What's My Line? @ 75: Day 10

 

Concluding my series posting 10 of my favorite or notable moments from the history of What's My Line?, celebrating its 75th anniversary today, February 2nd.

1. Today is the day. The day that this franchise began its historic run. And yet, I’m closing this main lookback with the last episode of the CBS series. What’s My Line?, probably in part because of its historic run, was afforded the opportunity to say goodbye in one final live broadcast on September 3, 1967. Other panel shows hadn’t been so lucky. To Tell the Truth’s final nighttime broadcast concluded with a simple message from Bud Collyer, perhaps because the show would still air in daytime for another year and change. I’ve Got A Secret suffered an even tamer fate. Finding out that they had been canceled and that their last episode would be one that was already taped, the panel went back to the studio to record a very truncated farewell that was tacked on to the end of that previously recorded episode. 1967-68 was not a great year for Goodson-Todman as the networks pivoted away from their shows a little while hot stuff, like that coming from Chuck Barris Productions, took off. They would bounce back with syndicated runs of Line and Truth starting shortly the following couple of years and by the early 70s three more of their previous hit shows would be back in network daytime. News of What’s My Line’s cancellation broke over the summer break as everyone was on vacation while pretaped episodes aired. They came back for this final episode and honored their history as elegant and classy as they always had. Former permanent panelist Steve Allen returns, while most frequent guest panelist and husband to Arlen, Martin Gabel come together one final time. The first segment featured the original three contestants from the first episode — which none of these panelist were around for — and perhaps a subtle homage to the original free guess format, where each member of the panel was allowed one chance to ace the occupation of the contestant before questioning. Following a look back at clips throughout the show’s history, a handler of unemployment claims was the fun tongue-in-cheek second contestant. But the mystery guest round here is the moment that ranks as my favorite throughout the history of the show. The guessing game around who would be the final guest was at fever pitch in the theater that night, I’m sure. Mark Goodson and Bill Todman, the show creators? They’d been on as mystery guests before. Phil Rizzuto, the first mystery guest? Perhaps some gigantic star to wish them well? I know I wondered the first time I ever saw this episode. I was so curious to see how it ended. Imagine my delight and surprise when John Daly asks for the guest to sign in and he gets up from his desk to sign in! The applause and sight of him doing so and sitting in the other seat at his desk is something that always cheers me up. John does a good job of keeping the panel off his trail for a little bit with a high-pitched voice but, with it being the final night, the panel is wise to some trickery afoot. Arlene falls for the Goodson-Todman trap, but it’s Bennett who successfully figures it out. John explains that while asked many times by fans over the years why he’s never the mystery guest, he’s the last line of defense as an emergency mystery guest should the planned guest not be able to do the show — the guest arrives after the show starts to avoid them running into the panel — and there’s been close calls with late and/or moody guests. It truly was the best way to end out the series. Happy anniversary to this wonderful, groundbreaking series. Thank you to all of you who have enjoyed this little series of clips. Thank you to the Game Show Network, and all those involved with the network, for exposing this kid to a whole era of delightful programming in a genre they, and so many others, love. And thank you to Goodson-Todman for this program of What’s My Line?

What's My Line? @ 75: Day 9

 

Continuing my series posting 10 of my favorite or notable moments from the history of What's My Line?, celebrating its 75th anniversary at the beginning of February.

2. Sometimes, the best moments and best surprises, come from close to home. Over the years, there have been many times when relatives of family members have appeared on the show as a regular contestant or mystery guest. Most times, they’re completely fooled or lead on for quite some time before figuring it out. In the end, it’s a great reaction by the panelist in question when revealed. Perhaps one of the most famous was when Mia Farrow appeared as the second mystery guest the same night new husband Frank Sinatra was the first mystery guest and migrated over to the panel. In the history of the original series, they’ve featured Dorothy Kilgallen’s father, husband and children, Fred Allen’s wife, Portland Hoffa, Arlene and Martin Gabel’s son, Bennett Cerf’s wife and son, Jayne Meadows as Steve Allen was on the panel, Eydie Gorme as Steve Lawarence was on the panel, among other examples. But, by far, my favorite was the segment that took place on Christmas Day 1966 — only the third time the show aired on the holiday. Columnist Suzy Knickerbocker had become a semi-regular panelist during the final two years of the show following Dorothy Kilgallen’s death, joining the likes of actress Phyllis Newman and personality Sue Oakland. On this episode, the first contestant is a junior grade lieutenant from a nuclear submarine. The panel is blindfolded as to not give away his occupation by his uniform, but it’s also to hide his identity as Suzy Knickerbocker’s son, Roger Mehle. Bennett was the one to identify his line and when John Daly gave his name, the reaction from Suzy is one of the best. Knickbocker was expecting him to arrive the Thursday after this episode was taped, so she was completely shocked. The joy and elation of being able to see him early is so heartwarming and the pride with which she clearly has for him shines through so brightly. A military surprise reunion is usually good for a tug at the heartstrings and this is no different. I hope they had a good time after the episode and enjoyed their holiday. It really is, to me, one of the best feel good moment in the history of the show and one of the most underrated.

What's My Line? @ 75: Day 8

 

Continuing my series posting 10 of my favorite or notable moments from the history of What's My Line?, celebrating its 75th anniversary at the beginning of February.

3. One thing that made What’s My Line? special was that its grand reputation attracted many different guests from all over the world of notoriety. From entertainment to sports to politics, they pulled a lot of great and historic guests. For some of them, it ended up being special simply because it marked a rare instance of seeing people on television. Perhaps one of their grandest guests was former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Appearing on October 18, 1953, the widow of President Franklin D. Roosevelt had continued to carve her legacy as humanitarian and good will ambassador since her days as First Lady including helping with the formation of and acting as one of the first United States representatives to the United Nations. To see someone so respected and so connected to history appear in this medium was special to me because it connected a time of the past to a time of the present. John Daly answers for her during most of the proceedings, even cracking off a few good quips. By the time Mrs. Roosevelt starts to answer questions on her own, Dorothy becomes wise to it being the First Lady and quickly zeroes in. She spreads the word of the upcoming United Nations Week before being greeted by the entire panel standing as she exits the stage. It would be perhaps the highest profile guest they’d ever have. Another rumored story is that during the show’s trip to Chicago in 1956 while John covered the Democratic National Convention, former President Harry S. Truman was to be tapped as the Mystery Guest while they were there. Things seemed all set for it to go forward, but the show at the time was sponsored by Remmington Rand — which featured former Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, General Douglas MacArthur, as Chairman of the Board — who supposedly squashed the appearance when informed. For those unaware, it wasn’t an amicable split when Truman dismissed MacArthur during the Korean War only a few years prior. Socialite Pearle Mesta appeared instead. So, Mrs. Roosevelt stands as perhaps their greatest guest of record. Just a fascinating segment.

What's My Line? @ 75: Day 7

 

Continuing my series posting 10 of my favorite or notable moments from the history of What's My Line?, celebrating its 75th anniversary at the beginning of February.

4. As can happen, people close to a program can sadly and unexpectedly pass away while a show is running. This happened twice to What’s My Line? and this will be another double dip. Panelist Steve Allen left the show as a permanent panelist in 1954 as his local Tonight program launched nationally as The Tonight Show. In his place, the show tapped a radio veteran, icon Fred Allen. His wry humor fit in well with Dorothy, Arlene and Bennett and his reputation for his kindness preceded him. He did well on the show from August of 1954 — initially as a guest panelist — until March 11, 1956. Then, on the evening of Saturday, March 17, 1956, he died suddenly of a heart attack. They decided to continue with the show the following night, clearly grief stricken, but soldiering on. A somber moment for an otherwise light show that wouldn’t be the last time the show faced tragedy head on. Dorothy Kilgallen was on the first episode. From Week 1, it was her and John. Besides going off on different assignments for her massively influential column, she was there for 14 ¾ years. That ended on November 7, 1965. Following the episode that aired that night, Dorothy died under mysterious circumstances the following day. Unlike Fred Allen’s death, the show had a little more time to consider what to do and, in the same vein as Allen, went on with a show the following week, though just as sad. With Steve Allen returning, as he had when Fred passed and the show, the show respectably went forward in her honor along with friend, socialite and fellow game show panelist Kitty Carlisle in her seat. Following this, no one would permanently take her seat. Both shows, understandably, did not feature panel and host introductions with the announcer giving a generic intro to the panel before introducing the host. Links to the entire episodes, featuring the panel’s heartfelt goodbyes, will be below.

What's My Line? @ 75: Day 6

 

Continuing my series posting 10 of my favorite or notable moments from the history of What's My Line?, celebrating its 75th anniversary at the beginning of February.

5. Although the show would begin to be videotaped by the late 50s/early 60s, it still did many programs live and when doing live television, anything can happen. So was the case in two instances when two intruders invaded the stage during the live broadcast. Interestingly, both instances occurred during the Mystery Guest segment. I’ll feature both here. One on Mother’s Day 1958 just after guest Milton Berle had been identified and was talking about a new book of his. The intruder runs up to Berle screaming “I made it! For Mother’s Day!” before shaking his hand and sprinting off behind him. With Berle, Daly and the panel all momentarily stunned, Berle gets things back on track with a quick quip, “My agent!” A good laugh brought to a weird moment. After that was the night of October 7, 1962 when, just after the beginning of questioning of Greek actress and former Academy Award nominee Melina Mecouri by Dorothy Kilgallen, a man walks onto the stage, briefly apologizes to Mecouri and then proceeds to talk about something. John Daly calls for producer Gil Fates to come in and relieve the man from the stage at which point Fates and legendary announcer Johnny Olson come out and escort him away. Director Franklin Heller, wise to knowing that this man could say anything on live television, smartly dropped the audio for a few seconds while he was present. Apparently, he was hawking some dating service that, unfortunately for him, got no advertisement on air. John basically resets the segment and starts over again, but you could tell things were a little off kilter and that he wasn’t all to pleased with the intrusion. Guest panelist Victor Borge does well to bring levity to the proceedings with his brand of absurdity and the night ends on a short note with John needing to say goodnight for the entire panel as the show ran long. It’s such an odd moment in the history of the show that it had to be included. Perhaps as a make-up, Mecouri would appear on the show again in 1967 during the show’s final weeks on air. 

What's My Line? @ 75: Day 5

 

Continuing my series posting 10 of my favorite or notable moments from the history of What's My Line?, celebrating its 75th anniversary at the beginning of February.

6. John Daly was a seasoned newsman who essentially launched ABC News, as that network was still fledgling, who appreciated the elegance and decorum What’s My Line? had. They still had fun, but in structure for the most part. That meant that he didn’t really prefer demonstrations or performances that much. Arlene Francis didn’t mind such displays and would occasionally try to encourage them, particularly out of the mystery guests. One such guest who was willing to oblige was the great Louie Armstrong. He appeared on the show twice, almost exactly ten years apart. March 14, 1954 versus March 22, 1964. In both appearances he sang a little, much to the delight of the panel and audience, with my favorite being his appearance in 1964. Appearing as his version of “Hello Dolly,” the title song of the hit Broadway musical, was soaring up the charts — culminating in hitting #1 and ending The Beatles’ 14 straight weeks at the top. Arlene, tired of “playing it on the Victrola,” asked if he would sing it. He sang a good little bit of it too and it was such a wonderful treat and capper to the episode, even John had to applaud at what was experienced. Now, the rumored story goes that, at the time, Armstrong’s agent had booked him to appear later that week on The Perry Como Show, where it was to be the first time Louie would perform the song on television, and that the agent was *fuming* when he ended up singing it here, blowing the Como exclusive. Only a story, but a funny one and a great appearance.

What's My Line? @ 75: Day 4

 

Continuing my series posting 10 of my favorite or notable moments from the history of What's My Line?, celebrating its 75th anniversary at the beginning of February.

7. I’m weird in that some of my favorite moments come from some of the simplest things and that certainly counts in this entry. In October 1955, Charlotte Whitton, the then mayor of the capital city of Canada, Ottawa, appeared on the show, with her being mayor being her sought after line. We are first treated to the perils of live television when she doesn't come out immediately. Prompting John Daly to get up from his seat and peak backstage. You can begin to see a brief moment of panic as John begins to plot what to do next if someone doesn't come out in the next few seconds, but thankfully she appears shortly afterward. In the course of obtaining which way she was to be addressed, John Daly wanted to know if she went by “missus or miss?” Whitton immediately shot back with “Oof, miss. I’ve made enough mistakes,” which elicits great laughter from everyone and rightfully so. You could tell how a woman like her got to the position she did with such a quick and witty response. This was a woman who lived. This is a moment that makes me chuckle every time I think about it.