always felt like something was off, or wasn't right about the later version, but you just encapsulated that feeling within this video. Whether it was the loss of Drew Carey in the reboot, or the increased commercialization, or the suits/ties, just never felt the same as that original run. I could rewatch an old skit of their's countless times, and it would be just as funny as it was when it originally aired. Keep up the great work!

Awesome video! Wonderful message and fun to watch. Thank you

this was the heartwarming, nostalgic video i didn’t know i needed until now :’)) thanks for this mate, now i’m off to binge watch every whose line vid on youtube

Love this! I remember taping the episodes and rewatching them over and over, in particular one where either Colin or Ryan was giving birth on a rollercoaster. Good times :) None of my family "got" the show, so it's nice to see so many others who appreciate it.