Folklore: Wayne Brady on Drew Carey show

Subject: Folklore: Wayne Brady on Drew Carey show
From: mg
Date: 06 Apr 03 - 10:00 PM

does anyone else think he is an absolute genious? Have you seen him do these instant songs and they come out sounding like they have been around forever....in all sorts of different styles...I just wonder how people get to be that smart...mg

Subject: RE: Folklore: Wayne Brady on Drew Carey show
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Apr 03 - 10:12 PM

He is a master at improv, isn't he, Mary? He had his own show last year, for a brief time. I don't know if he'll have it again or not, but I am amazed at his talent and he can dance, too!! His very first show of his own, his grandma was in the audience and he sang to her. It was so neat.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Wayne Brady on Drew Carey show
From: Blackcatter
Date: 06 Apr 03 - 10:21 PM

I'm a big fan too, but remember that he's been doing the singing for years. Improv takes both talent and a lot of practice.

He got his start at SAK Theater here in Downtown Orlando back in the late 80's. Seen him dozens of time and even then singing was what he was best known for. He helped lead an improv class I took back in 1991 or so.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Wayne Brady on Drew Carey show
From: winniemih
Date: 07 Apr 03 - 12:06 PM

I also think that the man has a genius for improv, and a great voice to boot. He also has a gift for mimicry. For me the high point of That improv show (can't remember the name) is Wayne Brady's songs.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Wayne Brady on Drew Carey show
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Apr 03 - 04:13 PM

Lucky you, Blackcatter!!

winniemih, it's Whose Line Is It, Anyway? based on a BBC show of the same name, different host.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Wayne Brady on Drew Carey show
From: Cluin
Date: 07 Apr 03 - 05:19 PM

...and the only instance I've seen where the American adaptation of a BBC comedy show was better than (or even as good as) the original.

It's mainly because the host is so much better: better timing, better sense of humour.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Wayne Brady on Drew Carey show
From: Marc
Date: 07 Apr 03 - 05:48 PM

I bet the Brits think the original is better. Culturaly their humor just has a different timing than ours. Although I have to agree I think the American version is better. Wayne Brady is brilliant, but those two Canadians are pretty GD funny, and they were with both versions.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Wayne Brady on Drew Carey show
From: Blackcatter
Date: 07 Apr 03 - 06:03 PM

Clive Anderson, I think, was the host of the Brit version. He's a pretty dry wit which is what makes Drew Carey stand out in this sort of a show.

The improv itself is pretty similar - what it actually is, is different execises comedians do to get better at being funny on their feet. There has been a version of the format running for years in Orlando called "Theatresports" that was originally developed in Toronto, I believe.

I love the fact that several of the Brit shows' "contestants" have been regulars on the U.S. show.

One thing that worked better in the Brit version was the "scoring" bit. Carey doesn't really do anything with it where Anderson made it pretty funny awarding various points for various things in each round.

I like that Laura Hall is the keyboardist on the U.S. show as well, I've had a thing for her for years . . .


And yes, it may appear that I know too much about this, but I've worked for SAK Theater in Orlando over a decade ago and have spent a lot of time with improv comedians.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Wayne Brady on Drew Carey show
From: Bardford
Date: 07 Apr 03 - 06:34 PM

Blackcatter - Theatresports was the brainchild of Keith Johnstone, who is the guy behind The Loose Moose Theatre Company in Calgary. He was involved in improv in England before he came to Canada.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Wayne Brady on Drew Carey show
From: Beccy
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 09:00 AM

Wayne Brady is not just a comic genius, he's also a musical genius. It's nice to have someone with REAL talent gracing our airwaves.

Beccy

Subject: RE: Folklore: Wayne Brady on Drew Carey show
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 10:47 AM

We really enjoyed Anderson's hosting and love that some of the BBC version people came over to the one with Carey.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Wayne Brady on Drew Carey show
From: Blackcatter
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 06:04 PM

Thanks Bardford.

I knew it was from somewhere in Canada - I couldn't remember where.