Whose Line Is It Anyway?
- Networks: ABC Family, CW
- Genre: Comedy
Common Sense Media says
Hilarious improv comedy has some risque stuff.
- Networks: ABC Family, CW
- Genre: Comedy
What parents need to know
Positive role models
Violence
Sex
Language
Consumerism
Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Whose Line Is It Anyway? is an improvisational comedy series whose cast members frequently use sexual innuendo, body part references, racial and gender stereotyping, and physical attributes like weight, hair loss, and stature for jokes. Many of the games encourage physical interplay, so there are many instances of suggestive positions that get laughs as well. Language is also a concern, with "f--k" and "s--t" bleeped, but lighter fare like "hell" and "damn" audible. Because it's unscripted, there's no telling what's around the corner in any of the improv games, and some of the content is too mature for tweens. The series has been through two American incarnations (following the British original from the '90s), with progressively looser standards of what's acceptable content. The bottom line? This hilarious show is well worth your time, but you'll want to screen each episode's subject matter if you're hoping to watch with your tweens.
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What's the story?
WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? is a long-running improv comedy series that originated in Britain before being imported to the U.S. for a makeover and running for eight years with host Drew Carey. The most recent version features Aisha Tyler at the helm. The show features a cast of four comedians who play improv games like "Props," "Scenes From a Hat," "Party Quirks," "Duet," and "Sideways Scene," usually from thematic suggestions from the live studio audience and occasionally involving a few lucky participants. Longtime cast members Ryan Stiles, Colin Mochrie, and Wayne Brady are joined by a rotating line-up of guest performers in the latest version of the series.
Is it any good?
QUALITY
Riotously funny and unpredictable at every turn, Whose Line Is It Anyway? continuously sets new standards for comedy. Whether you're watching 20-year-old British episodes or brand-new American ones, the off-the-cuff laughs are guaranteed to amuse. There's no faking the brilliance of these performers, and because the games and set-ups change each episode, there's nothing redundant about the content.
Not surprisingly, though, this kind of entertainment often comes at the cost of some pretty mature subject matter, and the mostly male cast has a lot of fun working in allusions to penis and breast size, sexual orientation, and a host of other topics that will raise some eyebrows, not to mention the implications of games that put the performers in compromising physical positions. Exercise caution with regard to your tweens, but for older teens and other adults, it's hard to beat this laugh-out-loud classic.
Families can talk about...
Families can talk about the issue of what stretches the boundaries of comedy. When is a joke taken too far? Why is sexual comedy so enticing to the actors -- and the audience?
Is stereotyping a necessary evil in comedy? Where is the line between funny and hurtful, especially when someone is the subject of impersonation?
What accounts for a show's sustainability? Does this series' style have a longer lifespan than the average sitcom does? If so, why? How are the comedians able to keep the jokes so fresh?
TV details
| Cast: | Colin Mochrie, Ryan Stiles, Wayne Brady |
| Networks: | ABC Family, CW |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Topics: | Music and sing-along |
| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Available on: | DVD, Streaming |
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QUALITY
Ryan Stiles is my favorite!!
There is no way anyone can watch this and not laugh until you pee your pants! One of the funniest things in the world is to watch people do improvisation. These guys do it so well. The millions of things they make up off the top of their heads is mind-blowing. Sexual stuff does get a little risque at times, but not all the time though. At times there's minor language as well. Sometimes they even get the audience in on the skits! Wouldn't that be fun to do?
What other families should know
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Great role models
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QUALITY
HA HA HA HA LOL ROFL LMAO ehh.....
I'm sorry this show is hilaroius
"My name is Horton
and I just met a ***"
-Wayne
Anyways, this show is hilarious and apporipiate for child 9 or 10,and because by now kids in your area say **** and ***! So really nice, but the sex is not apopiate, but I'm sure all of you parents by now told your children about sex (and if your a comedian how good it felt).
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QUALITY
A funny show, but parents be ready with that mute button.
This is a hilarious show with great laughs for everyone, but be warned the innuendo can get pretty bad. Parents, if you're showing this to younger kids, stay on that mute button or be ready to change the channel cause you will need to filter it.
What other families should know
Too much sex
Too much swearing
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