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.[1] 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.[2]
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.
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.
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.
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