Saturday, January 17, 2009

Whose Line Is It Anyway?

I was watching this show called Whose Like Is It Anyway on my pop up tv a little while ago. Ok, ok, maybe not a pop up tv, just your regular old free second hand tv given by your boss ... hehehe ...

The show happens to be one of my favourite shows since way back when they first aired it over here. I think they're currently running repeats of the show, apparently a season I haven't seen before. How many of you have seen this show? It's an excellent show where a group of stand up comedians act out scenes given by the audience.

For those of you who have seen this show, you'd probably know what I mean and for those of you who haven't, you can always catch it on Astro channel 711 at 9.30pm on Saturdays. Trust me, you'll come away laughing. The show is hosted by Drew Carey and they have a regular panel of 4 comedians consisting of Wayne Grady, Colin Mochrie, Ryan Stiles and one other person who changes every week.

And the quality of these guys are incredible. They way they spontaneously come up with jokes, scenarios, songs and impersonations are absolutely rib tickling that whenever this show is on I try not to miss it. Colin and Ryan are my favourites by the way.

And that brings me to our own local stand up comedians. I happened to watch this local show called 'Raja Lawak' (loosely translated - King of Laughs), a reality show about finding the ultimate comedian. Let me tell you that the quality of contestants in the show are absolutely horrible. They're not funny. They lack talent. And most of all, for a show called 'Raja Lawak', they most certainly lack the most important ingredient, the laugh factor!

None of them had it in them to be comedians. They just tried all kinds of slap stick nonsense to get some laugh and ended up being pathetic. Half the time, no make that all the time, I didn't understand a single word they said and their supposedly punch line deliveries were totally of the mark. I was more embarrassed for them that they probably were!

The thing with Malaysian shows is they lack originality, talent and entertainment value. Granted, there are some that are pretty good but most of them really shouldn't even be aired at all. Half the time, they try to copy some US show or series and end up doing a horrendous job with it.

I don't think I've seen an original show over here that the premise for it hasn't been ripped off some US tv series or something. Back when they were showing Three's Company, they had something here very similar to that show with the same plot. And many more copy cat shows that I can't even remember. These days, when Grey's Anatomy is all the rage, we have something called Ampang Medikal with characters cast in the same veins as those from Grey's.

And what gets me is the acting. It's so fake and pathetic and often times get on my nerves! Which is one reason why I seldom watch any of our local shows. Especially the current ones. Back when I was young, they had much more original shows and way better actors like the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee whose shows were a joy to watch.

I can still remember, the whole family would gather in the hall every Friday night cos that would be movie night and we'd all enjoy every minute of the movies with him acting in it. In fact I still do watch the reruns of his shows even till this very day.

Now, that was a time when Malaysian tv actually had original story lines and not something copied from a current series or movie. The shows or dramas back then were unique, varied and fun to watch. The comedies were even better and actually had me rolling on the floor in laughter unlike the ones today. Those were the days when I would have been proud to watch a local show.

Not these days though. Sometimes the only reason I watch a local show is just to see how bad it is ... LOL!
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49 comments:

  1. Ha! I'm first. I know it's late, but happy new year Nick!

    I've always enjoyed watching Whose Line. I think the people on the show are absolutely marvelous! Totally creative, totally funny!

    I haven't been watching Malaysian tv (or tv in general for that matter!), but from what I remember, we have a long way to go to catch up in terms of quality content, instead of just rehashing the soppy love stories, slap-stick comedies, and so-called action movies.

    Originality please!

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  2. The stars of Whose Line have not all performed stand up. They are Improv actors. Also, it is Wayne Brady, not Grady.

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  3. I love Whose Line too! Everyone is just so crazy funnee!!

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  4. I love Whose Line so much! Gets me laughing even on a bad day!!

    And don't get me started on Ampang Medikal. Hah! I even wrote a whole post on them comparing the two promo posters.. It really really is a total knockoff of Grey's.

    Anyways, don't be surprised, but TV2 has some really good dramas that really surprised me. Since we haven't gotten our Astro in USJ, we have seen some pretty good shows on our local TV. Don't give up on them yet! LOL!

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  5. This was one of my fav show during my college years XD It's so random XD

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  6. I used to catch Whose Line Is it Anyway? but not now. Yeah, the comedians are pure talent and very spontaneous. I admired them,telling you the truth!

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  7. I love Whose Line, and is one of the very few shows that I'm willing to download via the net just to see it. Excellent stuff!

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  8. I love the guys on Who's Line Is It Anyway! Expecially the part where they would have to sing - soo hilarious :)

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  9. I agree with you,Raja Lawak show is sooo terrible!

    On the other hand, I never got bored of watching those Bujang Lapuk series..they still make me laugh eventhough I've watched it so many times. :)

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  10. yeah..who's line is it anyway?one of my very favourite show..i love that show very much..the 4 of them very talented...i don't know why even with a simple show which don't need so much accommodation, and sometime they don't use any back up tools,but still they can make a very entertaining joke..i am very impress with them especially the black man(forgot his name)..heheh..not only can make us laugh but also good in singing..just give a line...everything can be a new joke..amazing!!!!

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  11. eh, i love whose line too!! Best..but the raja lawak..hmm that one can buang la..wasting time saja tu and 100% true on malaysian drama and show langsung tak original! eeeee...

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  12. I don't watch any local stuff period. It's got too much cringe factor for me. hehehe...

    I used to watch Whose Line religiously, but nowadays I watch Last Comic Standing. And if I'm on youtube, I watch Russell Peters.

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  13. Oh, I absolutely love Whose Line Is It Anyway! I just think those comedians are so talented. Why, they even manage to create a song spontaneously with all the funny lyrics!

    I agree with you that most of our local shows sucks. I also wonder how come the actors back in those days were much better and more natural. I thought things should be improving and not moving backwards! : )

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  14. Hi Nick! B loves this show too, I only watch it if I happen to be in the room when he's watching it. ;)

    Have not seen this medikal show, and don plan to now LOL! ;)

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  15. Hello

    Sorry I've not been about for a while. I've watched whose line is it anyway in the UK and laughed out loud and envied their wit and quick thinking!

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  16. Hi Nick,
    Now u understand why I give most local 'talent' show a wide berth and preferably not know anything abt it because it is simply to embarassing to admit that I am also a Msian!

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  17. Ampang Medikal? That's funny! :) I gotta go Youtube and find out how bad it is.

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  18. i was about to mention the ugly Medikal story (copy cat of Grey's) and noticed shemah already mentioned that..so yeah!! nowadays TV shows are pretty boring..i don't really watch them anymore..! But P.ramlee movies are still my fav until now..

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  19. ampang what? :P

    like i said in one of ur previous entry, i have not been watching TV much of late. so whats good on TV now?

    i hope the new season of House will be airing on TV soon. thats the only thing able to get me glued to the couch so far.

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  20. Perry - Hey, it's been a while, Happy New Year to you too :D

    A long way to go is putting it mildly! I agree with you, originality please!

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  21. Anonymous - Well pardon me for the typo! I stand corrected. Brady it is! Sheeessshhhhhh !!!

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  22. Rozella - It's a great show isn't it? I laugh myself crazy every time I watch this show.

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  23. Shemah - I agree. It gets me laughing every time too :D

    Actually I haven't seen the show. I read about it in some blogs and how it was a rip off and all that. I don't think I wanna do it justice to even bother checking it out ... LOL!

    Granted, there are some pretty great local shows but I think I can count them on the fingers of one hand ... hehehe ...

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  24. Maslight - I remember waking up early every Saturday morning at one time a few years ago just to catch this show. This was way before Astro.

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  25. Rose - It's the spontaneity that has me glued to the show even till today :D

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  26. Gallivanter - Excellent stuff, right on :D Hmmm, maybe I should go and download the show too.

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  27. Sriyany - The singing part always has me spellbound ... hehehe ...

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  28. Mama Mia - So you've seen how bad Raja Lawak is too, huh? LOL!

    Oh, the Bujang Lapuk series is just awesome. I still laugh away hysterically whenever I watch it :D

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  29. Sweet-Girlicious - I have to agree, it is a simple show, yet it's so hilarious the way it's done. The talent these guys have are just awesome!

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  30. Kadazan Bonita - Raja Lawak should change its name to Raja Sungguh Membosankan ... hahaha ...

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  31. Perky - Cringe factor ... hahaha ... nicely said!

    Last Comic Standing is also a cool show. Unfortunately it clashed with some other show the kids wanna watch.

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  32. Foongpc - Good to see everyone loves that show :D

    You know, I think Malaysia is the only country that progresses in reverse. Instead of getting better, we get worse!

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  33. Marzie - Yeah don't bother even checking out Ampang Medikal. I know I haven't ... hahaha ...

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  34. The World According To Me - Hey, no worries :D

    It's an awesome show. I can't get enough of it :D

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  35. Tammy - Funny is an understatement. It's hilarious :D

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  36. Jen - LOL! I know what you mean. But to be fair, there are some really good local shows, just that they're too few and too far between ...

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  37. Kadus Mama - It seems everyone knows what a rip off Ampang Medikal is ... LOL!

    And P.Ramlee shows are really excellent. I wish we had more actors like him around.

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  38. Hapi - I'm quite 'hapi' with my fav icon ... LOL! But thanks anyway :D

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  39. The Real Mother Hen - Go and YouTube it, I'm sure you'll see what I mean about it being a rip off ... hehehe ...

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  40. Carol - To be honest Carol, there really isn't anything worthwhile watching on TV these days.

    You know, strange as it may seem, I've never ever caught a single episode of house! Must try and catch the new season :D

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  41. We've got a show here that sounds very similar. It's called Thank God You're Here. They have various different sets and four different comedians have to just wing it with the actors on the sets. The actors know the story but the comedians don't. They put them in all kinds of ridiculous situations and it always amazes me how quick they are at thinking on their feet. I would be SO hopeless at that.

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  42. Drew Carey is hilarious. I like him very much.

    Grey's Anatomy really rocks!!! :o)

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  43. I *heart* Whose Line Is It Anyway?

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  44. Cidao - Yeah, I even enjoyed his' The Drew Carey Show' ... he's just so talented :D

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  45. Romany Angel - That's really what I like about the show, the spontaneity of it all. Pretty talented bunch of people if you ask me :D

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  46. Meleah - Way to go :D It's great to know that everyone loves the show ...

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  47. I love who's line! Classic! My fave has gotta be the one with Robin Williams. I love when they do props and scenes from the hat! Oh, and dubbing! Cracks me up every time.

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  48. Syura - Scenes from a hat cracks me up too. I wish i was as spontaneous as them :D

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