First Impressions with Dana Carvey

If you like great impressionists (think Rich Little, not Vincent Van Gogh), you should enjoy this show. Freddier Prinze, Jr. is the host and Dana Carvey is the "coach" to three contestants vying for $10,000.

After an opportunity to make a first impression in thirty seconds, the three hopefuls must display their talents in a series of rounds that vary from show to show. In the first two episodes, for example, there was a karaoke round, a take off on "The Dating Game", and a "Tonight Show" format with the impressionists pretending to be celebrity guests. In the end, the studio audience determines the winner.

Some secrets to a strong performance are the use of physical traits and gestures, a facile sense of humor, and a wide variety of impressions with fewer repetitions. The best impersonations almost make it seem like the impressionist is possessed by the person he is impersonating. One male contestant had an eerily good rendition of Sharon Osborne.

On each episode, Dana is joined by another celebrity, e.g. John Lovitz. The show moves quickly because it's packed with jokes and impressions.