American Panel Shows?

A thought has just struck me... I can't think of a single American panel show. Do they even exist?

Here in England they're obviously really popular - I mean just look at today and tomorrow, in two days we've got four operating: Never Mind The Buzzcocks, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, HIGNFY and The News Quiz...

But I really honestly can't think of a single American panel show that has ever broadcast (WLIIA? doesn't count). Not one. Why aren't they popular in the US?, or is just they've all completely passed me by?

They do have panel shows in the states, don't they? Like Celebrity Squares? I would hazard a guess that the British model of the panel show is too risque for mainstream American television, where swearing etc is a no go. You'd still expect cable to have a few.

There was Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher a few years back. But it wasn't really meant as a comedy.
I noticed Quebec has a lot of them. They are very successful in fact. My mom watches them.
I don't think Americans these days would get it. They used to have them back in the 60s, but these days I think it would be considered tacky for celebs to be on a show like that.
Too bad though because I really like Buzzcocks.

Aren't Panel shows just a way for T.V. channels to save money? I hate most of them, and would rather have proper comedy in their place.

I love 'em.

I wish they'd bring back FAQ U.

Although I can't remember how they spelled it... something like that anyway.
When the guests were good it was hilarious.
Like all panel shows.

Never even hearrrd of that one. What was it?

It was a show a couple of years ago. On every night for a couple of weeks, if I remember right.

It had four different comedians on each night, sitting about on armchairs, with a different host asking them questions, to start off conversations more than to win points.

David Mitchell was on it, Rhys Thomas, erm. Lots of people!

Ohhhhhhhhhh! That one! Yes, first place I saw Alan Carr.

He's grown on me since. But it'd have been quite an acheivement for him to go down in my estimation of him then.

On the show as a whole, I was largely nonplussed.

We have panel shows on the radio. CBC specifically. My favorite is "Canada Reads" where Canadian celebrities pick a favorite book and defend it, or switch sides or just knock down books they think suck. It's pretty funny stuff.
Then books slowly get eliminated as listeners vote on their favorite celebrity/book.
This years has been a little lame as there have been no real comedians included. An astronaut, two musicians a writer and the star of Little Mosque on the Prairie.

The US have a US version of 'Never Mind The Buzzcocks'.

Although, I guess that doesn't count either.

Quote: Griff @ October 31 2008, 10:00 PM BST

In what way is (say) Mock The Week, where stand-up comedians stand up and deliver stand-up comedy, not proper comedy? Or is your definition of proper comedy only scripted comedy? (admittedly MTW is also scripted but less so).

View original

I said most, not all.

Quote: zooo @ October 30 2008, 7:51 PM BST

David Mitchell was on it.

View original

David Mitchell on a panel show? Sorry, I just can't picture it.

That must have been sarcasm... If not, he's been on loads and fits in very well.

As for American panel shows, living in Canada I only recently discovered British panel shows (over the internet) of course. I think Mock the Week was the first, and I was surprised when I found all these other ones with a very similar format (HIGNFY, Would I Lie To You?, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Nevermind The Buzzcocks, The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year) etc.

While they may have some things sort of similar, like Celebrity Squares, they really just don't have this sort of thing over there/here. I think it's a cultural thing. The constant conversation might not go over as well with American crowds.

We don't have anything similar in Canada either.

The Gong Show had a panel of judges but it would be more of a variety show and by God The Gong Show had variety.

I recall Channel 4 showing it in the eighties.

No I haven't read it. I meant to watch the film 'Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind' but I don't think I ever got round to it.