The BEST episodes of Whose Line is it Anyway? season 1

Every episode of Whose Line is it Anyway? season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Whose Line is it Anyway? season 1!

An un-scripted comedy show in which four guest performers improvise their way through a series of games, many of which rely on audience suggestions.

Last Updated: 3/12/2024Network: Channel 4Status: Ended
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Richard Kaplan, Griff Rhys-Jones, Paul Merton, John Sessions
star
8.14
7 votes

#1 - Richard Kaplan, Griff Rhys-Jones, Paul Merton, John Sessions

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/11/1988

Episode 8 Host Clive Anderson Players Richard Kaplan, Griff Rhys Jones, Paul Merton, John Sessions Games Authors Kurt Waldheim's Diaries with Richard (Raymond Chandler), Griff (Milton), Paul (Sunday Sport) & John (Frederick Nietschke) Film & Theatre Styles Richard buys Paul's sandwich shop: Spaghetti Western, Monty Python, Horror John shows Griff The Big Red Button: Laurel & Hardy, Arthur Miller, Whodunnit, Swedish Erotica World's Worst US President Props John/Griff vs. Paul/Richard Remote Control The Subject is Traffic with Richard (American Game Show), Griff (One Man & His Dog), Paul (Cop Show) & John (Noggin the nog) Party Quirks Paul hosts with Richard (In Mission Impossible), Griff (Bad Ventriloquist) & John (From the Future) Credits John & Griff as Griff

Mike McShane, Josie Lawrence, Tony Slattery, John Sessions
star
8.00
6 votes

#2 - Mike McShane, Josie Lawrence, Tony Slattery, John Sessions

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/18/1988

Episode 9 Host Clive Anderson Players Mike McShane, Josie Lawrence, Tony Slattery, John Sessions Games Authors Night of the crumpet with Mike (Louis L'Amour), Josie (Brothers Grim), Tony (Dr. Alex Comfort) & John (William Faulkner) Film & Theatre Styles Josie tries to murder Mike: Russ Mayor, Film Noir, Star Wars, Gilbert O'Sullivan Tony Borrows coffee from John: Stock Exchange Information Documentary, Escape Movie, Restoration World's Worst Person to receive an Oscar Remote Control The subject is hedgehogs with Mike (Miami Vice), Josie (Treasure Hunt), Tony (Game for a laugh) & John (Floyd on fish) Musical Playing Football, Getting Stopped By the police, Waking Up Credits Mike as James Stewart

Series 1 Compilation 2
star
8.00
5 votes

#3 - Series 1 Compilation 2

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/9/1988

Episode 12 (Compilation) Host Clive Anderson Players John Sessions, Josie Lawrence, Tony Slattery, Stephen Fry, Jonathan Pryce, Mike McShane, Rory McGrath Games Film & Theatre Styles Josie shows John around a museum: Bill Forsyth, Dirty Harry, Doctor in the House, Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers Storyteller Rory narrates ""I Was a Russian Fighter Pilot"" with the moral ‘don't do it on the first date' with John (John Johnavitch Johnavitch Denisenog), Tony (Toni) & Jonathan (Mikhail Gorbachev) Rap John, Tony, Josie & Mike do the handbag rap Song Styles Televisions with Josie (Eurovision) Party Quirks Tony hosts with Rory (Compulsive Liar), Jonathan (Undertaker drumming up business) & John (Character from Thunderbirds) Every Other Line Josie reads from ""The Happiest Days of your life"" while Stephen books an airline ticket Musical Josie, Mike, Tony & John sing about: Plane Gliding, getting lost in a maze, having a party

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Stephen Fry, Josie Lawrence, Enn Reitel, John Sessions
star
7.88
8 votes

#4 - Stephen Fry, Josie Lawrence, Enn Reitel, John Sessions

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/25/1988

Episode 10 Host Clive Anderson Players Stephen Fry, Josie Lawrence, Enn Reitel, John Sessions Games Authors The day I became a merchant banker with Stephen (1001 Arabian Nights), Josie (Mary Shelley), Enn (Dashell Hammett) & John (Frank Richards) Storyteller Stephen Narrates ""Tarzan and the lager louts"" with the moral ‘you can't put all your eggs in one basket' with John (Tarzan), Josie (Jane) & Enn (Lager Lout) Props John/Stephen vs. Josie/Enn Couples John tells Enn's Fortune: Dustin Hoffman & Laurence Olivier, Alec Guinness & Vincent Price, Sean Connery & Dame Edna, Fred Flintstone & Barney Rubble and Ronald Reagan & Mikhail Gorbachev World's Worst Thing to say to the royal family Wrong Theme Tune Documentary on contraception with Stephen & Josie Rap Sheep Credits Stephen as American Announcer

Series 1 Compilation 1
star
7.86
7 votes

#5 - Series 1 Compilation 1

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/2/1988

Episode 11 (Compilation) Host Clive Anderson Players John Sessions, Josie Lawrence, Paul Merton, Tony Slattery, Archie Hahn, Stephen Fry, Jonathan Pryce, Mike McShane Games Film & Theatre Styles Josie returns a faulty purchase to Paul: German Expressionism, Hammer Horror, Whitehall Farce, Disney Archie catches John in bed with his wife: Rambo, Greek Tragedy, Kung Fu Every Other Line John reads from ""robin hood-The truth behind the tights"" with Paul trying to get his TV fixed Song Styles Toothbrush with Josie (Gospel) Props John/Mike vs. Tony/Josie Film Dub Stephen & Josie decorate Party Quirks Tony hosts with Josie (Keeps Hearing Voices), Mike (Kissogram), John (Cub Scout Leader) Musical Archie, Josie, Paul & John sing about: Working on the northern line, making instant mashed potato, smoking

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Original Pilot with Jon Glover, Jimmy Mulville, Josie Lawrence, John Sessions
star
7.63
8 votes

#6 - Original Pilot with Jon Glover, Jimmy Mulville, Josie Lawrence, John Sessions

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 12/16/1988

More highlights from the first series of the groundbreaking comedy improvisation show, hosted by the sharp-tongued Clive Anderson Adult humour.

Archie Hahn, Rory Bremner, Jimmy Mulville, John Sessions
star
6.82
22 votes

#7 - Archie Hahn, Rory Bremner, Jimmy Mulville, John Sessions

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/30/1988

In Authors, it's a day at the seaside for Archie (Truman Capote), Rory (Clive James), Jimmy (Dylan Thomas), and John (James Joyce). In Film and Theatre Styles, Archie sacks Jimmy in the styles Godfather, Australian soap, and horror. Then, used car salesman Rory has John as a customer in the styles amateur dramatics, Brazilian soap opera, and Noel Coward. Then, Archie, Rory, Jimmy, and John perform the World's Worst person to comfort someone on their death bed. It's Jimmy and Rory vs. Archie and John in Props. In Sound Effects, Jimmy gardens and Archie provides the noises. Rory and John are at the laundrette as the Couples David and Richard Attenbourough, Charles and Di, Mel Smith and Griff Rhys-Jones, Ron and Nancy, and Torville and Dean. Rory wins and reads the credits as Barry Norman.

Graeme Garden, Jan Ravens, George McGrath, John Sessions
star
6.43
14 votes

#8 - Graeme Garden, Jan Ravens, George McGrath, John Sessions

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/28/1988

Episode 6 Host Clive Anderson Players Graeme Garden, Jan Ravens George McGrath, John Sessions Games: Authors Sleeping Beauty With Graeme (JB Priestly), Jan (Pam Ayers), George (Roget) & John (DH Lawrence) Storyteller George Narrates ""The Life Of A Rubber Duck"" the moral is ‘A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss' with Jan (Little Girl), Graeme (Her Grandfather) & John (Keith Richards) Props John/Jan vs. George/Graeme Party Quirks Graeme Hosts with George (Alien), Jan (Thinks its Her House) & John (Leprechaun) Every Other Line John Reads from ""Hay Fever"" with Graeme as a pilot in trouble Film Dub Jan & George after a night on the town Musical Puberty, Coming To See A Television Show, Making A Cup Of Tea Credits Jan as Paula Yates

Tony Slattery, Betty Thomas, Paul Merton, John Sessions
star
6.33
15 votes

#9 - Tony Slattery, Betty Thomas, Paul Merton, John Sessions

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/14/1988

Episode 4 Host Clive Anderson Players Tony Slattery, Betty Thomas, Paul Merton, John Sessions Games: Authors Jack & the beanstalk with Tony (William Burroughs), Betty (Mickey Spillane), Paul (Barbara Cartland) & John (Anthony Burgess) Film & Theatre Styles Homeowner Paul complains to builder Tony: Greek Tragedy, Hollywood Epic, Musical and Soap Opera John & Betty Argue About A Map: Ealing Comedy, Mime, Method Acting and Bogart Props Betty/Paul vs. John/Tony Every Other Line John reads from ""the poison party"" while Paul Briefs him on a mission Film Dub Tony & Betty Argue about what to watch on TV Party Quirks Paul Hosts with Tony (No Backbone), Betty (Investigative Reporter) & John (Intrepid Explorer Credits John As Anthony Hopkins

Tony Slattery, Jonathan Pryce, Rory McGrath, John Sessions
star
6.31
13 votes

#10 - Tony Slattery, Jonathan Pryce, Rory McGrath, John Sessions

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/4/1988

Episode 7 Host Clive Anderson Players Tony Slattery, Jonathan Pryce, Rory McGrath, John Sessions Games Authors Stanley the stockbroker and the day of the big bang with Tony (Dennis Wheatley), Jonathan (Egon Ronay), Rory (Jorge Louis Borges) & John (Robert Louis Stevenson) Film & Theatre Styles Loan Shark Tony Talks to debtor John: Japanese No Theatre, Bedroom Farce, Amateur Dramatics & Gilbert and Sullivan World's Worst Person to meet on a blind date Props John/Jonathan vs. Rory/Tony Advertisement Tony Advertises a BMW & John Advertises A Toupee Film Dub Rory Complains to hotel manager Jonathan Remote Control The Subject is Porn With Tony (Star Trek), Jonathan (Call My Bluff), Rory (Breakfast TV) & John (Phil Silvers Show) Credits Rory as his mother

Archie Hahn, Josie Lawrence, Paul Merton, John Sessions
star
6.27
33 votes

#11 - Archie Hahn, Josie Lawrence, Paul Merton, John Sessions

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/23/1988

In Authors, it's Through the Golden Gate with Archie (Stephen King), Josie (Louisa M. Allcott), Paul (Janet and John books), and John (Charles Dickens). In Sound Effects, Paul gets dressed and Archie provides the noises. In Song Styles, Josie does Sondheim and John does a reggae song, both about telephones. Archie, Josie, Paul, and John then perform the World's Worst ITN newsreader auditions. It's Josie and Archie vs. Paul and John in Props. In Party Quirks, Paul hosts the party with Josie (an agony aunt), Archie (a werewolf) and John (a theatre director) at the party. Archie wins and reads the credits as an American sports commentator.

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Josie Lawrence, Jonathan Pryce, Paul Merton, John Sessions
star
6.27
15 votes

#12 - Josie Lawrence, Jonathan Pryce, Paul Merton, John Sessions

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/21/1988

Episode 5 Host Clive Anderson Players Josie Lawrence, Jonathan Pryce, Paul Merton, John Sessions Games: Authors A Day in the life of a horny llama with Josie (Agatha Christie), Jonathan (King James Bible), Paul (DIY Handbook) & John (Gabriel Garcia Marquez) Film & Theatre Styles Josie & Paul are Jack & Jill: Spaghetti Western, Pantomime, German Art Film & James Bond John & Jonathan Report a crime: Samuel Beckett, Pirate Film, Comedia Del Arte & Le Carre World's Worst Romeo & Juliet Auditions Song Styles Television with Josie (Heavy Metal) & John (Folk) Film Dub Paul books a holiday from Jonathan Party Quirks Paul Hosts with Josie (Superhero), Jonathan (Exorcist) & John (Thinks He's Underwater) Credits Josie as an angry viewer

Stephen Fry, Peter Cook, Josie Lawrence, John Sessions
star
5.89
18 votes

#13 - Stephen Fry, Peter Cook, Josie Lawrence, John Sessions

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/7/1988

Episode 3 Host Clive Anderson Players Stephen Fry, Peter Cook, Josie Lawrence, John Sessions Games: Authors Day at the races with Stephen (John Le Carre), Peter (Albert Goldman), Josie (Womens Magazines) & John (Ernest Hemingway) Film & Theatre Styles Stephen seeks Peter's vote: Shakespeare, Farce, Travelogue, and Gangster Movie Josie & John are breaking up: Shakespeare, British War Movie and Blue Movie Props John/Peter vs. Josie/Stephen Panel Smoking Rap Having A Baby Credits Peter as a New York Taxi Driver

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