Ep 28. What's My Line? - 1955 - Episode 28

What's My Line? was an American game show that aired from 1950 to 1967. It featured a panel of four celebrity panelists who were tasked with guessing the occupation of a contestant who had a unique or interesting job. To make things more challenging, the contestant would answer 'yes' or 'no' questions from the panelists, who were blindfolded during the contestant's entry.

Season 1 Episode 28 of What's My Line? - 1955, was an episode that followed this format. The celebrity panelists included regulars Arlene Francis, Bennett Cerf, and Dorothy Kilgallen. The fourth panelist was a mystery guest and was not revealed until the show's end. The contestant they were trying to guess was a woman named Alice Mae Black, who owned and operated a funeral home.

As per the rules, the panelists were blindfolded at the start of the round. Alice Mae Black then walked down the aisle and greeted them before taking her seat opposite them. The panelists began asking questions to narrow down her occupation, starting with Bennett Cerf. He asked if her work involved dealing with the deceased, to which she answered positively. Dorothy Kilgallen asked if her occupation was related to burial or cremation, and Alice Mae Black replied that it was.

Arlene Francis guessed that she worked in a funeral home, and Alice Mae Black confirmed that this was correct. The panelists continued to ask more specific questions. They asked about the size of her funeral home, how often it was used, and if she had any interesting customers. Alice Mae Black revealed that she had hosted a wake in which the customer wished to be dressed as a cowboy.

The panel then moved on to the mystery guest, who turned out to be Lucille Ball, a beloved actress who was famous for her work in television. The panelists were thrilled to have her on the show and were excited to get started with the guessing process. Lucille Ball had disguised herself as a man, complete with a fake mustache. She fooled the panel initially but Dorothy Kilgallen eventually recognized her voice and revealed her identity.

In conclusion, What's My Line? was a classic game show that remains popular today. This particular episode showcased the unique occupations of ordinary people and made for entertaining television. The banter between the celebrity panelists was engaging, and the addition of a mystery guest added an extra layer of excitement to the show. Overall, it was an excellent example of early television and a testament to the staying power of good-natured fun.