Whose Line Is It Anyway? (My TV taping experience!)

Last Saturday I went to a taping of 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?'!  Remember the show where everything's made up and the points don't matter?  I used to watch a lot of Whose Line when I was younger and I was so happy to see they are bringing the show back (the series starts airing July 16th on the CW!)  It was a fantastic experience going to the taping even though it lasted about four hours.

But it's really longer than that.  First is the wait in line to check-in, and the line was outside in the hot unforgiving sun, on the sidewalk where we could breathe in great lungfuls of car exhaust fumes.  Okay, it wasn't that bad.  We were in the shade.  Then we were processed by the audience handlers - firmly told that cellphones, food, and water (water!!) were not allowed in the studio.  And we better use the restroom because we weren't going to be able to when filming began.  Geez.

So I love love love the show, but there was one thing I was concerned about - I didn't want to be picked to go onstage!!  And there was so much seating, that surely I wouldn't have to sit in the front!  What are the odds?  And when we did get to our seat, it was in the front but so far to the side of the stage, that our view was obstructed.  Yikes, not that great.  But I was going to go along with it, until a lady took me and my one friend (we were in a group of four) to different seats.  In the FRONT.  A little off to the CENTER of the stage.  Are you kidding me?  Merde.  But I will tell you now that I was not picked to go on stage, and of that I am eternally grateful.  There was a dicey moment when Colin Mochrie came towards us though, and my mind shut down.  But it all ended well.

The show was hilar, and there were great moments throughout - and some great celebrity guest appearances - Kevin McHale from Glee and Lisa Leslie!  They were fantastic really - just went with the improvisers and were funny themselves!  I know this is the second time the cast has taped episodes, but it really felt like they never stopped- they still work so well together.  And the new host, Aisha Tyler, totally owned the post and was so wryly funny and quick-witted.  She didn't do a game with the cast at the end which disappointed me, but she was so funny throughout the taping, on and off camera that I think I got a good idea of her improv comedy.  And as an aside, I was completely obsessed with Wayne Brady's accurate Nicki Minaj impression!

At one point - about 2 hours into taping - while they were reseting things, Wayne Brady looks into the audience and saw a guy sleeping.  And my friend and I looked over, and saw it was OUR friend!  Wayne got up and went over to him; he couldn't believe he had fallen asleep.  In my friend's defense.... well there really is no defense. He thought it was funny so it's okay.  And they referenced 'sleepy guy' during the taping multiple times.  Now that is definitely the only thing I am going to call him now!  And he might make it into the episode, since they had him sign a release form.

The teddy I got after the Helping Hands game

Despite having a bunch of pick-ups filmed near the end of the four hours, which resulted in us having to clap and cheer numerous times while they filmed opening and ending sequences and connecting dialogue, the experience was totally worth it!  They even threw a prop into the audience and I got it!  So brilliant comedy, fantastic comedians, a great audience, and a teddy bear! = one of the best evenings I have ever spent!

And although this post is getting a little long, one more fun story I wanted to share - the audience asked about a Hoedown which they weren't filming that day, and Aisha told the audience that Ryan Stiles LOVES hoedowns (he absolutely hates them) and to ask him to do one when he got back to the stage.  And when he did, the audience chanted "Hoedown, Hoedown!" and Ryan looked at us in bewilderment.  Then he gave us the middle finger.  The best.  Watch "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" when it comes back on the air (July 16th, CW), because everyone needs new "Whose Line" in their life!

Twitter follow: @cwwhoseline @colinmochrie @waynebrady @aishatyler