Thank God You're Here (U.S. TV series)
Encyclopedia
Thank God You're Here is a partially improvised comedy television program based on the Australian TV show
, broadcast by NBC
. The show was hosted by David Alan Grier
and presided over by judge Dave Foley
. The pilot
was shot on November 9, 2006 and NBC initially ordered six episodes. The show debuted with a two-hour, double-episode premiere on Monday, April 9, 2007 at 9pm ET. It was produced by FremantleMedia North America
, with Cécile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Fremantle, Fax Bahr, and Adam Small as executive producers.
The show aired on Mondays for its first two weeks. It was moved to Wednesdays on April 18, 2007.
On May 14, 2007, after the initial order of 7 episodes aired, the series was officially cancelled by NBC.
Upon entering the sketch, the actors were greeted with "Thank God you're here!" from another actor in the sketch. Outside of the principal actor, all actors in the sketch had a script which they more or less followed, depending on the improvisations. Sketches had no set ending point — instead, they went on until the judge (Foley) stopped them with a buzzer. Also, in each episode one of the skits would feature David Alan Grier
in a surprise cameo.
At the end of the show, the judge chose a winner from among the four actor contestants. The winner was awarded a trophy. Unlike the Australian version, no honorable or dishonorable mentions were chosen.
Notes: This episode featured an appearance by Jerry Springer
and was originally supposed to feature Alanis Morissette
, who ended up pulling out.
Thank God You're Here
Thank God You're Here is an Australian television improvised comedy program created by Working Dog Productions, which premiered on Network Ten on 5 April 2006, and aired for the first three seasons with Seven for the fourth season...
, broadcast by NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
. The show was hosted by David Alan Grier
David Alan Grier
David Alan Grier , also known as "D.A.G." , is an American actor and comedian known for his work on the sketch comedy television show In Living Color.-Early life:...
and presided over by judge Dave Foley
Dave Foley
David Scott "Dave" Foley is a Canadian comedian, writer, director, and producer best known for his work in The Kids in the Hall, NewsRadio, A Bug's Life, and Celebrity Poker Showdown...
. The pilot
Television pilot
A "television pilot" is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell the show to a television network. At the time of its inception, the pilot is meant to be the "testing ground" to see if a series will be possibly desired and successful and therefore a test episode of an...
was shot on November 9, 2006 and NBC initially ordered six episodes. The show debuted with a two-hour, double-episode premiere on Monday, April 9, 2007 at 9pm ET. It was produced by FremantleMedia North America
FremantleMedia
FremantleMedia, Ltd. is the content and production division of Bertelsmann's RTL Group, Europe's second largest TV, radio, and production company...
, with Cécile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Fremantle, Fax Bahr, and Adam Small as executive producers.
The show aired on Mondays for its first two weeks. It was moved to Wednesdays on April 18, 2007.
On May 14, 2007, after the initial order of 7 episodes aired, the series was officially cancelled by NBC.
Summary
Thank God You're Here showcased the improvisational skills of a group of four actors each week, as they walked into a live sketch without having seen a script for it. The only clue the actors had as to the content of the sketch, and the role they would be playing within the sketch, was their costume.Upon entering the sketch, the actors were greeted with "Thank God you're here!" from another actor in the sketch. Outside of the principal actor, all actors in the sketch had a script which they more or less followed, depending on the improvisations. Sketches had no set ending point — instead, they went on until the judge (Foley) stopped them with a buzzer. Also, in each episode one of the skits would feature David Alan Grier
David Alan Grier
David Alan Grier , also known as "D.A.G." , is an American actor and comedian known for his work on the sketch comedy television show In Living Color.-Early life:...
in a surprise cameo.
At the end of the show, the judge chose a winner from among the four actor contestants. The winner was awarded a trophy. Unlike the Australian version, no honorable or dishonorable mentions were chosen.
Cast
- David Alan GrierDavid Alan GrierDavid Alan Grier , also known as "D.A.G." , is an American actor and comedian known for his work on the sketch comedy television show In Living Color.-Early life:...
— Host - Dave FoleyDave FoleyDavid Scott "Dave" Foley is a Canadian comedian, writer, director, and producer best known for his work in The Kids in the Hall, NewsRadio, A Bug's Life, and Celebrity Poker Showdown...
— Judge - Chris TallmanChris TallmanChris Tallman is an American actor and comedian best known for his regular appearances on the Comedy Central programs Crossballs and Reno 911!. Tallman was also the creator of the popular Channel 101 series Time Belt which he wrote, directed, co-produced and starred in...
- Ensemble - Maribeth MonroeMaribeth MonroeMaribeth Monroe is an American actress, writer and comedian. She is currently featured in the Comedy Central television series Workaholics, playing office manager Alice Murphy.Monroe performed at The Second City, both on the Chicago and Detroit stages...
- Ensemble - Brian PalermoBrian PalermoBrian Palermo is an American character actor and comedian. He has appeared in a number of television shows, commercials and movies. He is also a writer whose credits include "Warner Brothers' Histeria!", "Disney's Dave The Barbarian" and "Disney's The Weekenders."His film credits include The...
- Ensemble - Nyima FunkNyima FunkNyima Funk is an American actress, comedian and singer. She is best known for her work on MTV's improvisation show Wild 'n Out.-Early life:...
- Ensemble
TV rating
Thank God You're Here was rated TV-PG. However, in the second episode, the show popped up with a TV-14 rating after the commercial break. It was probably due either to a technical difficulty or the second skit was not as appropriate as the others. However, the second episode was TV-PG.List of episodes
| Key: Denotes the winner |
Episode 1: April 9, 2007 (9 PM)
| Guest star | Scenario |
|---|---|
| Wayne Knight Wayne Knight Wayne Eliot Knight is an American actor, comedian, and voice actor perhaps best known for his role as Newman in the TV sitcom Seinfeld... |
Morning TV show guest pushing a supplement to vitamins |
| Bryan Cranston Bryan Cranston Bryan Lee Cranston is an American actor, voice actor, writer and director. He is best known for his roles as Hal the father in the Fox situation comedy Malcolm in the Middle, and Walter White in the AMC drama series Breaking Bad, for which he won three consecutive Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama... |
A British United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... rock star late for a meeting with an executive |
| Joel McHale Joel McHale Joel Edward McHale is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, television producer, television personality, and voice artist. He is best known for hosting The Soup and for his role as Jeff Winger on Community.... |
An Egypt Egypt Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world... ian archaeologist exploring a newly discovered tomb |
| Jennifer Coolidge Jennifer Coolidge Jennifer Coolidge is an American actress best known for playing "Stifler's mom," the older woman in the film American Pie ; Hilary Duff's stepmother in A Cinderella Story ; Paulette, the manicurist in Legally Blonde and its sequel; the voice of Aunt Fanny in the animated feature Robots ; for her... |
A contestant in "Ms. Constellation" beauty pageant |
| Warm-ups | Going through customs / A cop Police officer A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force... on the news |
| Group scene | A collection of superheroes who must save Las Vegas Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous... |
| David's Cameo | As a judge in Jennifer Coolidge's skit |
Episode 2: April 9, 2007 (10 PM)
| Guest star | Scenario |
|---|---|
| Mo'Nique | A TV game show Game show A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes... co-host |
| Kevin Nealon Kevin Nealon Kevin Nealon is an American actor and comedian, best known as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1986 to 1995, acting in several of the Happy Madison films, for playing Doug Wilson on the Showtime series Weeds, and providing the voice of the title character, Glenn Martin on Glenn Martin,... |
A famous high-altitude guide/rescuer |
| Richard Kind Richard Kind Richard John Kind is an American actor known for his roles in the sitcoms Mad About You and Spin City .- Early life :... |
A radio foley artist Foley artist Foley is the reproduction of everyday sounds for use in filmmaking. These reproduced sounds can be anything from the swishing of clothing and footsteps to squeaky doors and breaking glass. The best foley art is so well integrated into a film that it goes unnoticed by the audience. It helps to... |
| Edie McClurg Edie McClurg Edie McClurg is an American character actress. She is known for her perky North Central dialect , common to persons from Middle America.-Career:... |
A wife at a marriage counselor's office |
| Warm-ups | Taxi Taxicab A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice... drivers undergoing examination / Apply for a job |
| Group scene | Knights of the Round Table meet and go in search of Guinevere Guinevere Guinevere was the legendary queen consort of King Arthur. In tales and folklore, she was said to have had a love affair with Arthur's chief knight Sir Lancelot... |
| David's Cameo | As Edie McClurg's secret lover |
Episode 3: April 16, 2007
| Guest star | Scenario |
|---|---|
| Jason Alexander Jason Alexander Jay Scott Greenspan , better known by his professional name of Jason Alexander, is an American actor, writer, comedian, television director, producer, and singer. He is best known for his role as George Costanza on the television series Seinfeld, appearing in the sitcom from 1989 to 1998... |
The captain in a Star Trek Star Trek Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise... parody |
| Brian Posehn Brian Posehn Brian Edmund Posehn is an American actor, voice actor, musician and comedian, known for his roles as mail clerk Kevin Liotta on NBC's Just Shoot Me!, a cast member and writer on HBO's Mr. Show, and most recently as Brian Spukowski on Comedy Central's The Sarah Silverman Program.-Early life:Posehn... |
A '50s jock (geek) meeting his date's father before their date |
| Jane Lynch Jane Lynch Jane Marie Lynch is an American comedian, actress and singer. She gained fame in Christopher Guest's improv mockumentary pictures such as Best in Show and is currently best known for playing the role of Sue Sylvester in the television series Glee... |
A woman explaining to her parents about a party she held while they were away from home |
| Harland Williams Harland Williams Harland Williams is a Canadian actor, comedian, author, artist, musician and radio personality.-Personal life:Harland Reesor Williams was born on November 14, 1962, in Toronto, Ontario, to Lorraine , a social worker, and John Reesor Williams, who worked as a member of the Ontario Provincial... |
An explorer returning to a British museum Museum A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities... with his latest find |
| Warm-ups | Car salesmen to an 18-year-old girl and her father / daycare owners |
| Group scene | Pirates meet their captain to become the new first mate |
| David's Cameo | As a guest who overstayed at Jane Lynch's party |
Episode 4: April 18, 2007
| Guest star | Scenario |
|---|---|
| Chelsea Handler Chelsea Handler Chelsea Joy Handler is an American stand-up comedian, humorist, television host, actress, model and best-selling author. She currently hosts a late-night talk show titled, Chelsea Lately on the E! Cable Television Network. In 2009 she won a Bravo A-List Award... |
A newlywed bride giving a toast with the groom |
| George Takei George Takei George Hosato Takei Altman is an American actor, author, social activist and former civil politician. He is best known for his role in the television series Star Trek and its film spinoffs, in which he played Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the... |
A surgeon |
| Shannon Elizabeth Shannon Elizabeth Shannon Elizabeth is an American actress and former fashion model. Elizabeth is well known for her roles in comedy films such as Scary Movie, American Pie, and Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back. She is also well known for her work in horror films such as Thirteen Ghosts, Cursed, and Night of the Demons... |
Advertising executive pitching a new vodka drink |
| Tom Green Tom Green Michael Thomas "Tom" Green is a Canadian actor, rapper, writer, comedian, talk show host and media personality. Best known for his shock humour brand of comedy, Green found mainstream prominence via his MTV television show The Tom Green Show... |
A leery plumber seduced by a married woman |
| Warm-ups | Unemployment interview / Cook for a new restaurant on a morning show |
| Group scene | Vikings meeting with chief to decide who the new chief will be |
| David's Cameo | As a doctor asking George Takei for medical advice |
Episode 5: May 2, 2007
| Guest star | Scenario |
|---|---|
| Tom Arnold Tom Arnold (actor) Thomas Dwaine "Tom" Arnold is an American actor and comedian. He has appeared in many films, perhaps most notably True Lies . He was the host of The Best Damn Sports Show Period for four years.-Early life:... |
A chef in an altercation with customers |
| Angela Kinsey Angela Kinsey Angela Kinsey is an American actress. She currently appears as the uptight accountant Angela Martin on the hit NBC television series The Office.-Personal life:... |
A celebrity being interviewed on a late night talk show Late night television Late night television in the United States is the block of television programming airing after 11:00 pm and usually through 2:00 am. Traditionally, this type of programming airs after the late local news and is most notable for being the daypart used for a particular genre of programming that falls... |
| Fran Drescher Fran Drescher Francine Joy "Fran" Drescher is an American film and television actress, comedian, screenwriter, director, producer, author, singer, talk show host, political lobbyist and health activist... |
Real estate agent pitching a new design on a beach resort |
| Fred Willard Fred Willard Fred Willard is an American actor, comedian, and voice over actor, best known for his improvisational comedy skills. He is known for his roles in the Christopher Guest mockumentary films This is Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, and For Your Consideration as well as... |
A journeyman meeting Robin Hood Robin Hood Robin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally, Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes.... and his Merry Men Merry Men The Merry Men are the group of outlaws who followed Robin Hood, according to English folklore. An early use of the phrase "merry men" occurs in the oldest known Robin Hood ballad, "Robin Hood and the Monk", which survives in a manuscript completed around 1450. The word "merry" in this and other... |
| Warm-ups | People in a dating service / Directors of The Godfather The Godfather The Godfather is a 1972 American epic crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on the 1969 novel by Mario Puzo. With a screenplay by Puzo, Coppola and an uncredited Robert Towne, the film stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard... : Part IV |
| Group scene | Obese members of a health center |
| David's Cameo | As a protester in Fran Drescher's skit |
Episode 6: May 9, 2007
| Guest star | Scenario |
|---|---|
| Kurtwood Smith Kurtwood Smith Kurtwood Larson Smith is an American television and film actor. He is best known for playing Clarence Boddicker in RoboCop and stern parental characters , and for his appearances in the genre of science fiction... |
A Captain fielding complaints from passengers on his cruise ship that is about to sink |
| Ana Gasteyer Ana Gasteyer Ana Kristina Gasteyer is an American actress of stage, film, and television. She is best known for her comedic roles when she was a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1996 to 2002.-Early life:... |
A comic book heroine at a fan convention |
| Paul Rodriguez Paul Rodríguez Paul Rodriguez is a Mexican-American stand-up comedian and actor.-Personal life:Rodriguez was born in Culiacán, Sinaloa, México to Mexican agriculture ranchers.. His family migrated to East Los Angeles, where he enlisted in the military; he was stationed in Iceland and Duluth, Minnesota... |
A medieval doctor |
| Nicole Sullivan Nicole Sullivan Nicole Julianne Sullivan is an American actress, comedian and voice artist. Sullivan is best known for her six seasons on the sketch comedy series MADtv and five seasons on the CBS sitcom The King of Queens.She has played a recurring character on Scrubs and voices the villainous Shego in... |
A teacher giving a parent/teacher conference |
| Warm-ups | Drivers pulled over by the cops / Workers getting fired from their job |
| Group scene | Members of a children's group, called The Wibbly Wobblies, à la The Wiggles, pitching their proposed TV show at an audition. Actors are dressed up as a clown, bobbie, a dinosaur, and a flower. |
| David's Cameo | As a nerd in Ana Gasteyer's comic book convention |
Episode 7: May 16, 2007
| Guest star | Scenario |
|---|---|
| Bill Bellamy Bill Bellamy William "Bill" Bellamy is an American actor and stand-up comedian. He currently resides in California. Bellamy first gained national notoriety on HBO's Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam, where he is credited for creating or uttering before a televised audience, the phrase "booty call", described as... |
Promoting his workout equipment |
| Wayne Knight Wayne Knight Wayne Eliot Knight is an American actor, comedian, and voice actor perhaps best known for his role as Newman in the TV sitcom Seinfeld... |
A Roman general reporting to the emperor |
| Wendie Malick Wendie Malick Wendie Malick is an American actress and former fashion model, known for her roles as Judith Tupper Stone on the HBO series Dream On , Nina Van Horn on the NBC sitcom Just Shoot Me! , Ronee Lawrence on the NBC sitcom Frasier and Victoria Chase on the TV Land sitcom Hot in Cleveland .-Early... |
A bad cheerleader is called to the principal's office; Jerry Springer's appearance occurred here |
| Eddie Kaye Thomas Eddie Kaye Thomas Eddie Kaye Thomas is an American film, television, and stage actor who rose to prominence in 1999 as Paul Finch in the American Pie film series.-Early life:Thomas was born in Staten Island, NY... |
An illegal drag racer crashes into an apartment. (this scene and Joel McHale Joel McHale Joel Edward McHale is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, television producer, television personality, and voice artist. He is best known for hosting The Soup and for his role as Jeff Winger on Community.... 's scene were the only scenes in which the person does not go through the door.) |
| Warm-ups | Jockeys interviewed after losing a race / Directors of a terrible nursing home |
| Group scene | Fast food workers getting a pep talk; everyone is in common uniforms except for Wayne Knight, who is dressed as a giant cheeseburger (because of this, Wayne had trouble getting through the door.) |
| David's Cameo | A passenger in Eddie Kaye Thomas' car |
Notes: This episode featured an appearance by Jerry Springer
Jerry Springer
Gerald Norman "Jerry" Springer is a British-born American television presenter, best known as host of the tabloid talk show The Jerry Springer Show since its debut in 1991...
and was originally supposed to feature Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and actress. She has won 16 Juno Awards and seven Grammy Awards, was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and also shortlisted for an Academy Award nomination...
, who ended up pulling out.