Ep 37. What's My Line? - 1955 - Episode 37

What's My Line? was a popular American panel game show that premiered on CBS television in 1950 and aired until 1967. The show featured a panel of four celebrities who were tasked with identifying the occupation of a mystery guest, who was typically a person with an unusual or obscure profession.

Season 1, episode 37 of What's My Line? aired on April 10, 1955, and was hosted by John Charles Daly. The episode featured celebrity panelists Dorothy Kilgallen, Fred Allen, Arlene Francis, and Bennett Cerf. The mystery guest of the episode was a well-known actor whose identity the panelists had to guess.

The show began with Daly introducing the panelists and the mystery guest, who signed in using only their first initial and last name. The panel was then asked to blindfold themselves while the guest entered the studio and took their place on stage. The guest's voice was disguised to prevent the panelists from recognizing them based on their vocal patterns.

The panelists were given a series of yes-or-no questions to ask the mystery guest in an effort to narrow down their occupation. The questions ranged from specific to broad, with the panelists trying to gather as much information as possible from the guest's responses. The guest was allowed to answer truthfully but could also use misdirection or deception to throw the panelists off track.

Throughout the episode, tensions ran high as the panelists struggled to identify the mystery guest. There were moments of laughter as the panelists made witty remarks and struggled with the clues, and moments of tension as the clock ticked down and they grew closer to running out of time.

Finally, after several rounds of questioning, the panelists made their final guesses as to the identity of the mystery guest. The tension in the studio was palpable as Daly revealed the answer, and the panelists reacted with surprise and delight when the guest removed their blindfold and appeared on camera.

Overall, season 1, episode 37 of What's My Line? was a classic example of the show's format. It was a lighthearted game that combined elements of suspense, humor, and mystery to keep viewers engaged. The show's popularity proved that there was a broad audience for intelligent and entertaining television content, and it paved the way for many similar game shows in the years to come.