Recently in Improv Category

If you haven't already heard, the new improv show on GSN is going to be called 'Drew Carey's Improv-A-Ganza'! It is set to premiere on Monday, March 28th, 2011, and it will be shown during a primetime slot (the exact airtime and how frequently it will be shown is not yet known).

A little over two weeks ago, I made an announcement that the new Whose Line-esque improv pilot that had been filmed in Las Vegas last February had been picked up by The Game Show Network, and was set to begin airing episodes in spring of next year. If you missed this post or want to re-read it, simply scroll down a bit.

I am writing you all now with a bit of an update! I have found out the official cast list for the show. Yes, I sent some emails, made some phone calls, and was able to get my hands on it. (I found it out about a week ago, and announced it elsewhere, but procrastinated announcing it on my own sites. If you have already heard about the cast list from elsewhere, just know that they got it from me.) It includes a vast majority of the U.S. Whose Line old guard, a few folks from Drew Carey Show / Green Screen Show, and a couple of new faces as well:

Greg Proops 

Drew Carey
Ryan Stiles
Chip Esten
Jeff B. Davis
Sean Masterson
Kathy Kinney
Heather Anne Campbell (new - was in promo footage)
Allison Bosma (See January 10th 2011 Post)
Jonathan Magnum
Colin Mochrie
Brad Sherwood

The show will also occasionally include surprise guest stars.

However, how the cast will work is still unknown. Mr. Proops is telling me that the details are still yet to be hashed out completely; no one knows who all is filming on what days (or if it's going to be the entire cast). Colin and Brad tour with their two man show, and a few of their tour show dates conflict with the filming schedule (specifically January 15th, 20th, and 22nd). So either they will not be filming those days, or they will have to reschedule those tour dates. We shall have to see!

The new show is also going to be filmed in Las Vegas, at the MGM Grand. It will be shot over the course of three weekends - January 13th - 16th 2011 (4 nights, 7 tapings), January 20th - 22nd 2011 (3 nights, 6 tapings), and February 3rd - 6th 2011 (4 nights, 4 tapings).

The show still currently remains nameless, too - though I am speculating that there's a good chance it's just going to be called 'Drew Carey And The Improv Allstars'. But I could easily be wrong in that department.

Hope everyone is getting excited for the new series!

Some of you might recall that earlier this year, back in February, I made a very tantalizing announcement... that there was a possibility that "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" would be returning to television, but in the form of the live show "Improv Allstars". I had been fortunate enough to be a part of and witness the pilot for the new show, and since then, I have been keeping very close tabs on any and all news I could obtain concerning it.

It seemed like such a long shot. No one thought it would actually get picked up and become reality. We all had our doubts, and yet, we sat patiently with fingers crossed.

Well, the waiting is over, and it is time to celebrate and spread the cheer...

The pilot for the new improv show, featuring Drew Carey and the stars from Whose Line, has officially been picked up by The Game Show Network (GSN), and will air in the spring of 2011!

Yes, you heard me right! The new show is happening!! It is momentous indeed, for it is the closest thing to a Whose Line revival that we will ever get. The new series (which has yet to be named) will include forty episodes (yes, forty!), half hour in length, all of which will be filmed at the MGM Grand Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, beginning January 13th 2011.

Though it is unclear at this point in time who all will be involved and featured on the new show, we can assuredly assume that Greg Proops will be a part of it. The other individuals who were a part of the original pilot were Ryan Stiles, Kathy Kinney, Chip Esten, Jeff B. Davis, Jonathan Magnum, and new face Heather Anne Campbell. (But just because these performers were a part of the pilot, doesn't necessarily mean that they will be a part of the new show - though we think that it is fairly safe to say that they will be.) All we can tell you is this: articles are claiming that the new show will feature a rotating cast of 'Drew Carey's improv friends' and some special 'guest stars'.

The format of the pilot was Improv Allstars. A host of the games played included Freeze Tag, Sentences, Fairytale, Change, Film And Theatre Styles, Forward Reverse, Moving People, Sound Effects, and Greatest Hits (just to name a few). Improv Allstars - like the other touring live shows featuring the men from Whose Line - does not have a points system. There is no person behind a desk with a buzzer. The games are short form, but they aren't rapid fire (such as Hats or Props were). However, this being said, we still cannot determine if the actual show is going to be based off of how the pilot was, or if changes are going to be implemented. It has been said, however, that there will be no pre-determined suggestions - everything will come straight from the audience (as how it is with the live shows).

If you don't have GSN on your cable or satellite, and you would love to see the show, never fear - we will do our best to host the episodes on the site for you to be able to download and watch. However, because the show is brand new, ratings will likely be important, and we highly encourage each and every fan of Greg and Whose Line and comedy and improv in general to support the new show. It will need all of the love it can get so that it survives for more than just a single season (let's not see it go south the way Green Screen Show did). Please help us spread the word about the new show. Tell it to your family, friends, neighbors, strangers in a cafe, wherever, whenever. We went this news to spread like wildfire, both on the internet, and by word of mouth. This is an important and exciting opportunity for both the fans and the performers. Let's make certain it becomes something special and well-loved.

We will be sure to keep everyone posted with updates on the show as it develops! Until then!

Below is the current list for Greg's live appearances, whether it be with standup, Whose Live Anyway?, or The Greg Proops Chat Show.

- June 9th 2009 -
What: Standup - San Francisco Comedy Night
Venue: The Hollywood Improv
Where: Hollywood, California
Time: 8:00 PM
Price: $14
Tickets: Go Here To Get Your Tickets Now

- June 11th - 14th 2009 -
What: Standup
Venue: Laughing Skull Lounge
Where: Atlanta, Georgia
Time: Thursday @ 8:00 PM & 10:00 PM, Friday @ 8:00 PM & 10:00 PM, Saturday @ 8:00 PM & 10:00 PM, Sunday @ 7:00 PM & 9:00 PM
Price: Thursday & Sunday Shows: $25.00 - $28.00, Friday & Saturday Shows: $30.00 - $33.00
Tickets: You Can Purchase Tickets Online Here
Notes: You Must Be 18 Or Older To Attend

- June 20th 2009 -
What: Improv With Chip Esten With Optionetics 2009 Oasis Trading Conference
Venue: Santa Clara Convention Center
Where: Santa Clara, California
Time: 8:00 PM
Price: See Registration Prices And Options Here.
Tickets: You Must Register Here In Order To Attend This Event
Notes: This Is A Special Business Conference And Not A Normal Show. Only Those A Part Of The Company in Question Or Interested In Trading Should Register For The Three-Day Event. Must Be 18 Or Older To Register.

- June 20th 2009 -
What: The Greg Proops Chat Show
Venue: Largo At The Coronet
Where: Los Angeles, California
Time: 9:00 PM
Price: $25
Tickets: Tickets Can Be Purchased Via Phone By Calling (310) 855-0350
Notes: Schedule Conflict! This Is Currently Slated For The Same Day As Optionetics Conference. It Is Likely That This Date Will Change. The Guest List Has Yet To Be Announced

- June 27th 2009 -
What: Whose Live Anyway?
Venue: Power Center for the Performing Arts - University of Michigan
Where: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Time: 5:00 PM & 8:00 PM
Price: Section A: $55, Section B: $50, Section C: $45, Section D: $40
Tickets: Go Here To Get Your Tickets

- July 17th - 18th 2009 -
What: Standup
Venue: Comix Comedy Club
Where: New York City, New York
Time: 8:00 PM & 10:30 PM Both Friday & Saturday Night
Price: Advance Tickets: $30 Day Of Show Tickets: $35
Tickets: Click This Link To Get Your Tickets Now
Notes: You Must Be 18 Or Older To Attend This Show.

- August 7th - 8th 2009 -
What: Standup
Venue: The Comedy Spot
Where: Scottsdale, Arizona
Time: Friday @ 8 PM & 10 PM, Saturday @ 8 PM & 10 PM
Price: $16
Tickets: Scroll Down To Order Your Tickets Via Paypal Here
Notes: You Must Be 21 Or Older To Attend This Show.

- August 19th 2009 -
What: Standup
Venue: The Pipeline Cafe'
Where: Honolulu, Hawaii
Time: Currently Unknown
Price: Currently Unknown
Tickets: Currently Unavailable

- August 28th - 29th 2009 -
What: Standup
Venue: Comedy Works Comedy Club At The Landmark
Where: Denver, Colorado
Time: Friday @ 7:30 PM & 9:30 PM, Saturday @ 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM
Price: Currently Unknown
Tickets: Tickets Go On Sales Tuesday, June 22nd. Tickets Can Be Purchased Via Phone By Calling 303-595-3637.
Notes: You Must Be 18 Or Older To Attend This Show.

- September 15th, 2009 -
What: Improv With Sean Masterson For TechPoint 2009
Venue: The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa
Where: Bonita Springs, Florida
Time: 9:00 PM
Price: Currently Unknown
Tickets: Currently Unavailable
Notes: This is a private event for suppliers and retailers only.

- October 15th, 2009 -
What: Whose Live Anyway?
Venue: To Be Announced
Where: To Be Announced
Time: To Be Announced
Price: To Be Announced
Tickets: To Be Announced

- October 16th, 2009 -
What: Whose Live Anyway?
Venue: Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Where: Indiana, Pennsylvania
Time: Currently Unknown
Price: Currently Unknown
Tickets: Tickets Are Not Yet Available

- October 17th, 2009 -
What: Whose Live Anyway?
Venue: The Palace Theatre
Where: Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Time: Currently Unknown
Price: Currently Unknown
Tickets: Tickets Are Not Yet Available

- October 18th, 2009 -
What: Whose Live Anyway?
Venue: Living Arts Centre
Where: Mississauga, Ontario
Time: Currently Unknown
Price: Currently Unknown
Tickets: Tickets Are Not Yet Available

- November 21st, 2009 -
What: Whose Live Anyway?
Venue: The Moore Theatre
Where: Seattle, Washington
Time: Currently Unknown
Price: Currently Unknown
Tickets: Tickets Are Not Yet Available

- April 3rd, 2010 -
What: Whose Live Anyway?
Venue: Christopher Cohan Performing Arts Center
Where: San Luis Obispo, California
Time: Currently Unknown
Price: Currently Unknown
Tickets: Tickets Are Not Yet Available

- April 24th, 2010 -
What: Whose Live Anyway?
Venue: To Be Announced
Where: To Be Announced
Time: To Be Announced
Price: To Be Announced
Tickets: To Be Announced

- April 25th, 2010 -
What: Whose Live Anyway?
Venue: To Be Announced
Where: To Be Announced
Time: To Be Announced
Price: To Be Announced
Tickets: To Be Announced

- April 29th, 2010 -
What: Whose Live Anyway?
Venue: Forest Hills Fine Arts Center
Where: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Time: Currently Unknown
Price: Currently Unknown
Tickets: Tickets Are Not Yet Available

- April 30th, 2010 -
What: Whose Live Anyway?
Venue: Governors State University
Where: University Park, Illinois
Time: Currently Unknown
Price: Currently Unknown
Tickets: Tickets Are Not Yet Available

- May 1st, 2010 -
What: Whose Live Anyway?
Venue: North Shore Centre for the Performing Arts
Where: Center East Skokie, Illinois
Time: Currently Unknown
Price: Currently Unknown
Tickets: Tickets Are Not Yet Available

- May 6th, 2010 -
What: Whose Live Anyway?
Venue: Paramount Center
Where: Rutland, Vermont
Time: Currently Unknown
Price: Currently Unknown
Tickets: Tickets Are Not Yet Available

- May 7th, 2010 -
What: Whose Live Anyway?
Venue: Mayo Center for the Performing Arts
Where: Morristown, New Jersey
Time: Currently Unknown
Price: Currently Unknown
Tickets: Tickets Are Not Yet Available