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[[folder: US Version ]]

* Any show that runs long enough is bound to accumulate ''tons'' of running gags. Often the result of some unplanned accident, or repeats of some bizarre thing that Colin said like "How does food become poo!?" in song. But most consistent is Ryan's choice in gaudy shoes. And Colin's [[BaldOfAwesome baldness]] and Canadian-ness. To a lesser extent, Drew's role in the TV-movie ''Gepetto'' would often be referenced.
* ''Sound Effects'' (Ryan making sounds for Colin) has several, including:
** A pigeon harassing Colin's character, who deals with it by breaking its neck or biting its head off Music/OzzyOsbourne style.
** Ryan making the same "squeaky" sound effect when Colin opens a door. And I mean [[SayingSoundEffectsOutLoud SAYING "Squeaky!"]].
** Colin [[MyCarHatesMe trying and failing to start a vehicle]], then getting out to troubleshoot it only for said vehicle to ''zoom off without him'', typically forcing him to [[CrazyAwesome chase it down on foot]]. (When the scene was a Wild West setting, the gag was done ''with a horse instead''.)
** Scenarios described as "a day in the life of" someone often begin with Colin asleep, then awakened by some random sound made by Ryan to represent an alarm clock. RingRingCrunch indeed. Also, before Colin waking up, Ryan would murmur in a way suggesting it's a sex dream (once, when the scene was "Batman Gets A Call", it was about [[HoYay Robin]]...)
** When Ryan makes a particularly unusual noise, Colin mimes grabbing a gun and shooting into the distance to make it stop.
* ''Sound Effects mk II'' (two audience members make sounds for both Ryan and Colin) often winds up with irrelevant sounds HandWaved as sick animals or bowel movements, while ''lack'' of sounds usually draws an "I left the silencer on" from Colin. One rare case involved mishearing a sound as police sirens, and the game spun out of control.
* Some ''Props'' remotely resembling known shapes and symbols would be [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eqn8b7CcBDw interpreted as rejected versions of said symbols]]. (NSFW at 2:20)
---> "I told you, we need that Olympic Rings ready by Thurday..."
** And Wayne's known to use the same gossipy SassyBlackWoman impression that always begins with saying "So I was telling (made-up name)" [[ChattyHairdresser while using some props as hairdressing implements.]]
** Several playings of Props, especially those with Brad, reference a character called the Giant. A racket-shaped prop becomes the Giant's bottle opener. A large, stringy prop came from cleaning out the Giant's shower drain. Etc.
* ''Scenes From A Hat'' has several:
** Performers sometimes redo their previous scene if the next suggestion is even ''slightly'' relevant to it. This one notably dates back to the first ever ''Scenes From A Hat'' attempt, where "people who can't stop moving" was pretty much the same as [[TakeThat "a Morris dancers' convention"]].
** And then there's all the times where Colin [[OverlyLongGag ''apparently'' forgets to end his scene]] and has to be dragged off by Ryan. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCyMXyY-vO0 This]] clip has a rare case of ''Brad'' doing it.
** Whenever the suggestion is something like "People you wouldn't want to see as _____" [[SelfDeprecation Colin and Ryan would walk out on stage, simply stand there for a moment, then walk back off.]] Drew has been known to do the same when he's participating.
* Ryan's Carol Channing impression, which he can apparently maintain [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67iNkmENs9k even while suffering a concussion]].
* ''Foreign Film Dub'' would sometimes have [[TranslationYes a lengthy dialogue translated as one or two words and vice versa]].
* Upon the big switch to the US series, Greg's outfit would always include a jacket - which was ALWAYS utilised whenever Wayne did his James Brown impression.
* From ''Greatest Hits'', [[OneWord one word]]: [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Mu-iS41EVs&feature=related Sleep.]]
** Colin and Ryan always mention the absurdly large number of songs collected about the audience-chosen obscure subject - "this five hundred-CD set!"
** Less frequently, they would mention hundreds of songs on one CD due to the brevity of all the songs.
** They also do a gag about the piece being an advert - "We'll be right back to your movie..." which almost always sounds suspiciously like ParallelPornTitles (e.g. ''Men In Back'').
*** On one occasion, famously neither of them could think of a joke porn movie title and Colin just blurted out "We're watching animal porn!"
** Jokes about how Colin looks older:
--> Ryan: "I wasn't alive during the swing period, but Colin here told me all about it!"
** Both Colin and Ryan refer to having grown up 'in the backwoods of Saskatchewan in (decade in which the current song is set)'.
** Colin also sometimes claims to be 'a child of the streets', which not even Ryan seems to believe.
** A less frequent running gag in "Greatest Hits" involves Colin rattling off a bunch of musicians/bands. You think he's going to say these people are featured on the CD, but there's always a twist:
--> '''Colin''': ...These are just some of the people who have been to doctors.
--> '''Colin''': ...These are just some of the artists who threatened to sue if we used their songs.
--> '''Colin''': ...These are just names of guys who can sing.
* ''Impossible Mission'' has several running gags maintained for several years and both UK and US versions:
** Greg, as the voice of the [[ThisPageWillSelfDestruct self-destructing tape]], usually does a TheTapeKnewYouWouldSayThat joke. Wayne would go with a SophisticatedAsHell JiveTurkey approach.
** The mission is usually for a visiting diplomat or ruler from a fictional "stan" country (Groovesnackerstan, Kastookastan, Groovefunkerstan)
** Colin and Ryan have InspectorGadget-style spy equipment installed inside their bodies - usually their belly buttons, though Ryan's rappelling-rope hair and Colin's fax machine butt have also appeared.
** Colin and Ryan come up with bizarre MrBean-type improvised solutions for the simplest of problems.
** The cat.
* ''Hollywood Director'' has spawned two as well - Colin's tendency to yell 'crap' of course, and Ryan or Wayne being the token ProfessionalButtKisser in the 'cast'.
* ''Newsflash'' has also spawned two - it begins with a IsThisThingStillOn gag, and there's always a blatant attempt to mess with the 'field reporter' by making him describe what scene he is in, or explain its cause, ''before'' dropping the hints. To his credit, Colin would ''always'' have a ready answer.
* ''Home Shopping'' resulted in the only known outright copout by Colin and Ryan [[RefugeInAudacity (spun into a Running Gag because the audience loved it anyway)]]:
--> (picks up unknown item) "What's that doing in there?" "I dunno." (discards)
* ''Weird Newscasters'' would sometimes have the lead anchor invoke some sort of ThemeNaming for themselves and their "colleagues"; Greg, Brad and Colin in particular are masters of the PunnyName ("Chester Buttocks", "Harry Hindquarters", "Woodrow [=ButIdon=]'thaveapaddle"...)
** And Wayne, who always gets the sport role and a position on the extreme left (his right) of the stage, would abuse said position by involving Drew [=and/or=] the desk in his bit, since he was right next to them.
** In one memorable example of the PunnyName running gag, Chip (as an energetic game show host) pre-empts Colin's usual punny intro and uses Colin's real name, which Colin ''then turns into a pun.''
---> '''Chip''': "INTRODUCING COLIIIIIIIIIIIN!"
---> '''Colin''': ''(after a long pause to let the laughter die down)'' "Welcome to the six o'clock news. I'm your anchor, Colin Themarines."
** Whereas previous straight man hosts had just begun the sketch with a straightforwardly amusing news story, Colin started a ''TheTwoRonnies'' style routine where [[{{Feghoot}} he would lead up to a complicated pun]]. Brad also did this a few times.
* Coming back from commercials, Drew would sometimes admit to doing something odd in an inappropriately cheerful way.
--> '''Drew''': "Hey you guys ever see a big stretch limo drive by and the window rolls down and you see a big white butt sticking out of it? [[ParanoiaFuel That's me!]]"
* The US version of ''Weird Superheroes'' often began with Drew going "There's a (crisis to be averted), (first superhero name)! What are you gonna do?!"
* Drew's habit of picking the more attractive audience members to join in for ''Song Styles'', ''Duets'' or other such games would lead to ''[[ChivalrousPervert any players not actually involved in the game]]'' (usually Ryan) to welcome her as well.
** Wayne realized at some point that some of Drew's choices for who accompanied him in ''Song Styles'' might actually ''threaten his marriage. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCIak-w0DOc Like this one.]]''
* '''X'''ylophone music!
** '''Y'''ou can hear it too?
*** '''Z'''ounds!
** Referencing Xavier Hollander is Ryan's standby for any time he's stuck with the letter X and can't come up with a better alternative. Drew has done it as well.
** Similarly, in the "Song Titles" round, "O" is usually [[{{Oklahoma}} OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOklahoma!]].
* Ryan's attempt to strongarm ''Questions Only'' in a direction of his choosing by going "Haven't we met before?" or something similar.
* Ryan really doesn't like Michael Bolton. He's not crazy about Fresno either.
* Whenever Colin had a joke based on a setting that was [[SoUnfunnyItsFunny hilarious only because of how bad it was]], he would mime taking a drink. This happened most often in ''If You Know What I Mean.''
* An occasional recurring gag in the U.S. version is Drew doing a TakeThat on a celebrity and adding after the joke, "Just kidding around if I ever run into you in real life", or alternatively, pretending to be the celebrity in question: "I think I'll cheer myself up by watching some Whose Line... OH NO!"
* During hoedowns, Ryan frequently concluded the song with a joke at Drew Carey's expense. If his penultimate line ends in "hairy" or "scary," you can bet on what's about to come up.
** In the British version, Greg and Ryan both did this for Clive.
* Any time one of the characters has to play a drill sergeant, we get a FullMetalJacket parody:
--> '''Greg''': Only two things come from Texas: Steers, and other steers that like them!
--> '''Wayne''': Only two things come from Texas: Steers, and... other... forms of livestock!
--> '''Ryan''': Only two things come from Texas: Steers, and YOU!
* In ''Backwards Scene'', Ryan has more than once thrown off the other player by suddenly laughing and saying "A ''penguin?!''"
* Colin fainting.
* Brad collapsing. It has been noted by many viewers that he happens to be [[OverlyNarrowSuperlative the best at falling down in the series]].
* Episode-specific example: In the "Sound Effects" of CharliesAngels, Ryan (as one of the angels) keeps accidentally calling Colin (who's playing Bosley) Charlie instead.
* Another episode-specific example: In one game, Ryan was unable to whistle when he attempted to. After another game, he whistled and Drew told him, "Too late." Towards the end of the episode, "Three-Headed Broadway Star" was played, and the name of the song was "Whistle on Cue". Numerous times in the song, Ryan used his verse to whistle three notes.
* Wayne [[NWordPrivileges playing up anything involving the words "black" or "white"]] or taking "offense" at certain roles for some scenes.
-->[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRO-ovd17IQ&t=42s "Why I gotta do the African Chant?"]]
-->[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHFkjvxGvr0 "Why I gotta be the thief?"]]
-->[[RuleOfThree "Why I gotta be the Haitian man]] [[OverlyLongGag who's been unfaithful and is the victim of a]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PLkRZx26gI&t=20s voodoo attack?"]]
* What's in Drew's coffee cup?
** Season 2 Episode 33: Just after the rap skit- [[spoiler:Pepsi]]
* References to ''Series/{{Friends}}'', which sometimes aired opposite of ''Whose Line''.
--> '''Drew''': Wow, look at all those new viewers out there. ''Friends'' must be a rerun!
--> '''Drew''': A special welcome to you viewers that have realized that ''Friends'' is gettin' just a little bit tired.
[[/folder]]

[[folder: UK Version ]]

* During the later UK series, Clive Anderson introduced the players in an amusing way with a TakeThat twist at the fourth player, who tended to be Ryan. Occasionally he would change it to something meaningless just to confuse Ryan when he'd been ready to get comedically riled up:
--> '''Clive''': "...and someone whose name is [[ShapedLikeItself synonymous with something that means exactly the same thing]], Ryan Stiles!"
* ''Props'' often led one pair to mimic the other pair's act deliberately, even with completely different props on hand.
---> Ryan: (looking through tubelike prop as a telescope) "I believe it looks like a German U-Boat..."
---> Mike: (holding up a huge bent-shape) "No, THIS looks like a German U-Boat!"
* ''Scenes from a Hat'' suffered a lot from [[DorkAge awkward writing]] at this stage in time, but got quite a bit of mileage from the recurring "a [=gathering/convention/family reunion=] of (certain types of people)" suggestion.
* Any game of ''Animals'' that involved the players acting as primates would eventually lead to the MonkeyMoralityPose.
* UK season 2 saw Mike [=McShane=] getting quite a bit of mileage from the phrase "a love that dare not squeak its name" (coined when he had to do "soap opera" for ''Film & Theater Styles'').
** In the same vein, any game parodying a talk show would get the fake show title "[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin People Who Know More Than You Do]]".
* Tony, back in the mid-90s, was a self-proclaimed "media slut." More than once the show would begin after a commercial break with Clive awarding points based off of how many commercials during it starred him. (These jokes have lost their effectiveness over time. Especially in America.) And we can't forget [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6p2gvm3t6s the Party Quirks where Rory impersonated him]]...
--->'''Rory''': (as Tony) Well, hel''lo!'' I'm sorry to gate-crash, but I heard they were filming a television programme here! Yes, where's the camera?
--->'''Tony''': (realizing the joke) Oh, ''[[SarcasmMode ha ha]]''. (jokingly, to the camera, while miming holding a cigarette in his hand) Can I just say--I'm not playing anymore.
* Clive's lack of a neck and hair were both frequently made fun of by various members of the cast, particularly Greg. Unfortunately for Greg, Clive often got where he was going before he could get the jokes going, though that often make the joke funnier.
* Clive would frequently ask the American players if they have (insert mundane item) in America. Greg would often return the favor by mocking England.
* A one-shot one in a "Film TV Theater styles" set in {{Venice}} - Ryan as the gondolier kept banging into low bridges for the whole duration.