What's My Line? - Lerner & Loewe; Bishop Sheen; David Niven [panel] (Oct 21, 1956)

MYSTERY GUEST: Alan Jay Lerner & Frederick Loewe [songwriting team, best known for "My Fair Lady"]; Bishop Fulton J. Sheen [American archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church]
PANEL: Dorothy Kilgallen, David Niven, Arlene Francis, Bennett Cerf

[@davidharris6581]

That is so cool that Niven remembered him!

[@philippapay4352]

David Harris - I have always hoped they had a bit of time together after the show to catch up on their lives. The last Alex would have remembered of his commander probably would have been the wartime tragic death of his first wife and mother of his two sons. So, it would have been nice for them to both share how well things had become in their lives.

[@lemorab1]

@@philippapay4352 Primmie Niven died in 1946 in Beverly Hills, after WWII, but yeah, that might have been shortly after the last time McGeachin and Niven saw each other, ten years before this WML show.

[@philippapay4352]

@@lemorab1- I thought they were still in London with the move back to L.A. planned, but apparently they had just gotten back to L.A. after the war. A terrible accident with 2 small sons to rear. Clark Gable was helpful to him.

[@lemorab1]

@@philippapay4352Primmie Niven died in a completely ridiculous, tragic accident at Tyrone Power's house during a game of sardines. The lights were off, Primmie had not been shown the geography of the house, and she opened what she thought was a hall closet door. Instead, she took a tumble down steep, concrete stairs into a basement, getting a fatal head injury, and dying the next day at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica. This is one of those freak occurrences where you go, "If only Ty and Annabella had locked that door in advance, as a precaution." "If only they had told Primmie about the steep stairs in advance." The consequences of this were disastrous for David and his two sons.

[@philippapay4352]

@@lemorab1 Yes, I know the details, which are upsetting, but I thought it had occurred at a party in London before they returned to L.A. Those 2 boys were young. Clark Gable, having lost his wife in a plane crash while selling war bonds across the country several years earlier, contacted Niven because Gable liked to fish and camp and offered to help him take his boys into the outdoors whenever they were both free so that the boys would have lots of non-Hollywood activities to help keep them active until they were school age. It was a generous offer, Niven spoke of in one of his books of memoirs.

[@WintersWar]

Daly had a knack for saying the perfect thing to any guest. amazing charm.

[@robertjean5782]

Daly has met all the dignitaries and Presidents, and kings and queens😊

[@Merrida100]

Dorothy has such impeccable manners!

[@ritagreen5224]

@topherh33 I have noticed that Dorothy doesn't stand for conservatives or people who are not Catholic. She didn't care much for southern folks either. She referred to country singer Patsy Cline as a hick from the sticks. I love her though, and only enjoy the shows with her in them.

[@preppysocks209]

Bishop Sheen asked that his appearance money be given to the Church's 300 leper colonies. What an amazing exchange. The religious significance of leper colonies since the early days of Christianity and the forlorn suffering of so many people over the centuries. There are no longer so many colonies, as the WHO deemed the disease to be eradicated by 2000. But there are still leper colonies today (one in the US, most in India). In some counties, the stigma for those who have contracted the disease is still so strong that they live in quarantine.

[@ellenmurray9196]

Love this show, where people had manners and culture. Have seen only twice the entire panel rise in respect for the guest, the other being a lady in her 90's who was still employed. I enjoy reruns of Bishop Sheen's show to this day. his messages are timeless.

[@ellenmurray9196]

I take that back.- they did for Dorothy's father, too, another great episode.

[@xenafan234]

And Eleanor Roosevelt, They all stood for her as well!

[@m.e.d.7997]

They should show this show to kids as a course in etiquette and manners.

[@sdacj]

They stood for Frank Lloyd Wright as well.

[@dpm-jt8rj]

They did for the nun who was a dentist as well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnrci5mKjZtogcU

[@joanbrigid6987]

His Excellency Bishop Sheen, the bagpipe man segment, and John Daly’s ability to use the words “patois” and “ain’t” in one sentence... I love this show

[@gingerhaydon4693]

Bishop Sheen... I used to watch his television show when I was a little girl...and David Niven and the last guest knowing each other and Niven finally recognizing him.. that was a delight!

[@teriannebeauchamp254]

I think David Niven recognized him the moment he walked in. He was using the same hand gestures in his hair as he did when he asked him about his commanding officer

[@mariekatherine5238]

Thumbs up for Bishop Sheen and Dorothy Kilgallen.

[@robradical7213]

Nah, just Dorothy Kilgallen.

[@slaytonp]

@@robradical7213 I would ordinarily agree with you, but I lived in the day before Televangelists rotted the barrel, and Bishop Sheen was quite different. My family was atheist, but we still enjoyed Bishop Sheen. One didn't need to believe in God to respect Bishop Sheen.

[@draak777]

slaytonp l

[@PaulTesta]

She kissed his ring.

[@irish89055]

@@PaulTesta is a Catholic

[@nowvoyagerNE]

brother am i corny...i sit here alone in front of my computer screen and just smile and get so tickled when the panel guesses who the stars are or are told who they are when they can't guess them...so much fun to watch!

[@WhatsMyLine]

If that's the definition, then you're certainly not the only one around here who's corny. :)

[@pipey61]

As corny as the rest of us watching.

[@princeharming8963]

*Raises hand... Proud to be corny!

[@senoramariposa]

The segment with the bagpipe expert was simply a delight.

[@D.N..]

Compared with the way television and entertainers talk and dress today this old film clip seems like it is almost from another planet

[@amascia8327]

It is... Or rather, we are now.

[@luissantiago8446]

Yes, we ARE the aliens now, with our manner of speech and dress. All around, it's simply atrocious and repulsive. Back then, if someone appeared dressed the way they do now, they'd be summarily arrested for public indecency.

[@melianna999]

@@amascia8327 😂

[@richardschilling2414]

I have watched this episode so many times. When Arlene says, with all sincerity, that "what kind of crazy sponsor" remark- the reaction of John Daly is priceless.

[@kennethlatham3133]

After watching I guess about 40 of these WMLs I have decided that this is my favourite. I mean, the phenomenal songwriting team of Lerner & Loewe, the hilarious pig wrangler on the floor with laughter from all the pig jokes flying around his head, the soul-stirring presence of Bishop Sheen and the adorable sudden awareness on the part of David Niven of the identity of the bagpipe tech all made for a legendary show.

[@robertjean5782]

I totally agree with you 😊

[@edwinrivera8449]

That was Respect... When they all stud up for the Bishop and Miss Dorthy kissing his hand. You don't see that anymore.

[@BigBingFan]

His ring....a sign of respect for the Office he holds, shepherd over his earthly flock.

[@suzycreamcheesez4371]

stood Sure you do.

[@TheCometHunter]

Anymore? I've not seen that at all. I'm respectfully gobsmacked. (In my defense, being a Baptist, I have to plead ignorance. ) LOL

[@All2Meme]

It's a Roman Catholic custom to kiss the ring of a bishop/archbishop/cardinal/pope as a sign of respect. Dorothy Kilgallen was a Roman Catholic.

[@grod1194]

I kiss my priests hand. Im 31 years old...its a beautiful thing.

[@jeffstumpf9129]

Great show! Arch Bishop Fulton Sheen was a great man.

[@rockymarino584]

It is official. This is my favorite episode of WML! ! !

[@kennethlatham3133]

You know, after watching about 40 episodes, I'm inclined to say the same thing. Plus, it had the guys that wrote the words & music to My Fair Lady!

[@Beson-SE]

"My Fair Lady" by Lerner & Loewe is the *best* musical ever written! And that's that! :)

[@paacer]

We all have our favourite musicals but I would say it's one of the best .

[@mitchweiner]

Mine is The Sound of Music

[@Walterwhiterocks]

I would put it just behind West Side Story and Grease.

[@accomplice55]

I agree!! It's brilliant on all levels.

[@christopherleodaniels7203]

It’s definitely in the Hall of Fame. But I can’t NOT mention GYPSY.

[@KenNickels]

These are great! Such elegance. Thanks for posting.

[@kali8188]

I don't really follow any form of religion any more, but I've listened to a few of Bishop Sheen's sermons on KZbin, and I think he was a fascinating man. So, when I saw that he had appeared on What's My Line, I checked this out. I loved his little asides. Certainly not like the alleged evangelists that we have today. A man truly worthy of being called a man of god, and he had a great sense of humor besides. You don't find that much on television any more.

[@patgarcia4664]

Bishop Sheen RIP is now referred to as Venerable since he is on the path to sainthood in the Catholic church.

[@SueProv]

@@patgarcia4664 He was supoosed to be beatified in 2019 but about 2 weeks before they stopped.

[@oldtimer794]

He evangelized by example.

[@kali3665]

@@oldtimer794 Indeed he did.

[@sdgakatbk]

@@oldtimer794 The best kind.

[@paulasnow8420]

Thank you for posting these, so enjoyable to watch people with manners.

[@smcd7770]

Niven recognizing his former soldier is my favorite moment on WML.

[@lemorab1]

It has been years since I read Niven's memoir "The Moon's A Balloon" or Graham Lord's excellent biography, "Niv." However, there are inconsistencies in this WML show. In 1936, twenty years before 1956, Niven was in Hollywood, not in the British armed forces. In 1928 - 1932, after graduating from Sandhurst Military College, he was in the Highland Light Infantry, stationed in Malta. During WWII, in the 1940's, he was in the Commandos, training soldiers at a secret military base in Scotland. Oh well, it seems this bagpiper was a soldier under Niven's command somewhere. However you remember it, David.

[@jamiearmstrong3487]

@@lemorab1 20 years would be a generalisation instead of accuracy.

[@winstoncat6785]

@@lemorab1 Must have been his officer in the interwar years. That was when David Niven was on Malta. Wasn't his commanding officer in the war, which was the host's suggestion/assumption.

[@Station5Patriot]

He was so filled with the Holy Spirt it was flowing into the others around them and they were filled with joy

[@janetmarletto6667]

I agree!😇I got goose bumps when he directed the $ to go to Leper Colonies😇🤗😍

[@excelsior999]

The Spiritual Lepers who are currently trying to destroy everything that is Good and Holy are more dangerous than anyone who suffers from a physical illness.

[@jacquelinebell6201]

The pig segment was hilarious! 🤣🤣🤣🐖🐷🐖🐷

[@loggats]

One of my favourite episodes.

[@DrachenYT]

Feels like the whole cast, particularly Mr. Daly, were all very much giddy this episode! Quite a pleasant watch and a great showing by all.

[@stephenwoehr6500]

"That we will do, and we will add to it." That's class.

[@jec1ny]

I hope Mr. Niven and Alex had a chance to have a drink somewhere after the show and catch up.

[@gusbeau1]

The people in ‘’show business’’ back then were miles above what passes for ‘’class/class acts in our sad, sick world. We were blessed .

[@robertjean5782]

Absolutely agree totally outrageous 😊

[@tokyoteetotaller]

Such delightful, intelligent, well-spoken people. Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful videos!

[@kathrynoneill5862]

I'm so happy to see Bishop Sheen . I have a feeling people would hate him now, because he told the truth. I wish he was still here.

[@robertjean5782]

We'll meet him in the heavenly bliss😊

[@Beson-SE]

The second contestant said he was from Washta "the coldest spot in Iowa". It still holds the record of a temperature of 47 degrees below zero on January 12, 1912. 9:21

[@JDAbelRN]

A cool fact.

[@princeharming8963]

Arlene: "Weekly on television and non-profit.. O, boy.. have You got a crazy sponsor!" Beautiful, smart, funny lady!

[@robertjean5782]

Arlene got it all😊

[@JackDecker63]

David Niven instantly knew the last contestant. Look at 21:29. That's body language of stressful concealment.

[@nandofigueira2005]

is right.

[@petemarshall8094]

He was a gentleman. He was struggling to remember where he had known him.

[@teriannebeauchamp254]

I too noticed that as soon as he saw him, he rubbed his head, just as he did when he started his line of questioning about Malta

[@rmelin13231]

I suspect that was why Alexander was laughing so hard as he sat down, also. He had just glanced at Mr. Niven.

[@thegalaxybeing]

Bishop Sheen had the DuMont Network show "Life is Worth Living" which actually did well against stiff competition - Milton Berle. Sheen also was very outspoken against Communism. He once made a forceful statement that Stalin must "One day meet his Maker" Stalin was dead within two weeks! This strange coincidence was highly publicized at the time. (Info source-"The Complete Directory of Prime Time Shows" by Tim Brooks/Earle Marsh). This was in early 1953 Overall, though, Bishop Sheen's show generally had a very positive tone and he was quite popular. He often used humor in his talks. They didn't come across as sermons in the usual sense. It's been said that "Life is Worth Living" was probably the most widely viewed religious series in history. (at least as of the1980's).

[@hifijohn]

dont say stiff competition when talking about berle.

[@robertdiotalevi2882]

Oh my!

[@robertdiotalevi2882]

One time Bishop Sheen came out with a propeller beanie and said, "This is your Uncle Fulty!"

[@nanaberry4120]

Arlene's dress is SO pretty!!!

[@loissimmons6558]

It is very flattering to her. She usually had a good fashion sense of what "accentuated her charms" (to borrow a phrase from a previous episode where the challenger designed maternity clothes).

[@bobbyfrancis8957]

According to Alan Jay Lerner' s autobiography, Rodgers and Hammerstein were asked to compose the music for "Pygmalion" first, but they tried for a whole year and gave up. So then, Alan and Fritz were asked to do it, and they tried for a year and gave up, but later they decided to try it again...

[@teresal5174]

Really?? That's SO interesting!

[@lemorab1]

By Jove, I think they got it!!

[@edfulginiti8798]

Great show!!!

[@ToddSF]

I was thrilled to have seen, recently for me, Rodgers & Hammerstein as a mystery guest on WML. Here's a similar thrill -- Lerner & Loewe! Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, who wrote a good many topnotch Broadway musicals such as My Fair Lady, Camelot, Brigadoon and Paint Your Wagon. Lerner was a clever lyricist -- half the fun of listening to the original Broadway cast album of "Camelot" is hearing the lyrics which are fun and clever (and nicely sung by Julie Andrews, Robert Goulet and Richard Burton, among others). The story goes that Lerner would come up with lyrics, and Loewe would write a melody, and very often, Lerner thought Loewe could do better with the tune than he had, and he'd send the song back to Loewe telling him it wasn't good enough and that Loewe could do better. Loewe apparently though enough to Lerner to listen to him and would rewrite the song, coming up with something excellent the second time around instead of something fair to middling. Apparently Loewe realized he needed a partner like that so he could produce his best work. The songs of "My Fair Lady" are another example of how good they were together.

[@preppysocks209]

Every songwriting team composed of a composer and a lyricist (as opposed to shared credit for a Lennon & McCartney), whether Rodgers and Hammerstein, Rodgers and Hart, George and Ira Gershwin, and many others, with only two exceptions, are named with the composer first and the lyricist second. The only exceptions I am aware of: Lerner and Loewe & Gilbert and Sullivan. Must show the importance of the lyrics to the success of the composition.

[@neilmidkiff]

@@preppysocks209 You're right that a great song needs great lyrics. But I'm not sure that the order of the names says anything about the importance or the process. For instance Rodgers usually wrote the music first when working with Hart, but composed music to Hammerstein's lyrics. My guess is that the rhythm of the syllables in the names had as much to do with the order in which the names became popularly linked. "Gilbert and Sullivan" is two dactyls (' - - ' - -); reversing the names would not be as symmetric.

[@tonymazz9912]

I'm 61 years old and Bishop Sheen is the only one I listen to. His eminence never perished and his words are alive today more than ever.

[@dnhy7951]

'His Eminence ' is reserved for Cardinals. 'His Lordship' applies for Bishops, eg, FJ Sheen and 'His Grace' is appropriate for Archbishops. 'His Holiness' is used for Popes. If John Daly was Catholic, he should have known better than using the term 'His Excellency' when referring to the Bishop.

[@kguy152000]

That Pig Hatchery owner segment was pretty funny.

[@esmeephillips5888]

This was so long ago, Alan Jay Lerner was on only the third of his eight marriages. So long ago that Fulton J Sheen's 'Life is Worth Living', a weekly sermon, was one of TV's top-rated series. When it beat Milton Berle's show, Bishop Sheen said 'As long as they don't call me Uncle Fulty!'. It is rather awe-inspiring to see a beatified candidate for sainthood as a game show guest, but WML always had extra class...

[@unowen-nh9ov]

If only we could type the same of you...

[@esmeephillips5888]

@@unowen-nh9ov Or almost all of us.

[@bobtaylor170]

​@@esmeephillips5888don't let a jerk shake you. Your line about Lerner made me howl.

[@dnhy7951]

Archbishop Sheen has still not been beatified,i.e. declared 'Blessed,' or canonised, i.e. declared a saint.

[@Robin-kr5dg]

I had two great Men I listened to every chance I got as a boy. Leonard Bernstein & Bishop Sheen! Both taught me a lot. One to play music, the other to be a good man!

[@beccawiley6684]

"You've got a crazy sponsor!!"

[@garrettmeadows2273]

Back when people had manners.

[@bluecamus5162]

That's only the second time I've seen Dorothy and Arlene stand to greet a guest.

[@wms72]

The good old days really were better than now.... Back when the public cheered Catholic bishops, and bishops were worthy of being applauded.

[@m.e.d.7997]

I would love to have seen My Fair Lady on Broadway with Julie Andrews. BTW how did Bennett know what to ask? Bennett seemed to know or have hints to who mystery guests were...

[@nancypine9952]

My parents saw it in Boston when it was on try-out. They thought it was easily one of the best shows they ever saw. As far as guessing the mystery guests, the regular panelists kept track of who was in town, what shows were opening, who was starring in night club acts, and so on. The producers usually had mystery guests who were currently starring in something in NYC, so it was often fairly easy to figure out. And Cerf once said he used to judge by the sound of the applause the audience gave; apparently the applause for politicians sounded different to him than applause for a famous performer.

[@neilmidkiff]

My Fair Lady was new on Broadway that year, still the hottest ticket in town. And Bennett knew its stage director Moss Hart, who had been a guest at his home earlier in the evening. So it's not surprising that it would be the first musical he thought of, and knowing that the producers would sometimes sneak his good friends from his home to the studio, as they did with his wife's cousin Ginger Rogers, that he would guess Hart rather than the writers first.

[@BigBingFan]

The problem is, including "The Tonight Show" after the time of Johnny Carson, who could relate to corn farmers, senior citizens at 100, average people in America---because he didn't try to make them the butt of jokes or demean them. Same situation with ANYTHING "modern," that the host thinks he HAS TO MAKE JOKES of everything and everybody. It's why I got turned off with and never watched but one David Letterman---everything was a joke, no real interaction, always trying for jokes, and NOW, the TV people do "shock talk," trying to get on Twitter feeds with their outlandishness. These panelists, and a great host like John Daly, had class, breeding, and were in it FOR THE GAME, not just as an excuse to make jokes. I like the actual GAME, I don't care about the jokes, which are few. One more example of a very brilliant man: Art Fleming, the Great Host of the original, "Jeopardy." LIGHT YEARS better watching the old "Jeopardy" Show with Art, no offense to Alex, but Art brought that same class to that Show, that John did. Also, Bud Collyer (I think that was how he spelled it)-was no slouch when it came to class. Anyway, my 2 cents.

[@philippapay4352]

BigBingFan - As I recall from my misspent youth, Bill Cullen was a game show host who exhibited the deep class and decency of the everyman, having been well brought up and with the humility from his handicap.

[@Walterwhiterocks]

Well stated and I totally agree. I would add Hugh Downs to your list of game show hosts with real class.

[@SueProv]

Also Allen Ludden

[@patriciamooney928]

I am a city girl in Iowa. My biology teacher taught me that all mamals come from eggs. Including humans. Even fish and anphibians come from eggs.

[@soulierinvestments]

Second contestant. WML Biology 101 on full display. Dorothy: "Pigs from Eggs" LOL

[@ananigma7]

There is no doubt that the Scottish soldier had a wee too many drams of whiskey before that show! 🤣

[@josonic]

Anyone know why Arlene said to Niven "You've been doing awful well up til now" Like he made some mistake in that moment. Maybe I'm just reading into it but did she catch him stealing a glance?

[@MrYfrank14]

how do you hatch a pig?

[@neilmidkiff]

They explained that the pigs themselves were not hatched, but that in the industry jargon, a farm that bred pigs and sold them all while still young piglets was termed a hatchery. I'll bet this was by analogy to fish and poultry hatcheries, whose products usually are "small fry" fish and chicks respectively.

[@drumbum3.142]

".. [have] *You* got a crazy sponsor.." 😄😅😅😂😅😅😅😅

[@contrarian8870]

John was too hard on the pig question. They got it quickly, but John got into pointless conferences and nuances (to pad time?)

[@melianna999]

😊

[@yanikg-force]

Deng! After watching this episode, I just realized that I'm a hog! (Sigh)

[@Norfolk250]

I dunno the Bishop, but he has Matt Ramsey’s (Peter North) eyes!!!

[@annsileo9703]

R

[@forrestfootball]

Methinks the last guest may enjoy the occasional glass of scotch

[@BonzoKilbourn]

I dare say that the Catholic church makes quite a nice profit actually.

[@kristabrewer9363]

Also, I am SO glad that I wasn't in that audience back then. John's a good game show host, but SERIOUSLY, I don't know if I could have kept shut when he went on with his stupid ramblings. Even NOW, I wanna pull the hair outta my head! He ACTUALLY thinks his ramblings are funny!

[@dnhy7951]

Leave the Irishman alone.He was a great moderator and he was funny.You are being totally unfair to him.

[@TheCometHunter]

18:54 Arlene (of Bishop Sheen) "Oh, boy, do YOU have a crazy sponsor!" OMG....I almost choked on my coffee...I laughed so hard!

[@Inpri]

Arlene Francis: "Non-profit on TV? You've got a crazy sponsor." One of the most hysterical lines ever said on television.

[@philippapay4352]

Inpri - And everyone there laughed so hard, aside of the panelists, because they were all extrapolating that the sponsor for him was God. Proof folks back then were not so prudish if something was genuinely funny and not demeaning or ugly in some manner. Truly funny. And the hilarity in the laughter is what finally made Arlene realize who the Mystery Guest must have been.

[@bobtaylor170]

Arlene Francis was the classiest adornment to television in its history. A flawless lady and a delightful human being.

[@robertjean5782]

​@@bobtaylor170AMEN😊

[@acyutanandadas1326]

One year Bishop Sheen won the Emmy. Milton Berle said to him "How did you beat me out?" Bishop Sheen said "I have better writers"

[@garyrasberryjr.552]

And he thanked his writers when he received his Emmy: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

[@catweasle5737]

David Niven, now there's a man with sophistication.

[@philippapay4352]

Any time I have seen this exceptionally entertaining episode, I have always wondered if David Niven and Alexander McGeachin were able to meet backstage and perhaps go out for a late supper and a drink together to catch up on old times. A lot of the panelists and others working on the show often went out together or with groups of friends afterward because it was often their only night off from stage performing during the week. So I hoped they got to have a good chin wag, even if they had to get together the next day to chat.

[@RetroSpectrumEntertainment]

Such an awesome episode. Fun from beginning to end.

[@Joeybagofdonuts76]

Now Venerable Fulton Sheen. Hopefully it'll be Saint in my lifetime.

[@steventrosiek2623]

I'm sure he will be Saint Fulton Sheen very soon. I have an autographed portrait of him on one of my walls. Love him very much.

[@jeanmarie4462]

@@steventrosiek2623 You are truly blessed to have a signed picture of our great and blessed Venerable Fulton Sheen. I hope and pray he is canonized soon.

[@QueenOfTheNorth65]

I am a distant relative of his on my mother’s side. I have been praying he is made a saint soon.

[@verak66]

Hope so.

[@Beson-SE]

Contestant: "It's (a pig) not a hog until it reaches 100 pounds" John: "How much do you weight Bennett?" :) 14:44

[@Michele0403]

Or, when he explains that he runs a pig & hog hatchery..... You mean that pigs come out of eggs, I didn't know that - says Dorothy Killgarden Too funny !!!

[@babbetteduboise4284]

Dorothy is always so sincerely religious in an admirable fashion. Ive haven't seen that kneeling for many year.

[@michaelbyrnee9584]

bowing and scraping to a vile snake.

[@Dino6961]

Bishop Sheen is a lighthouse in a foggy world

[@princeharming8963]

When Niven made 'the connection' I found myself grinning from ear to ear. These programs are medicine for the soul.

[@mikehalm164]

As did I. I wish they were having the guest meet the panel as they departed as they would eventually. I think we would have seen two soldiers greet each other with appropiate salutes.

[@robertjean5782]

And retired my depression 😊

[@robertdiotalevi2882]

I was raised Catholic and still enjoy Bishop Sheen's messages on EWTN. Arlene: "Oh boy, have you got a crazy sponsor!" Look at Dorothy curtsy to him and kiss his ring.

[@CJCappella]

topherh33 - women generally stand for religious, clergy and royalty.

[@lray1948]

The ladies stood for Eleanor Roosevelt.

[@CJCappella]

lray1948 - then perhaps women of society.

[@TheDoctor1225]

The first time I heard that line I laughed as hard as they did and was thoroughly delighted. He did, indeed, have "a crazy Sponsor" - and The Best one, too! :) His ability to laugh along with them was a real mark in Bishop Sheen's favor. I, too, enjoy his messages when I am able to see them.

[@judymac2590]

Like the good Catholic girl she was.

[@carlorlandi9272]

It was so interesting to see the Bishop write JMJ for Jesus, Mary and Joseph, as we did at St. Monica School in Garfield Heights, Ohio in the 1950's.

[@Sirgromulus]

+Carl Orlandi I just had to reply to this year old comment. I lived in nearby Maple Heights but attended St. Monica's church as well as attending catechism classes there (in the sixties). I wonder if you remember the summer festivals there?

[@teresal5174]

That was standard intro/signature for Bishop Sheen when writing on the blackboard on his TV show.

[@steventrosiek2623]

I love it.

[@Caritasaveritas]

My students still write JMJ at the top of their daily journal 📓 as a dedication of their work.

[@Pluviophile218]

We did that at St Patrick School in the 1960s as well.

[@Bambi_Harris_Author]

David Niven is all charisma and class

[@m.e.d.7997]

Hysterical on the show and they all loved having him on especially Arlene and Dorothy.

[@Ozefan2580]

Could not agree more!

[@nandofigueira2005]

How nice as a dorothy greeting to Bishop Sheen, is a sign of respect and affection to a great man.

[@poetcomic1]

Dorothy, a Catholic, properly kissed his bishop's ring as a respect for his office.

[@RG-iw7py]

My very thought. She great Card. Sheen with the utmost respect he deserves. Holy brilliant woman. Both RIP.

[@dnhy7951]

​@@RG-iw7pyFulton Sheen never made Cardinal. Became an Archbishop in 1969.

[@m.e.d.7997]

David Niven was so funny. Always lost in his questioning. The guest panelists often were. I would be too . The regulars had time and experience to hone their craft week after week. Arlene and Dorothy always got the game back on track...Bennett too.

[@MarthaCarnahan]

"Do pigs come out of eggs?" Hahaha! This was a very educational segment regarding hogs/pigs.

[@designsonyouinparis]

The only thing I don’t like about WML is when the show is over! This show was way past my bedtime in the mid 60’s- Sunday was a school night- I kept hoping the show would be switched to Saturday night- but, as we all know, it was forever a Sunday evening CBS staple. I now can enjoy this wonderful show any time! Thank you for posting!

[@lemoncrinckles]

John Daly was the master of obfuscation! (:

[@soulierinvestments]

He certainly out did himself in game two. He made pigs exceedingly complicated.

[@loissimmons6558]

The day John Daly made things simple is when pigs would fly.

[@tjbnyc76]

David Niven as Guest Panelist one week, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. the next. Too. Much. Suavity. Can't. Breathe.

[@johnnewcomb534]

David niven remembering the last quest is great

[@starbuono3333]

Bishop Sheen was indeed a wonderful man !!!!

[@m.e.d.7997]

And Dorothy was a classy lady. Arlene too. I noticed in later syndicated epis Arlene did not reveal her wicked sense of humor like in the original versions with John and Dorothy Kilgallen. It became more like a serious endeavor for her.

[@ghallora]

He will be declared a Saint soon enough.

[@All2Meme]

I truly hope so. Very few people in the world have deserved sainthood more than the Venerable Fulton J. Sheen.

[@randylovering24]

I like the question "weekly on television and non profit"

[@fairlyvague82]

Oh wow that was amazing with the piper and David Niven!

[@TheBigMclargehuge]

David Niven is quite likable.

[@Georgios-LICh]

I'm so glad that our Venerable Abp Futlton Sheen is being beatified next month (21 XII 2019)!

[@dnhy7951]

Hasn't happened yet.

[@Setebos]

What would most of us do to get programming of this quality back on television?

[@daschundloverable]

Oh, you mean you don't like what comes out of hollyweird any more?

[@JLionelWaller]

It would not happen, the educational level of this country unfortunately is too low. The panelists and John are so literate. When they remade it in the 70's, it was a sad shadow of itself, very disappointing.

[@krasnykavkaz]

You'd also have the problem of fragmented popular culture, as well. There are so many subgroups and idiots famous for being idiots that you'd have a mess of a time trying to get a program like this going.

[@Lava1964]

The contrast between 1950s TV and 2010s TV is too great to be overcome, I'm afraid.

[@2vintage68]

Boycott television.

[@MrJoeybabe25]

I wish we could have seen David Niven greet the last contestant after all of those years.

[@johnhakel4933]

Still one of the best show and unique guests

[@lennypearl]

Arlene and Dorothy stood up for the Bishop. Always so interesting to see when they do 😊

[@jec1ny]

People were raised with etiquette back then. A lady rises for an older lady, or anyone of obviously higher social standing. That would normally include members of the clergy.

[@lennypearl]

@@jec1ny It's interestign you put it this way, becasue I've seen them stand for older women, but not an older man, and I've always wondered about that

[@jec1ny]

@@lennypearl A gentleman always rises for a lady. Ladies only rise in rare cases as outlined above.

[@jwcjwc111]

I’ve followed that a little and there are 4 times they stood up that I know of: Bishop Sheen, Eleanor Roosevelt, a nun who was a dentist, and Marion Anderson (opera star).

[@jec1ny]

@@jwcjwc111 Those would all be appropriate based on either their age or the social status of the individual.

[@alabhaois]

Lerner and Loewe were the team of lyricist and librettist Alan Jay Lerner and composer Frederick Loewe, known primarily for the music and lyrics of some of Broadway's greatest musicals. "sigh"

[@kennethlatham3133]

I'm in AWE of those two. I just recently watched My Fair Lady for about the 20th time----there is not a dog in that set list. Every song.......the singers must have been busting at the opportunity to sing it.

[@TommyChardonneret]

That astounding recall by David Niven was show stopping amazing! These men were truly vibrant members of The Greatest Generation, who helped save the world's democracies from imposed fascism! How random chance lucky I was to have been born to two members of that heroic generation! Would that even only a fraction of their heroism, patriotism, and high regard for our fellow humans be resurrected nowadays in this multiply beleaguered world!

[@bobtaylor170]

"...high regard for our fellow humans..." Indeed, indeed. There's a channel on KZbin which is the host's platform for the decrying of Cluster B personality disorder throughout society. Yet, this awful man laughs like a nine year old psychopath at the terrible and, thank God, rare phenomenon of conjoined twins. An astonishing hypocrite and a disgusting human being. Yes, our parents' generation was special.

[@robertjean5782]

Slim chance of that now😢

[@TommyChardonneret]

@@robertjean5782 Very sadly, I agree with you!

[@bazazpa]

Bishop Sheen had a crazy sponsor!

[@stanochocki8984]

Of note, as of 2020...Bishop Sheen is on the Process Path, to be declared a Saint by the Roman Catholic Church.....so odd, watching this man, on TV a visual record of a Saint in Progress....

[@SwordsmanRyan]

But we’re all saints in progress. Sheen may be canonized soon, but we all need to strive for holiness in our walk of life, every day.

[@m.e.d.7997]

Dorothy showed him due respect. She really did have class.

[@aumenarys]

@@m.e.d.7997 Well, she was Catholic, of course she did :)

[@mugglesarecooltoo]

What's his miracle? Aren't saints supposed to have miracles?

[@oldtimer794]

@@mugglesarecooltoo Since he came from Peoria, Illinois, may his miracle came in 2016 when the Cubs finally won the World Series.

[@sdgakatbk]

Sometimes watching these episodes, I find myself clapping and laughing loudly. This was one of those shows. Arlene comes up with some very funny lines. John comes up with his usual bs obfuscating answers which are hilarious. Also this is the second time I've seen an episode with David Niven and both times he has definitely added to the show. I hope he's on more episodes.

[@radardimaria2261]

How wonderful that Dorothy and Arlene stood up to greet the Bishop....such class...

[@robertjean5782]

It's called proper etiquette 😊

[@doakvanzandt7281]

What few people know about David given is he went to and graduated from the British academy like our west point

[@BigTrain175]

Yes he went to Sandhurst and was commissioned in the British Army. Was bored with peacetime duty and resigned and began acting. When the war started he returned to England and rejoined the Army. By war's end he was a Lt Colonel.

[@TheCometHunter]

Actor Ramon Estevez needed a screen name. He was so enamored and impressed with Bishop Sheen, Ramon adopted the bishop's surname and became Martin Sheen.

[@ellenmurray9196]

"How much do you weigh, Bennett? " was funny.

[@gusbeau1]

From the way they dressed for their appearances, it showed respect for the audience. ( we took it as ‘’a given”)!