Voting Station

What's My Line?

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TV Series

The Resume

    (February 2, 1950-September 3, 1975)
    CBS version ran from 1950-1967
    Syndicated version ran from 1968-1975
    CBS version was hosted by John Daly
    Syndicated version was hosted by Wally Bruner (1968-72) and Larry Blyden (1972-75)
    Regular panelists include Arlene Francis, Soupy Sales, Dorothy Kilgallen and Steve Allen
    Premise: Four celebrity panelists try to guess the occupation (or the 'line') of a contestant by asking 'yes' or 'no' questions
    A celebrity 'mystery guest' often appeared on the show, and the panel tried to guess who it was while blindfolded

Why What's My Line? might be annoying:

    It was very similar to other panel-based game shows like 'To Tell the Truth' and 'I've Got a Secret.'
    It was slow paced and dull and its format has not aged well.
    An attempt to revive the show in the 2000's never came through.
    Dorothy Kilgallen died under mysterious circumstances just hours after appearing on the show.
    The 'mystery guests' would awkwardly change the pitch of their voices to confuse the panel.
    The top prize throughout its entire run was $50.
    The show continued to show 'new' episodes featuring Bennett Cerf as a panelist well after he died, confusing viewers.

Why What's My Line? might not be annoying:

    The CBS version is considered one of the classiest game shows ever.
    Although the top prize was just $50, the contestants were actually payed quite a bit more just for appearing on the show.
    The syndicated version tried to liven things up a bit with a more casual setting and allowing the contestants to demonstrate their 'lines.'
    It inspired several game shows with a similar format.
    TV Guide magazine ranked it as the fifth-greatest game show of all time.
    70's host Larry Blyden was tragically killed in a car accident while on vacation in Morocco (1975).
    Former 'Beat the Geeks' host J. Keith Van Straaten hosts a live stage version of the show in New York.

Credit: Diplomat


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 12 Votes: 41.67% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 26 Votes: 46.15% Annoying