him of the improvisational segments. Carey liked the idea, as it would make the show stand out from previous live television episodes. Helford thought the ER episode was interesting, but that the fun had been lost. By adding in the element of improv, Helford said viewers would be "getting their money's worth" as anything could happen on the night. Carey decided against becoming involved with the planning of the episode as he believed it would ruin the spontaneity. "Drew Live" was written by Clay Graham and directed by Gerry Cohen. The plot centers on the characters Kate (Christa Miller) and Drew (Carey). When Drew learns Kate is trying to pursue a romantic relationship with a man, he tries to stop her because he loves her. However, he does not realise that he is stopping her from going after him. Filming The cast and crew performed the live episode three times for the Eastern, Mountain and Pacific time zones. Jamie Tarses, the head of ABC entertainment, stated that Helford and Carey had wanted the episode to be "live everywhere". Tarses tried to convince Carey to perform the episode twice for each coast, but he wanted all the viewers to share the same experience. To ensure each version of the episode was different, producers added in two-minute improvisational segments in which the actors had to invent their own lines. They did not know beforehand where the improv segments would appear, as the timing of the segments were decided during filming. The cast members were made aware of an upcoming improv scene when lights on the set flashed. They rehearsed with "a skeletal storyline" in the lead up to transmission. Unlike previous episodes, which were all shot on film, the live episode was shot on videotape. A production truck was used for the shoot, with Helford explaining, "We had to coordinate our timing of the show around when this truck is available. It is like a mobile coordinating room for directing and editing. We're editing it as you are seeing it." Security on the set was increased and the episode was broadcast with a small delay in case one of the actors said an offensive word. After "Drew Live" aired, a columnist for People reported that the three versions of the episode were performed without "many mistakes". However, a network censor used the delay to edit a scene involving a character who flashed