What's My Line?

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Kitty
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Re: What's My Line

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dachshundonstilts wrote:
Sun Jul 29, 2018 3:55 pm
Maybe it's because she died young. The Jim Morrison effect.
You're probably right. Famous people who die young or in abnormal ways are suddenly the God or goddess of this or that.
You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

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dachshundonstilts
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Re: What's My Line

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"I feel so low, old chap, that I could get on stilts and walk under a dachshund." - Monty, It (1927)

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Kitty
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Re: What's My Line

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I love that Jack Benny episode! They just don't make comedians like they used to. Now they mostly come from stand-up acts, which is obviously not the same as vaudeville acts.

Here is the debut telecast of WML. The set up is very different from the show we know. I love to see the evolution of things! It's funny how the comments men made about women back then are meant as compliments, but to me they seem a little creepy. It's probably mostly because we aren't used to comments like that nowadays... back then I suppose they were the norm, so girls may have taken them as compliments. I've seen girls blush and not say anything to these comments, but I've also seen them say Thank you, too. Of course, these responses could mean the same thing. Who knows! I'd love to talk to these people. Ah, to time travel!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw5IwQ2mLX4
You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

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donnie
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Re: What's My Line

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That's an interesting episode. John Daly sure does look young, and it's odd to see the panel on the "wrong" side. I think the show improved over time, as they usually do. I think it was good to eliminate that walk in front of the panel and the random guesses.

Which comments seemed creepy to you? I would guess they probably intended those comments as just innocent compliments. I didn't notice anything out of line, though they may have gone overboard.

The hat check girl—why would that job be considered glamourous?? Isn't that just someone who keeps hats and/or coats for customers and returns them when they leave?

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Kitty
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Re: What's My Line

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Yes, the walk of shame particularly was awkward, and it is clear that it made the contestants uncomfortable. Some of the things they made them do during that segment were weird. Not sure about this one, but "Smell this handkerchief" or from a man on the panel to a woman "Turn and face the audience" "Do a rhumba". A lot of the contestants looked at them with a blank stare not knowing how to do said dance moves.
I'm not sure now since I've seen a few episodes since this one, but I'm talking about the innocent compliments from the panel. I think it depends on the panelist who might be doing the complimenting. For example, today on one I watched, the innocent-faced lovable Garry Moore was on the panel. The contestant was a lingerie model, and she answered the question if you wore pants during the job and of course she said no, and Garry Moore commented "I have no idea what you do, but I think I want to be in the room when you do it!" Which seemed just fine, whereas if Hal Block had said it, it would have given me the heebie-jeebies. Sometimes the guys just seem like wolves drooling all over themselves when a pretty lady is on the panel. I almost expect them to howl! :lol:
The blind guessing is annoying, particularly when they only have a few minutes left and they waste time doing that. They're right sometimes, too, believe it or not. It gives it away because the audience reacts.
I have no idea why a hat check girl would be a glamorous job. I'll have to do a little research on that one!
You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

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donnie
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Re: What's My Line

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Kitty wrote:
Thu Aug 23, 2018 5:36 pm
For example, today on one I watched, the innocent-faced lovable Garry Moore was on the panel. The contestant was a lingerie model, and she answered the question if you wore pants during the job and of course she said no, and Garry Moore commented "I have no idea what you do, but I think I want to be in the room when you do it!" Which seemed just fine, whereas if Hal Block had said it, it would have given me the heebie-jeebies. Sometimes the guys just seem like wolves drooling all over themselves when a pretty lady is on the panel. I almost expect them to howl! :lol:
Yes, that's a good point. Hal Block was particularly unpleasant in that regard. He couldn't refrain from making some sort of lecherous comment about any female contestant that came on stage.

I know the show you're talking about with the model. That's a New Year's one from very early on, and a good episode. I think Betty Furness is on the panel, isn't she? and again Louis Untermeyer.

Speaking of which, Untermeyer was a pretty renowned poet and anthologist of poetry, though you wouldn't really guess that from his appearances. Have you ever run across the information about what happened with him in connection with that show? A rather sad story, though he really had himself to blame for it, it seems.

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Kitty
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Re: What's My Line

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Yes, I read all about it. I wonder if he really was communist? You know, he became poet laureate for the US in 1961. Don't you think it would be strange to name the official poet of the US someone who is a Communist? Many people can't stand him, but I think it's a shame that we don't have more examples of his personality on What My Line.
You have an amazing memory, down to knowing who was on the panel! That episode also had Guy Lombardo. I did not know that he was the original Dick Clark for New Years Eve. Fascinating!
You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

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donnie
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Re: What's My Line

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Kitty wrote:
Thu Aug 23, 2018 9:28 pm
Yes, I read all about it. I wonder if he really was communist? You know, he became poet laureate for the US in 1961. Don't you think it would be strange to name the official poet of the US someone who is a Communist? Many people can't stand him, but I think it's a shame that we don't have more examples of his personality on What My Line.
According to what Bennett Cerf said, he really wasn't a Communist at all, and I know Untermeyer felt he was unfairly railroaded and was very depressed after being forced from the show. However, he had joined earlier several socialist-type organizations, so I don't know.
Kitty wrote:
Thu Aug 23, 2018 9:28 pm
You have an amazing memory, down to knowing who was on the panel!
Well, I've seen it two or three times. :D
Kitty wrote:
Thu Aug 23, 2018 9:28 pm
That episode also had Guy Lombardo. I did not know that he was the original Dick Clark for New Years Eve. Fascinating!
Yes! He WAS New Year's Eve for decades, on radio at first beginning way back and continuing on to TV for a long run.

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Kitty
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Re: What's My Line

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Here's a rather entertaining episode. Dig the creepy blindfold that Furness wears in the celebrity segment. I didn't notice it on the New Years episode.
Arlene is always fantastic. I feel like we could have been friends. Doesn't she seem like a sharp, kind, and witty sort of person?
Steve Allen's First Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdtATPQB3NA
You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

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donnie
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Re: What's My Line

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That was a good one. I liked the "lady iceman". I see Steve Allen is started right off with his talent of asking questions that get a laugh. (To the ring manufacturer: would it be all right to wear one of these and nothing else? :lol:) I had to look up Admiral Halsey. I knew the name, but not much else about him.

Yes, Betty Furness' mask is a little unsettling. It kind of reminds me of the face of Lon Chaney's Hunchback, somehow. :D And yes, to your question on Arlene. She was always so likeable and delightful, and really sharp, as well.

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