What's My Line? (1968–1975) User Reviews

Not as great as the original, but good enough

[SkippyDevereaux · 8 November 2001]

This version lacked the sophistication of the original, but thank goodness they had the common sense to retain Arlene Francis for this version. This version did have a few panelists that I never heard of then or since--I mean, who is Sherrye Henry?? That was one of the downside factors of this show, they tended to have panelists that were supposedly "hot" at the moment. Unfortunately, we don't hear of them today and are left with a "huh?". But it is still a fun show to watch in reruns.

I too, grew up watching this version

[Mark81961 · 10/10 · 6 June 2006]

AGREED!!!! I too, grew up watching this version of What's My Line? I was too young to stay up and watch the network version, but this version came on during regular prime time and I enjoyed it a lot more. I wish that GSN could expand and add "Classic GSN" or a "GSN-2" with nothing but the game shows from that era of the sixties and seventies when you could enjoy a game show. I cannot understand how poker or blackjack actually qualify as a game show....sure they're games people play, but a game show is unique in how it comes about....BRING THESE SHOWS BACK!!! RELEASE THEM ON DVD SOON!!!! Decent television deserves to be shown to a new audience that can appreciate these types of shows the way we did when we were either kids or young adults. And since it's been a number of years since many of them aired, it would be great to have the saying "EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN" apply with a show like this one.

Wish I liked it More

[loeb123 · 5/10 · 1 January 2007]

I really wish I liked the show more and I might have if I wasn't familiar with the original. But the original has real advantages over the remake 1. The panelists were better. Dorothy Kilgallen, Arlene Francis and Bennet Cerf were with the show for years and became like members of our family. We knew we would see them live every Sunday night - they were dressed beautifully and brought a sense of elegance and sophistication to the show.

2. The moderator was better. I don't know if anyone could have successfully succeeded John Daly (he was asked back for the syndicated show but turned it down). I don't know who Wally Bruner was but he was no John Daly and the same goes for Larry Blyden - they completely lacked the sophistication, elegance (and vocabulary) of John Daly.

3. The fact it was syndicated took away the "special" event that the original show was- knowing it was live on Sunday night was unique.

Again if I didn't know the original show I might like the remake better but its hard to accept ginger ale once you had champagne. Jay Kauffman

The Version I Grew Up With

[Sargebri · 25 June 2003]

This is the version of this classic game show that I grew up with. The main differences I find between this version and the original is that it tended to lean more towards comedy and that the stylish attire was gone (the men didn't wear tuxedos and the women eschewed evening gowns in favor of slacks or casual attire). Also, the show played more like "I've Got a Secret" as the contestants would often demonstrate their skill or would have a sample of the product they either sold or made. Many fans of the original version hated this; however, I still enjoyed watching the panel try to guess the occupation of different individuals as well as trying to figure out who the mystery guest is. Too bad it is not shown on a regular basis anymore. The only time this version is shown on GSN is when a guest who appeared on this version has passed away and they want to do a tribute to that person.

10 stars for the original

[ablbodyed-2 · 2/10 · 24 December 2022]

I wait with real anticipation for the two weeks that "What's My Line" and to a lesser degree "I've Got A Secret". Is on GSN in the early morning. So my disappointment is acute when I see episode after episode of the version. That is entirely due to having to look at Soupy Sales. Was there everEverEVER anyone with less talent foisted upon the American public? In his world everything is about him: his mugging at inappropriate times, his almost endless smarmy sexual innuendo, and his terrible "jokes". I'd be willing to bet that he was highly disliked by his co-workers. My visceral loathing of him can't be mine alone.

I have another criticism about this show. Who picked the women's clothes? They're ghastly. It that what passed for style in the late 60's? I realize that gowns and tuxes were not a viable choice for a daytime syndicated show, but there should have been some gay guy to say, "Not THAT, darling, you have a career to think about."