One part comedy show, one part game show, 'Whose Line Is It Anyway' brought the whimsy and energy of improvisational comedy clubs into homes across America. Sure, the points didn't matter, and there were no actual prizes handed out. Nonetheless, it was riveting television with whip-smart comedians spinning wild narratives and creating kooky characters off the top of their heads!
Following ten years on British television, the short-form improv game show crossed the pond to the U.S. in 1998. With a new host and some of its former stars it became a welcomed hit, and went on to run for eight seasons.
The American version of the show attracted such big guest stars as David Hasselhoff, Whoopi Goldberg, and Robin Williams. (It also gave early exposure to future stars like Stephen Colbert.) But for this look back, we have focused on the show's recurring stars who delivered hysterical performances week after week.
Then: Carey was the creator and star of the Cleveland-set sitcom 'The Drew Carey Show.' An admirer of the English series, Carey was instrumental in its move overseas. He served not only as its executive producer, but also its host, following in the footsteps of Clive Anderson.
Then: When he joined Carey's American spin-off, Mochrie was already an established improv star, having appeared in over 70 episodes of the British version of 'Whose Line.' He went on to appear in every episode of the American version, and also earned a recurring role on 'The Drew Carey Show' as Eugene.
Now: Mochrie has become a regular presence on Canadian television. He was the central star of the short-lived 2006 sitcom 'Getting Along Famously' and was a cast regular on 'She's The Mayor' and 'Almost Heroes.' Most recently he snagged a bit part in the crime-centered rom-com 'Please Kill Mr. Know It All,' which opens in the U.S. this Valentine's Day.
Then: Singer-songwriter Hall first got into scoring improv comedy live in Chicago, where she worked as a pianist for various improvisation crews, including Second City. Hall got involved with 'Whose Line' during the British version's 10th season, and went on to provide musical accompaniment via piano and keyboards for the entirety of the American series.
Now: Hall continues to work as a musician and composer. In 2012, she spun her improv musical experience into 'Improv Karaoke,' a two-disc CD full of different styles of instrumental music designed for improv comedy use. She also teaches music improv workshops. Learn more about it at her site.
Then: Brady had appeared in several episodes of the original 'Whose Line,' before being cast as a regular on its American counterpart. Through his charismatic and song-stuffed performances, he became the show's breakout star and earned his own talk show, 'The Wayne Brady Show,' in 2002.
Now: 'The Wayne Brady' show was cancelled in 2004. But after 'Whose Line' wrapped in 2006, Brady scored hosting gigs on game shows like 'Don't Forget the Lyrics!' and 'Let's Make a Deal.' He later reunited with the 'Whose Line' cast in 2011 for 'Drew Carey's Improv-A-Ganza,' and became a memorable recurring performer on the popular sitcom 'How I Met Your Mother,' playing the debonair gay brother of Neil Patrick Harris' unscrupulous ladies man Barney Stinson.
Then: As a character actress, Greenwood made appearances on shows like the Canadian drama series 'Street Legal,' the sitcom 'Maniac Mansion' and the creepy kids' show 'Goosebumps' before she landed her best-known role as the sweet-hearted Grace Bailey on 'Wind at My Back' in 1996. She balanced work on this Canadian TV-drama with America's 'Whose Line' until the former wrapped in 2001.
Now: Greenwood balances bit parts in film and television with live shows like 'Women Fully Clothed,' a sketch comedy special that played to rave reviews in Vegas last spring.
Then: Another castmate of the original 'Whose Line,' Esten earned one-off roles on such popular shows as 'Cheers,' 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' and 'Murphy Brown,' before the American 'Whose Line,' came calling.