Improv catching on all over the country, comedian says

During the 1990s there were only a handful of good improvisational comedy troupes scattered across the United States. But thanks to the popularity of the TV series "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" improv popularity has exploded, according to comedian Brad Sherwood.

"Improv is here to stay," Sherwood said by phone from Los Angeles. "There are improv shows happening all the time in every kind of place imaginable. I'm happy to be a part of that community."

Sherwood, who was one of the original performers on "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" said he has always enjoyed making people laugh. "I had a funny grandfather, and I just liked making people laugh. I liked being the center of attention all through school."

"Whose Line Is It Anyway?" began as an English radio program hosted by Clive Anderson in the mid-1980s, then moved to the telly in 1991, featuring Sherwood, Colin Mochrie, Ryan Styles and a pool of others, including Stephen Fry and Greg Proops.

A few years later, the show made the move to the United States, with Drew Carey hosting. Wayne Brady and Chip Esten were added to performers list, and the show gained a loyal following.

Sherwood said that he and Mochrie will bring their own show to Abravanel Hall on Saturday, and while it will feature some of the same games or segments featured on the TV series, there will also be some surprises for the audience. "Each night it's different because it's improv, but we do have some staples that we do."

One is called "Sound Effects." "That one is always fun to do. For those who aren't familiar with the show, we call people out of the audience to do sound effects to our actions. It's fun because we are totally at the mercy of those people we pick."

Improv in general, but especially taking suggestions from the audience, reminds Sherwood of sky diving. "You find you have to knit yourself a parachute as you free-fall," he said with a laugh.

Sherwood said that because he and Mochrie have performed together for more than 20 years, there is an eerie mental connection between the two comedians. "We like the same things, we have the same kinds of influences and we know what each other is thinking more times than not.

"Sometimes one segment of the show will be a 'kill' for a month, and the next there will be something else that becomes the fun focus. The nice thing is the fact that it changes every night. And it keeps us on our toes."