Page "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" Paragraph 1

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 ( by design ).

The " game show " format is simply part of the comedy.