What's My Line? (1950–1967)

Contestants with unusual occupations were interviewed by the panelists. Only questions that could be answered with a "yes" or "no" were allowed. At the conclusion of the questioning, the ... See full summary »

Stars:

John Daly, Arlene Francis, Bennett Cerf

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
John Daly	...	Himself - Moderator (831 episodes, 1950-1967)
Arlene Francis	...	Herself - Panelist (782 episodes, 1950-1967)
Bennett Cerf	...	Himself - Panelist (705 episodes, 1950-1967)
Dorothy Kilgallen	...	Herself - Panelist (686 episodes, 1950-1965)

Storyline

Contestants with unusual occupations were interviewed by the panelists. Only questions that could be answered with a "yes" or "no" were allowed. At the conclusion of the questioning, the panelists attempted to guess the contestants occupation. There was also a "mystery guest", usually a famous person; the panelists had to wear masks when questioning this person and the guest usually disguised his/her voice.

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Plot Keywords:

question | panel | host | celebrity | mask | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Game-Show

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 February 1950 (USA)

Also Known As:

Occupation Unknown

Filming Locations:

CBS Broadcast Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (876 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White (1950-1966) Color (1966-1967)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

After the death of Dorothy Kilgallen, Goodson Todman Productions conducted an intensive search to find a suitable replacement. Ordinary women from across the United States flooded Goodson's New York office and CBS with letters offering their services. Barbara Feldon sent a telegram to Goodson immediately after she heard the news of Kilgallen's death. After several months of using a variety of actresses and female journalists, the Goodson company decided to continue in that direction. Phyllis Newman, Aileen Mehle and Susan Oakland were used far more often than other female entertainers and newspaper reporters. Why none of them signed on as a regular is unknown. Newman was a panelist on the series next to last broadcast.

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Quotes

Steve Allen: Is it bigger than a bread box?

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Connections

Spoofed in The Brady Bunch Variety Hour: Episode #1.4 (1977)

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Soundtracks

"Sounds"
(Open Theme 2)
Composed by Sascha Granville Burland (BMI)

User Reviews

An urbane, witty, and entertaining program

"What's My Line" is one of my favorite programs. The host, John Daly, was an excellent host. He was erudite, respectful, and professional, unlike succeeding game show hosts, who, for the most part, try to be comedians. The panel was also insightful, witty, and humorous without being crude and trying to be funny. They were truly classy people. Even more important to me is to see the civility that existed on that program compared to current programming. It certainly was a different time in terms of respect, manners, and sophistication. As an earlier reviewer, game show formats now appeal to the lowest denominator. Noteworthy is the conduct of the audience. No loud cheering, yelling, and other obnoxious behavior on " What's My line".

How I miss the golden age of television...It was certainly heads and shoulders above most of today's programs which try to pass for entertainment. As we have progressed in so many areas in the past forty years. we have certainly declined in the quality, civility, and humaneness of that earlier era.