In case you aren't familiar, "Who's Line…" was hosted by Drew Carey, and featured highly-trained improv comedians Ryan Stiles, Wayne Brady, and Colin Mochrie, as well as a rotating panel of equally-skilled comics like Greg Proops and Brad Sherwood. Using spur-of-the-moment scenarios (often suggested by audience members), the cast had to make their comedy up right then and there. The "games" they played were varied. In "Party Quirks," three comics were given a situation to play (i.e. a football player tackling everyone in slow motion) while the fourth had to figure out who his oddball party "guests" were. In "Green Screens," Mochrie would stand in front of a green screen while unusual footage (which he could not see) was projected behind him; playing the part of a newscaster, he had to "report" on what was happening, aided only by the prompts of his fellow comedians. Many of the games revolved around music, with Brady proving exceptionally skilled at making up entire songs - in various styles of music - extemporaneously.

"The Best of Who's Line Is It Anyway? Uncensored" contains ten of the show's best episodes in their uncut versions. The fun starts with the very first episode, one that has guest star Richard Simmons playing improv games with the cast. For one game, he had to be the human prop for the others. When Mochrie makes him portray a jet-ski, Simmons uses the opportunity to simulate a graphic sex act, while the audience (and Drew Carey) roll with laughter.

Another great uncensored bit finds Mochrie playing the Party Quirks game. He's assigned to be someone who is trying to figure out the gender of all the other guests. This leads to a lot of hilarious groping, while his cast mates try unsuccessfully to keep a straight face. On a different episode, you even get a glimpse of an on-set accident, as Stiles inadvertently bashes his head into a neon light, causing bleeding and flying glass shards.

The episodes featured on this 2-disc set contain more cameos, from David Hasselhoff to Florence Henderson to Jerry Springer. Bodybuilder Jane Tricker shows up too, and the cast's reaction to her muscular (and not particularly feminine) body, is a highlight of the DVD.

The beauty of "Who's Line Is It Anyway?" is that it captures the high-wire danger of improv comedy. You literally never know what is going to happen or be said next. Neither to do the participants themselves. This anything-can-happen approach allows for moments of great invention and surprise. It also commands a lot of respect. The comedians are nothing short of brilliant to be able to improvise with such speed, cleverness, and wit. Every single episode in this set made me laugh out loud. When I finished working my way through it, I was ready for more. Sadly, the show went off the air a few years back, but the DVD has high replay value and will be something you'll want to come back to as you show it to friends.

( out of four)

DVD Features:

There is only one bonus feature, but it's a good one: a 45-minute "Best of Who's Line Is It Anyway?" special that features more of the show's greatest moments, as well as bloopers and outtakes. If you love to laugh, this is a DVD that should be in your personal collection.