Clockwise from top left: Tracey Conway, Joel McHale, Me, Bob Nelson, Pat Cashman, Steve Wilson, John Keister, Bill Stainton
Almost Live
Almost Live! was a sketch comedy show that began on Seattle’s KING TV in 1984 and ran for 15 seasons locally with 2 seasons on Comedy Central.
With its signature brand of sketches and videos, often skewering local people, politics, and neighborhoods, Almost Live! quickly became must-see TV, and won more than 100 Northwest Emmy Awards.
I first appeared on Almost Live! in 1985 when my future husband, Joe Guppy, cast me in video pieces he was producing. I joined as a full-time writer and performer in 1988 and, except for a 3-year stint writing for TV in Hollywood, I remained a cast member until the show was cancelled in 1999. A few of my favorite Almost Live! sketches include Capable Woman, Really Bad Gymnastics, New Boyfriend, Nature Walk w/Chuck, Eastside Story, Me!, Where Were You, and Eternal Questions.
Almost Live! continues to air in late night reruns on KING TV and classic video bits continue to rack up YouTube hits.
Notable Almost Live! alumnae cast members include Bill Nye the Science Guy, Joel McHale, Oscar nominee Bob Nelson, John Keister, Ross Shafer, Pat Cashman, Lauren Weedman and Matt Smith.
videos
Cast Photo Credit: Gary Harper