The Colin Mochrie Interview

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Please tell me as much as you can about your audition. Was Dan Patterson present? What were you made to do? Did you feel it went well?

My first audition was in 1989. Dan Patterson and his coproducers were on the first leg of their NORTH AMERICAN AUDITION TOUR. There were four of us and the audition lasted two hours. We did games like Authors, Rap, Old job/New Job, World's Worst, Musical, Freeze, Film and Theater Styles and others that I can't recall. It went fine for me, but it wasn't spectacular because everyone auditioning was good friends so we were very polite with one another. I didn't get it. The next year I had just moved to L.A. and another audition was held. This one was about 4 hours long. I didn't know anyone I was auditioning with so I was ruthless. This time I got it.

How did you get into improv? Is improv comedy your favorite thing to do? If not,where does it rank?

I was working as an actor in Vancouver when I heard that there was an exhibition of something called Theatresports where two teams of improvisers played against each other. The second I saw it I wanted to do it. I signed up for classes and started doing it full time. Improv is my favorite thing to do. You don't need a lot of preparation. It is almost always done with good friends so it's always fun. And it is a great adrenaline rush.

What is going through your mind as you are performing?

I can't really tell you what's going through my mind when I do improv. I'm basically concentrating on what the other person is doing trying to further a scene or build on a joke. When the scene is dying what is going through my mind is unprintable.

Who do you think is the funniest person on the show? That is, who makes you laugh the hardest?

Everyone on the show has made me laugh at some time. Everyone has their different strengths and different comic points of view. I would have to say that I consistently laugh at Stephen Frost, partly because he has so much fun doing it. And of course, Brad is a woman which just makes me sad.

Did Clive or any of the "regulars" say anything to you or give you any advice before your first show?

No. The first show was very hard because I met Mike, Tony, and Sandi for the first time a couple hours before we did it. Although everyone was very nice to me, I felt like an outsider. Thankfully, since then everyone gets together for a workshop to try new games and to get to know each other.

What tips for improv would you give to a novice?

My tip to improvisers is to do it as much as you can. It really is a muscle that constantly needs toning. You get rusty very quickly. Also, see as much improv as you can. See what works and what doesn't and why.

Do you have any amusing stories from your year/s on the show?

The only amusing anecdote is the time Tony split his pants. He was wearing no underwear and we had to stop taping while they were sewn up. His pants I mean.

What is/are your favorite game/s? Are there any games you have never gotten achance to try but would like to?

My favorite games are Sit, Stand, Bend, Secret, and Superheroes. I would like to do Alphabet.

What would you say is the hardest game (whether you've played it or not)?

For me, the hardest game is Sound Effects. It is hard to build a story by yourself with only Ryan's sound effects to help you. There are many times Ryan tries to lead me somewhere and I don't pick up on it and vice-versa. Dead Bodies is also difficult.

Do you have any control over what games you play?

We have no control over the games we play. We have input into games that haven't worked and we can bring new games to Dan's attention. Ryan and I brought Sit, Stand, Bend and I brought Dead Bodies. Brad brought New Choice.

What is/are the easiest game/s for you?

The easiest game for me is Helping Hands. Nothing to do except humiliate Ryan. It breaks me up when Ryan is complimented for his arm work in that game. Out of sight, out of mind.

Why do you think that WL is so incredibly popular? What do you think is the secret to its success?

I think that WL is popular for a couple of reasons. It's different from anything else on T.V. It's unpredictable. With some sitcoms you can tell the punchline before the actor says it. The audience is rarely talked down to. There's something for everyone: physical comedy, verbal comedy, parody, satire, music, zaniness. There is the excitement of a sporting event: Will they complete the game successfully? How will they deal with a difficult suggestion, etc. I think the bottom line it that it is funny.

What is your favorite or most memorable "fan" moment or incident?

I guess my favorite fan moment was the Whoser Convention. I knew there was a strong fan base but it was great to actually talk to the group and get their feedback on the show. And I got a T-shirt out of it.

Has anything ever been used in a game that really threw you? A film/theater style, superhero, etc.?

The only time I was thrown was on one of my first British WL. In Party Quirks I got on a Ghost Train which (is) apparently a type of amusement ride. I don't think I did very well.

Has an audience member ever really scared you during moving people?

A couple of times the people moving me have forgotten that my body moves in just so many directions at once, but no one person sticks out in my mind.

What is your personal approach to the different games?

In the musical games I tend to stall until I can plan something. In all the others I just go out there and play off the other people.

Tell me about improv. How do you do it? What you are feeling as you are doing it...how it compares to other types of comedy..

I don't' know how I do improv. I just go out there and play off what the other improvisers are doing. When it's going well there is no feeling like it. The adrenaline is pumping and you feel like you can do anything. It's like doing other types of comedy in that when you get a laugh it is intoxicating. Unlike other types of comedy though it has a constant rush of oxygen. There is no fear like it.

Do you notice any major differences in the American and British versions, things that the audience might not pick up on?

Aside from the hosts there really aren't any major differences between the two series. The only other thing I can think of is that the American Whose Line has an extra commercial break so the flow of the show is broken up a little more.

Please describe the following people in one or two sentences:

Colin Mochrie: The nicest guy on the show. Has the soul of a musical performer but not the equipment.

Ryan Stiles: The ultimate improviser. Is great verbally and physically and can sing. Never at a loss during a scene.

Brad Sherwood: The most under-rated on the show. Is very funny, great at songs and does great when hosting a game. Is really a woman.

Greg Proops: The smartest of the improvisers. Can talk on any subject. A big baseball fan and excellent at hosting.

Wayne Brady: A sweetheart. Excels at music games and does great character work. Loves doing sound effects.

Steve Frost: Like improvising with a big friendly dog. Is fully committed during scenes. Is great at Old Job/New Job.

Josie Lawrence: The show's sex symbol. Without trying to sound sexist, one of the few woman improvisers I know who doesn't care if she looks silly.

Mike McShane: A pussycat. Moves well for a man his size. Great singer and actor. Very, very supportive.

Tony Slattery: A true gentleman. Can be disgusting onstage but very funny. Very intelligent.

Clive Anderson: One of the wittiest men I know. Exactly the same offstage as on, except nicer to Greg in real life.

Dan Patterson: The Captain Ahab of improv. Totally obsessed with the show. Master of editing and totally nuts.