Ep 25. What's My Line? - 1955 - Episode 25

What's My Line? is a game show that first aired in 1950 and has since become a classic television program. The show features four celebrity panelists who ask a panel of mystery guests questions in order to determine their occupations. In each round, the mystery guest enters the stage and signs in under a pseudonym. The panelists are then given two minutes to ask the mystery guest yes or no questions to help determine their job. If the mystery guest successfully stumps the panel, they win a cash prize.

Episode 25 of the first season of What's My Line? aired in 1955 and followed the standard format of the show. The episode begins with show host John Daly introducing the panel of celebrity guests: Dorothy Kilgallen, Arlene Francis, Bennett Cerf, and mystery guest Steve Allen. The panel is seated next to Daly, who explains the rules of the game and introduces the first mystery guest.

The first mystery guest is a dog trainer named Oscar Metcalf. Metcalf enters the stage and signs in under the name "Fido." The panelists begin their questioning, trying to determine exactly what "Fido" does for a living. They ask questions such as whether he works with animals, whether he trains animals for movies or television, and whether he works with dogs specifically. The panelists try to use their deductive reasoning skills to figure out the elusive occupation, and eventually, Dorothy Kilgallen is able to guess that Metcalf is a dog trainer just before the buzzer sounds.

The second mystery guest is a woman named Alice Hill. Hill signs in under the name "X." The panelists begin questioning Hill, trying to determine her occupation. They ask her a series of yes or no questions, such as whether she works indoors or outdoors, whether she works for a corporation or on her own, and whether she works with her hands. Despite some confusion, the panelists are eventually able to determine that Hill works as a cigarette girl in a nightclub.

The third and final mystery guest of the episode is a man named Sandy Descher. Descher signs in under the name "X." The panelists again try to determine the mystery guest's profession, asking questions such as whether he works in entertainment, whether he works with his voice, and whether he is a comedian. The panelists struggle to guess the correct answer, and ultimately, time runs out before they can solve the mystery. Daly reveals that Descher is a teenage actress who has appeared in several movies and television shows.

Throughout the episode, the panelists banter with each other and Daly, making jokes and having fun while trying to solve the mysteries. The show's format, with its mixture of celebrity guests and mystery guests, has remained popular over the years and has been imitated by many other television shows. What's My Line? remains a beloved game show, remembered for its simplicity and charm.