Fun Fact Friday! On this day in 1964, the game show Jeopardy debuted on NBC-TV. What are some of your favorite game shows? How do you think you'd make out on 'em?
My favourite game show is Whose Line Is It Anyway? The American version of this original series debuted in 1998 with comedian Drew Carey as the host. It was an improv show in which Carey assured the audience," the points don't matter." He asked fellow comedians to act out and create spontaneous skits and sight gags using props,. audience suggestions, and more. His cast of regulars Colin Mochrie, Wayne Brady, and Ryan Stiles were brilliantly hilarious! They named their different challenges: Scenes From a Hat, Greatest Hits, Props, Hoedown, Helping Hands, Questions Only, Let's Make a Date, Party Quirks, Weird Newscasters, Duet, and Song Styles. My favourite episode ,which was not easy to choose because all of the episodes made me guffaw and chuckle, was the one in which the weight loss/diet/ exercise guru Richard Simmons guest starred. Drew challenged everyone to employ props, but Richard volunteered to be the props. Now Simmons was famous for being loud, flamboyant, energetic, and he cut quite the distinctive figure in his curly hair, hair band, shorts, and sequined tank top. Carey set the skit's scene. He explained to his three comics and Richard that they were to pretend to be a couple on a luxury cruise liner making the most of a day of sunbathing, water sports, and entertaining. Colin and Ryan portrayed the couple while the other two, Richard and Wayne , were the living props. Colin proceeded to use Richard as a telescope gazing into Richard's wide open eyes as he tilted his head. Then Wayne and Richard became a set of deck chairs . Colin directed his spouse Ryan to sit in the shiny deck chair aka Richard.. Obliging Simmons held his arms up as the chair's arm rests. He spooned Ryan, who jumped up exclaiming, "This one's wet." Then they decided to jet ski. Richard imitated the bouncing and jarring of a jet ski with his head bobbing up and down as Colin pretended to ride him. When Colin stepped away from his ride, he mimicked smoking a cigarette. Yes, Richard was campy and he enjoyed the physical closeness of the men. He embraced his guest role enthusiastically. I still laugh when I watch YouTube clips of this program. One scenario had the comedians rethinking famous movie lines. They came up with : Go ahead, make a cake, and Frankly Scarlet , I don't give a lamb. Haha, they were asked to create bad names for racehorses, so, they offered Ass Backwards. How would I make out on this show? I cannot imagine! I've always admired comedians who know they are funny, but do not laugh ,and act out their parts with such dedication and skill. How do they do this? How do they stay in character? Could I be witty and quick-thinking? I'd be tempted to laugh, that I do know. |