Improv show seems a bit slow but may grow into big funny
April 9, 2007
We fans of improvisational comedy are suckers for TV shows that swirl around pros of the profession. But we're also critical of their flaws. NBC's new "Thank God You're Here" doesn't start out as strong as I'd hoped. It has potential, though. I don't remember "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" starting out gangbusters, either.
The premise poses a challenge to guest stars. Improv actors on the payroll work from scripts. Guest stars have no clue what the set or script will be. They're pushed into a scene and forced to improvise.
The danger is that a scene works or crashes depending on the guest stars' quick thinking. It's the cast members, not the guests, who have the more honed improv skills.
Among this week's guests, some are very good. At least one looks lost for words. They are Jennifer Coolidge (Stifler's mom from "American Pie"), Bryan Cranston (the dad on "Malcolm in the Middle"), Joel McHale of E!'s "The Soup" and Wayne Knight (Newman from "Seinfeld").
The show is based on a hit from Australia. It's hosted by David Alan Grier and judged by "Kids in the Hall's" Dave Foley, who picks a winner at the end.
One of the best things about such long-shot network shows is they give prime time to underemployed talents like Foley, who lately had been hosting Bravo's "Celebrity Poker Showdown."
"This is so much more fun than watching poker," Foley says from his judge's chair. That's for sure.
Doug Elfman
We fans of improvisational comedy are suckers for TV shows that swirl around pros of the profession. But we're also critical of their flaws. NBC's new "Thank God You're Here" doesn't start out as strong as I'd hoped. It has potential, though. I don't remember "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" starting out gangbusters, either.
The premise poses a challenge to guest stars. Improv actors on the payroll work from scripts. Guest stars have no clue what the set or script will be. They're pushed into a scene and forced to improvise.
The danger is that a scene works or crashes depending on the guest stars' quick thinking. It's the cast members, not the guests, who have the more honed improv skills.
Among this week's guests, some are very good. At least one looks lost for words. They are Jennifer Coolidge (Stifler's mom from "American Pie"), Bryan Cranston (the dad on "Malcolm in the Middle"), Joel McHale of E!'s "The Soup" and Wayne Knight (Newman from "Seinfeld").
The show is based on a hit from Australia. It's hosted by David Alan Grier and judged by "Kids in the Hall's" Dave Foley, who picks a winner at the end.
One of the best things about such long-shot network shows is they give prime time to underemployed talents like Foley, who lately had been hosting Bravo's "Celebrity Poker Showdown."
"This is so much more fun than watching poker," Foley says from his judge's chair. That's for sure.
Doug Elfman
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