"Tattletales" (1974) TV series 1974-1978

Director:

Paul Alter

Writer:

Robert D'Asto (writer)

Seasons:

unknown

Release Date:

18 February 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Three celebrity couples were panelists. First, either the wives or husbands would go offstage and wear headphones; their spouses would remain on stage...

Plot Keywords:

Remake

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Adrienne Barbeau	...	Herself (10 episodes, 1975-1976)
Sammy Davis Jr.	...	Himself (10 episodes, 1975-1976)
Bert Convy	...	Host - Himself (8 episodes, 1975-1976)
Altovise Davis	...	Herself (5 episodes, 1975)
Linda Henning	...	Herself (5 episodes, 1975)
Buddy Hackett	...	Himself (5 episodes, 1976)

Also Known As:

TattleTales (USA) (alternative spelling)

Runtime:

30 min (1075 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:TV-PG

Filming Locations:

CBS Television City - 7800 Beverly Blvd., Fairfax, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Golden Girls: Grab That Dough (#3.16)" (1988)

Soundtrack:

TattleTales Theme

Uninspiring game show that features washed-up celebrities and their spouses.

The late Burt Convy hosted this pitiful 'game show' where no actual 'every day contestants' are featured. Three panelists comprised of 'has-been' celebrities would sit behind a podium with a television set built into it that would screen their spouse's face from a room off to the side of the set. Their spouse would wear a set of headphones as Burt Convy would ask the panelists ridiculous questions regarding their personal lives, such as their likes, dislikes and of course their sex life.

The object of the game was to have the panelist match their spouse's response to the question, much like the format in "THE NEWLYWED GAME". While that show pitted everyday strangers against one another in the hope of making a 'love connection', "TATTLETALES" relies on its washed-up celebrities to make the most of their time on the show to make fools out of themselves by asking them ludicrous questions followed by some sort of claptrap response. Regular panelists would include Zsa Zsa Gabor, Joan Collins and Phyllis Diller - ALL of whom would go on to divorce their 'spouses' featured on the show.

The audience members were split into three separate colors - red, yellow and blue. Whichever panelist and spouse answered the most correct questions would ultimately win a small amount of money which would be distributed among members of the audience, depending on what color they happened to be wearing.

Overall, of the rare times I did happen to catch this show, the panelists always appeared to look quite bored or angry at themselves for agreeing to participate in the antics of this muddled game show (think of Richard Dawson on "MATCH GAME PM"). I was quite surprised that "TATTLETALES" lasted four seasons... but then again, it WAS the 70's.