Helping Hands
1988-present
Also known as Hands Through, Arms, Arms Scene
Four players pair up: one performs the scene with arms hidden, while a second player behind them provides all the arm gestures.
Known for
- Ryan Stiles typically played the front (speaking) role with Colin Mochrie providing increasingly disgusting 'help' via arms.
- Humor comes from the disconnect between what's said and what the hands do; front players must justify everything.
- Usually staged at a table with food props — cooking demo, science experiment, makeup tutorial.
- Challenges the arm-providers to commit physically without being able to see the props.
Connected to
Troupes
whose line
Games
Concepts