To Tell the Truth - 5th Anniversary; PANEL: Dina Merrill, Johnny Carson, Betty White (Dec 18, 1961)

PANEL: Ralph Bellamy, Dina Merrill, Johnny Carson, Betty White
CONTESTANT #1: Cecil Underwood (First TTTT contestant from 1956)
CONTESTANT #2: Bonnie Guitar (Singer & jockey)
CONTESTANT #3: Harold Baker (Billiards expert & barber)
Fans of Betty White (and who isn't?) might want to check out this playlist of all the eps of WML and TTTT she appeared on. All her WML shows are already posted, but there are new TTTT shows being added all the time! • Betty White on What's ...
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To stay up to date with postings, please consider supporting the TTTT channel by subscribing. The TTTT channel will feature all available episodes of the nighttime CBS series that ran from 1956 to 1967, with a new show posted every weekday in original broadcast order. You'll also find a collection of the Bud Collyer-hosted era of "Beat the Clock"! Click here to subscribe:
/ @totellthetruthcbs4220

[@sharon8312]

It absolutely boggles my mind how well educated each panel member is on such wide variety of subjects and ask their questions without barely taking a breath it seems. Just amazing to watch.

[@pfflyer3381]

Just because a question is asked, why would you assume they know the answer? The fact is, YOU know more then these people could have dreamed knowing! That was the age of transistors. In many cases, We're still children! You maybe have taken for granted what's around us? A hundred thousand books in your one hand! DNA skin oil caught a murder! You touched a rubber band!

[@yourqueen1111]

​@@pfflyer3381I hope you heal

[@victoryak86]

I believe they’re briefed on the subjects in general without giving anything away about the contestants. There’s too much specific information they would need to know in my opinion.

[@terrihenricks4160]

Cecil Underwood went on to win a second term as governor of West Virginia in 1996. He served as both the youngest and the oldest governor in the state's history.

[@leesher1845]

Good looking governor!

[@kenyongray2615]

R.I.P. Betty White. It was good to see Ralph Bellamy back on the panel. Thanks for this episode which lacked zaniness due to the now long permanent absence of Polly and I guess for this show. Tom Poston.

[@WondrousEarth]

I really enjoyed this from beginning to end, things were truly different then, this show and others of that era were so much fun, positive.

[@scottthrower7637]

''What's My Line'' was the same way, fun, positive, classy

[@WondrousEarth]

@@scottthrower7637 Well said, truly those were wonderful times in Television.

[@thenewofficialchannelofken6088]

Thanks Gary! BTW, Bonnie Guitar is thankfully still with us-she turns 93 next month.

[@byrd56]

+The "New" Official Channel of KennyRockSableThe1st As is Betty White, of course, who just turned 94.

[@vinylsingleman]

Sadly, she just passed away on January 13th, 2019, age 95. www.nytimes.com/2019/01/17/obituaries/bonnie-guitar-dead.html

[@blueskye6372]

Betty White passed away December 31, 2021 at age 99. Rest in Paradise Betty. 💜🙏

[@DanieltheTruebadour]

I just had to watch the incomperable Betty White one more time, rest in peace. My, but she was awfully tame back then, far from the raunchy broad of recent years. I swear, she could make a sailor blush. Thank God for KZbin; the likes of her will never grace a late night show again. I shall miss her. Thanks for the memories.

[@rhondagiesbrecht4901]

Finally an episode where I got all 3 correct!

[@miamidolphinsfan]

As fun & wonderful as always ! great episode !

[@RockinEd]

Bonnie also co founded Dolton ( originally Dolphin) records and discovered the Fleetwoods and the Ventures.

[@rmelin13231]

You are correct, and a fine singer and songwriter! I knew her immediately, being a big fan of hers, although I almost never get any right. Rest well, Ms. Buckingham.

[@RaymondPeckIII]

Damn, Betty had sharp questions for the billiards players! Wow.

[@leesher1845]

Cool episode about the West Virginia governor. The WVA Virginia governor was handsome and seemed very charming, as did the other governor.

[@leesher1845]

That billiards 🎱 segment was a good one! 😂

[@DanieltheTruebadour]

Regarding Bonnie Guitar, sometimes it's that the imposter is well-coached and convincing, but the real Bonnie Guitar's reeling off the correct names of the six strings (I'm a professional guitarist) had me leaning strongly in her direction. As some of you know, it's the 4-stringed uke that sings about fleas. The real Bonnie probably knew that.

[@paco3343]

The 1956 "Nothing But The Truth" pilot's host was Mr. Mike Wallace; succeeded in the first "TTTT" broadcast on December 18, 1956, by Mr. Bud Collyer. The panel in both shows was the same: Miss Polly Bergen-chair 1; Mr. John Cameron Swayze-chair 2; Miss Hildy Parks-chair 3; and Mr. Dick Van Dyke-chair 4. Btw, Miss Kitty Carlisle's first appearance was on March 3, 1957, in chair 3. Bern Bennett served as announcer from 1956-60 succeeded by Johnny Olson, who emceed for 12 seasons. It's unfortunate that none of the original or longtime panelists participated in this anniversary episode.

[@leannsherman6723]

Very good episode!

[@redwatch.]

The master con man lived up to his reputation. I thought he was so good he deserved the money.

[@geraldkatz7986]

The billiards expert and the pickpocket imposter were on What's My Line. In previous episodes the real person and imposters were also on the show, such as the reindeer rancher and Rudolph song writer. Two episodes ago the Santa Claus dean was on What's My Line. They really like to recycle contestants.

[@luigivincenz3843]

Last segment: I cant believe #3 (the real) Harold Baker did not know (or pretend to) what a rake/bridge was, and had so many "I dont know". That answer threw me off too. And segment #1 was fun and interesting with the governor(s).

[@leannsherman6723]

That Cecil Underwood was a good looking man.❤

[@jacquelinebell6201]

I love Betty's hair tonight. So beautiful. Definitely prefer her as a brunette.

[@aliceberry9392]

Johnny, that's a ukulele. 4 strings

[@MichaelSimmons.]

I knew #2 was correct in the second game. I don't about "My Dog Has Fleas", but she knew the proper tuning of a guitar is, E-A-D-G-B-E. I doubt too many people, who don't play guitar, know that.

[@tropicalrhythmsphilippinef5896]

My dog has fleas is for ukulele

[@barbarakongslie2187]

Loved game 3.

[@barbarakongslie2187]

Game 2 of the Governors

[@over50andfantabulous59]

According to Google: $250 in 1960 is equal to $2,524 in 2023. Annual inflation over this period was 3.74%.

[@lorisullivan327]

I feel so bad for those that have to read the transcript and CC… it tends to be waaay off 🤦🏼‍♀️ … any way… love this show - it’s a lovely step back into a time when people were so much more respectful of each other…

[@RaymondPeckIII]

Yikes. My Dog Has Fleas is ukulele tuning. Number 2 quickly named the correct notes.

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

15:07 Did she suffer a stroke? She sounded completely different from when she answered the questions.

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

Man #2 in Game #1 Lady #2 in Game #2 Man #3 in Game #3

[@kenbrown438]

I miss Polly !!!!

[@44032]

bergen, Swayze, Van Dyke and Parks were the panel for the 'unaired' pilot, (which is on You-Tube). It was called "Nothing But the Truth" and hosted by Mike Wallace. The actual first episode of what was now called "To Tell the truth was shown 12/18/56 and had the same panel. That's the one Governor Underwood was on. That's not on You-Tube.

[@JayTemple]

Governor Underwood and Marni Nixon are the two people I know of who have been central characters twice. Marni was on the syndie version and the 1990-91 version. Anyone know of any others?

[@epaddon]

Governor Underwood I think was on again in the 90-91 version for a third time (he also was elected Governor again in 1996 for a single term). White House Santa Claus Robert J. George was on the 50s primetime version and the 70s syndie version, and Marilyn Monroe's first husband was on the 60s daytime version and the 90-91 version.

[@JayTemple]

Thanks for the info! I had a feeling there were others.

[@epaddon]

I should have mentioned this at the time but Marni Nixon was also the subject on a 1964 program which means she was a subject three times in TTTT history! (Just like Governor Underwood)

[@davidbrown-xk8zl]

In game #2, the #2 lady said that "Quarter" doesn't mean anything about a particular horse. I beg to differ. A "Quarter " horse specializes in running races that are a quarter of a mile long.And she ended up being the right one in the end?Strange. They are very exciting to watch, but be ready, and do not blink more than once.

[@howardberlin2349]

Betty White was a cute old lady and a gorgeous woman.

[@juangalt3496]

I didn't realize, before googling, that Dina Merrill was so wealthy. She is certainly in the 1% in beauty as well.

[@blueskye6372]

Nice. 🙂💜✌️

[@kenbrown438]

"Cess el" or "Sea cell" !!!!????

[@pfflyer3381]

Why ask the question of who did the shots in " the Hustler" if you don't know the answer? #3 said Willie Masconi!

[@freddyfurrah3789]

I'm glad Elvis's name was mentioned.

[@irontribeissues9104]

Cecil number one used a mispronounced first name during introductions, not allowed if he’s the real Cecil.

[@RaymondPeckIII]

That's the British pronunciation of the name.

[@patriciamooney928]

The original episode he was on must be the lost episode. He was not on the pilot.

[@totellthetruthcbs4220]

Posting this one ahead of schedule by request! :) I should be able to resume posting new episodes on Monday-- at least for a while. -------------------------- Join our Facebook group for TTTT-- great discussions, photos, etc, and great people! facebook.com/groups/718020231652577/ To stay up to date with postings, please consider supporting the TTTT channel by subscribing. The TTTT channel will feature all available episodes of the nighttime CBS series that ran from 1956 to 1967, with a new show posted every weekday in original broadcast order. You'll also find a collection of the Bud Collyer-hosted era of "Beat the Clock"! Click here to subscribe: kzbin.info/door/ZkBUfTQ_tmKAlUV_sQqrTQ

[@leesher1845]

Handsome governor

[@ChrisBakerauthor]

It's definitely not #3. He doesn't know how to pronounce the word _Kanawha_.

[@randylovering24]

too bad that episode is not around

[@totellthetruthcbs4220]

Fans of Betty White (and who isn't?) might want to check out this playlist of all the eps of WML and TTTT she appeared on. All her WML shows are already posted, but there are new TTTT shows being added all the time! kzbin.info/aero/PLqsaqh5sqUxprN4spg9FDonrj8RVa8udE