It didn't take long for the billions of Americans to see Whose Line on TV. It caught them off guard but they embraced its return warmly. The surprising amount of language, the unlimited time frame and the inclusion of their favourite British cast members shocked loyal fans, as did the copious references to the whole thing being illegal.
It was Dan Patterson who blew the whistle though. He didn't know how it had gotten on TV and it didn't look like a repeat. But he was certain of one thing; he wasn't getting paid for it.
Dan called the abc studios and spoke briefly with a security guard. He then put the phone down and turned back to the show. Greatest Hits was on and Wayne was singing about doing an illegal TV show in the style of Brittany Spears.
"Oops we did it again…we got back on TV…made you look real dumb…'cos we did it illegally…we're not innocent"
The security guards looked disbelievingly at each other. They would have noticed the entire cast of Whose Line in the studio, but nothing had shown up on their monitors. Besides, the only person they'd seen was Drew and he was filming late anyway.
They guards decided to check anyway and headed toward the studio.
"I think Patterson's lost the plot," remarked one.
"Man, I thought that first time I met him," grunted the other.
Chip was returning from checking that the show was still going live. He heard the footsteps of the approaching guards and darted into an open room.
"It’s not even showed up on the monitor," chuckled one guard.
"Bloody Poms…Whose Line is long gone and he ought to just get over it," scorned the other.
"Crap…crap…shit," Chip hissed.
Although he still ached and was under the impression several of his ribs were broken, Chip knew it was up to him to stop the guards reaching the studio. He took a deep breath and then leapt out into the corridor.
"HEY SECURITY DUMBASSES…CATCH ME IF YOU CAN," Chip yelled.
The security guards whipped round and saw Chip waving his arms. Chip took off down another corridor and the guards followed in hot pursuit.
They were in no shape to catch Chip though and he made no problem of losing them, doubling back and climbing into an air conditioning vent.
Chip ended up tumbling down through the studio roof and had a soft landing on Steve.
"Chip what the hell are you doing?" Drew snapped.
"Security know…they're on their way…we gotta get out," Chip panted.
"I thought this might happen," Colin piped up.
"So what do we do now, wise ass?" Ryan scorned.
"We've got to get the set back…Ryan you get the audience out…through the back…and Drew…I want you to take this tape and play it to America," Colin ordered and handed Drew a tape.
Everyone leapt straight into action and the set was replaced in minutes; the audience released outside, clothes changed and the Whose Line contestants went back through the studio roof.
Drew waited a few minutes then punched in the security code. He made sure no one was about then sauntered out down the corridor.
The security guards went back to their desk and checked the monitors. Still nothing was going on in the studio.
"Night guys," Drew perked, waved and then disappeared into the night.
The guards looked at each other and then back at the monitor.
"Hey…what the? There's a tape," gasped one of the guards and ejected to video.
They looked back at the monitor. Still there was nothing.
Dan Patterson sat forward in his chair as Colin Mochrie appeared on screen.
"Hello I'm Colin Mochrie from Whose Line is it Anyway? I hope you enjoyed abc's special presentation of the fabulous improv show where there points don't matter. If you did and want to see more call your local abc affiliate and let them know…bombard them with your kind words and threaten them with violence if you have to…please support Whose Line is it Anyway? And who knows…we might just read the credits in a style of your choosing."
Dan cursed under his breath.
Whose Line fans reached for their phones and began dialing.