Whose Line Is It Anyway?/Characters

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.


The characters larger-than-life performers of Whose Line Is It Anyway?.

UK side:

Clive Anderson

"What kind of fairy tales have lesbians in them?!"

The original host of the show, from the early simplistic UK seasons to the more elaborate studio version as it slowly morphed into the format that fans of the US run are familiar with.

Tropes associated with Clive:
  • Amoral Attorney: The players sometimes called attention to Clive's legal background and suggested he was one.
  • Butt Monkey: At least once a season, someone will go "hello, I'm Clive Anderson" before getting buzzed out.
  • Catch Phrase:
    • "The winner shall now read the credits in a style of my choosing... it remains to me now to thank our contestants... thisismeCliveAndersonsayinggoodnight,goodnight!"
    • (at the end of Film Dub) "Bonus points for actually getting the original dialogue..."
    • (at the end of Stand Sit Bend) "One of my favourite games, but it's not much fun on your own..."
  • Do Not Explain the Joke: Elephants packing for a holiday. Packing their trunks, I suppose.
  • Deadpan Snarker: Not even the audience is spared, as he will pick at the more ridiculous suggestions they give him.
  • Department of Redundancy Department: "Our next round is called 'Different Games', because different games are played in this round..."
    • When introducing Props: "The contestants will be split into two pairs of two..."
  • Foe Yay: with Greg Proops. To quote a related interview:

Clive: But there is a bit of a falling out here, because, having made you the big star that you are by bringing you on--you've gone off with another man! You've gone off to America to do the American version of Whose Line, which is exactly the same as the British version, except I don't introduce it!
Greg: Well, you know, Drew Carey hosts that one, and he's a bit different than you. He's very gentle. But, you know, Clive, I like it rough.

  • Kick the Dog: "Unfortunately that was a non-scoring round..."
  • Mondegreen: He often misheard audience suggestions for film and theatre styles as nonsense phrases ("Bearded Collie", "Fifty" for Disney, "Mwah Mwah" for Braveheart, etc.) and sometimes even actually used these as styles to give the players a real challenge.
  • Motor Mouth
  • The Napoleon: While Clive's actual height in comparison to the players never comes up, his wideset build and noticeable... lack of a neck qualifies him for this trope.
  • Not So Stoic: Getting him to crack up is a challenge of sorts. The US players, being US players, went to town in this aspect.
  • Self-Deprecation: At some point Clive learned how to get out of the bald and 'neck' jokes... by doing them first.
  • Sitcom Arch Nemesis with Greg Proops (see below)
  • Take That: Once after declaring the winner of the game to be Tony Slattery, he assigned him to read the credits in the style of a comedian who was constantly cracking up while trying to tell a joke. Tony was not amused.
  • Take That, Audience!: Often mocked the audience during the "Film and Theatre Styles" round for suggesting low-brow and proletarian styles from TV. To be fair, so do some of the players.

John Sessions

Known for being the first regular performer, John is still, hands down, the most knowledgeable performer in the show's history... sadly, he would be better known for his somewhat misguided application of said knowledge, while paving the way for the ones we would come to know as the legends of Whose Line.

Tropes associated with John:
  • The Ace
  • Achilles' Heel: Sure he had his references down pat, and he pulled off a credible Leonard Cohen during one Song Styles, but the one thing that would always be a problem for him was the actual improvisation. Seriously, he messed up a couple of the guessing games by giving the answer away.
  • The Cast Showoff
  • Cloudcuckoolander: Intentional or not, John's habit for ignoring the buzzer and carrying on one of his spiels was legendary.
  • Large Ham
    • Hoist by His Own Petard: Season 2 episode 12 had a new guest performer, Chris Langham, who could give John a run for his money.

Clive: (after holding the buzzer down for some time) "Are you doing this in the style of two deaf actors?..."


Archie Hahn

The first American performer ever in the UK version.

Tropes associated with Archie:

Josie Lawrence

"You're travelling with Air Bunkup!"

The first regular female player, and fondly remembered as one of the most versatile.

Tropes associated with Josie:

Paul Merton

"...slaphead."

Known for being one of the legends of the UK run - even if he seemed out of touch for the most of it. Known mostly for his quick, deadpan wit and generally being a Jerkass to the other contestants (Played for Laughs of course).

Tropes associated with Paul:

Clive: And next we have Paul Merton, whose radiant, smiling face... we have yet to see.

Tony Slattery

"Hello, is this Clive Anderson Ties Limited? Yes, I think you should shut down. Bye."

Known for being the other legend of the UK run - US fans, imagine Brad's sense of humor, Wayne's energy and Colin's inhibitions in one package.

Tropes associated with Tony:

Clive: * playing Scenes from a Hat* "Robin Hood selecting his merry men."
Tony: * comes out in the middle of the stage with the other (male) performers, and throws his arms out flamboyantly* "I'll have all of you!"

  • The Cast Showoff: He was pulling dance moves long before Wayne Brady.
    • He was also very good at the Hoedown game, and was often given the very last spot in these games whenever he played. (The creators actually have come out saying the last spot on Hoedown is the hardest. It gives the most time to think, but if the player can't think of something funny, then the entire game feels like a waste of time.)
  • Downer Ending: He was fired after a bad episode in season seven. After this, he had a nervous breakdown.
    • To clarify: Tony began suffering from severe bipolar disorder a few years before he was fired, and, instead of seeking professional help, he turned to drugs and alcohol instead as a form of self-medication. It didn't work. His career was the only thing keeping him even remotely sane. Eventually, though, he did begin seeking professional help, and now he's sobered up and gradually easing back into show business (occasionally he performs live improv with the Comedy Store Players, including Paul, Josie, and Steve), so it's not a complete downer.
  • Early-Bird Cameo: Eagle-eyed viewers can spot him in the audience in the very first episode.
  • Embarrassing Middle Name: Not only does Tony have two middle names, but one of them is "Declan." [Pronounced like "Dek-lin" not "The Clan".]
  • Face Palm: Tony had a very nice one when the audience suggested and Clive told him to make up a song about him being in love with an inflatable pig.
  • Hoist by His Own Petard: when Caroline Quentin (below) became one of the first players (the first lady even) to get his goat.
  • I Was Quite a Fashion Victim: It says a lot that the end of his tenure was marked by some of the most unflattering outfits in the show's history.
  • Large Ham
  • Lovable Sex Maniac: To the extent of whatever passed for Memetic Mutation in those days.
  • The Napoleon: It's not obvious till much later that Tony really is one of the shortest players on the stage, especially after more Americans join in.
    • It's not so much that Tony is short (he's 5'11") more than everyone else is giant. Even Josie, the female performer who appeared the most, is 5'10"!
  • Precision F-Strike: After a particularly disastrous playing of Party Quirks, Tony yelled "Oh, well, FUCK OFF!" at Clive...consequently losing every point he'd ever won on the show up to that point. We all know The Points Mean Nothing, but damn.
  • Red Oni, Blue Oni with Paul Merton
  • Refuge in Audacity: Some of the dirtiest lines on the show are attributed to Tony.
  • Running Gag: Sneaking a Vomit Discretion Shot into any session of Props.
  • Sesquipedalian Loquaciousness: Occasionally. For example, during one Party Quirks, Greg was playing a "compulsive liar." Tony guessed that he was a "inveterate bullshitter."
  • Suspiciously Similar Substitute: Tony was suggested as a replacement for Stephen Fry when Stephen backed out of becoming a regular on the show. The producers were skeptical, but he quickly won them over.
  • Take That: Tony's occasional throwing out of the name Patricia, rumored to be an old girlfriend of his. Also note some of his initial guesses.

Greg: * playing a Surfer* "Dude, what's up, broheim? Screaming flat, man! Look, shredding snacks! Whoo!" * 'surfs' over to the 'snack table' while humming a surfing tune*
Tony: Are you Margaret Rutherford?

  • This Is Sparta: "Shut. Your. Face."
  • What the Hell, Hero?: When playing film and theater styles, Clive would sometimes give the style: "Musical." If that happened, Tony would say to the other: "You know a song about that don't you? Well, off you go then!" Only Greg Proops was able to give a good response by encouraging the audience members to sing with him.
    • Encouraging. Thaaaat is what we call it.

Greg: "SING, DAMN IT!"

Mike McShane

"Here's your keys and HERE'S YOUR LUNCH!!"

There have been US guests before Mike of course, but Mike stands out for being the most versatile - and well, being the most.

Tropes associated with Mike:
  • Acrofatic: He will bust out the dance steps if needed.
  • The Big Guy
  • Hey, It's That Guy!: Mike was Friar Tuck to Kevin Costner's Robin Hood - and scores major points for getting the accent right.
    • He was also the therapist who dies of a heart attack in Office Space.
    • It's the mechanic from Brotherly Love!
    • It's the wacky professor from the Richie Rich live-action movie!
    • Hey, It's That Voice!: And for the more geekily-inclined among us, he was also the voice of Cid (Rikku's father as well as the leader of the Al Bhed and the Fahrenheit's captain) in Final Fantasy X.
  • Hypocritical Humor: Mike once made a bald joke about Clive. Clive wasted no time in pointing out the hypocrisy in this when he has a noticeable bald patch as well.

"[By] early rock 'n' roll, do you mean at this point in your hairline or at this point in your hairline?"

  • I Resemble That Remark: When suggesting a song for a Bartender game, a member of the audience suggested Mike was drinking to forget a problem with his diet. He fired back with: "Wow, all these weight references, I've never heard them before. Get some original material."
  • Large Ham
  • Nakama: Rumor has it that Mike quit the show when Tony Slattery was fired during season seven in a display of camaraderie and to protest how Tony was treated by the producers. He did however make one more guest appearance on the show in season nine.
  • Playing Against Type: He often did female roles, long before Colin became known for it.
  • Reality Subtext: He returned for one last appearance in UK season 9, and during "Weird Newscasters" his character was "fired and it's his last day at work".

Sandi Toksvig

I've got lots and lots of scarlet fishes. That's nothing to do with the party, that's a red herring. (audience groans)

The diminutive and strangely gruff-voiced Danish addition to the cast is known for being more than just the second female regular.

Tropes associated with Sandi:

"Well it's not a problem, you just pull down the periscope. You just pull... (Jumps to try to reach it)

Jim Sweeney

As a semi-regular, Jim may only be remembered for bringing his colleague Steve Steen onto the show - which is a pity, because he holds his own remarkably well against the regulars.

Tropes associated with Jim Sweeney:
  • Creator Backlash: Admitted a few years ago on Myspace that he never really cared much for Whose Line. He explained that while it was fun to do, true improv should never be seen more than once, as would be the case for live shows. He said that Whose Line loses its quality if you watch reruns because you already know what's going to happen, and there's no spontaneity.
  • Deadpan Snarker
  • Eighties Hair
  • Keet: The real reason he brought his longtime partner Steve Steen on the show - their chemistry. Partner Jim with someone else, and the building nervousness makes him look like he's been shooting up on caffeine.

Jim: "Well, I have to go..."
Greg: "Yes, I know you have to leave now, to see the... musical instruments..."
Jim: (beat) "...Xanadu was a really bad film, wasn't it?!"

Steve Steen

Tropes associated with Steve Steen:

Steve Frost

"You're goin' 'ome in a BLEEDIN' AMBULANCE!!"

Huge, balding and gruff of voice, with eyebrows you could lose a man in, Steve may be the most intimidating comedian ever.

Tropes associated with Steve Frost:
  • Achilles' Heel: Steve was especially bad at the Hoedown game. He had a terrible sense of rhythm and his rhymes made no sense.

Steve: When I was a young man, I went to my friend's house for tea. Well he was growing up too fast, he was going through puberty. He had hairs on his top lip, and underneath his arms. His mother came in and caught us kissing. And... joined in.

    • It doesn't help that he was almost always in the first spot, which meant he got basically no time to think of a verse.
      • He had a third spot in one of the first games he appeared on. One would think he was moved to the first spot because the producers realized the extra time didn't help him.
  • Ass Shove: Steve pretending to pull on a long rubber glove is usually a sign for Clive to hit the buzzer.
  • Bald of Awesome
  • Big Ol' Eyebrows
  • Boisterous Bruiser: To the extent that his turn on "Weird Newscasters" as a "soccer fan" started becoming disturbingly realistic.

"...ENGLAAAAND! ENGLAAAAND!!" *takes his seat and starts swinging it around*

  • Cool Old Guy: You really get the feeling that Colin and Ryan were basically his understudies during his tenure.
  • Face of a Thug
  • Make Me Wanna Shout: He's known for his very loud and sharp whistle, able to cut right through the pace of whatever act he was in.
  • Memetic Outfit: It's been speculated that those baggy Hawaiian shirts were all they had in his size...
  • Refuge in Audacity: He actually lowered his pants for a laugh twice.
  • Stock Characters: Jimmy Saville ("Now then now then now then!")
  • Violent Glaswegian: Practically oozes this.
  • You Fail Biology Forever: During the vasectomy hoedown, Steve described the procedure as: "Gonna cut your balls off, and put 'em in a jar!"

Rory Bremner

(as John Major) "I must say, it makes a difference taking the piss out of myself..."

Specialising in impressions, Rory enjoyed a semi-regular run on this show before moving on to Mock the Week.

Tropes associated with Rory:
  • Catch Phrase: Ironically, none are actually his own. He's known to have milked Murray Walker's "Look! At! That!" a few times.
  • Man of a Thousand Voices
  • Nerd Glasses: Actually carried a pair for his more specific impressions.
  • Spotlight-Stealing Squad: Rory won many of the games he appeared on. He was also always given a chance to show off an impression he was good at, or another subject he knew about. See for example the Tory Politicians Hoedown, which was the topic when the other three contestants were two Americans and a Canadian. Greg is able to show off his UK politics knowledge, but Colin and Ryan just sort of flounder.
  • Stock Characters: Implied to have a dozen, but his British politicians and Eagle Land acts come to mind.
  • Take That: His impressions of co-stars can be pretty spot on, check out his takes on Tony and Clive.

Caroline Quentin

Clive: "...in this scene, you are a woman in labor, and Tony is the father of th..."
Caroline: "I'll be the judge of that!"

Despite joining the UK lineup relatively late, Caroline's talent and chemistry with Josie has created some moments to remember.

Tropes associated with Caroline:

Richard Vranch

Colleagues with Paul and Josie (all hailing from The Comedy Store Players) prior to Whose Line, Richard is best known for being the musician for the UK series.

Tropes associated with Richard Vranch:
  • Memetic Outfit: How often is he seen without those earphones of his?
  • Omnidisciplinary Scientist: He slings a guitar alongside that piano, and there's a synthesiser on top and probably some other musical implements behind it.
    • He's also literally a scientist. He has a doctorate in physics from Cambridge University.
  • Suspiciously Apropos Music: He's also known for impromptu piano playing to flavor up the non-musical games.
  • The Voiceless: Richard Vranch rarely spoke during all of his years on the show. He did smile and occasionally move his head though.

US side:

Drew Carey

"Welcome to Whose Line Is It Anyway, where the points don't matter, that's right, the points are like the plot of a porn movie, they don't matter!"

Known for already having an eponymous sitcom, Drew went with his co-star Ryan's idea of adapting this show for US audiences - and the rest, as they say, is history.

Tropes associated with Drew:

Greg Proops

"Yes Mister Patronising Barrister, we do have trampolines in America..."

One of the best-known US regulars in the UK run, not just for the cartoony voice but for the number of times it's been directed at Clive. Whether it was Clive's relative inaction during the UK run, or his habit of condescending cracks at the US players, or both, it's turned Greg vs Clive into the best known Running Gag (the distinguishing aspect even) of the late UK run.

Tropes associated with Greg:

"It's a 'Come as a Greg Proops joke' party. Ocelot! Ocelot! Nehehehehehe--God, you're bald, Clive."

  • Totally Radical: Looking back, his early appearances have shades of this; it's hard to tell how much of it is self-mockery/exaggeration and how much is genuinely what hip Californians talked like then...
    • It's self-mockery AND accurate. If you've seen his solo act, most of his jokes revolve around how dumb stereotypical Californians sound.
  • Viewers are Morons: After failing to get a laugh with the joke: "Wow Alice, there are two Cheshire Cats!" he indignantly yelled out: "It's called a book!"
    • He's done that more than once.

Ryan Stiles

"That's Right, I'LL respect YOU in the MOOORNIIING!!"

From early in the UK run to the last episode of the US run, Ryan Stiles has become a staple of the show, its driving force in more ways than one as he gets an Exec Producer credit for helping bring it to the US.

Tropes associated with Ryan:
  • The Ace: With a bit of The Big Guy thrown in.
  • Butt Monkey: Meta-example - from being fed with the weirdest suggestions in the cards to being fed with pretty much anything by Colin in Helping Hands.

"I'm just leaving a little time here so everyone can read the novel that is my suggestion..."

  • Covert Pervert: It's been noted out that he's by far more familiar with certain subjects than he'll own up to.

(After Greg guessed that Ryan was a "70s Porn Star Dude")
Drew: That's close enough... (lets Greg see the answer)
Greg: (reads) ""A Series Of Delivery Guys In Porn Films"?"

Ryan: "I had to just, think about what that's be like cos I've never... ahem..."

Colin: "...AAAAHAHAHAHA!..."

"Lemme just say that this Spanish Colonel has some Italian in him..."

  • Rule of Funny: To the extent that the nickname "Anything-for-a-Laugh" has been used in-universe on the show.

Drew: They are curiously strong when you pop them all in your mouth at once.

Colin Mochrie

"Monkey monkey chew the butter / See my buttocks, they've better,
batter, patoota / patoota monkey monkey!
Look! There's a gerbil! / I'm going up and down!
60 Minutes, where are you? / Here's an expose for you!
*gibberish*"

A regular towards the end of the UK run, Colin quickly became a crowd favorite for all the right reasons (and a few wrong ones).

Tropes associated with Colin:
  • Achilles' Heel: Any music-based game - except possibly the Irish Drinking Song.
    • Colin has admitted the Hoedown is the only game in which he feels real fear while playing.
    • Colin often freezes in "If You Know What I Mean", but he has his moments, like "I'll help you fluff your Garfield, if you know what I mean.".
    • He's often implied on-camera to having difficulty with impersonations (usually deferring to a general Walter Brennan western accent whenever it comes time to do one), and thus seems hesitant whenever participating in "Questionable Impressions".

Colin: (steps up onto the stage, speaking in his normal voice) Got anything for Craig T. Nelson?

"You big... poo-head!"

Brad Sherwood

"This just in, Wayne's got a fig old futt."

Joining as a semi-regular late in the UK run, having appeared in a few of the earlier episodes, Brad stands out not just physically but for his distinctly fratboy-juvenile style of humor.

Tropes associated with Brad:
  • The Big Guy
  • Large Ham
  • Lovable Sex Maniac: "Did you see the jugs of that girl in row 4?"
  • Made of Iron: Brad's deliberate pratfalls have a disturbingly loud thump.
    • Falling on his front while wearing a Lapel mic can have that effect.
  • Pungeon Master: Not quite to Colin's extent, but he's known to throw in some serious groaners here and there.
  • Refuge in Audacity: The game "If You Know What I Mean" is a specialty of his.

"I hope my husband licks Bush tonight..."

    • Unintentional in this clip's Hoedown, when he was called out for mentioning "pu-pu platter".
    • From an Olympic-themed "If You Know What I Mean", "There's nothing better than a 200 lb snatch if you know what I mean...", which prompted Ryan to say "That's never gonna make it to air, if you know what I mean..."
  • Spiritual Successor to Tony Slattery
  • Toilet Humor: "Goodbye, beautiful. FLUSH."

Wayne Brady

Ryan: "Hey Wayne, can I borrow your butt for the weekend?"
Wayne: "Sorry my brutha, you gots to get your own."

Not just a staple of the US run, but quite possibly one of the most talented people on television. He sings. He dances. He has a repertoire of stock impressions. He's inhumanly fit and flexible to the point of replicating Looney Tunes stunts in live action. Did we mention he can sing?

Tropes associated with Wayne:

Wayne: Why do I have to lead the African chant?

  • Verbal Tic: Next time Wayne sings, see how long it takes him to hit on the word "because". Here's a hint: it's usually as soon as he opens his mouth.
  • Viewers are Morons: Has happened to Wayne a few times:

Wayne: (during "Scenes From a Hat") Yea! The two revenuers from Verona approacheth! (dead silence) Read a book, people!

Karen Maruyama

"I would take you to sporting goods store, and buy some pingpong balls and keep you up aaaall niiight!"

The only Asian player in the history of Whose Line. Karen is known for playing up her few strengths as far as she can (in essence, a female Colin).

Tropes associated with Karen:

Denny Siegel

"Pork rinds?! I'm having a heart attack..."

In simple terms, Denny is an all-rounded performer and very much one of the guys.

Tropes associated with Denny:

Kathy Greenwood

"I do not dance for the likes of you, get your stinking hands off meeEEEEEEEE..."

Debuting in US season 2, Kathy is officially the best known of all the Whose Line US women, thanks primarily to more appearances.

Tropes associated with Kathy:

"I do not dance for the likes of you." * laughter explodes, then...*
"You're from Canada aren't you?" "Chè, and me mother is from Swëëden."

Colin: "This just in: all dogs in a five-mile area go deaf."

  • Dumb Blonde: She was not good at some of the guessing games - Ryan's neon tube accident was a direct result of getting the other two right early while taking too long with his.

Drew: "His what keeps sticking to what, Kathy?"
Kathy: "Your head is... velcro?"
Drew: "Close enough." *buzzes* [2]

    • Although in fairness, many of Ryan's quirks are rather tough to determine.
  • The Smurfette Principle: First regular female for the US run
    • Actually, Denny Siegel preceded her.
  • Three Faces of Eve: Kathy is Sweet.

Chip Esten

"...if you come down this weekend you can drive off the lot with Colin Mochrie right here! There's some wear on the tread here, that can be replaced for no extra charge..."

After appearing late in the UK run, Chip rejoined the US in season 2, but the audience warmed up to him very quickly. You can't go wrong with looks and talent in equal amounts, as Wayne already proved.

Tropes associated with Chip:

My wife caught me with a prostitute
She came into the room and she began to shoot
And then she went and yelled all around the town
I know there's more prostitutes; I guess that's one hoe down.

Jeff Davis

"Jack please, please don't leave me, don't leave me I beg/I will not leave you, Rose, I've frozen my leg/You've frozen your leg?/I've frozen my leg..."

The last new player added to the US run in season 3, Jeff turned out to be versatile enough to earn regular status.

Tropes associated with Jeff:

Laura Hall

"...It's very hard to explain..."

The charming female pianist actually appeared first in the last leg of the UK run - again, the rest is history.

Tropes associated with Laura Hall:

Linda Taylor

To add versatility to the music center of the show, guitarist Linda was added to Laura's corner - enforcing a noticeable trend of female-only musicians (later eps would have brass specialists Cece Worral-Rubin or Anne King joining in.)

Tropes associated with Linda Taylor:
  1. ↑ He's ticklish.
  2. ↑ The card read "Carol Channing whose head keeps sticking to things"
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