What's My Line?...Should it be relaunched? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

MrCleveland · 11-17-2011, 05:27 PM

It's been 35 years since "What's My Line" was on TV, but with the relaunch of Game Shows on morning television and Prime Time...should it be relaunched?

Coffeecup · 12-11-2011, 01:09 PM

It is hard to say. Now a days people seem to know more about people. Magazines, internet knowledge, newspapers, I wonder if the panelists would figure the line out too quick these days.

howilu · 12-11-2011, 08:46 PM

I think that if they get the right host and find the right panel, it would be worthwhile for a revival. It's a format that hasn't been on TV since 1975 so it's overdue for a comeback.

Coffeecup · 12-12-2011, 09:14 AM

The last time I saw it (yes around 1975) Wally Bruner was hosting. I remember another host late 60's early 70's had it and he died some time later in a car crash. How time goes by. That was 35 years ago.

howilu · 12-12-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coffeecup

The last time I saw it (yes around 1975) Wally Bruner was hosting. I remember another host late 60's early 70's had it and he died some time later in a car crash. How time goes by. That was 35 years ago.

The other host of the syndicated What's My Line? was Larry Blyden. He replaced Bruner in 1972 when he went on to host and produced the home improvement show Wally's Workshop. After What's My Line ended production, Blyden hosted the pilot for the ABC game show Showoffs. He went on vacation to Morocco and he was killed in a car accident. It sent the production company into shock but Showoffs went on with Bobby Van as host and had a short run.

Coffeecup · 12-12-2011, 06:39 PM

Larry Blyden , yes that's the host. Good memory.

MrCleveland · 12-12-2011, 10:16 PM

All I can think of as the host for the new "What's My Line" is John O'Hurley, but I can see Greg Proops from "Whose Line" being one of the celebrity contestants.

AMackII · 03-11-2026, 11:36 PM

Maybe. Although there was the 2000 pilot

stevea · 03-12-2026, 05:59 AM

It really would be interesting to see if the original version of WML could fly. The 1966 version, with dignity, civility, and politeness. No bells and whistles. No crisis moment with over-dramatized sound effects and music. Everyone dressed up--suits and ties, and gowns.

I'm just not sure it would be possible.

staytuned · 03-22-2026, 08:19 AM

Let's face it folks, this is Fremantle were talking about here and their known for screwing up Goodson formats and this one is no exception.

Who knows, it might quite possibly be even worst than Match Game 2016, To Tell the Truth 2016 and Passwod 2022 due to the focus on being more comedic and less gameplay worthy. In fact, I bet its going to be more focused about celebrities instead of the contestant and their occupation.

Coffeecup · 03-23-2026, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

It really would be interesting to see if the original version of WML could fly. The 1966 version, with dignity, civility, and politeness. No bells and whistles. No crisis moment with over-dramatized sound effects and music. Everyone dressed up--suits and ties, and gowns.

I'm just not sure it would be possible.

Yes the time of the past as you say was so much better. Now the panelists are gigglers, talk a lot, and waste time.

11-17-2011, 05:27 PM	#1
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,222	What's My Line?...Should it be relaunched? It's been 35 years since "What's My Line" was on TV, but with the relaunch of Game Shows on morning television and Prime Time...should it be relaunched?
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)

12-11-2011, 01:09 PM	#2
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,176	It is hard to say. Now a days people seem to know more about people. Magazines, internet knowledge, newspapers, I wonder if the panelists would figure the line out too quick these days.
	Last edited by Coffeecup; 12-12-2011 at 09:11 AM.

12-11-2011, 08:46 PM	#3
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,958	I think that if they get the right host and find the right panel, it would be worthwhile for a revival. It's a format that hasn't been on TV since 1975 so it's overdue for a comeback.

12-12-2011, 09:14 AM	#4
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,176	The last time I saw it (yes around 1975) Wally Bruner was hosting. I remember another host late 60's early 70's had it and he died some time later in a car crash. How time goes by. That was 35 years ago.

12-12-2011, 06:39 PM	#6
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,176	Larry Blyden , yes that's the host. Good memory.

12-12-2011, 10:16 PM	#7
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,222	All I can think of as the host for the new "What's My Line" is John O'Hurley, but I can see Greg Proops from "Whose Line" being one of the celebrity contestants.

03-11-2026, 11:36 PM	#8
AMackII Member Forum Star Join Date: Oct 23, 2015 Location: St. Louis Posts: 17,201	Maybe. Although there was the 2000 pilot

03-12-2026, 05:59 AM	#9
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,205	It really would be interesting to see if the original version of WML could fly. The 1966 version, with dignity, civility, and politeness. No bells and whistles. No crisis moment with over-dramatized sound effects and music. Everyone dressed up--suits and ties, and gowns. I'm just not sure it would be possible.

03-22-2026, 08:19 AM	#10
staytuned Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 22, 2025 Location: Some Where You are Posts: 268	Let's face it folks, this is Fremantle were talking about here and their known for screwing up Goodson formats and this one is no exception. Who knows, it might quite possibly be even worst than Match Game 2016, To Tell the Truth 2016 and Passwod 2022 due to the focus on being more comedic and less gameplay worthy. In fact, I bet its going to be more focused about celebrities instead of the contestant and their occupation.