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 April 9, 2007. 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 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 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 Grier — Host Dave Foley — Judge Nyima Funk - Ensemble Maribeth Monroe – Ensemble Brian Palermo – Ensemble Chris Tallman – Ensemble
List of episodes Key: Denotes the winner
Episodes 1 & 2: April 9, 2007 Guest star Scenario Wayne Knight Morning TV show guest pushing a supplement to vitamins Bryan Cranston A British rock star late for a meeting with an executive Joel McHale An Egyptian archaeologist exploring a newly discovered tomb Jennifer Coolidge A contestant in "Ms. Constellation" beauty pageant Warm-ups Going through customs / A cop on the news Group scene A collection of superheroes who must save Las Vegas David's Cameo As a judge in Jennifer Coolidge's skit
Guest star Scenario Mo'Nique A TV game show co-host Kevin Nealon A famous high-altitude guide/rescuer Richard Kind A radio Foley artist Edie McClurg A wife at a marriage counselor's office Warm-ups Taxi drivers undergoing examination / Apply for a job Group scene Knights of the Round Table meet and go in search of Guinevere David's Cameo As Edie McClurg's secret lover
Episode 3: April 16, 2007 Guest star Scenario Jason Alexander The captain in a Star Trek parody Brian Posehn A 1950s jock (geek) meeting his date's father before their date Jane Lynch A woman explaining to her parents about a party she held while they were away from home Harland Williams An explorer returning to a British museum 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 A newlywed bride giving a toast with the groom George Takei A surgeon Shannon Elizabeth Advertising executive pitching a new vodka drink Tom Green 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 A chef in an altercation with customers Angela Kinsey A celebrity being interviewed on a late night talk show Fran Drescher Real estate agent pitching a new design on a beach resort Fred Willard A journeyman meeting Robin Hood and his Merry Men Warm-ups People in a dating service / Directors of The Godfather: 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 A Captain fielding complaints from passengers on his cruise ship that is about to sink Ana Gasteyer A comic book heroine at a fan convention Paul Rodriguez A medieval doctor Nicole Sullivan 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 Promoting his workout equipment Wayne Knight A Roman general reporting to the emperor Wendie Malick A bad cheerleader is called to the principal's office; Jerry Springer's appearance occurred here Eddie Kaye Thomas An illegal drag racer crashes into an apartment. (this scene and Joel McHale'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 and was originally supposed to feature Alanis Morissette, who ended up pulling out.
References
External links Official Website