Chupacabra on What's My Line? Sketch

[cauchamar]

This show is ripe for this kind of thing, but I don't think the joke can just be the format - it has to be the exact people. Really unless you had gifted actors/comedians imitating the original stars, or spliced old clips in carefully with the new gag footage, it almost has to be just a written sketch or short story to work. There's a lot of comic potential in the premise but I feel you missed it here.

[daveandtom]

@cauchamar Thank you for some of the most reasoned and intelligent comments and criticisms I've gotten on YouTube first off.

[daveandtom]

@cauchamar Secondly, I have to respectfully disagree as I do not find straight "imitate the people" or impression humor generally funny. Also, I do not think anyone would know the people on the show specifically well enough to have a imitation resonate with the audience. That is why I didnt have them "do" the people in a isnt it funny to see someone impersonating them scenario.

[daveandtom]

@daveandtom The joke in this case is the idea that Chupacabra would appear as a mild mannered glasses wearing man instead of the obvious creature and not a "see how well they copy a show no one really remembers specifically" joke. Hope you got a few giggles from it if not my replies

[cauchamar]

@daveandtom

The joke isn't/wouldn't be the impersonations, it would be a ridiculous guest in the context of the actual show as we saw it - the urbane panelists being their usual selves, the familiar banter between these familiar, super-polite people, and then at the end it turns out the guest they've been guessing for is a serial killer or something.

[daveandtom]

@cauchamar yes. that does sound like a valid other take on this idea. well done. We did this version onstage for a few years around the country and because it got laughs we shot it as I wrote it. Perhaps a followup idea of doing the panelists and having them guest another horrid guest is soon in order. I'll shoot it!

[ipmoic]

Surprised they couldn't identify mystery guest Drew Carey right away!

[daveandtom]

LOL. Well, there's no pleasing some people! Good thing humor is subjective. It was a pleasure being stupid insulting you and being unfunny to you. Thank goodness you are in the minority about this one! Have a few more drinks just in case :-)

[mujerado]

@daveandtom A majority of those who've responded don't like this. Neither do I. Humor is subjective, but your title reads as if this were an episode of the show being lampooned. I'd guess a large number of the dislikes resulted from people who felt they'd been deceived into watching this. False advertising is rarely funny to those caught by it.

[daveandtom]

@mujerado the name of the sketch is rare unreleased mystery guest show. its okay if alot of people dont like it. Thanks for feedback.

[fromthesidelines]

Thanks to "daveandtom" for uncovering Jim Aubrey's own attempt to 'goose' "WML?" during the early '60s when he was running CBS- the "Smiling Cobra" of broadcast executives clamed the original format wasn't "exciting" enough, and secretly produced his own version to prove his point. Of course, it was NEVER shown, and Aubrey was fired from CBS years later.

[awkwardpictures]

Hahahaha! Very nicely done