Whose Line is it Anyway? (shortened to Whose Line? or WLIIA) is a short-form improvisational comedy television panel show created by Dan Patterson and Mark Leveson, presented by Clive Anderson, and produced for Channel 4 between 23 September 1988 and 4 February 1999. The programme features a panel of four performers (six in the Christmas special) conducting a series of short-form improvisation games, creating comedic scenes per predetermined situations made by Anderson or from suggestions by the audience. Such games include creating sound effects, performing a scene to different television and film styles, using props, and making up a song on the spot. The programme originally began as a short-lived BBC radio programme, before the concept was adapted for television.

During its history, the programme featured a variety of noted comedians from Britain, America and Canada. Notable performers during the show's run included John Sessions, Stephen Fry, Josie Lawrence, Paul Merton, Tony Slattery, Rory Bremner, Archie Hahn, Mike McShane, Sandi Toksvig, Greg Proops, Ryan Stiles, Colin Mochrie, Jim Sweeney, Steve Steen, Stephen Frost, Chip Esten, Brad Sherwood, Caroline Quentin and Wayne Brady. The programme was mainly recorded in Britain, though several episodes of series 3 and 4 were made in New York, while the tenth and final series was shot entirely in California on the same set as the American version.

The success of Whose Line? spawned several domestic and international adaptations. The American version, featuring several of the same performers as the British version, aired on ABC between 1998 and 2007, and was revived on The CW from 2013 to 2024. A short-lived Australian version ran on The Comedy Channel during 2016. Two similarly themed British comedy programmes, Mock the Week (2005–2022, 2026-present) and Fast and Loose (2011), were created by Patterson.

History

right|thumb|A frame from the series 6 to 9 opening sequence for Whose Line Is It Anyway?, inspired by [[La Linea (TV series)|La Linea animation. Series 10 used a variation, with the line characters in neon pink on a Hollywood skyline background.]]

In 1988, Dan Patterson and Mark Leveson approached the BBC with a concept for a new comedy programme, involving a group of performers conducting games that encompassed improvisational comedy. The title of their concept was a comedic riposte to the radio programme What's My Line, which had recently moved to a television format, merged to the title of a 1972 play, Whose Life Is It Anyway?. Their pitch was well liked by the broadcaster, who green-lighted a radio programme for broadcast on BBC Radio 4, commissioning six episodes. Both Patterson and Leveson opted for it to be presented by Clive Anderson, with John Sessions and Stephen Fry as the regular performers accompanied by two guest stars each episode, while music was provided by Colin Sell.

After the radio series came to an end, Patterson and Leveson began discussions with the BBC on creating a televised adaption of their concept. However, the broadcaster was hesitant on making the move, leading to the pair being approached by Channel 4, who eagerly liked the idea, and securing a deal from the producers to bring the programme to their channel. The move to television was initially hit with a problem, as while it was desired for the regular cast to appear on the first televised series, Fry had begun to dislike conducting improvisational comedy. The matter was resolved by allowing him to pull out, with Sessions convinced by Fry to remain as a permanent performer for the first series Channel 4 decided to axe the programme following the eventual slump in the show's viewing figures.

In 2017, a stage-version of the show appeared at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe hosted by Anderson, with original cast members Josie Lawrence, Mike McShane, Greg Proops and Colin Mochrie among the performers. The initial shows were a sell-out and extra dates and shows were put on. Sell-out runs followed at the London Palladium and The Royal Albert Hall, with Chip Esten and Brad Sherwood also returning. In April 2019, it was announced that the stage-version of the show would be returning to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, with two more original cast members, Tony Slattery and Stephen Frost.

See also

  • Whose Line Is It Anyway? (American TV series)
  • Mock the Week
  • Fast and Loose
  • Thank God You're Here
  • Kwik Witz
  • Improvisation My Dear Mark Watson
  • Here We Go
  • ComedySportz
  • Boom Chicago
  • The Second City

References