What is it?

‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’ is a quick icebreaker or energizer that requires attention, listening skills, and quick responses from participants.

Why is it useful?

• Works well at the start of the day with a group that doesn’t know each other.
• Perfect after lunch to counter the “afternoon slump.”
• Great at the end of the day to send everyone away in a good mood.
• Guaranteed to get the group laughing together.

Objectives

• To re-energize a group and create a sense of lightness.
• To demonstrate the importance of active listening.

When would you use it?

• As an icebreaker or mid-course energizer to get the group laughing.
• With a group that has a lot of spare energy.
• After facilitating a dry or difficult subject to reset the mood.

Resources Required

• Facilitator to read the joke set-ups (provided in the slides).
• Hat or bag to hold the punchlines.
• Up to 20 participants.
• Jokes handout (cut up the punchline sheet beforehand – included in the slides).

Ground Rules

• Participants may not show their joke punchlines to each other.
• They may answer more than once if they think their punchline fits.
• Only one punchline per participant.
• Best played standing in a circle (but can also be seated).
• No complaining about the jokes!

Process

Step 1: Distribute punchlines

The facilitator puts individual joke punchlines into a hat or bag and passes it around. Each participant draws one and keeps it secret.

Step 2: Read the set-ups

The facilitator reads the first line of a joke. If a participant thinks they have the punchline, they shout it out (or stand up to deliver for extra energy).

Step 3: Find the match

• If it’s incorrect, the facilitator says “It’s not your line!” and repeats the setup.
• Continue until the correct punchline is given.

Secret Sauce

• Explain why the group is doing a fun energizer (energy and laughter boost quality and productivity).
• Let the fun run as long as it naturally lasts – laughter fuels creativity.
• Try variations: use song lyrics (guess the next line) or famous film quotes.
• In larger groups, add in random punchlines that don’t match any setup – these often generate even more laughter.
• Works especially well after lunch when the group feels tired.