Whose Line Is It Anyway..?

[stellabambino.livejournal.com]

(Cross-Posted to dragon_con)

Greetings folks,

I'm the loon that runs not only the British Media Track , but also that crazy guy that puts on the Annual Whose Line Is It Anyway tournament. If you've never seen it, you've missed some pretty funny participants in the past, and I strongly recommend going to see at least the Final this year.

My reason to pimp myself like this? Not only were people asking if I were going to have it this year, but I have come to a difficult decsion with the tournament. I've decided that this year, is going to be the last year for the tournament how we currently know it.

Since 1999 I've been in charge of British Media, and had some form of Whose Line since then. Matter of fact, there used to be a whopping fifteen hours of programming that was Whose Line, and that's been cut by a third to ten.

Next year, it's going to be cut dramatically to around two hours worth of programming.

The reason behind this is, I've been doing this for seven years, come this year and as the host of almost every round ever done at Dragon*Con, I'm getting burned out. Though that's not the only reason. There is quite a bit more the British Media track could be doing, but ten hours worth of programming has been tied up with Whose Line.

Next year, it will be Open-Mic style, probably Saturday evening, and we'll have those interested do a game or two, and attempt to get the four best out of that to eliminate a 'Winner.' I realize that Whose Line is an all time favorite for some folks, and if I hear enough 'No Don't Get Rid Of It!' I'll entertain the idea of keeping it, or cutting it in half, having four rounds and a final.

EDIT: I will be hosting all the rounds this year, because I want to keep the rounds consistant. Years back, we used to switch hosts for the rounds, and it just didn't work. The energy wasn't there. I appricate the offers of help and the 'Can't someone else give you a break' but I'd rather have the same energy over all the rounds, then swap out folks.

Thanks for your time,

Mike Leneski
Director, British Media

Comments

[dpassmor.livejournal.com]

Don't get rid of it. It's a damn good time. I understand the burnout but man... it's only once a year. ;)

[stellabambino.livejournal.com]

Sure you say 'It's only once a year' but do ten hours of it a year, for seven years and then get back to me :)

[paranatural.livejournal.com]

I've been going to the Whose Line track since I started going to DragonCon in 2000. You'd probably recognize me, if not like me. You know how damn packed the room always gets, it's a blast. I can understand being burnt out on it, but there are other people in the British Media track, eh? Maybe just let someone else run it for a bit? I can understand cutting back, but I'd suggest not crippling it completely. Four rounds and a final would be enough.

[stellabambino.livejournal.com]

See, it's more then the 'Whose Line' track, there's a lot more going on then just that with British Media. Yes, there are other folks who could watch over it - but think of it this way.

I'm Clive Anderson, and the next guy is Drew Carey.

Do you really want that?

[nyreak.livejournal.com]

*nearly spits drink on the screen in an effort not to laugh*

Good one there, Mike. No, we definitely don't want a Drew Carey. Ew. Just, ew.

[stellabambino.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'll be here all week!

[chaosrunner.livejournal.com]

I'll admit that it's one of my favorite things about con every year (even if I'll never get to the finals [damn you, T!]) but if you're burnt out on it, then at the very least, it should go on hiatus. Those of us who love it will understand. Maybe. ;)

[itanya-blade.livejournal.com]

I loved in 1999 when you started it and when I returned to the con in 2004, it was even better.

I'd love to see it continue.

[stellabambino.livejournal.com]

as I've said it will be around in some sort of format next year.

[itanya-blade.livejournal.com]

That works for me. Like I typed before, I understand how you feel.

I also trust what you'll do with the track. It's been safe in your hands for this long. The British Track will continue to be safe.

[(Anonymous)]

Don't get rid of it. Appoint someone else to watch over it if need be, but don't get rid of it. Whose Line is amazing and should definitely be preserved.

[stellabambino.livejournal.com]

What ever happens to it, it's not going to be totally gone. The incarnation that it currently is in however, will be. Things change, but there will be some sort of Whose Line next year.

[jason-bond-69.livejournal.com]

Here's an idea: why not scout out possible co-hosts during the competition itself for next year to fill in for you? It's a thought.

I would much rather keep things as is, but I also understand that it can burn you out.

If you do decide to do as you propose next year, I would prefer a three or four hour extravaganza, or break it up over two nights with two hour sessions.

This'll be my first D*C, and I plan on attending each session of this if I can, but the semis and final I have already put down in ink in my schedule.

[stellabambino.livejournal.com]

There are usually people helping me 'score' and suggesting games. I also have someone bring in props.

As I mentioned, years back we had roatating hosts, and it just didn't work. The energy just fell - so I'd rather be burned out then have what people come to see not be funny.

Plus, I have it spaced out enough this year that I am getting breaks.

You know, instead of attending you can compete. we've had folks who didn't think they'd make it past first round win the tournament.

[itanya-blade.livejournal.com]

And you've had fools like me who are lucky they survived the first round. :P

[itanya-blade.livejournal.com]

And I mean survived.. as in lived not got onto the next round... thought I should clear that up

[jason-bond-69.livejournal.com]

I can understand that. Perhaps if you just had semifinals and a finals next year instead of just a single round, and had the semis on Friday and Saturday and Sunday for the finals?

I have thought about competing, but since this is my first D*C, I've wanted to try and just take in as much as I can. Then again, I don't know what my mood will be like when I get down there, so I may decide to compete after all.

Either way, I can't wait to see how it turns out!

[stellabambino.livejournal.com]

Here's the thing - How do you have just a semi final and final, without rounds to see who goes into the semi final and final? We'd be picking favorites.

Unless I am misunderstanding what you are saying.

There's a lot going on at D*Con, and I remember my first Dragon Con, before i was a director. You'll probably wind up not sleeping much - so I suggest Needcoffee's Gonzo Film Fest on Sunday.

[jason-bond-69.livejournal.com]

Well, you could have sign-ups on, say, Friday before the first semi and those who couldn't fit into the Friday night semis would go into the Saturday night semis. Make it a first come, first served basis.

I'll have to check that out. I'm not planning on getting much sleep during the convention, so I'll probably have to check that out! lol

[raoin.livejournal.com]

no dont get rid of it!!

[stellabambino.livejournal.com]

You just like seeing Patrick make a fool of himself :)

[childofmetis.livejournal.com]

Uh, duh?

Is Bob helping out this year? He and I used to game together but I haven't heard from him in about a year.
Maybe you haven't either, actually.

[stellabambino.livejournal.com]

Bob in the Hat ?

yeah he's helping out again this year.

[raoin.livejournal.com]

well duh. i get to see him make a fool of himself all the time in private. its even better in public when i can realize its not just me who finds him hilarious.

[raoin.livejournal.com]

plus i told patrick about you not being sure of wanting a co-host for fear of lacking the vim of a single host... he's like "why not me? I could co-host... probably."

its not like he's going to win the damn thing every year... jesus i hope not, i'll never hear the end of it... and we really dont participate in much else at the con.

[sketchington.livejournal.com]

Fun times, man.

[stellabambino.livejournal.com]

You say this because you won in 2003.

Thanks

[ragnarok-2012.livejournal.com]

Whose Line is consistently one of my favorite things at Dragon Con. I first came to Dragon Con in 2001, and I've been coming to Dragon Con (and Whose Line) ever since. Last year's finals (& the opening act) rocked.

Just wanted to say thanks.

Re: Thanks

[stellabambino.livejournal.com]

Glad to know we're doing a good job.

You're welcome, be sure to catch this year, as it may be the last great Whose Line.

[starlady42.livejournal.com]

It sounds to me like there are two main issues:

1) host burnout
2) time needed to schedule the event

I can't answer as to the first issue, but as to the second, would it be possible to invite other tracks to co-sponsor Whose Line? I know it's a "british media" thing, but perhaps the burden of finding all those time slots could be spread around a little (American SFM and Main programming come to mind, and I'd bet some other tracks would be amenable to scheduling slots, particularly if they could "theme" them to their own fandom). Just a wild thought.

[stellabambino.livejournal.com]

There is already a Buffy 'Whose Line' - but ask yourself, do you want it one place, or do you want in many? Do you want it themed, or blanket Improv, like the show is?

The best idea I've heard - 'Comedy Track' or 'Interactive Events'
but the problem here is space.

[imperialnova.livejournal.com]

Encore. Not "Uncle!"

[djbnaut.livejournal.com]

Christ, Stella. Certainly you've found SOMEONE over the years worthy enough to take over as official host of the Whose Line panels/competition. I agree. It does need cutting back a smidge. An entry tier that looks like NCAA March Madness is a tad much. Rotating hosts is a no-no. We learned that cuz we wound up with hosts that 1) Couldn't keep the audience's attention, 2) Didn't know squat bout the rules of the games done on TV, 3) Couldn't communicate with the audience/players properly, and/or 4) Didn't know what was collectively funny if it sat on their faces and wiggled. Replace the host and go take a nap in your hotel room. Quit being a control fanatic. Get someone VERY qualified that meets all four of the above criteria and chill.

Yeah, we've heard enough rectum jokes to last us a lifetime, but so what? It's been a solid attraction for years. If it weren't for the WLIIA? Tournament, we would never have golden nuggets like The Violated Pikachu, Stan's DVD Review, or T never being able to stay dry. (Golden nuggets of what? Eh...You decide.)

Plus, on a personal note...If you kill Whose line, I'm officially out of a job.

Re: Encore. Not "Uncle!"

[chaosrunner.livejournal.com]

We can't have that.

[gaidig.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for all of your hard work over the years, it's been a lot of fun!

In the future, might there be any chance of procuring some Main programming time for the final? If you reduce it to a very small number of slots, the numnber of people wanting to attend any one of those is going to go up, and I, for one, wouldn't want to be forced to miss out. A big room would be happy.

[stellabambino.livejournal.com]

Well the final is always in a larger-room. This year instead of Regency V, it's in International N.

So far as what happens next year, I am aware of the possible spike of attendance and will speak to my Senior Directors about a 'larger room'

The best way for us to get a 'larger room' is for you to be very nice and poliete and tell Dragon*Con you'd like to see us in a 'larger room'

The more fans we have (that are nice about it) the better chances we have. Also, it doesn't hurt to attend the panels, and have your friends swing by as well :)

[clayrobeson.livejournal.com]

Talk to me about being your Drew Carey, dude.

Even though I have Clive's hairline... :)