What's My Line? @ 75: Day 1

 

On February 2, 1950, What’s My Line? hit CBS’ airwaves as the latest brainchild from burgeoning producers Goodson and Todman. A simple game of 20 questions, it would go on to become a symbol of elegance and class on the Tiffany Network for 17 ½ years and the longest running network primetime game show — a record it still holds to this day.

 

The key to its success, and the success of the other long running Goodson/Todman panel shows, I’ve Got A Secret and To Tell The Truth, was the chemistry of those involved. A Good panel along with a host who had fun with them turned otherwise paint drying television into a fun play along experience.

 

While I had seen the show in the late 90s/early 00s on the Game Show Network — mainly in their Black & White Overnight block — it wasn’t until they began running the show overnight daily at 3am that I became truly hooked. It was a journey to watch most of the 700+ episodes that survive of the show’s 876 that were produced. A fun journey and education in the culture of a time long before I was born.

In honor of this momentous occasion, here are 10 of my favorite moments from the show’s original CBS run, in no particular order (though I do have a number one).

 

 

 

10. Betty White was an absolute gem of a human being who brought the world laughter and delight for over 70 years. Through the 40s and 50s she worked and made a name for herself locally in Los Angeles, but it was What’s My Line? that features one of her earliest appearances on a nationally televised game show. A route that would lead to many more appearances in the genre and turning her into a legend there right beside her career as an actress. That first appearance isn’t what makes my list, but rather her appearance as a Mystery Guest on June 23, 1963 along with her new husband Allen Ludden. The two became acquainted after Betty made her first appearance on the show Allen hosts, the all-time great game show Password. Allen was instantly taken and pursued her until their marriage on June 14, 1963. Fresh off their nuptials, here they provide great fun stumping the panel for a bit until they both hilariously answer a question at the same time with opposite answers. This is then followed by Betty getting a little naughty, in that special way she does, when they’re asked if they’ll be doing anything together that summer.