What's My Line? - Danny Thomas; Ernie Kovacs [panel] (Oct 6, 1957)

MYSTERY GUEST: Danny Thomas [comedian, star of TV's "Make Room for Daddy"]
PANEL: Arlene Francis, Ernie Kovacs, Dorothy Kilgallen, Bennett Cerf

[@aliceaurelia594]

When I was a child I used to watch WML with my parents. My goal was to grow up to be like Dorothy Kilgallen. I thought she was the most poised and elegant lady in NYC. Watching these episodes does nothing to change my opinion of her.

[@daisyy99]

Danny Thomas is not only talented, but a honored philanthropist. I have admired him and his family very much.

[@tanyalong2606]

When I want to watch intelligent, witty, classy, interesting people I binge on What's My Line? You don't find entertainment as fine as this on TV anymore.

[@Lampshade51]

Agreed. And part of the reason is that "What's My Line" originated in New York City, featuring local, cultured residents like Dorothy Kilgallen, Bennett Cerf and Arlene Francis.

[@jacquelinebell6201]

Havent seen Dorothy laugh so much or long in an episode. She's lovely when she really laughs.

[@johngreen3543]

John Daly's comment on Danny Thomas is so true. All Americans owe him a debt of gratitude for pioneering work in helping children with cancer.

[@allnitenurse]

World needs some more men like Danny Thomas. What a great man. He did so much with his time here on Earth. God bless you Danny

[@bemore1134]

Agree wholeheartedly. A man we should all aspire to be like. Not for his success, but his conviction.

[@janetmarletto6667]

And continues his legacy wirh St.Jude's😇😇😇😇

[@stanforddbaker]

@@bemore1134 uh

[@waynebrasler]

Such a talented man and very much a family man plus a man committed to doing good. He had promised St. Jude in prayers that if he found success in show business he would honor St. Jude with a great work helping many people. And he made good the promise.

[@CamhiRichard]

Assuming you refer to Danny Thomas?

[@TheWarStoreMan]

No, Bennett Cerf of course :-)

[@robertfiller8634]

@@TheWarStoreMan You think you're funny but you are a pathetic joke.

[@kimmccawley8785]

@@CamhiRichard po

[@bgmeadows6085]

If Danny Thomas had done nothing but found St. Jude Hospital he would remembered as one our greatest humanitarians.

[@FreedomFighter-cr5xg]

He promoted a cancer causing habit that has caused the death of untold thousands of people .. he is no humanitarian , all he did was promote cigars that ruined people's health so he could fill up his hospital to make a fast dollar ..

[@TheWarStoreMan]

What an idiotic thing to say. It is hard to make a fast buck off smoking related cancers when you run a free hospital for children. Pathetic fool

[@daleburrell6273]

@@FreedomFighter-cr5xg WHAT SH#T HOLE DID YOU CRAWL OUT OF?!!

[@daleburrell6273]

@@TheWarStoreMan AW, SOME PEOPLE HAVE NO CLASS-!!!

[@operadog2000]

@@FreedomFighter-cr5xg Danny Thomas has done more for humanity, children in particular, than you shall accomplish in your pathetic life even if you were to live a million years.

[@ckom0007]

I was playing blackjack in a Vegas casino circa 1980 when I became aware of a massive presence with a cigar behind me. I didn’t turn around (while i surely-stop calling me Shirley-did want to) but after a couple hands that presence said: “Let it ride kid!” That presence was Danny Thomas! I made out like a bandit that night!

[@vonliberte9063]

What an amazing episode and I got to say that I just love Dorothy Killgallen!

[@Walterwhiterocks]

Dorothy was delightful in this episode, but to be fair, she is often moody and nasty and takes the game far too seriously.

[@kdeltatube]

You should look into her intriguing life and mysterious death. She was one of a kind. Read The Reporter Who Knew Too Much by Mark Shaw

[@dsscam]

She was murdered. So terrible. And, of course, SCAMerica's corrupt govt covered it up. World's most corrupt country

[@drzarkov39]

@@Walterwhiterocks She's also very stupid. Every time John answers her question by saying he's flipping a card, she asked, "Was that a no?" Duh!

[@leannsherman6723]

Danny Thomas did such important work by having founded Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital. ❤

[@stephenbabb3805]

I always found Danny Thomas very charming AND handsome.

[@MrJoeybabe25]

John was in extremely good spirits tonight. I'm sure he was glad to be back in his chair!

[@lynnpaden]

danny thomas didn't need to worry. he was starting the first full season with a new wife (marjorie lord) and a new step-daughter (angela cartwright.). in fact, his show ended that year's season at #2 in the rankings.

[@joncheskin]

"In your work connected with motion pictures, on the day following the day in which you have accomplished your part of the work, is there something that is known about the motion picture star that was not known on the day preceding your having accomplished this fact?" --Kovacs satirizes Daly.

[@madeleine9907]

He divorced his first wife next year and married again very fast...but glad he was happy in this episode

[@elizabethmorgan2621]

Dorothy wasn't stuck up. I began watching WML in 1955 and have read articles by her and books about her for years. She was in fact, rather timid, sometimes self conscious and very insecure about her marriage. She was brilliant, and certainly the most intelligent panel member on this program or any other. Dorothy had no formal education beyond high school, and was to a large extent "self taught".

[@MrRtoman]

she was put out of commission in 1964

[@cbrusharmy]

Dorothy and Bennet were both exceedingly clever panelists; I'd find it hard to rank them.

[@philippapay4352]

I would say that Dorothy was among the most intelligent. I would also include Arlene, Martin, Tony Randall and several others who had fine minds. However, I will add my two cents further to say that Dorothy was an extraordinary journalist who was quite shy. She was brought up in the boroughs feeling that as an Irish Catholic she had to become more, do more, have more than anyone else to achieve the sort of preferred rank a JFK achieved. So she worried about her status, yet was a genuine expert in many things, like jazz. She was largely self-taught beyond public school and had the quick wit of a fine journalist who trained on the streets in vile criminal cases that coarsened her in some ways and in others never quite gave her a thick enough skin. Her husband cheated all the time from the period when they got married. He was a loose cannon who always had financial trouble and she often supported their lifestyle. She was always, in fact, overcoming an inferiority complex, yet she never learned deep down that there are no bluebloods or we all are until oxygen turns our blood red. She was a wickedly good game player.

[@selwynmiller3282]

Philippa Pay Thanks for the brief background history on Dorothy Kilgalen! 👍

[@davidsanderson5918]

Elizabeth Morgan All those attributes including her timidness and self-consciousness are evident every episode.

[@MarkSmith-qk2rl]

Without this amazing man there would be no St. Jude Children’s Hospital !!

[@robinchanteusedylan8326]

Good episode to follow the week when Bennett was a meanie in a 'sweet way'. Arlene & Dorothy are stunning in their gorgeous dresses. Danny Thomas was an awesome man on tv & in his St.Jude's work.

[@loissimmons6558]

Based on her IMDB page, it would appear that most or all of Marilyn Moe Stader's early stunt work went uncredited. Her first credited role as a stuntwoman was as a stunt double for Barbara Bain on a 1967 episode of "Mission Impossible". The year before, she had an acting role on a one season TV show called "The Monroes". On the first episode, she plays the part of (get this) "Mary Monroe". She is the family matriarch and she and her husband drown before the opening credits roll, thus setting up the show's premise of five orphans (the oldest, a son, being 18) trying to make it on their own in frontier America. Ironically, Marilyn's older sister, Phyllis, was the classmate of Norma Jean Baker (the future Marilyn Monroe) in 6th grade math. Marilyn Moe was the middle child. There was also a younger sister, Connie. Her last credited stunt role was in "Repossessed" in 1990. Her husband, Paul Stader, died in 1991 at age 80. Apparently he was doing stunts right up to the end and was credited with stunt work or being stunt coordinator on 154 different movies or TV shows (going back to 1937) and acting credits on 58 movies or TV shows. He was known for working on Tarzan pictures and the Jungle Jim TV show. He performed stunts for, among others, Johnny Weismuller, Lex Barker, Gregory Peck and John Wayne. He came to L.A. in 1932 as a swimmer, trying to make the U.S. Olympic Team. While he didn't make it, he had entry into show business through friendships with Weismuller and Buster Crabbe. Marilyn was 18 years younger than her husband and apparently is still alive. They were married in 1956 and remained married until Paul's death. She was attractive with a very athletic frame. Because she was from Malibu, my guess was that she had something to do with surfing. She was an experienced swimmer and diver before turning to stunt work.

[@michaelgasiciel9317]

I was 6 months old at this show but remember The Monroe’s and to see Danny Thomas at this age is incredible. Have contributed to StJude for years. Bless Danny and Marlo.😊❤️

[@toinimoore3463]

Lois Simmons Wow I am so interested in what you said can tell you are indeed close to family and really knew them and suggest in not saying any more than you have.I felt for her and always thought her more talented than folks gave credit for Toini Moore

[@THE-HammerMan]

@@toinimoore3463 How do you get her being close to family? No mention nor implication at all. She said her source was the IMDB page.

[@THE-HammerMan]

Thank you for all the info on that fine lady and her career stunt work.

[@fenwaypark1725]

Just wanted to say, being born in 1957, the comments on these WML shows are amazing. A whole lot of Hollywood trivia comes out. Being July 10th 2020 sure helps to lose yourself on this and other game shows. 🇺🇸🖖

[@Redheadedlady55]

~Yes indeed ...simply love watching WML...1955 & growing.

[@lindab.2626]

You are so right ! The wonderful hospital he started, St Jude is in my hometown and I understand he is buried there.

[@dedeefitzpatrick8710]

I just love watching these episodes of WML. I watched this program as a child.... loved it then.... still love it. So much fun to watch now.... at 78! A really superb TV Show.

[@keetrandling4530]

Tall, dark, and amusing! That he was, as well as talented, generous, intelligent, and not hard on the eyes.

[@soulierinvestments]

Kovacs seems to be contagious -- particularly at the end.

[@savethetpc6406]

The whole panel seemed kind of off-the-wall giddy in this episode, as did John Daly. I was thinking that John might be punchy from jet lag after so much travel and just getting back to New York from overseas and that his silliness (all that stuff about Tipton, for instance -- which was very out of character for him, at least on this show) was rubbing off on the panel, but you're right that Ernie's silliness was probably a contributing factor too. A very strange WML episode -- not typical at all, IMO. Ernie Kovacs sort of seemed half asleep and "out of it" at the beginning of the episode, and he seemed to get zanier as he woke up. While not exactly atypical for him, it could be that the combination of his antics and John's uncharacteristic goofiness affected the rest of the panel too. I wonder what Mr. Henderson thought about all the references to him and his community!

[@BrownEyedGirl331]

I can only imagine St. Jude greeting him and escorting him into Paradise while reassuring him "well done, good and faithful servant."

[@attorneyrobert]

"That Russian Satellite" referred to by Mr. Kovaks was Sputnik, which ushered in the space age. What a snapshot of history.

[@davidsanderson5918]

I've been to St Peter's during a mass too. He's right, it's unforgettable.

[@boognish999]

This episode made me appreciate Mr Kovac's sense of humor whom I'd heard of but knew nothing about. Comedy gets outdated quickly and to still be funny nearly 60 years later is quite an accomplishment.

[@bigwilson8794]

Zac M. Ernie is the perfect second seat guy

[@carolyoung6732]

I agree. He was born before his time!

[@michaelbaucom4019]

Ernie was ahead of his time would be an understatement.

[@scottpardee6303]

It looks like they finally got him to stop smoking and waving a cigar around.

[@scottpardee6303]

Darn, Danny Thomas showed up with one....

[@loissimmons6558]

I was quite surprised that Bennett, who is usually well-versed in geography, didn't know the location of Shrub Oak which is just down a road a piece about 15 miles from where he lived in Mount Kisco. I have been familiar with Shrub Oak for years because my dad was a photographer for Con Edison. Con Ed had a substation in Shrub Oak and because my dad was one of only a few photographers for the company who lived north of NYC, he was called upon to take pictures at all their Westchester facilities (including Indian Point and Eastview as well as Shrub Oak) most of the time when the need arose. He preferred being assigned there. He could get up later and still be on the job. And he didn't have to battle the rush hour commute into Manhattan. In the 1960's and early 1970's, the commute over the Tappan Zee Bridge wasn't quite so onerous as it is now.

[@vintagehollywoodstars]

Lois Simmons I was surprised also that Bennett didn’t know where Shrub Oak was. But I just love how he is always so interested in where locations are.

[@thediamonddog95]

Whole episode had great moments, from a beautiful stunt woman, to Dorothy whispering to Benett like in school. And just when i thought episode will end with Dorothy laughter about product being used by both men and women, Arlene comes with great loud ascending laughter.

[@orbison]

Sadly, Danny Thomas and John Daly passed away within a few days of each other in Feburary 1991.

[@lindajohnson4204]

This was about the day we flew to Florida (or the next day), to join my dad at his new job: either the 5th or the 6th of October, 1957. They announced Sputnik on the radio, while we were getting dressed to go to the airport..

[@erichanson426]

If anyone should read my other strange comments. They were over 4 almost 5 years ago, and this was the very first Whats My Line I had ever watched. Now I do know a lot more about the panelists and the host, Mr. Daily. I stumbled around this video by accident almost 5 years ago, and I am glad I did. I have been watching a least one per day, at bedtime. A great way to relax.

[@jerrylee8261]

Eric, I have it on while I work out as it's not necessary to watch it to get an idea of what's going on most of the time.

[@mikejschin]

The day of this episode, the 4th game of the 1957 World Series was played. The Milwaukee Braves tied the series 2-2 with a 10 inning win over the Yankees. The winning pitcher was Warren Spahn, who went the distance. The game was won on a walk-off home run by Eddie Matthews. The Braves went on to win the series 4-3. Lew Burdette was the series MVP, winning 3 games as the starting pitcher in games 2, 5 and 7 and giving up a total of 2 runs in those starts. Two of his starts were complete game shutouts, including game 7 in which he pitched on 2 days rest.

[@lorettanericcio-bohlman567]

Love love love Danny Thomas AND baseball! Two for one ☺️

[@julier.1902]

Ernie is killing me with Can it be folded? question! I'm eager to see if he ever gets a yes.

[@preppysocks209]

Like Steve Allen and his breadbox, they brought out a guest whose line was making folding beds.

[@WendyDarling1974]

"Can you fold it?" I watching WML in order and am now hoping they brought in a paper boy or a stationer on a night Kovacs was there.

[@irish89055]

The Queen was in the US for the 350th anniversary of Jamestown she came back fifty years later for the 400th ceremony here in Virginia..

[@drumbum3.142]

Being a Film, Movie, and Show Afficianado.. ...i have the *HIGHEST* Respect for Stunt Performers.. As Well As Those who Perform (On) Their Own.. Edit,. It Seems - -- As of the typing of this; that This Lady right here is Still with us Today at the Beautiful Wonderful Age of Ninety-Four 😊☺️☺️☺️. Though i can NOT find a date of birth for this Lady.. .

[@jasonayres]

(15:00) Kids, the best cigars are the ones that aren't burning.

[@Beson-SE]

John talks about his European tour he made last week. Among other things he heard a mass in St Peter's Basilica in Rome and in Athens he went to a the Herodes Atticus theater on Acropolis and saw a performance of "Iphigenia in Aulis" by Euripides. 7:17

[@Beson-SE]

Michael Mantle Takes one to know one äckel.

[@WhatsMyLine]

Michael Mantle I'm curious as to why you chose to criticize a perfectly innocuous comment by Johan, who is one of the most frequent and valued members of the community here. Do you have nothing better to do with your time but spit bilge at people on the internet without provocation? The next comment you make along the lines of the ones you made here will be the last comment you make on any of my videos. Classless, rude, and uncalled for attitude. Johan Bengtsson: You know how much I appreciate your comments from the many times I've thanked you for your contributions. Pay no attention to this person, please.

[@WhatsMyLine]

Michael Mantle For Pete's sake-- I wasn't intending to scare you. I was intending to warn you. Exactly what have you ever contributed to any discussion that was so so fascinating that you feel entitled to pass judgement on anyone else, let alone someone like Johan who leaves very welcome comments just about every day? Oh, that's right. You've contributed NOTHING. Your only "contribution" has been to slam the legitimate contributions of another user. Since you don't care about commenting here, and you're obviously incapable of understanding how rude and unnecessary your response was, good riddance.

[@WhatsMyLine]

Michael Mantle I have no idea what umbrage you're referring to, but the ONLY umbrage I ever take at people in these comments is when people are rude, condescending or nasty, or when they insist on discussing controversial topics. If you think I'm the kind of person who's threatened by other people's knowledge, you obviously don't read a lot of the comments. Regardless, I really don't care what your opinion of me is, nor do I care to express publicly what my opinion of you is. I'm done interacting with you. Thank you so much for brightening my day. It's bringing joy to people like you that makes posting these videos worthwhile.

[@bigwilson8794]

What's My Line? We love Johan!

[@ibnalhaytham]

Glad to see that as of September 2021, Marilyn Moe (aka Marilyn M. Stader) is still with us, 92 years young. She would have been 26 in this episode.

[@loissimmons6558]

I thought that when Danny Thomas went from grunts to words, his voice gave him away. I was surprised that the panel took quite a number of additional turns before they guessed him.

[@CamhiRichard]

Yes, but he was doing Cockney and Yiddish accents, among other things, not his normal speaking voice.

[@lindajohnson4204]

I thought the grunts sounded just like Danny Thomas! "Rusty!" "Linda!" "Kathy!" "Uncle Tonoose!"

[@Bonobanos]

i may be mistaken but when marilyn moe enters i think i here arlene and dorothy commenting on her, arlene saying “cute” and dorothy saying something about the dress she has on

[@JJJBRICE]

Danny Thomas took over the ILL Monday night slot having been on ABC for four years . He was just in the process of being the TV juggernaut he would become. The response of the panel was similar to the response to Jackie Gleason when he guested on WML in 1952 at the beginning of his CBS run having been on the old ( unknown ) Du Mont network for two previous years

[@Beson-SE]

21:01 "Can you fold it?" Ernie's trademark question. :)

[@Beson-SE]

Michael Mantle Why should I when you just did?

[@jerrylee8261]

@@Beson-SE Michael must have been banished to no WML comments as I can't see it. Wish I could. Wish Gary had zinged him again.

[@pulmon66]

The show Mr. Thomas asks the publlc to watch was seen by an average of 13.3 million homes, on October 8, 1957, the equivalent of 32 million viewers.

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

Impressive numbers, considering the American population in 1957 was 167 million.

[@lemoncrinckles]

Dorothy had the cutest giggle.

[@SchibbiSchibbi]

I thought exactly the same.

[@djdon60]

I concur; loved it!

[@hot88s23]

If by 'cutest', you mean 'most annoying', I would agree

[@daleburrell6273]

@@hot88s23 ....well, if ya don't LIKE it- ya don't have to EAT it!!!

[@hot88s23]

@@daleburrell6273 Don't worry

[@wchumphries]

Let silliness prevail! LOL

[@mattm7798]

I think what Danny was referring to at the end was the show switched networks from ABC to CBS and the original run wasn't a smash hit so it was far from certain whether it would do well.

[@andrewj.alexander4546]

Arthur Henderson, a member of Parliament in London, was one of a number of non-mystery participants who acknowledged the audience upon exiting the stage. In his case it was with a formal bow.

[@Beson-SE]

There are at least two references made to the Russian Sputnik launching that went ahead on October 4, 1957. 1:56 and 15:25

[@jackkomisar458]

It sounds like Bennett said "Spudnik". It is pronounced "spootnik". Now that Russia has made a vaccine for COVID-19 called "Sputnik V" (the "V" is for "vaccine"), we have another opportunity to get it right.

[@miketheyunggod2534]

I only give to St. Jude. 100% goes to the care of the children and their family.

[@meman6964]

Don't they have to pay for all the commercials? I remember when during intermission at the movies they'd pass a popcorn bucket for coin collection for St Jude.

[@Ar7wen]

Actually he does play a musical instrument! He seems a kind man and of course a man of faith.

[@cynthiasoroka1838]

LOVE THAT MAN DANNY THOMAS 💜✝️

[@Ashoodle]

Wow! Now that was a laugh! @ 25:38 by Arlene Francis!!!

[@buyvital]

+Ashoodle I thought the same thing. Kovacks must have said something to her.

[@caitlinfitzpatrick836]

I think she was laughing at the fact that Ernie called Dorothy Arlene by accident. Also, if you listen closely, I think Bennett said Arlene and then quickly corrected himself to say John during his goodnight. He sort of mumbles, so I can't tell for sure.

[@anntaylor2039]

yes , Ernie did call Dorothy Arlene by mistake. That's when Alene laughed.

[@ruthkidney3582]

Danny Thomas did such great work. I love to help him.

[@Musician-Songwriter]

This Lady is still alive She's 91: Marilyn Stader was born in Malibu, California, USA as Marilyn Moe. She is known for her work on The Goonies (1985), Hustle (1975) and I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978). She was previously married to Paul Stader.

[@jeffstumpf9129]

I wish Ernie Kovacs would have spoken a bit louder. He’s so quiet here.

[@orgonkothewildlyuntamed6301]

10:40 Ernie does a good imitation of John

[@loissimmons6558]

I will go one step further and say that he did an amazing excellent job. But the best part was when he boiled it down to its simplest form and then was able to reconstruct it and repeat it.

[@thecandidcounterbalance1492]

11:02 The face of John Daly realizing he has misjudged Ernie for so long. Indeed, Ernie often elicited cheap laughs with lowbrow humor, but in this episode, he proves that his wit can be just as sophisticated as the other members of the show.

[@kristabrewer9363]

Ernie needs to GO AWAY!!!

[@lindajohnson4204]

@@kristabrewer9363 We loved Ernie Kovaks. It broke our hearts when he died.

[@bobbyfrancis8957]

@@lindajohnson4204 I wasn't quite 7 years old when Kovacs died in a car accident, he was the first celebrity death that really shocked me. I watched his TV program every week on KNXT- Channel 2, late at night, Kovacs was shown in one more program about a week after his death, and was canceled and replaced after that. I never saw it again, until the early 1970s, when channel 28 started showing some reruns again.

[@ralphturner3798]

The pannelists often ask, "was that a no"? When John says that's 4 down & six to go, they should know it's a no.

[@shirtless6934]

The reference to "that Russian satellite" at 15:25 is significant to me, because I was born on the preceding Friday, October 4, 1957, the day the Russians launched Sputnik I.

[@Ingentiy]

My first birthday gift from uncle Nikita ;)

[@walterscott2286]

I live in Manitowoc, Wisconsin where on our main street sidewalk is marker designating exactly where a piece Sputnik landed. In fact, there is a Sputnik fest every year!

[@starbuono3333]

Good man Mr Thomas he finally metereologia Saint Jude ! 😀👍

[@accomplice55]

Meteorologia?

[@poetcomic1]

John was 'goofin' tonight! The last guest he said goodnight and wasn't going tell them what he does. He also did something else goofy like that during the show. He must have been in a silly mood.

[@tomtriffid]

Perhaps one too many glasses of champagne before the show?

[@loissimmons6558]

Perhaps a bit giddy after being away for a week, which took him out of any rut he might have been in.

[@CamhiRichard]

Factor in the jet lag, and the running around he did all over Europe -- he was probably in that 2nd or 3rd wind you get when you're pretty much exhausted, and just running on adrenaline.

[@sandrageorge3488]

Great man!!!!

[@loissimmons6558]

In most segments, I am way off with my initial guess. Not with the first challenger. He was so distinguished looking that when he said he was from London, I guessed that he was an MP.

[@carollee444]

Always admired him!

[@LizaLil3]

John was so silly in this one! I kinda like that he let a little kaos happen. I really liked this one! ❤

[@ToddSF]

In 1957, color television sets were built into furniture-style cabinets, were about three feet high, about 30" wide and at least two feet deep -- the picture tubes were long from front to back -- and definitely larger than fire hydrants. I think if you took the cabinet of a 1957 color TV and hollowed it out, it would easily fit over most fire hydrants, which were considerably shorter, narrower and shallower than color TVs.

[@orgonkothewildlyuntamed6301]

they are several feet below ground which is where the valve seal is how far deep depends on the frost level so the farther south the deeper they are; to oversimply it's a very long screw that goes deep into the ground

[@waldolydecker8118]

Are you sure Dorothy wasn't referring to the television sets of 'colored' people? In 1957, many still called black americans 'colored.' When Dorothy asked 'is it smaller than a colored's TV set, she may have been acknowledging that due to economics, generally speaking 'colored' americans had smaller TV sets than the national average - not smaller than a bread box per se - but smaller than the average american.

[@leannsherman6723]

Arlene was very good at this game.

[@MrJoeybabe25]

Danny said they have been handed an impossible assignment tomorrow night. I think he must have been referring to coming from almost oblivion after 4 years on ABC to taking the "I Love Lucy" spot on Monday's at 9 on CBS. Which upon he succeeded quite well...but never close to Lucy's rating.

[@breezycovergirl]

I like Bennett alot!

[@michaelbaucom4019]

Yay, Mr K!!

[@syd8802]

25:24 Arlene lost her sh*t😂

[@jackkomisar458]

At 7:30, John calls St. Peter's Basilica a cathedral. It is not a cathedral. The cathedral of Rome is St. John Lateran.

[@44032]

Sputnik was launched 10/4/57. this is two days later.

[@bbailey7818]

Sputnik had just been launched two days earlier, October 4th! And R.I.P. Brooklyn Dodgers.

[@zquark1]

Sherry Jackson, who played the older daughter on Thomas' eponymous show, has another opinion of her TV dad. She says he was angry and a terror when the cameras weren't rolling, that his tobacco use habits were disgusting, (e.g., spit cups), and that his breath was awful. Doesn't negate his philanthropy, only provides a differing opinion from the norm.

[@ronmackinnon9374]

Yes, this episode aired just two days after the Soviets launched Sputnik -- hence Bennett's reference to it at 1:58.

[@randyking3057]

"What is your name?" hilarious

[@pinedelgado4743]

Interesting reference by Ernie Kovacs to Sputnik (the world's first artificial earth satellite launched by the USSR) launched two days earlier (on the same day the sitcom classic LEAVE IT TO BEAVER made its debut on the same network as WML [#Autism]).

[@johnmacn]

Has any guest ever slipped up and answered the either question, What is your name or what do you do? I've seen some slip ups where the guest gives too much away. Considering they come out with these questions at surprising times I would imagine they've caught at least one guest off guard that answered it. I did see the episode that john D gave away the guest, but not a guest that gave it away.

[@sjbobkins9442]

Mr Mumnles, err Ernie Kovac seemed to be a bit drugged out to begin with rather than super hyper as was his norm, love the guy too sad that he lost his life at his peak

[@neilmidkiff]

It looks to me as if Ernie had a cold that night. He seems to have a handkerchief up his left sleeve, and his voice is constrained at the start. Nevertheless, his long question about press agents is the best imitation of a Daly circumlocution I've heard so far. Some of his diversions leave me cold, but this was genuinely funny within the "terms of reference" of WML? and a real contribution.

[@michaelnivens6267]

Marilyn Stader ( Moe ) - fascinating

[@allmusicfan88]

Ernie Kovacs is a strange person!! ha ha

[@toinimoore3463]

Don’t know when a guy is drunk yet huh? You must get an education from your parents!

[@carolyoung6732]

I am really getting a kick out of him!

[@lindajohnson4204]

He had a very idiosyncratic sense of humor. We loved him and Edie.

[@donaldleroy6502]

It's no surprise that Marilyn was a stunt woman the way she carried herself, very graceful. Arlene was right, Ernie Kovac IS the weird one

[@MYGRANDSONDEVIN]

St. Jude’s Hospital

[@kristabrewer9363]

and also, I don't get why John would laugh at Bennet "last week." I thought he did awesome!!

[@jerrylee8261]

Arlene would have been a natural as moderator. I guess they insisted on a male to fill in.

[@ronmackinnon9374]

Ernie Kovacs (looking at Dorothy): 'Good night, Arlene.' What an amateur!

[@YY4Me133]

"I'm not gonna tell ya." 🤣

[@erichanson426]

great game show, too bad there is not some new format of it on today

[@rogerscalf231]

No no no The panelists made this show what it was. Just admit, no one has any NEW ideas today, you just recycle classic shows into garbage no one wants to watch. So just keep watching sites like KZbin and see the original!

[@erichanson426]

@@rogerscalf231 I guess I have to agree with you on that.

[@Baskerville22]

The panel 'carried' Danny Thomas for quite a while. His voice was obvious from the atart.

[@Kate8790]

This might be in poor taste to bring up but it's bugging me. Ernie is looking down at something at about 1:35 to 1:36. Right after Dorothy gets to her spot and turns to face the camera. Maybe it's just me but is he looking down Arlene's gown????!

[@WhatsMyLine]

I have to admit, that is what it looks like. :)

[@bigwilson8794]

Kate8790 So what?

[@arttrombley7385]

It looks more like He's looking at something on the desk. Do you remember who Ernie was married to ?. If I were married to Edie Adams, I surely wouldn't be looking down Arlene Dahl's dress, that would be a turn-off for sure.

[@libertyann439]

Kate8790 Could be

[@libertyann439]

Art Trombley She's Arlene Francis

[@Chosimba13]

God damn Arlene

[@skyedog24]

Ernie Kovacs was excellent and Bell book candle 🕯️. He died way too soon.

[@RonGerstein]

He died in a car accident.

[@youbetcha6880]

The stunt performer Marilyn Moe's is still alive. She's 94.

[@michaelnivens6267]

Jeez -when John says no conference , shut up and quit conferring - plus , John should call no conferences more often

[@joiefulton4015]

+What's My Line, if yes, what was JCD's response?

[@rosewaller7616]

Back when this show was on it was very easy to guess celebrities because back in the early part of tv there was not that many tv shows There was only a few movies for openings a year. So these people on the panel were not as smart as you thought. Today it would be harder with more shows and movies that are going on

[@bobbyfrancis8957]

When Kovacs asked Danny "what is your name?" he should've said the name he was born with before he changed it.

[@michaelmakes1225]

Max Jacobs?

[@accomplice55]

@@michaelmakes1225 Amos Jacobs.

[@michaelmakes1225]

Amos Kairouz

[@accomplice55]

@@michaelmakes1225: Yes, but he went by Amos Jacobs. My dad knew him in Detroit in 1940.

[@michaelmakes1225]

@@accomplice55 he changed his name and kept his nose... Loved his tv show as a kid,then grew up and learned of his philanthropy,...just the sound of his name, whatever it is,makes this world a better place.

[@frederalbacon]

Say what you want about faith, but Danny Thomas' well known promise to St Jude to build a shrine to him should Danny become successful, the subsequent success, the founding of St Jude's CRH, which has led to the extended lives of millions of children who would previously have lost them early, certainly lends itself to a belief in divine intervention. Like someone could look into his heart and know who he really was, and what he could do if given the chance.