NBC has ordered six episodes of celebrity improv competition Thank God You're Here. The series, which was originally produced in Australia, is being described as Whose Line is it Anyway? meets Let's Make a Deal. Celebrity guests will choose one of several doors to open. Behind each door, a comedy sketch they know nothing about is being performed. Whether they stumble into an operating room, a motorcycle race or an undersea adventure, they'll be greeted by the line, "Thank God you're here!" From that point, the celeb is on his or her own. Their performances will be judged by Kids in the Hall alum Dave Foley and host David Alan Grier.If nothing else, the show will reveal who - without the help of teleprompters, cue cards and heavy scripting - couldn't act their way out of a paper bag. It was all too obvious from Thursday night's Colbert-O'Reilly switch-a-roo who spent his formative years at Second City absorbing the "yes, and..." rule and who equates "thinking on his feet" with a set of fresh talking points. The Thank God You're Here pilot, which was filmed back in November, featured American Pie's Jennifer Coolidge, Malcolm in the Middle's Bryan Cranston, The Soup's Joel McHale and Seinfeld's Wayne Knight (aka Newman). Production on the remaining episodes will begin in February.
You can read more about NBC's programming plans in Joel's TCA report on NBC prez Kevin Reilly.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-20-2007 @ 2:24PM
Bob Jones said...
Sounds like a very interesting show - Colbert and Conan O'Brien would do incredibly well, I'd love to see David Letterman do it- he'd trip over his words, well - more than he already does.
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1-20-2007 @ 6:45PM
David said...
So the last story was they were thinknig about picking the show up and this is the news that the show is picked up?
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1-21-2007 @ 1:18AM
Edward said...
I'm an Australian and this show is absolutely brilliant, one of the best shows out there. The serious, drama actors tend to be the best and the wittiest/funniest, while the comedy actors and stand-up comedians don't do as well, which is the exact opposite of what you think would happen. I guess stand-ups aren't very good at true improv. Really glad that Australia actually exported a format/concept instead of importing it...that has gotta be a first.
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1-21-2007 @ 11:42AM
Anita said...
P.S. You forgot to mention that David Alan Grier is an alum of the sketch comedy show 'In Living Color'. I think having both Daves as host and judge speaks well for the show considering their comedy backgrounds.
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1-22-2007 @ 3:47AM
Francis said...
Thank God You're Here is the funniest show I have seen in years. And its really good that Australia is finally exporting a television concept that other countries like.
The second season just finished in Australia a few months ago, and its so funny. Just adding to what Edward said above, I'm Australian as well and I find those serious actors are more funnier than the professional comedians.
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1-28-2007 @ 7:11AM
TheJoemeister said...
Maybe NBC can put this with The Office and Kath & Kim in their "Naturalized Comedy Block" (Note the spelling for extra hilarity!).
Also, they don't choose one of many doors, because they're already dressed in costume.
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2-22-2007 @ 12:25PM
kellie said...
I went to the taping of the 2nd episode and it was really funny. it was a different experience in the audience. in the last scene, some stuff happened that they probably won't air, but I'm glad I got to see it. this show is going to be great.
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