To Tell the Truth - Last show with Polly Bergen; PANEL: Faye Emerson (Feb 20, 1961)

[@trao1938]

Hooray to Polly for telling it like it was. By this point, so many of the 'real' contestants were purposely going out of their way to appear ignorant, just to secure a bigger pot. It's not only unethical game play, it mskes the rounds frustrating and boring to watch. Grateful Polly said exactly what so many of us were thinking. Loved her. The panels with Polly, Poston and Kitty are my favorites!

[@richardwilliams473]

I like the way Bud Collier salutes the live audience at the beginning of each TTTT shows!

[@kenyongray2615]

Goodbye Polly! I will miss your antics. Imagine all the hair on Bud's tux. It seemed that the questions asked by the panel were awful. They didn't get much information from any of the contestants on all 3 games. Thanks for the video.

[@Djm8520]

Glad to see Polly Bergen go. She was an airhead and would often waste her question time as well as other panelists’ time. She was also featured on one of my least favorite ‘Sopranos’ episodes: ‘In Camelot.’

[@keithnaylor1981]

Like your comments about Polly Bergen. She did get some criticism for being disruptive, but I thought, first of all, that she was the most beautiful star on tv at that time, and that she added to the enjoyment of the show with her wonderful wit and unpredictability. She gave every show a welcome sparkle. 8.20 UK

[@arcsta_rr]

Fantastic programs!

[@anahart8253]

Kitty Carlisle is impossibly and breathtakingly beautiful!!❤❤

[@tugginalong]

Being a runner is much different than knowing running history

[@thenewofficialchannelofken6088]

This episode I have already seen via BuzzrPlus. Their uploads include the original commercials. Although this episode closes the Polly Bergen era, It was one worth looking into. It's also wonderful to see Ralph Bellamy back on the panel. He, along with Polly, Kitty Carlisle and Hy Gardner, formed the core panel of the show during its' early years. Polly's hilarious indecisions and playful snide remarks on who she was voting for made the shows a joy to watch. You should be proud Gary, these are the definite jewels in your collection.

[@johngreen3543]

I never can go along with those negative comments on Polly. I always found her to be interesting but mostly diverting in a coy way. She had just an average intelligence and everyone expected an unrealistic level of questioning from her. Why? They picked her for her charm and good looks

[@stevenj100]

polly is the only reason I watch the show

[@sbalman]

Some of us thought her in desperate need of constant attention and did not find her charming but very annoying sometimes talking over the contestants and other panel members.

[@stevenj100]

@@sbalman but just look at her

[@Fourcornerhighway]

Polly was an extremely smart lady, with one great sense of humour. RIP

[@ralphkaplan3382]

I loved Polly Bergan she was cute and I thought very witty.

[@519djw6]

Why was there no acknowledgment that this was Polly Bergen's last appearance? Or didn't they know?

[@totellthetruthcbs4220]

I think-- but it's not entirely clear to me either-- that this wasn't intended to be her final appearance. It just turned out that way. She returned to TTTT in the 1980s and 90s revivals (I've been told), but never during the Bud Collyer years. And she also appeared on WML a couple of times after her departure from TTTT. It seems there might have been some backstage conflict between her and Bud, but I don't know any details.

[@519djw6]

+To Tell the Truth (CBS) Thank you for the quick reply. Being fairly ignorant about "showbiz," whether of today or 55 years ago, I'm curious to know whether all of the contestants on a program like this appeared on a one-off basis, or if any of them had a contract with the producers to appear regularly. (Either way, I have to assume that they received fairly hefty remuneration.)

[@jeannehall6546]

+To Tell the Truth (CBS) Yes. Ms. Bergen did appear on a number of TTTT episodes in the 90s.

[@WarioBarker]

"To Tell The Truth On The Web" lists Polly as appearing on the 2/27/61 show, so that may be why there's no mention of her departure here - because this isn't her last show.

[@519djw6]

Four months ago, I wrote: " I'm curious to know whether all of the contestants on a program like this appeared on a one-off basis, or if any of them had a contract with the producers to appear regularly. (Either way, I have to assume that they received fairly hefty remuneration.)" Actually, I was referring to the *panelists*--*not* the contestants. (I hope my query was not misunderstood.)

[@soulierinvestments]

Animals. And cats -- the most independent minded creatures. The bane of live television.

[@acousticshadow4032]

Polly Bergen was gifted with tons of natural beauty. I could stare at her forever ~ as long as she never spoke.

[@maine-kw6wfy]

Women today are FAR worse but I get it. Growing up I couldn’t understand why my father despised the likes of Cher, Roseanne, Rosey O’donell etc. I absolutely get it now.

[@IPlayOneOnT.V.]

The culture that historically worshipped cats was the Egyptians.

[@timglende8869]

Her next appearance on TTTT would be in the 1980 version. She didn't appear in any Garry Moore/Bill Cullen/Joe Garagiola episodes.

[@jeremyberman7808]

Sorry this was Polly Bergen's last show. I always enjoy the humor she brought to the show.

[@alanfollett6242]

15:00. I imagine the unique characteristic of cheetahs that Polly was thinking of is the fact that they are the only members of the cat family with non-retractable claws. I'm rather glad that she capped her sometimes-ditzy TTTT run with a pretty smart question.

[@CDU916]

I love Polly but the whole panel missed the mark with their big cat questions. This lady was a cat fancier and breeder! That’s a full time profession. Why would she have any interest or knowledge of an entirely different group? They wasted time on this line of questioning. I was leaning towards candidate three until number one answered the allergy/dander question correctly. I’m surprised that didn’t cinch it for all the panel.

[@acousticshadow4032]

@@CDU916 ~ Indeed, it was a dumb-ass road to go down - and #1 got my vote when she told one of the panelists, "These are SHOW cats!".

[@MrBohuslav]

Correct name is Michel Werboff.

[@timothywills7709]

It is nice to say I have now survived the Polly Bergen years! Faye was coming out of that dress!

[@JJJBRICE]

That low cut dress was her trademark . They probably made her wear the jacket . Miss Emerson was starting to show age here .

[@acousticshadow4032]

Yes, she was, timothy ~ and very nicely, too! 😍

[@chuckschillingvideos]

You say that like it's a bad thing (it isn't) !

[@maine-kw6wfy]

Back then there was some semblance of honesty. I wouldn’t trust a show like this today.

[@donnawoodford6641]

I've been to El Prado, but none of the panelists asked questions about Picasso, Miró, Dalí, or Valesquez.

[@leslieackerman4189]

Why did she leave?!

[@peternagy-im4be]

Told that her services were no longer required

[@BugzKiller]

Then somebody in the audience said Polly want a cracker. And she ran away looking for the cracker.

[@hobonickel]

Polly obviously knew this was going to be her last show. She was very subdued. I liked the last several games where they moved things around so Polly would vote last which did not give her as much opportunity to hog the precious show minutes by performing her tiresome antics. I, for one, will not miss her. Am I looking forward to watching Peggy Cass? No. But I will deal with that later.

[@norelcopc2431]

I could tell that number one was the cat fancier because she looked down at Bud and the cat while the affidavit was being read.

[@michaelcox436]

Hooray!

[@stevenj100]

I always thought polly was the star of the show. I really dont think i will watch episodes without her

[@sbalman]

For me, I cannot wait for the episodes without Polly.

[@stevenj100]

@@sbalman are you blind??

[@snootybaronet]

Who replaced her, Peggy Cass? Peggy was a loudmouth and grating. Give me Polly any old day...

[@snootybaronet]

Who replaced Polly, Peggy Cass? I always found Peggy to be a loudmouth, and I'm born and raised from Boston. Polly was goofy but she was a natural.

[@kenbrown438]

Polly's an angel !!!! Buddy's in ski had a real problem allowing Polly to be Polly !!!!

[@BugzKiller]

LOL I came here to make a comment about Polly. And I see there were many others like mine LOL. She certainly was a airhead.

[@CatherineKeehn-l6k]

These are entertainers not detectives. More traveled and sometimes well read than the average Joe. Another version of twenty questions. Please dont be snarky about the panel. Their getting it wrong is what makes this show fun in my opinion.

[@randylovering24]

I don't remember seeing Polly on the syndicated version of to tell the truth 1969- 1978

[@epaddon]

She never appeared on that version. It wasn't until the 1980 Robin Ward version that she finally returned.

[@chuckschillingvideos]

Poor Polly. She was under the mistaken impression that the "real" contestant was throwing straight dice and not being coached to sandbag, evade, and generally play the nincompoop.

[@keithnaylor1981]

Polly went on to make a couple of appearances on What's My Line. In 1983 she shines brilliantly as the wife of Robert Mitchum in The Winds of War which anyone who loves deeply dramatic moving drama should watch!!!

[@dLimboStick]

She was also in some episodes of the Sopranos. She played Tony's dad's goomah (comare).

[@keithnaylor1981]

@@dLimboStick - just finished watching the follow-up to Winds of War - War and Remembrance - where she is outstanding. Together they form the greatest ever TV event. Contains many disturbing scenes on the Holocaust.

[@jerrycruitt5375]

@@keithnaylor1981 Some people actually believe everything they see.

[@93Jubilee]

Who was screaming when the "real one" stood? Was Polly Bergen THAT excited taht she guessed the right one? Lord.

[@mikele5756]

I believe Polly left the show because of a throat problem. She did have throat surgery and had a long recovery. You can hear the way she is talking in this show.

[@nunyaaliveta]

Polly was not bright at all and extremely rude. Glad it was her last show. The audience were complaining about her, so she had to resign.

[@robrepublic1]

This was certainly an odd show. The energy level and interaction between the panelists and guests was completely off and Miss Bergen's behavior at the end entirely unacceptable.

[@peternagy-im4be]

I think because they were told of imminent changes including the firing of Polly Bergenr

[@ThatsViews]

I fell in love with Polly Bergen.

[@kristabrewer9363]

ahhh ok (Polly was EXTREEMLY annoying and many on here have agreed, but I'm still curious as to why this was her last show)

[@epaddon]

@@kristabrewer9363 I don't find her annoying. I think she added a lot of fun to the show to help it carve its own identity and frankly I didn't care for Peggy Cass as her eventual replacement. TTTT in the Collyer era IMO once Polly left and the music changed was a step below what it had been 1956-61 (Orson Bean I felt was much too goofy during the Collyer era. He was a better panelist in subsequent incarnations). As to why she left, one thing I'd note is that she was getting some offers to do work in films on the West Coast, which included prime parts in movies like "Cape Fear" (1962) and that meant she was no longer going to be based in New York to do TTTT.

[@kristabrewer9363]

@@epaddon so she left of her own free will?

[@worldnotworld]

What happened to Polly? No official goodbye here.

[@henrygrove100]

Number 3 is smart

[@Kermit_T_Frog]

Most curious how people of an era or a culture pick up the same mannerisms. Polly Bergen makes me think of Lucille Ball.

[@richardbruder7050]

Polly looks so sad

[@soulierinvestments]

Judging from the way Bud brushed himself off, that darned cat needed brushing.

[@MarilynMonday]

Cats shed when their stressed, and the stranger holding him and all the noise of the live audience, after travel and likely a rehearsal, I'm sure the cat was more stessed than for a cat show that's usually catered to keeping him calmer.

[@jacquelinebell6201]

Long haired cats will shed anyway, no matter how much you brush them. You live with cat hair if you have one lol.

[@gwenniegirl50]

I read that Polly was encouraged to play a little ditzy on the show. I wish I could recall the source. I tend to believe it because considering her body of work and later life experiences, the woman was no dummy.

[@WitoldBanasik]

We miss Polly...

[@loissimmons6558]

Frederick Norris was pushing 40 when he appeared on this episode. I thought he looked rather old to be a college student. 9½ years later, I was the manager of the Cornell Cross Country and Track & Field teams. The varsity cross country team that year only had 7 runners. One of them was 27 years old. Because of his age, he was ineligible to compete in any championship meets. Fortunately he was the slowest runner on the squad. Something similar was true in ice hockey. The year before I arrived at Cornell, the Cornell ice hockey team became the only NCAA team in history to be finish its season undefeated and untied and capping the season with a victory in the NCAA championships. One of their players during the regular season was too old to compete in the championship rounds. His name was Dick Bertrand and he became the next head coach of the team when Ned Harkness left to become coach and general manager of the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL. He was 29 during the year that Cornell had its unequaled championship ice hockey season. I have to wonder if athletes like Norris were part of the reason rules like this were instituted so young men in college would not have to compete against fully mature men. In his mid-20's, Norris was inspired to switch to running from association football after watching the great Emil Zatopek run in the 1948 Olympics in London. He competed against Zatopek in the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki. Even though Paavo Nurmi was much older, considering that 1952 Olympics were held in Finland, one would think that the real Fred Norris would have heard of Nurmi at some point while being there for the games. In recognition of his status as the best of all the great Finnish distance runners, Nurmi was selected to light the Olympic torch in the cauldron inside the stadium to start the 1952 games. (Another great Finnish runner, Hannes Kolehmainen, then carried the flame to the tower over the stadium where it burned for the rest of the games.) According to this "Sports Illustrated" article, Norris and his wife could have really used the money that the AAU and NCAA antiquated rules prevented him from accepting for his appearance on TTTT. It is never mentioned, but for the record, he competed for McNeese State in Lake Charles (LA). www.si.com/vault/1961/01/23/578925/the-oldest-freshman

[@irontribeissues9104]

Gee. That run of irrelevant factoids should have gained you a seat on this panel. Quote all three facts you misremember and try to make the contestants do it so you can feel relevant for a moment… heh. Only, you did a king’s ransom job of it. Goot one.

[@Walterwhiterocks]

Often Lois just goes on and on and on endlessly. She just can't help her(him) self.

[@44032]

I liked Polly a lot and never warmed to Peggy Cass.

[@randylovering24]

Willie Stein is a genius

[@carolv8450]

Who is Willie Stein?

[@loissimmons6558]

@@carolv8450 The member of the TTTT staff who prepped the impostors so they could answer the questions of the panelists with enough accuracy to be considered the real one.

[@orbyfan]

@@carolv8450 The associate producer; his name appears in the closing credits circa 25:19.

[@randylovering24]

Faye looked great

[@leslieackerman4189]

Randy Lovering who cares? She seems to be a fool

[@susanrutherford866]

Polly made the show she was wonderful !!!

[@paulmcmurray8313]

I do agree.

[@marthahanley6650]

I've *never* heard British accents that are so *poor as to be UNINTELLIGIBLE* . Wow! My husband is a Brit and I couldn't understand that stones in the mouth accent. *Something is definitely wrong with Polly as I know this is her last episode* . She is subdued, not peppy at all, and missing her usual charm. Miss you Polly!

[@sbalman]

We all have different likes and tastes and the more episodes I watched, the more irritating Polly Bergen became to me. Attention-seeking, disruptive, petty at times....found her absences on other episodes a relief.

[@Walterwhiterocks]

Funny, I felt the same way about Peggy Cass.

[@mattikaki]

Paavo Nurmi ja SUOMI mainittu.

[@buffbill-t2i]

I would think Polly had greater expectations for moving forward with her life, but here's a thought- maybe she was tired Bud C.

[@JayTemple]

When I saw #2's name, I was hoping this was another mixed-sex trio.

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

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

[@elliebellie7816]

I found Polly to be mainly annoying most of the time. Too "cutesy" and always voting for someone other than who she thought was the real person.

[@sbalman]

Thank goodness Polly is gone after this show. She was so rude in the show. Poor Bud trying to keep her from disrupting the show.

[@peternagy-im4be]

Polly was playing a role for the show

[@sbalman]

@@peternagy-im4be Apparentlym that role didn't work,

[@peternagy-im4be]

@@sbalman it sure did

[@barb-jm7990]

I'm surprised there was no "goodbye" to Polly. Why did she leave the show? Was it because of the often demeaning comments she got from Bud like " With your figure, Polly, you don't need to know that" when she asked a question or "Polly, you didn't do very well this week?" Was Bud suggesting that she just needed to use her looks and a MAN would take care of her? What a tacky comment!! Her final comments on this show were a bit rude to the panelists. I just get the feeling that this was not a happy parting of ways. After watching the way that slimmy Bud smiled while demeaning her, I'm going to have a hard time watching anymore of these shows.

[@jaysilverheals4445]

she was hated and dominated the entire show as if she was the only one constantly interrupting the others during their turns. a true narcissist.

[@kristabrewer9363]

This is Polly's last show. I don't CARE cause she's a very annoying person. I won't miss her at all, but I'm still curious why this her last show

[@peternagy-im4be]

Fired

[@epaddon]

@@peternagy-im4be Not so. Polly was moving to the West Coast to do movies including "Cape Fear" etc.

[@snootybaronet]

Too good looking.

[@ummglick]

Notice the females don’t speak in vocal fry…

[@jaysilverheals4445]

good riddance to her. he constant stupid remarks and acting like she was the entire show and constantly interrupting others during their turn. im surprised none of the others ever went over and slapped her. ok here it is--she left the show because she got herself knocked up and had to have bedrest and also for too much talking.

[@peternagy-im4be]

What in gods name are you smoking, snorting ,inhaling or injecting?