Whose Line Is It Anyway?: Pilot

Whose Line Is It Anyway?: Pilot
Channel 4
16 December 1988
Improv Game Show
DVD
C+

Clive introduces this episode, as he did the ones for the compilations, although here he claims his twin brother is hosting and looking very uncomfortable.  Clive was never a very smooth host (which is part of his charm), but he is noticeably more awkward here.  Other than the historical interest, including a completely different set, there's not any strong reason to watch this, but there are some nice moments, like when one-timer Jon Glover makes his "June the 25th, Christmas Day" joke in Authors.  And his Film Dub with Jimmy over Phantom Empire might make you chuckle.

Whose Line Is It Anyway? in its first series ranges from C- to B, averaging out to right on the C+/B- border.  The show hasn't jelled yet but there are some promising performers and interesting teams already.  The second series (which wouldn't start for another eleven months) would carry over some of the performers while adding in new ones.  The format would be mostly the same though, and, for instance, 1.10 resembles 2.1 more than it does this Pilot.