Some TV moments just don't age. You know the ones. You're scrolling through YouTube or TikTok at 2:00 AM, and suddenly you’re wheezing because a guy in Swarovski-encrusted tank tops is pretending to be a coin-fed pair of binoculars. We’re talking about the legend himself. Richard Simmons whose line is it anyway appearance isn't just a "good" guest spot; it is widely considered the single funniest six minutes in the history of American improv.
Honestly, the producers didn't even know if they could air it. Simmons later revealed that the network sat on the footage for a while because they thought he was "too sassy." But when it finally hit the airwaves in 2003, during Season 5, Episode 17, the world basically lost its collective mind.
The Day the "Living Scenery" Game Changed Forever
If you haven’t seen the clip in a while, let's refresh. The game is Living Scenery. Usually, it’s pretty standard: two actors do a scene, and two others have to be the furniture. Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie were the "actors" on a luxury cruise ship. Wayne Brady and Richard Simmons were the "props."
It started chaotic and only got weirder.
Richard didn't just stand there. He became the props with a level of physical commitment that honestly looked like it might break him—or at least Ryan Stiles. Within seconds, Richard was a lounge chair. Then he was a jet ski. At one point, he was a towel rack.
The turning point? The "prop" workout.
When Ryan and Colin decided to use the gym equipment, Richard became the rowing machine. He didn't just sit there; he grabbed their legs. He mimicked the motions. He made noises that are frankly impossible to describe in a family-friendly article. The audience wasn't just laughing; they were literally falling out of their chairs. If you watch the wide shots, you can see people in the front row doubled over, gasping for air.
Why Richard Simmons Whose Line Is It Anyway Was Different
Most guest stars on Whose Line are a little shy. They’re usually actors or athletes who are terrified of looking stupid in front of improv titans like Wayne Brady. They stand still, they smile, and they let the pros do the heavy lifting.
Richard Simmons did the opposite.
He didn't just participate; he took over the stage. He had this "cannonball of glitter" energy that forced the regulars to react to him. Colin Mochrie, who has seen everything in his thirty-plus years of improv, once told Cracked that Richard was one of his favorite guests ever. He called it one of the "100 funniest moments in television history." He wasn't exaggerating.
The beauty of it was the lack of ego. Richard knew people made fun of his persona. He knew the short-shorts and the "Sweatin' to the Oldies" vibe were easy targets. So, he just leaned into it. He weaponized his own flamboyance for the sake of the bit.
The "Suture" Line and Other Chaos
There's a moment toward the end where the scene is supposed to be winding down. Ryan Stiles, clearly exhausted from trying to keep a straight face, makes a joke about needing a suture. The chemistry between Richard and the cast was so organic it felt like they’d been rehearsing for years. But they hadn't. That’s the magic of the richard simmons whose line is it anyway episode—it was pure, unfiltered lightning in a bottle.
- Season/Episode: Season 5, Episode 17 (Often listed as Episode 521 in syndication)
- The Cast: Drew Carey, Ryan Stiles, Colin Mochrie, Wayne Brady
- The Highlights: The "Living Scenery" cruise ship sketch, "Song Styles" where Wayne sings to Richard, and "Newsflash."
What Most People Get Wrong About the Recording
There’s a common rumor that the show was heavily scripted. People see how perfectly the jokes land and assume it must be fake.
Wrong.
The Whose Line set was notorious for being a pressure cooker. According to behind-the-scenes accounts from the crew, they would film for hours to get enough material for one 22-minute episode. With Richard, they didn't have to edit much. He was "on" from the second he walked out.
He also did a segment called "Song Styles" where Wayne Brady had to improvise a song about him. Usually, Wayne is the coolest guy in the room. Richard made him blush. He was touching Wayne’s hair, dancing around him, and basically out-performing a guy who wins Emmys for a living.
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The Legacy of a Fitness Icon
When Richard Simmons passed away in July 2024, this clip went viral all over again. It reminded everyone that he wasn't just a guy who helped people lose weight; he was a genuinely gifted comedic performer.
He had this rare ability to be the butt of the joke and the one telling the joke at the same time. He was a "hermit" in his later years, staying away from the spotlight, but this episode remains the gold standard for how to be a guest on an improv show. He didn't try to be "cool." He tried to be funny.
How to Watch the Richard Simmons Episode Today
Finding the exact episode can be a bit of a headache because of how the seasons are numbered on streaming services.
If you're looking on HBO Max (or just "Max"), the numbering is notoriously messy. Look for Season 5, Episode 15 on some platforms, or search for "Episode 521." Usually, the thumbnail features Richard in his signature purple tank top, so he’s hard to miss.
Actionable Ways to Relive the Magic:
- Check YouTube First: The official Whose Line clips on YouTube have the "Living Scenery" sketch in high definition. It’s the easiest way to see the "jet ski" moment without digging through a full episode.
- Look for the Bloopers: There are "uncensored" versions of this taping floating around. Because the show aired on ABC, they had to cut some of Richard's more "sassy" physical comedy. The outtakes are even more chaotic than what made it to TV.
- Watch "Song Styles": Don't just watch the scenery bit. Find the clip where Wayne Brady sings to him. It’s a masterclass in how to handle a guest who is completely unpredictable.
- Compare it to Robin Williams: If you want a double feature of high-energy guest spots, watch the Robin Williams episode (Season 3, Episode 9) right after. It’s the only other time the cast looked that genuinely overwhelmed.
Richard Simmons didn't just show up to plug a workout video. He showed up to play. And in doing so, he created a piece of television that still feels fresh twenty years later.