Garry Moore (70s episodes) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

vitoscotti · 10-02-2025, 09:25 AM

I was looking for a game show other than terrific Jeopardy to DVR. These are superb. I'd forgotten the chemistry, humor, and charm this version had. Also, some very interesting truthers and fibbers. The premise of the show gives a tremendous opportunity for enjoyable viewing.

I tried the '70s version of What's My Line with Larry Blyden. Episode I watched was simply dreadful. Just didn't click.

howilu · 10-02-2025, 09:57 AM

I remember the syndicated version of To Tell the Truth with Garry Moore that debuted in 1969, one year after Goodson-Todman brought back What's My Line in a daily format. It was a great revival that featured amazing stories and an outstanding panel anchored by Bill Cullen, Peggy Cass and Kitty Carlisle. When Moore stepped down due to throat cancer in 1977, Cullen became the temporary host but got moved back to the panel because as Gil Fates stated in his book about What's My Line, "His superlative gamesmenship was so missed". It opened the door for Joe Garagiola to become the new host.

As for the Larry Blyden episodes of What's My Line, I thought he was a much better host than Wally Bruner. I felt Bruner was a bit stiff but a great interviewer and it came from his journalism background. Blyden had a great rapport with people, which is essential for a good game show host.

vitoscotti · 10-02-2025, 12:25 PM

Gene Rayburn as a panelist certainly livens things up. One episode he came out introduced riding a 10-speed bike in the small space. He definitely says some outrageous would be considered sexist comments to the ladies. There was a woman's lib stewardess who came across very angry and hard-nosed. GR still did his "hey baby ...I'd like to see you after the show" shtick. When he's on the panel it's entertaining to hear what he's going to say that's outrageous next.

vitoscotti · 10-19-2025, 08:08 AM

I'm coming into Tom Poston episodes in my TTTT viewing. He's likeable but his shtick wears thin very quick. He bombed on Match Game and Password also. He's so slow thinking and speaking he seems out of place with the other witty panelists. Taking the seat of extremely talented Nipsey Russell, Alan Alda, and Gene Rayburn it's like night and day. TP so far is dragging down the show.

vitoscotti · 11-12-2025, 11:39 PM

I thought announcer Bill Wendell's voice sounded familiar. He was David Letterman's announcer on his late night show.

Coffeecup · 11-24-2025, 06:20 PM

All I can say, it was a different time. I remember seeing the 1970;s What's my line when they were in production. Now I see the show, just to see the mystery guest. I remember reading and hearing about Larry Blyden's tragic death and that was a shock.

10-02-2025, 09:25 AM	#1
vitoscotti Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 14, 2017 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,067	Garry Moore (70s episodes) I was looking for a game show other than terrific Jeopardy to DVR. These are superb. I'd forgotten the chemistry, humor, and charm this version had. Also, some very interesting truthers and fibbers. The premise of the show gives a tremendous opportunity for enjoyable viewing. I tried the '70s version of What's My Line with Larry Blyden. Episode I watched was simply dreadful. Just didn't click.

10-02-2025, 09:57 AM	#2
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,958	I remember the syndicated version of To Tell the Truth with Garry Moore that debuted in 1969, one year after Goodson-Todman brought back What's My Line in a daily format. It was a great revival that featured amazing stories and an outstanding panel anchored by Bill Cullen, Peggy Cass and Kitty Carlisle. When Moore stepped down due to throat cancer in 1977, Cullen became the temporary host but got moved back to the panel because as Gil Fates stated in his book about What's My Line, "His superlative gamesmenship was so missed". It opened the door for Joe Garagiola to become the new host. As for the Larry Blyden episodes of What's My Line, I thought he was a much better host than Wally Bruner. I felt Bruner was a bit stiff but a great interviewer and it came from his journalism background. Blyden had a great rapport with people, which is essential for a good game show host.

10-02-2025, 12:25 PM	#3
vitoscotti Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 14, 2017 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,067	Gene Rayburn as a panelist certainly livens things up. One episode he came out introduced riding a 10-speed bike in the small space. He definitely says some outrageous would be considered sexist comments to the ladies. There was a woman's lib stewardess who came across very angry and hard-nosed. GR still did his "hey baby ...I'd like to see you after the show" shtick. When he's on the panel it's entertaining to hear what he's going to say that's outrageous next.

10-19-2025, 08:08 AM	#4
vitoscotti Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 14, 2017 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,067	I'm coming into Tom Poston episodes in my TTTT viewing. He's likeable but his shtick wears thin very quick. He bombed on Match Game and Password also. He's so slow thinking and speaking he seems out of place with the other witty panelists. Taking the seat of extremely talented Nipsey Russell, Alan Alda, and Gene Rayburn it's like night and day. TP so far is dragging down the show.

11-12-2025, 11:39 PM	#5
vitoscotti Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 14, 2017 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,067	I thought announcer Bill Wendell's voice sounded familiar. He was David Letterman's announcer on his late night show.

11-24-2025, 06:20 PM	#6
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,176	All I can say, it was a different time. I remember seeing the 1970;s What's my line when they were in production. Now I see the show, just to see the mystery guest. I remember reading and hearing about Larry Blyden's tragic death and that was a shock.