How did panel game shows of the 1950s go unscathed

[staytuned]

We all known that in the 1950s, formerly popular quiz shows such as The $64,000 Question and the infamous one of all time Twenty One got major backlash due to cheating or giving the answers to contestants to "study" before taping their episode on camera. However, panel shows such as To Tell the Truth, What's My Line? and I've Got a Secret never got the same treatment and survived. So what is the main reason why panel shows survived the scandal while quiz shows didn't?

[howilu]

None of the panel shows from Mark Goodson and Bill Todman as well as The Price is Right and Beat the Clock were quiz shows and didn't give away a lot of money.

The top prize on What's My Line was $50 while I've Got a Secret awarded $80 for stumping the panel. I'm not sure what the top prize of the original To Tell the Truth was but on the revival with Garry Moore (and later Joe Garagiola)it was $500.

[cd637299]

I echo howilu—but—

The (original) Price Is Right & Beat the Clock gave away quite a bit of loot. Goodson & Todman apparently were transparent in their production values, I would say.

Jack Barry helped start up the original “Concentration” in 1958, but NBC stepped in almost immediately and took over production, while “Twenty-One” was implicated.

It’s an interesting question, why some quizzers were investigated, while others that gave away a lot were not.

But those panel shows definitely kept the winnings to a minimum, and it was the panel itself that kept things entertaining. Of course, the panel had to have been paid a decent amount.

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[stevea]

Originally Posted by cd637299

I echo howilu—but—

The (original) Price Is Right & Beat the Clock gave away quite a bit of loot. Goodson & Todman apparently were transparent in their production values, I would say.

Jack Barry helped start up the original “Concentration” in 1958, but NBC stepped in almost immediately and took over production, while “Twenty-One” was implicated.

It’s an interesting question, why some quizzers were investigated, while others that gave away a lot were not.

But those panel shows definitely kept the winnings to a minimum, and it was the panel itself that kept things entertaining. Of course, the panel had to have been paid a decent amount.

cd

Bennett Cerf once detailed their compensation on What's My Line?, and while it was more than the $50 awarded contestants (I think I also read that, while some contestants did not get all the $5 cards flipped, they all got the $50 anyway, particularly later in the 17 year run), it wasn't anything outlandish.

Also going by memory (??), the celebrity guests were paid a little more, but most gave it to charity.

Although I don't remember the amount awarded the contestants on the original To Tell the Truth, it wasn't much either, since it was divided among the three guests per game.

[opus]

And besides, doesn't it actually ruin the fun of the game if Arlene Francis is told in advance that the guys job is making diet banana smoothies for overweight monkeys.

[biffbronson]

The monkeys were not really overweight, it was a glandular condition.

Arlene was in a very serious auto accident once. Also, someone was once killed when a barbell accidentally fell from her apartment balcony several stories.

[staytuned]

I'm assuming they were more cheaper to produce than quiz shows at the time.

But nowadays, panel shows would've been mostly about raunchy jokes and be more "all about them" instead of the gameplay itself. Today, if somehow What's My Line? gets the reboot treatment with Carlos Mencia as host, it's not only going to be raunchy along with the current celebs sucking at playing the game but I suspect it might be racist as well.

In fact, it would've been so racist and raunchy that even Arlene Francis couldn't save if she were alive today.

[cd637299]

Originally Posted by staytuned

I'm assuning they were more cheaper to produce than quiz shows at the time.

But nowadays, panel shows would've been mostly about raunchy jokes and be more "all about them" instead of the gameplay itself. Today, if somehow What's My Line? gets the reboot treatment with Carlos Mencia as host, it's not only going to be raunchy along with the current celebs sucking at playing the game but I suspect it might be racist as well.

In fact, it would've been so racist and raunchy that even Arlene Francis couldn't save if she were alive today.

^ This, mostly. Are you my twin?

It’s that celebrity attitude that keeps me from watching the current Family Feud. I DON’T CARE how popular it is today. The questions are “loaded” for raunchy answers, and Steve “It’s All About Meeee” Harvey’s faux “shock” has gotten old.

And the budget for Feud is such that a good-playing family will get tougher Fast Money questions the next time after winning $20K. I don’t think any family ever won Fast Money more than twice since Harvey started 17 years ago, as far as I know. Again, I have avoided it like the plague. (And oh yeah, STILL “five dollars a point” in 2025?!)

Also, an entire season, like 175 shows, is taped in Atlanta well ahead of airing, around each July. Anyone who wants to get on the show, has to have the inside track on taping info.

Watch the John Daly-hosted What’s My Line? on YouTube. All the panel was dressed to the nines, and they were totally classy. The one thing I didn’t like about “Line” was that there was no “play along factor”; you would just watch.



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[staytuned]

Sorry if I was being too expletive about this from the last comment.

Also, I heard that their were some contestants from Harvey's Family Filth later became murders, like the guy who've murdered his wife and went to jail for it. In fact, I think all of the contestant from Harv's Filth were. I mean what other versions beside this do you know tapes in Atlanta, Georgia?

And let's be honest, regarding a What's My Line? reboot, Fremantle wouldn't learn a thing about class if the instruction were prined on paper.

[biffbronson]

In recent years I've watched a LOT of What's My Line? on YouTube, I found the Wally Bruner and Larry Blyden periods to also be very enjoyable. Incidentally, Blyden died about 3 weeks before his 50th birthday, quite a short life.

[staytuned]

I guess John Daily didn't tickle your fancy huh, biffbronson?

[stevea]

The one "non-classy" moment on the original What's My Line? had Henry Morgan, a guest panelist, cutting short one of Bennett Cerf's long-winded intros. of John Daly.

It was probably a live broadcast, so it couldn't be edited. But it was surely an odd moment, obviously not appreciated by Cerf, of course, but also not by John Daly (around 2:16 --)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW8qFj1G5j0

[biffbronson]

Originally Posted by staytuned

I guess John Daily didn't tickle your fancy huh, biffbronson?

Here's what I wrote:

"...I found the Wally Bruner and Larry Blyden periods to also be very enjoyable."

Note my use of the word "also." Daly had already been mentioned in this thread, and as the host who preceded them, "also" referred to Daly. The majority of the shows I've seen have been the old ones with Daly.

[staytuned]

Sorry if I was being rude to you in anyway, shape or form biffbronson.

[cd637299]

Originally Posted by stevea

The one "non-classy" moment on the original What's My Line? had Henry Morgan, a guest panelist, cutting short one of Bennett Cerf's long-winded intros. of John Daly.

It was probably a live broadcast, so it couldn't be edited. But it was surely an odd moment, obviously not appreciated by Cerf, of course, but also not by John Daly (around 2:16 --)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW8qFj1G5j0

The hazards of live television! The first part with Miss Mercouri was odd enough.

Other unfavorable Daly-era moments (JMO) included having Wally Cox on the panel during his Mister Peepers years, and he seemingly had no idea how to play the game, and I guess had no preparation. Embarrassing TV. I doubt he was ever brought back.

Another one was maybe around 1962 with Groucho Marx making the show all-about-him. Believe me, I loved almost anything and everything Groucho did; however WML? was NOT the arena for his hijinks.

YMMV.

Oh yeah—Henry Morgan was known all over the business for being irreverent, going back to radio days where he would even joke about his own sponsor, if I recall reading. He didn’t belong on the classy WML? and I think it was a big error to bring him, although he was on I’ve Got a Secret weekly, and I don’t know how he was reined in on THAT show.

cd