The British version is WAAAY better.
I hate the ones where they have to sing. I cringe with embarrassment until it’s over.
British one by a longshot. I hated when I figured out that I seen all of the British one on Comedy Central. I watched the American one for the first season or two, but find the reruns and new episodes mostly unwatchable now. Bland and they all run together.
I also liked the variety of comedians on the UK version. If there are so few people who can do this kind of improv well (the reason the regulars of the US edition give in interviews), then why are there so many improv groups in America and Canada? Do they all suck?
Clive was way better than Drew as host, just the right mix of stogginess, indignation and sly wit. I’ll take one of his spats with Greg Proops (who I usually hate) over one more “Drew’s fat/rich/on two shows/sleeps with strippers/unfunny” joke any day.
The UK version’s humor was much wittier. Does the American public even read enough to get why a game like “Authors” can be funny? Yeah, John Sessions comes across as a smug asshole, but he could be a funny smug asshole. Paul Merton proved you didn’t have to always go highbrow to make the game funny.
And hands off Josie Lawrence! She’s MINE do you hear?! MINE, ALL MINE!!! Oooo, Funny and sexy, come to daddy!
I’ll second that. It’s horrid. The ONLY one I’ve ever found funny was when Wayne was singing about some lunch lady. I almost wet myself on that one. Other than that, I can’t stand to watch the songs because I’m so mortified for them.
Bah, authors was a terrible game. Vert rarely funny, usually just tedious, especially with Sessions since he never tried to be funny or witty, his whole goal was to simply act. Even in the UK version it was ditched in favor of Remote Control.
My favorite Josie bit and the reason I’m rather fond of her is when she apologized to her parents and swore she never watched any porn after having to play a bit about Swedish porn … in Film and theatre styles I believe. So cute.
The British version is far better. I can only list one reason that hasn’t been given already: the audience. The American audience drives me up the wall - hooting and cheering like maniacs. It’s waaaay over the top, and no doubt prompted by the show’s big shots. Sometimes it’s like listening to an episode of “Married With Children.”
Especially with Drew unfunnuy yet always there joke about the winner “doing something with him” at the end of the show.
Come on man, try something different each time!
And he also says “I don’t know why” which prompts me to wonder “Did you ever watch the original show? Ask Ryan or Colin they were on it for YEARS!”
I guess I just have a weird sense of humor, but I always liked “Authors”, as well as “Remote Control”. I remember cracking up the first time I saw Sessions doing whatever the mundane topic was in the style of Anthony Burgess. The changing of writing styles, or TV shows, while staying on the same subject is what made it funny to me. Paul Merton doing the AAA Motor Guide or some fluffy fashion magazine mixed in with the choices of the other comics was another reason I liked it.
Well I guess I was a bit harsh there. Certainly people did like it and you are not alone. Afterall it was played almost 40 times.
But I never enjoyed it. It just isolated the players too much. Plus it was more genre then style they focused on. And Clive always seemed to stop them just when they were getting going, it was very jarring.
Here’s a Q.
How many radio programs were there and are there any sites that have them? I heard a bit of one once. It had an interview with Clive and gave a short clip of the radio program. I’d love to get ahold of it.
Which only just beats out the time she bit Tony’s finger in helping hands and he grabbed one of her boobs in revenge. Man did she bite him.
From one of their US vs UK tirades:
Greg: Oh my! Such hostility! When is it ever going to end?
Clive: When you give us back the Colonies.
I remember this one. It was maybe 3 years ago. Colin had the quirk of being a skier who kept running into things, so he’d lift up one leg to make it look like he just ran into a tree (it’s hard to describe). And then Ryan came in (I think he was supposed to be a colt, but that’s a minor detail) and dropped down so it looked like Colin was giving birth to him. It was one of the few times I’ve laughed myself into tears.
Oh, and I think the US version has gotten more boring and repetitive as it’s gone on–the first season or two were much more varied and funny.
I like the British epsisodes a bit better only because Clive would cut them off before the skit got too tedious.
Drew seems to let them keep going until it starts getting less funny.
I prefer the shorter games to the longer ones, obviously.
World’s worst, props, scenes from a hat and dating videos are among my faves.
Oh, and Laura Hall. I know she doesn’t get to say anything. But she’s just sooooo cute and her hands are sooooo talented.
rooowwwwwrr!
I like the British version better, primarily due to Clive Anderson. A much sharper, drier wit – as opposed to the “Hey, look at me! Pay attention to me!” style of Drew Carey.
Though there have definitely been some good moments on the American version. And I agree with sleestak – Ryan as the foal being born – I thought I’d wet my pants!
Some Favorite skits:
- Scenes from a hat
- Sound Effects (the old version, with Ryan doing sounds and Colin miming the scene)
- Props
- Party Quirks
- Film Noir Scene
Least Favorites
- Hoedown – they do this way too often
- Song Styles – used to be good, but they need to pick new styles. Tired of seeing the same impersonations of the Village People, and Tina Turner…
- News Flash (the “Colin in front of the green screen” game). It’s pretty much the same all the time, with the notable exception of the one in which they put footage of Colin behind Colin – that was funny!
- Helping Hands – this turns into the same old schtick. It’s a fun summer camp sketch, but it’s not really that great as improv, since we all know Ryan will get food all over his face, and Drew will stand to the side trying to steal some of the laughs and not succeeding.
Favorite Newer Games (i.e. I don’t recall seeing on the British version)
- Three-Headed Broadway Star – (as long as Drew is not in it – except for the one where he sang a whole phrase, instead of one word, and then he lost it…)
- I don’t remember the name of it, but it’s the game where two of the performers are allowed to use only 2 lines in the entire scene.
I agree that the British version is funnier. . . because it’s naughtier! The American version is too Disney-fied. That’s what you get when you’re on ABC now!
I love Clive Anderson. He’s such a dork.
Ryan and Colin are the kings of the improv stage.
Ane Wayne Brady is awesome!
Wayne Brady is tired. They need new blood on there, and Wayne needs to stop relying on the same old same old and find some new schtick.
Hmm, while watching it lsat night on Fox Family, or was it Wednesday, well anyway, I noticed something. Drew’s introduction was exactly the same as the one used the day before. Same intro, different show. Sigh, come on Drew