Whose Line Is It Anyway? is a short-form improvisational comedy TV show. Originally a British radio programme, it moved to television in 1988 as a series made for the UK's Channel 4, for a 10 series run. Following the conclusion of the British run in 1998, ABC began airing a version with the same name for an American audience, which lasted ten seasons. The show consists of a panel of four performers who create characters, scenes and songs on the spot, in the style of short-form improvisation games, many taken from theatresports. Topics for the games are based on either audience suggestions... or predetermined prompts from the host. Both the British and the American shows ostensibly take the form of a game show with the host arbitrarily assigning points and likewise choosing a winner at the end of each episode. However, the show lacks the true stakes and competition of a game show . The "game show" format is simply part of the comedy. Each typical television episode of Whose Line Is It Anyway? featured four performers who sit in a line of chairs at the back of the stage.
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