IamA improv musicians on Whose Line is it Anyway, Laura Hall & Linda Taylor

Maybe I'm typing in the wrong place...Laura, can you see me now? Check, check, is this thing on?

Hi Laura/Linda - I'm really enjoying the reboot, but I've noticed that there's a disturbingly low number of Hoedowns and Irish Drinking Songs...and by low, I mean NONE. Was this an Executive Producer decision by Mr. Ryan "If we do another hoedown, I'll slit my f*cking wrists" Stiles? Please tell me we can expect to see some in the future!

We've done a couple, never fear, but we don't know when they will ever air. If memory serves, we haven't yet done an Irish Drinking Song...

No Irish Drinking, but we did tape a few Hoe Downs. The editing Gods are in chargoe of whether they air or not.

Okay, what actually is the correct spelling of "HoeDown"? Two words or one? Excuse me while I google..

I don't think there is a correct spelling. The British producers used to spell it Ho Down, and that's definitely not right. I think it's up to the individual speller to improvise.

Who ya callin' Ho?

No no no you're supposed to answer questions.

Man, so many rules...

Are Colin and Ryan really best buddies?? pls tell me they are

They have been friends since high school I believe. And they worked together at Second City in Toronto back in the day.

How do you ladies feel about the new Whose Line shows now being focused so much around guest celebrities?

It doesn't thrill me. It feels like there's less time for improv since they're in so many games. And they are of mixed abilities improv wise.

Yea, Laura is right. We had a lot more music in the older shows and a lot more games. These feel cut to death to me. More commercials than anything. I'm amending my prior statement :>)

The guests are great, and we've had some really good ones, Lisa Leslie, Laila Ali, Kevin McHale...it's a new energy, I dig it

We have had some really great ones. And some not so great... I'm not naming names though, so don't ask.

You don't have to. We know.

Hahahahahahaha. So, it aired already then?

You're both sent back in time as Roman gladiators. Who survives the longest and why?

Linda for sure. She's way more badass than me.

Okay, I just spit my soda all over my keyboard.

Then my work here is done.

You owe me a Mac Book.

SHOOT. There goes tuition money.

A really new Mac Book fully loaded, maxed out RAM. And I've been meaning to try Logic Pro. (Extra $$$)

And I want a pony.

On another note: all the members of the Whose Line cast are sent back in time as Roman gladiators. Who survives longest and why?

Aisha, no contest. She owns badass.

Yeah, Aisha could kick us all around. with one hand tied behind her back

She's like 6'6" you know. Then she puts on heels. Oh, yea, she wins.

So she really is like her character in Archer?!

She was in the Archies???

What are your favorite and least favorite games to do the music for?

My favorites are Three Headed Singer and Song to an Audience Member, both because we get to stretch out a little more.

And my least favorite (I hate to say it, because everyone loves it) is the Hoe Down. On my end it's not very creatve, I play basically the same thing every time.

Amen.

We started doing "Scene To Rap", and I LOVE that one...anything where we get to do a little 'underscoring' is a blast...

On "Greatest Hits" I grow 50 more gray hairs and my heart rate doesn't return to normal until we're off camera.

Yeah, I forgot about Scene to Rap. It's really fun to play.

Alright, I'm fried. Thanks to everyone for being part of our iAMA experience! And keep watching the show, cause we want to keep working. My husband always says the reason I have that big smile when the camera pans over is because I'm the rare thing, a musician with a job!

thanks again!

Just wanted to say you girls rock

thank you very much. we try

Thank you. Rock On.

Hello! Has anything hilarious happened during the commercial break, that sticks out in your mind, that the home viewers would have missed?

Hmmm...well Ryan can get a little....uh....blue, humor-wise :>)

What do you mean by that?

I know, you'd never guess it from his on camera personality.

True, he is quite subtle.

Have you ever laughed so hard you couldn't play? If so what at?

H O W R D set to the tune of "Village People". :>) I'm sure it's on YouTube

That was such chaos...we couldn't even keep going.

Honestly, will they ever stop showing that one?

Hello! What are your musical backgrounds like? Did you play improvised music before Whose Line or was it something you developed for the show?

Also, how did you get involved with Whose Line?

As a pianist/guitarist myself, I found it incredible what you two did every night on that show. :)

I had lots of improv background at Second City Chicago and other improv theaters, but it was new for Linda.

We each auditioned. My audition came through a guy I'd toured with at Second City who became a producer on the show.

Man, I remember my audition... We were in a dance studio with Wayne and the producer, Dan Patterson. Wood floors, mirrors everywhere, no mic for Wayne, and Dan kept wanting to hear 'heavy metal'. Like I can do that at a whisper level! Oh well, we survived!

Wow! Have you ever acted in a scene for the show as well?

Thank you both for your responses!

I'm not really clearing a place on the mantel for my Emmy.

Yeah, can you imagine trying to keep up with Ryan, Colin or Wayne in an improv scene? It's death defying.

Nope. When you think about all the great improv actors there are in the world, why would they ask us, who are not actors at all?

Hello! For myself, just a normal working musician background, you know driving 500 miles for $100...that kind of thing...I know Laura is far more steeped in theatrical improv than I, but it seems to work!

Hey, nice having you ladies here! You're both awesome!

Are you enjoying the new season?

Do you think Aisha Tyler is a good fit as the new host?

It's fun and kind of wierd to be back. Some sort of deja vu. I think Aisha is a great host. I loved Drew, and Aisha has a totally different vibe, but I think she's great too.

Thank you! Laura has done an AMA before, so she knows what she's doing and i'm probably typing in the wrong place.

The new shows were great, kinda surreal, like we've never been gone. I think Aisha is terrific, I love her energy on the show.

You're doing great! I seriously consider the musical improv's the best part of the show. I loved the gospel improv you guys did on one of the new episodes!

That was a blast, thank you! Kevin was such a great guest, he really got into it.

what moment on Whose Line stands out most to you?

which song was your favorite to play?

what's your favorite food?

what were you doing when you weren't playing music on Whose Line?

The episode with Richard Simmons haunts me still... When Colin actually jumped up and did a breakdance during Greatest Hits... Favorite Food? Anything Italian. Playing music somewhere else...!

When Ryan fell, broke the neon on Drew's desk, and kept doing the scene even though he was bleeding a little.

I have lots of favorites. I like the Motown we used to do.

Favorite food, almost anything involving pesto.

Playing in my band, The Sweet potatoes, etc.

Doh! I forgot about Ryan's header!

Do y'all miss Drew?

Drew is a doll, a real sweet guy, a great hang, and I love working with him. Aisha is dynamite, badass, smart, funny. They're both great, and I feel lucky to work with them.

That's a great way to put it Linda. They're both really great in different ways. I'd work with either one of them any time, any where.

I've always been dying to know...did the points actually matter?

that's sort of an existential question, isn't it?

Am I here?

Why is the show so centered around celebrity guests now? When audience members were used it was clear that Ryan, Colin, and Wayne were improvising. Also how many takes does it talk to get a song right? It sends really difficult to do.

I don't know why it's so centered around the celebrity guests. There are many mysteries in the world of network tv.

We only do one take of a song. If it's not good they just don't use it. But Wayne has a remarkably high success rate!

Well it's probably time to sign off, maybe stand up or something physical like that. I enjoyed hanging out with you all, and thank you to Laura for the invite! - linda

Do you like ice cream?

of course!

I'm eating it right now. (Yea, right, at my age).

Hello ladies, thanks for doing this AMA! When they play "Props" on Whose Line, where do they get such odd items? Is there any rhyme or reason to what they decide to use? And once the game is finished, do they get thrown into some giant warehouse never to be seen again?

Good one! We were actually at a local studio doing some pre-production work, and our producer borrowed some of those velvet ropes, you know like you'd line up in? I don't know where they find them, honestly...

Yeah, there's someone on staff who that's their job, finding those crazy props. but it's not me!

I understand that there is a cult following with the show whose line is it anyway. How does that translate to popularity in terms of ratings?

yes, we've been getting great ratings

I think it's us, Laura.

Well I'm no Nielsen family, but from what I heard, the premiere was one of the highest rated shows for the CW network.

What is each of your favorite moment on whose line?

Don't know much about music, but you 2 do great work on the show!

Well, having Robin Williams on the show was pretty amazing...

Robin Williams was a cool guest. My favorite was Sid Caesar (you young people will need to google him). He was a flirt and a charmer and such an old school gentleman.

Oh I remember that...he was great, very kind and sweet. Drew really dug him, I think Drew's a huge fan.

Would either of you have dreamed of being where you are now? I'm currently 16 and play ten instruments, and I'd love to be where you all are, but I don't know if my dream is so realistic.

I did improv for a long time in Chicago, but when I moved to L.A. I thought "I have to get out of improv, there's no way to make a living doing it". Then lo and behold, I got the one paying improv gig! It was a huge shocker to me.

But realistically, improv groups are ALWAYS looking for musicians to play with them. It can certainly be a good part of a career as a musician.

Nice Laura...I don't think "Whose Line" was in my Big Life Plan...but it's surprising to me how much of what we do translates to other gigs...except Hoedowns. They don't translate in any language.

Do you enjoy the added feminine presence of Aisha Tyler being on the show, opposed to the original mostly male cast? Does this change the ambiance/relationship you have with the cast off-set? or is Aisha's presence similar to Drew's?

I do like having another woman on the show, it does change the vibe. It's always been such a guy based show, it's great to have another woman, and especially one whose funny and smart.

How does it feel on the set of Whose Line in between takes? Like is there constant laughter or are there dead spots in between? Also how long does a shoot usually take? Also thank you so much for doing this, what you two do on the show is just seems incredible!

You're so kind, thank you! Well, one shoot is pretty much the whole day...they load the studio audience about 2 p.m. and we're there until about 11 p.m. But they get more than 1 episode of new material out of the shoot, so we're definitely productive!

Laura and I are busy just talking through things, trying to remember to keep lipstick on, and drinking coffee :>)

We're also trying to stay warm. They keep the studio super cold for some crazy reason. Try glancing at the audience members when they pan across them. You'll see icicles on them

2-11pm!!!???

Does the audience get to eat? Drink?

No, we keep them in chains. Hollywood is tough.

1. How do you two manage to not break down laughing?

2. What's the funniest genre you've had to play so far?

It's funny, when I'm playing, I'm listening in a different way. I'm so focused on listening for where they're going melodically, what Linda is doing, if we should go to another section, are we headed toward the end, etc. I'm not listening like a regular audience member, so I don't laugh the same way.

But when I watch the episodes later, I laugh my head off.

We've had some weird genres over the years. I loved playing the J-Pop one we did recently, it was pretty silly.

That was great...you killed that Laura. I like it when you play Uke too, that was a blast.

I did get to play my ukulele when we did a Hawaiian style. That made me very very happy

wow, I was going to type the exact same thing...I'm listening to what Laura is doing, and the singer's phrasing, and while I hear them, I'm not really getting the joke until i see the episode at home.

Funniest genre? Anything where I play orchestral drums on a keyboard.

What have you guys been doing between the last airing of the show and now appearing on this show?

Well Laura has her own band The Sweet Potatoes (I played on a couple of her albums), but I'll let Laura get you up to speed.

I'm a freelancer too, just playing, touring, recording with alot of different acts. Although I had a little moment on "The Office" that was kinda cool.

I loved you on The Office, by the way.

And yes, Linda is going to be playing on The Sweet Potatoes next album. We start recording in early October!

Thanks, L. That was hysterical. Spent 3 hours walking through that door to take the cable away from Ed. You know, how I usually am.

We've both been doing tons of stuff. Linda should answer for herself, but I've been playing with my band, The Sweet Potatoes. (We've got a gig tomorrow night at Republic of Pie in North Hollywood http://www.thesweetpotatoes.com/Upcoming_Events.html )

I also teach music improv workshops with my husband, Rick Hall. We help people learn how to do song games like we do on the show. And I have a cd, Improv Karaoke, people can use to learn on their own, or work with their own improv group. http://improv-karaoke.com/

What have you found to be the biggest changes for you two on the job between the first and second incarnation of the show?

Are there any off-camera stories you'd like to tell, with Drew/Aisha, the actors, the audience, etc.?

What's weird is how many ways it hasn't changed. I guess the biggest difference is all the special guests, and how many games they include them in.

Agreed...although for some reason, they rotated the entire set 45 degrees away from where it used to be. I kept walking into storage rooms, looking for the stage. Now that I think of it, I'm still here!

Laura, as a woman with a couple of children who works around guys who could cause you to laugh uncontrollably at any second, how do you survive.

Is your secret wearing Depends while the show is being taped?

lol

How did it feel to hear that "Whose Line is it anyway" was coming back after all this time?

Surreal. Very, very, very Matrix-Keanu level woah.

There have been rumors several times over the years that it was going to come back. So when it did, in some ways I wasn't surprised when we finally did. That being said, I'm totally excited to be back in the saddle.

Does anyone on the show seem to have changed significantly since the last season ended? I think I'm picking up on some changes in comedic style...personalities too?

I'd say we've all mellowed a bit, which just happens you know? So people are a little easier going maybe. But everyone feels the same-ish to me. Except Aisha, she's completely changed.

Some of the cast seems older. I don't want to mention any names.

What is your favorite kind of cookie?

Fat Free Gluten Free Organic Paul Newman Fig Newtons.

Really?!?

I know, it sounds weird. You get used to them.

I make this amazing bar cookie with chocolate, pecans, coconut and caramel. That's probably my fave.

What do you think of the new Whose Line in comparison to the old seasons? Which changes do you like/what do you wish had stayed the same?

It's a lot the same. But, the new shows are shorter by about 3 minutes, so it's often a music game that gets cut. That I don't like at all.

And although I adored all the guys who used to be in the "fourth chair", it is fun to get some new people in too. It just helps make everything fresh.

Oh, and the new Sideways Scene game, that cracks me up.

Even though the points don't matter, is there a reason there's no winner like previous seasons? Specifically, when the winner gets to sit and Drew would do a skit with the others.

no idea. Maybe because the show is shorter now (by about 3 minutes).

Who was your favorite guest star?

I loved Sid Caesar, Florence Henderson and Robin Williams from the old episodes. From the new batch, Kevin McHale from Glee

Mrs. Brady!!!!!

Huge fan of the show and you guys. What's the craziest thing that's happened during one of the shows? Do you know where Ryan buys his shoes?

Cool, thanks...Richard Simmons showed the cast most of his undercarriage. And I think Ryan's shoes are actually custom made, but don't hold me to it.

how hard is it to keep performing while you're laughing?

It's more like, "how hard is it to keep performing when they're lowering the set temperatures to 23 degrees"...

Had to do "Van Halen" once. My hands were two blocks of ice. It was more like "Van Halen's Grandmother".

huh, never imagined that it'd get cold there. everyone seems pretty comfortable when performing (especially Colin, wearing Hawaiian shirts all the time)

Oh, yes, Frozen Tundra. I think Colin's shivering too..

Is everything the actors say actually made up on the spot, or do they have some clue on what the topics will be and have time to prepare?

They truly do not have any idea what the topics will be.
But remember, the show is edited, so if something goes poorly (which doesn't happen that often) it just doesn't air.

Did you ever have any issues with your instruments that required even more improvisation?

Oh, we've had lots of tech/sound issues. In fact that's the stuff that makes me the most nervous. Of course there's the classic Village People song where I somehow hit the "Accelerate" button on my drum machine.

Couldn't agree more...i've got so much s((*&T up there, I'm tripping on it, now I've got a laptop for more sounds, it's just a matter of time before it all goes up in smoke.

Hi, Laura and Linda!

I actually play guitar for a musical improv troupe at my college, and since you are both inspirations to me (female musical accompanists unite!), I was thrilled to see you do this AMA! I was wondering sort of how you come up with the exact progressions that you use-- like if they were doing a Backstreet Boys style, do you go through a bunch of their songs and find common progressions, or do you just stick with a pop I-V-vi-IV?

My group does half-hour improvised musicals off of one suggestion, and instead of thinking of what style, I usually have to think what tone and emotion fits the current scene. Do you have any tips for that? What progressions do you find are the most energetic/fun to play/work the best with anything?

Sorry for throwing so much at you! I'd really appreciate any answers for any of these questions.

Thank you for your time!

Good for you!! I love that you improvise musicals. That's one of my favorite things to do. And you're exactly right, you have to just play the tone/feel of the scene rather than sharply delineated styles like we do on Whose Line.

In terms of chord progressions, I would say listen to lots of kinds of music for inspiration. I don't think there's any one magic progression that fits all. I think you have to have a lot in your tool kit to draw from.

And in terms of doing a specific style, yes, we listen to a lot of Backstreet Boys for example and try to find what makes them distinctively sound like them; including chord progressions, instrumentation, drum grooves, etc and use that as a jumping off place. If you just did the same progression for every style, it would make them sound more the same than you'd want.

Well I'll jump in...

I think what we do is sort of 'reductive surgery'. We find the essence of the style suggestion...what one element sounds like "Backstreet Boys"? It's sort of like 'name that tune in one note', well we're 'name that style in one sound/groove.

I think in more current/pop music, the progression is less important. In most cases it hurts your cause because there really isn't traditional progressions right now, just a lot of 1 chord/2 chord vamps.

Improving musicals with just a guitar is a tall order - so much of that is piano, orchestra, etc. I guess if I were in your gig, I'd just do what you're doing and score the scene, as opposed to the musical. Fit the scene's emotion.

Hey, you two are awesome! What are your favorite hoedowns and/or Irish Drinking Songs?

I like all the Hoedowns because I don't have to play them :>)

Have you ever been asked to be an active participant in a scene?

You mean playing music isn't being an active participant? :)

How come they never let you guys talk on the show?

They want us to be women of mystery.

Like we're gonna be funnier than Ryan?

Laura and Linda, thanks a bunch for this AMA! Unfortunately, I've yet to see the Whose Line reboot, because I don't know when it - or if, at all - will air down here in Brazil.

Linda, how were you discovered to work on the show?

Laura, have you ever made any musical recommendations for the show?

It probably will, but later. That's how it was with the old ones.

Do you mean recommending different styles to try? Yes, both Linda and I do all the time.

like "styles of music played at their normal tempo", but they've yet to take that suggestion.

Hello! Jennifer Batten, guitarist for Michael Jackson, referred me, and I auditioned. I've never, ever, been to an audition like that before :>)

How did you guys learn to improvise so well?

I learned by working as a musical director at Second City in Chicago, and with other improv groups. And Linda learned everything she knows from me. :)

Actually, lots of different musical experiences help you with learning it. Playing for musicals for example makes you be flexible with following singers.

Hey, I taught you Rap. I still don't know what Madrigals are...sounds like a Xmas thing...

After we've been working together another 10 years I'll teach you Madrigals. You haven't earned enough point to unlock it yet.

Thank you! Truthfully, I've learned so much from Laura, and probably just by doing it for so many years...

If there is going to be a "greatest hits" game, do you get to know the styles in advance or do you also have to perform it on the spot?

Also, how much do you practice those sessions?

You are both great musiccians and thank you for doing an AMA!

It's more like - what 'could' work...Laura and I basically spend a week or two prepping, just getting as many different styles together as we possible can. We both spend a ton of time programming drums, getting sounds together, figuring out how 2 people can pull of something like "Beyonce", if it's called. We will talk down basically everything in iTunes...just prepping. Lots and lots and lots and lots of prep.

Hey Guys!

Massive fan of the show!

I have always wondered how the hell do you keep it together when the guys crack a joke that get's the whole crowd wetting their pants?!

You have great composure! wish I could keep it together as you guys do!

Thanks! When they're doing a non-music game, I'm laughing my ass off, just like everyone else.

You two were always my favorite part of any episode, so thanks! What are your biggest tips for up and coming musicians on working on improv? Everybody says "You just have to do it," but every good improvisational musician seems to have their own unique approach. What would you say were the best exercises/experiences/pieces of advice you have come across in your careers regarding this?

I'd say: Listening to other improv musicians, analyzing what they do, and figuring out if you want to use any of it. Doing lots of vocal accompaniment, whether it's with a singer/songwriter, church soloist, etc. Listening to and analyzing lots of musical styles to think about what makes them tick. Listen to the actors. Try to find the balance between leading and following.

There's a great book by Michael Pollock on the subject. http://www.amazon.com/Musical-Direction-Improv-Sketch-Comedy/dp/0974742740/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_y

Also, remember, improv groups are always looking for musicians, so they'll give you the opportunity to learn by doing it (which was how I learned)

Hi Laura! Will you play my wedding?

We'd like a suggestion of something a bride would say....