What's My Line? - Rick Nelson; Max Shulman [panel] (Aug 30, 1959)

MYSTERY GUEST: Rick Nelson
PANEL: Arlene Francis, Max Shulman, Dorothy Kilgallen, Bennett Cerf

[@candykorn1418]

When I was invited to appear on the show, the producers specifically told my Mom to "dress me down"- I would have worn something else if I knew I was going to meet Rick Nelson! We sat together back stage and chatted - he was a gentleman and I felt very comfortable talking to him.

[@washoe4827]

that's pretty cool !

[@gabbyg7315]

Thank you for sharing that back stage story, Candy. And for confirming that Ricky was as sweet and down-to-earth as he always seemed. What a terrific memory.

[@emilyhayek1132]

@@gabbyg7315 I am glad to hear Ricky was a gentleman and you enjoyed visiting with him. I loved him so much. He was an awesome talent who died way too soon. Miss him as do everyone who loved and admired him

[@christinalw19]

His Father was quite intelligent, and his Mother was lovely.

[@robinluich6626]

You were so adorable and only 17.

[@asweetcitywoman]

Must say Ricky Nelson was very talented and sincerely one of the physically most beautiful human beings ever. He was absolutely gorgeous.

[@janeiwasduncan8463]

What a pity he surrounded himself with potheads and methhounds that caused that crash that killed him 😖😖

[@mtp4430]

@@janeiwasduncan8463 The crash was caused by a faulty heater. Your reference to meth hounds and potheads has nothing to do with what caused the fatal accident.

[@elisabethlinz4256]

Undeniable! He looks gorgeous. Alain Delon from France and Robert Hoffmann from Austria may be a similar level...

[@anjalimadison970]

Back off girl HES MINE 🙄🙄🙄😩😩😩

[@auggie803]

-Yes. Rick was almost as cute as Fabian.

[@felixmadison5736]

I'm 73 years-old and my family NEVER missed 'The Ozzie & Harriet Show' back in the day. Little Ricky turned out to be a great singer and the best looking guy since Elvis.

[@Pashasmom1]

Ricky was far better looking than Elvis!

[@felixmadison5736]

@@Pashasmom1 No guy was better looking than Elvis. Heck, even Ricky Nelson was jealous of him.

[@MOGGS1942]

Apparently, John Wayne insisted on Ricky being in 'Rio Bravo '. Good call, Duke.

[@bobbierobinson6269]

Dean Martin and his duet was fabulous.

[@catholiccowboy8545]

... The Duchess had a hard on all along the making of this stupid film.

[@carolmortensen6866]

Rick was stunning.

[@Erikalynn1977]

Yes he was

[@debrawise8400]

Of course!👍😄

[@lynettepalecek3141]

I agree!

[@jorg8714]

@@lynettepalecek3141 .... meine Oma auch

[@americandreamer6092]

Ricky Nelson is a terrific looking guy for sure. Very talented as well. Big star at 19. Awesome.

[@ptyao7431]

Shy too

[@auggie803]

-Only Fabien Forti is better looking.

[@juliemnm8273]

@@auggie803 Thats debatable....

[@tom7601]

Yes, he was.

[@lyndafstjames6416]

He was a very sweet and very gentle person. I was absolutely thrilled the day that I met him and he invited me to one of his concerts. It’s like a child’s lifelong dream come true. RIP Rick.

[@garytwitchett9359]

Nice watching these older tv shows, the days when people were polite, and no foul language all over the place!!

[@victoriataylor5457]

Listen to the applause when Ricm Nelson came in. What a looker ! And nice guy. I was in love with Rick Nelson , like so many other red blooded teenage American girls! He was gorgeous. Loved his voice and music. Garden Party was one of my favorites .He was a great credit to his Mom & Dad , a real gentleman . They brought him up right.

[@calvinjackson8110]

He is so amazingly young! 19, if this was taped in 1959! He was a real looker. No wonder all the young ladies hearts did flip flops! Very tragic loss of such a fine young man. Ozzie and Harriet had two very fine sons!!! They had much to be proud of!!

[@reaginmx]

These ladies are so gracious & elegant, the gloves lend a special touch to their out fits. The guys are also well dressed and very polite. I've fallen in love with this show.

[@sooz9433]

I am 73 years old and that kid still makes me blush... R.I.H. Rick... gone too soon. Soundtrack of my youth 🎼🖤

[@Kaleikat]

He was my teen heartthrob...never got to see him or meet him. But I STILL LISTEN TO HIS MUSIC AT AGE 75. Loved him!

[@dennisholst4322]

Expressions discribes

[@esquibelle]

Such. A. Dreamboat. When I was a little girl, my first crush was Ricky Nelson.So gorgeous, and I loved his singing voice. I was crazy about him. Thanks for the memories Ricky. PS. Arlene Francis is so elegant. Celebrity women aren't like this anymore. So trashy these days...

[@kushana3359]

Celebrity men aren’t as gorgeous as Ricky Nelson anymore :(

[@willardpate5924]

esquibelle 090

[@gomphrena-beautifulflower-8043]

esquibelle • You said this 4 years ago, but you’re still right!

[@dawnagordon2333]

So agree

[@donnaarmstrong1193]

I had a huge crush on Ricky when I was 12, watching him as a 13 yr old on Summer reruns. Now in my 60's, I love watching the old episodes again. A much more innocent and elegant time ...

[@DAVEJJR]

What a beautiful young man!!!

[@joeparker5213]

Dave Jordan

[@virginiamontes1868]

Dave Jordon, Ricky Nelson- beautiful indeed.

[@jess4metoo]

No shit!

[@virginiamontes1868]

@@jess4metoo I've seen 2 beautiful men in my life. One in Guadalajara, Mexico where even children, and young and old men and women would just stare. Rick Nelson. Even vh

[@rezzer7918]

Oh *DAVE* 😏

[@rivaridge7211]

Rick ("Ricky") Nelson was just nineteen here and signed in as "Rick Nelson." WML identified him as "Ricky" (to the home audience) and he was referred to, by the panel, as "Ricky." He was very understandably trying to get away from his childhood moniker. It did take some time, but his fans (for the most part) would eventually know him as "Rick Nelson." By any name, he was certainly a talented musician and certainly inherited the classy grace of his sweet mother, Harriet. Bless his heart!

[@IceSkater8491]

Rick Nelson didn't do a good job of disguising his voice, but he was such a good singer and an all-around good guy in every respect, it didn't matter. Not only good looking, but a good person. His parents raised him right!

[@JFinSD2]

+Vickie Harris Ricky didn't have what I would call a really distinctive speaking voice so he didn't have to do much disguising. Now had he sung a line or 2 of lyrics, his voice would have given him away.

[@FrankIsAlwaysRight]

He was not raised well...he spoke after his father died that he was never sent to school and could not read well...at 13 he lost his virginity to a prostitute...so...not so much.

[@daisycassidy2448]

@@FrankIsAlwaysRight ... It's true about the prostitute intervention, but Rick did go to school and graduated from Hollywood High.

[@victorvelazquez6547]

He had no need to change his voice as these Broadway-eccentric, movie sycophants, especially Cerf, had ABSOLUTELY no interest in Rock 'n Roll ... maybe Mrs. Francis did as she mentioned the "backbeat".

[@MicheleMJJ]

I wouldn't have recognized his voice at all.

[@MyREDTAIL]

I had the pleasure, Of Meeting & Talking to Rick Nelson, Back in the late 60's, when he was appearing in Atlantic City, Doing his show, What a great, Down to earth Person, He was to talk to, I was Sad when I heard that he Was killed, In an Air Accident, May he RIP & is Sadly missed , By all of his Fans etc.

[@maddyhayes617]

His sons have the same personality. I met them at a meet and greet after their tribute concert to their dad. Very personable men and so privileged to have met and conversed with both. They certainly did not rush through the conversatioms with each person. And, of course, the concert was EXCEPTIONAL. They are welcome back to Oneonta NY anytime.

[@barbararajska-kulig1057]

I truly regret the show is not in color. It would be spectacular to see the glamour dresses of Arlene and Dorothy 👌

[@golden-63]

Could Ricky Nelson be any more beautiful here?

[@AlizeeDefan]

Its amazing how loved he was by men , as much as women. I think the whistles tell you that, Men loved him and admired him for what he stood for. Thats class, unlike that Memphis Moron...

[@ToddSF]

goldenthroat86 -- Rick Nelson was certainly nice to look at. Six feet tall, which wasn't a bad thing either. I think he got many of his facial features from his mother. Anyway, Ozzie and Harriet certainly had a good-looking son. Rick was 19 years old in 1959.

[@AlizeeDefan]

ToddSF 94109 Little known trivia. David and Ricky were accomplished ACROBATS :)

[@ToddSF]

As a footnote to that, Alizee Defan, I note that David Nelson played a trapeze artist in the 1959 film "The Big Circus". It was actually a prominent role in that film and if you buy the DVD of it, you'll see "David Nelson" listed on the box cover along with the other stars of the film.

[@watchman1178]

+Alizee Defan Actually, Ricky Nelson and Elvis Presley were good friends. Rick talked about the friendship on The Tonight Show once, and how they would play some spirited games of touch football. No reason to denigrate the memory of either man, IMO. I was a fan of both.

[@deannanelson5699]

I was married to Rick’s cousin Willy (not the country singer). Willy managed Ricks career from 1970-1977. They were very close. The family was lovely and warm and I loved them all. They were all authentic and caring people. Our holidays were always celebrated together across all generations and the children were always welcome at these gatherings. I was an only child who thrived in this large family. The celebrations included Willys 2 brothers and their children, my family with our children, Ozzie & Harriet’s long time friends (some of whom went back as far as vaudeville), and kids who grew up acting on the show and became part of the family. I was blessed to have them all. They were as nice as they appeared to be.

[@rivaridge7211]

Oh, nice comment Dean - I have heard the same thing about the Nelsons from countless others. Bless their heart's for always!

[@shanenoel1270]

I heard that David and his dad had some conflict between them

[@trumancapote9097]

RICKY NELSON was the epitome of what used to be called the "All-American Boy." CLEAN-CUT and clean-shaven and NO UGLY disfiguring tattoos. Well-mannered, well-dressed, well-spoken and VERY talented. One of the very first bonafide teen idols. Such a sad and tragic ending at an untimely age. And to die on New Years Eve was NOT much of a Garden Party. RIP.

[@lauraturner4216]

I think about those lyrics almost every day. "If memories are all I have, I'd rather drive a truck". Love that song

[@melianna999]

we see how today's singers present themselves in TV shocking creature

[@dearmakeupdiary]

John C. Daly best show moderator in the history of television. Period.

[@user-gq1sh4kf4w]

John hardly allowed Ricky to answer a question. Full stop.

[@lynettepalecek3141]

@@user-gq1sh4kf4w Maybe. Rick Nelson was probably on a very tight schedule and John Daly knew that. Rick Nelson was very busy with his singing and his acting on his parents' TV 📺 show. He was also dating Kris Harmon.

[@gabbyg7315]

I agree. And I can't think of anyone in that position today with such a vast vocabulary and verbal dexterity (he'd have liked that description - he was such a fan of alliteration).

[@darkwood777]

There were times when John needed to just shut up and let the guest talk. This was one of those times. Everyone already knew Rick was the son of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson and he was on the ABC network. It would have been fun listening to where Rick's band was currently appearing, and what his plans were for the summer.

[@patricia7823]

Have yet to find anyone near his talent

[@marlenefolta6912]

Ricky was gorgeous. I loved him and his music, so sad he had to die so early in his life. Loved all theNelsons. Grew up on them❤️

[@chrisallen7911]

What makes him exceptional is that he is drop dead gorgeous, talented, kind, and had a wonderful reputation at that time, something that none of the Hollywood Trash has today.

[@zyxw2024]

Trash? 🙄

[@sandraoaks7887]

Yes TRASH!

[@1_THE_MAN_1]

@@sandraoaks7887 trash

[@suestephan3255]

He remained humble till the end.

[@joebalter7617]

He was a beautiful man and seemed so kind and humble. Another one lost too soon. May you be RIP Ricky.

[@theseventhsojourner1413]

An unassuming, polite young gentleman. Is there anything like him nowadays?

[@chriswesterfield2042]

Mega-mega-mega superstar with looks that could kill. Accomplished so much in his short 45 years.

[@Walterwhiterocks]

" If you're going to a Garden party, I wish you a lot of luck, cause' if memories were all I sang, I'd rather drive a truck."

[@aurorawilliams2776]

I was very lucky to see Ricky Nelson in concert the year that he passed away in an airplane. I really enjoyed the show.

[@barbarapalmer8224]

Wow.wow.wow..Ricky Nelson is absolutely gorgeous...l always like him when l was a kid.

[@kimberlykuhr620]

Beautiful Ricky Nelson

[@MyREDTAIL]

May he RIP, Taken from the World, Much to young.

[@virginiamontes1868]

Kimberly Kuhr, beautiful Indeed....is Rick Nelson

[@jolenaagapisou3803]

Ricky was a gorgeous young man with manners & respectful, too bad his life ended so tragically when he wasn’t even 50 yrs old yet ( aged 45) died from an airplane crash - RIP Travelling Man 🌷🌹🌷🍁🌷🌺🍁🌷🌺🍁❤️❤️❤️

[@bvntzu1]

he is so handsome that i seriously started to cry!

[@georgefeist8190]

HE WAS AMAZING ON THE SHOW....AND WHEN HE DAD OZZIE LET HIM SING....WOW....I NEVER MISSED A SHOW.

[@dinahbrown902]

Funny John said Harriet and Ozzie instead of Ozzie and Harriet. What a goof

[@markpenti8262]

Rick Nelson, just beautiful! R I P

[@catherineleary9831]

Rick Nelson was so handsome and clean cut 😍 And modest and polite.

[@thuyquynhle3856]

Ricky seems to be a humble guy! He looked uncomfortable when receiving praises or credits from players.

[@karenmallonee3867]

What a dreamboat Ricky was, he is truly missed! 🌹

[@johnkalap9314]

"Well let us say that the affection, abiding as it is, which teenagers have for our guest, carries over from one medium to the other." Such eloquence and articulation is sorely missing on television today.

[@mikeberg5003]

Pretty much missing everywhere

[@dennisholst4322]

Jesus talks about talent in the Bible

[@Glen.Danielsen]

I love the grace and beauty of this show, and this 66 year old misses it. 💛🙏🏽

[@fever_spike]

1959--the same year Ricky co-starred with John Wayne, Walter Brennan, Angie Dickinson an' my dearly-beloved Dean Martin in my all-time favorite movie 'Rio Bravo'!

[@frankburns8946]

+Dena Dixon Rio Bravo...great movie!!!

[@poetcomic1]

AND Pedro Gonzalez! Check him out on Grouch'o's You Bet Your Lifeshow where John Wayne saw him and immediately made him a movie sidekick.

[@tonifrancis2189]

Dena Dixon I was just born and I thought he would wait for me to grow up. Wahhhhhh

[@gomphrena-beautifulflower-8043]

Toni Francis • Toni, you have the same surname as Arlene! Any relation?

[@m.e.d.7997]

@@frankburns8946 I need to see it. I have heard great things about it and that Angie Dickinson was great in the movie.

[@rocroc]

I grew up in the same as era as Ricky Nelson. I saw him in 1977 at the Exit/In in Nashville. He was with his original band and he looked exactly the same then as he did on this show. We were fortunate to sit at a table only a couple of feet from the low stage where he sang. I remember looking down at the stage and noticed he was wearing silver shoes with higher heels. Jennifer Warnes was at that time a "new" singer and came on just before Ricky. I can't tell you how great both of those performers were. I was a guest and got in free but it was only a couple of bucks to attend. Nashville!

[@hollymelosi223]

J

[@rivaridge7211]

rocroe - what a great memory you have!

[@rocroc]

@@rivaridge7211 - The date was an easy memory. I had just accepted a new position in Louisville and this was a moving away party (Louisville). Ricky and Jennifer Warnes were remarkable and something you would never forget. I suppose the thing I remember most was the silver lame, high heel shoes Ricky wore. He was within an arms reach away on an elevated stage and you couldn't miss them. We came back 18 years later and I eventually retired there. Nashville was and is a great place to live - fun and exciting. My wife and I moved back to our birth home in Ohio but the memories are everlasting. RivaRidge - you must know something about Louisville. I've been to the Derby many times and have been a fan since age three. That's when I first learned to ride. I lived in Prospect Point before the bridge and before it looks as it does today.

[@dianecolby9960]

Ricky was beautiful

[@maryanderson5369]

Rick was a heart throb!!

[@rogerturner1881]

i wonder if he was a heartthrob with some boys? He sure is with me.

[@firewaterbydesign]

Ricky Nelson was so handsome and talented. He died far too young!! I remember when he passed. 😢

[@vonliberte9063]

Miss Killgallen looks very beutiful in this episode. I don´t know why but I just love that hairstyle from the 50s

[@AlizeeDefan]

She was a lot younger here an drug free

[@igkoigko9950]

Did you ever wonder when a judge should overrule a finding of fact made by a jury? When you write “ Miss Killgallen looks very beautiful” it reminds me that no reasonable jury could find Dorothy beautiful. Beauty has a degree of subjectivity but some people are clearly beautiful (for example, Arlene) and others, like scrawny and chinless Dorothy, are not.

[@MDBellamy]

"Are you Ricky Nelson?" The caption reads "Ricky Nelson". But he signs in as "Rick Nelson". A very talented man, there trying to break away from the tenacious "teen idol" label. I rate him very high!

[@alpha-omega2362]

He tried for many years to ditch “Ricky” but near the end of his life he gave up and embraced it and started being billed as “Ricky” again.

[@lynettepalecek3141]

@@alpha-omega2362 Starting at the age of 21 years old, he went by Rick instead of Ricky. He had his name on his guitar 🎸 that said Rick Nelson. I agree. He really tried to get everyone to call him Rick instead of Ricky, but a lot of people wouldn't do it.

[@AnnaLVajda]

His real name was Eric but he went by Ricky or Rick.

[@m.e.d.7997]

One of my fave mystery guests...Ricky Nelson.

[@zquark1]

When this show aired in 1959, Elvis Presley was still in the Army, and Rick Nelson temporarily had replaced him as the #1 teen heartthrob. For a time, Nelson out earned Elvis and sold more records. In addition, the western movie "Rio Bravo" with Nelson playing opposite John Wayne and Dean Martin, had been released in April of that year. Nelson was riding high.

[@kentk9073]

ohhhh almost forgot to mention- would like to also have his gentle, shy, considerate manner to go along with the good looks.....certainly success DIDNT spoil him......the ultimate compliment

[@8656737s]

God Ricky was beautiful 😍❤❤❤

[@rgarcia2418]

Everyone on this show was so classy. Even when I was only about 5 years old this show seemed so entertaining to me. I was so precocious at 5 years old, I always had a crush on Ms. Arlene Francis.

[@jimlewis6743]

I've been watching these old What's My Line shows for awhile. I love Dorothy Kilgallen!

[@MM-ku2jt]

Rick was so dang shy. He didn't speak and could wait to get the heck out of there. I believe he really never seemed to embrace being in front of a public.

[@Chef4Funn]

He comes across to me as being very humble.

[@lynettepalecek3141]

M M. No, Rick Nelson wasn't shy at all. He was extremely humble here. He was probably on a tight schedule. He was 19 years old when this episode was broadcasted and he was extremely busy between his singing career and his acting in his parents' TV 📺 show. Plus, he was dating Kris Harmon at this time. I have about 100 episodes of "The Ozzie and Harriet Show" on dvds. A lot of the episodes that I have show Ricky as a lad and he was definitely an extrovert.

[@lynettepalecek3141]

@@Chef4Funn He was extremely humble here. He was an extrovert, not an introvert. I have about 100 episodes of his parents' show "The Ozzie and Harriet Show" on dvds. He was extremely outgoing. In this particular episode of WML, Rick Nelson was 19 years old. He was extremely busy with his singing career and his acting in his parents' show. He was also dating Kris Harmon at this time. He was definitely not shy. He was very humble.

[@americanitalianisrael4753]

I love this show.I find myself wishing I lived at this time.Intelligent show,not like the mushy brain junk of today.And my God,how beautiful is this young man,Gorgeous.His brother is beautiful too from Ozzie and Harriet show.Fabian and Elvis were beautiful as well.Great show.

[@willg4802]

Maybe you did live at that time.

[@kennethlatham3133]

You ought to give your eyes a break and LISTEN to his MUSIC!

[@slickmf4634]

The banter between the panel is so natural and hilarious! I wish newer shows were this honest

[@francoisedunne223]

I live through this time myself it was a very peaceful calm time !!nothing like we are enduring in the year 2022

[@lemoncrinckles]

Dorothy had the cutest giggle. My favorite panel line-up was Dorothy, Arlene, Bennett, and Steve Allen. If Steve wasn't there, I enjoyed Martin Gabel. John Charles was without equal.

[@arbyfatbuckle1733]

agree completely. some of the comic fill-ins were rude and annoying.

[@ralphpernites5852]

Paul Winchell did very well.

[@Sspiral1]

Indeed, DK giggles are life! ✨💞

[@philippapay4352]

@gcjerryusc One of the greats and a sweet man who added a whole other comedic dimension to the witty panel and the regular panel substitutes.

[@philippapay4352]

@@ralphpernites5852 He was a smart and genuinely funny man. In addition to being quite a talented ventriloquist, he was an acupuncturist and medical hypnotist and invented an artificial heart with Dr. Heimlich of Heimlich Maneuver fame. He developed over 30 medical devices that he patented and his model was what Dr. Jarvik used for his artificial heart when he developed one. He knew how to use his wit on the panel and yet keep the game going and not hog all the airtime.

[@cinephileauxsemellesdevent]

Wherever he was Ricky Nelson always seemed like he was forced to go there and acted like he didn't give any fuck about it 😂 Love him

[@rentslave]

5 days before this show,I got a big gash on my hand from a broken beer bottle in a playground no less.58 years later,I still have a small scar.

[@samuel3517]

Ricky Nelson is such a good singer

[@GeeBee909]

Back in the 80's I lived 7 blocks from the Nelson household (where they filmed the family show back in the 50's) at the foot of the Hollywood Hills

[@kk6aw]

Isn’t it amazing how cordial people were in those days. I sure miss those times

[@steveburrus9347]

So tragic aboiut Ricky Nelson, his plane he was on with his rock band was flying into my Dallas TX on New Years Eve 1985 and ended up crashing.

[@davesogn3329]

He bought a 20 year old plane there was bound to be a problem

[@kennethlatham3133]

@@davesogn3329 Doesn't it always seem to be the case with these celebrity plane crashes? Profoundly poor choices? Lynyrd Skynyrd jumping on that plane that Arrowsmith wouldn't touch, Buddy Holly & the rest piling into that single engine in a blizzard just so he could get his laundry done? Randy Rhodes trusting that questionable flight he was on? I know people who travel for a living need to hit their marks, but sometimes it's smarter not to gamble. They need a word of extreme caution in their ears.

[@brookehanley3659]

Sad death and ending for a beautiful man.

[@chrisn7259]

Rock and roll had been around for several years by this time, yet the panelists seem so ignorant of it. Plus, Ricky sang all his hits on The Adventure of Ozzie & Harriet on TV every week, they should have guessed him right away. And, boy was he a beauty or what?

[@WhatsMyLine]

Chris Nickens They sure had their blind spots, yes. They also knew almost nothing about television stars. The episode from 1965 with Andy Griffith as mystery guest was a good example. They had NO IDEA what the Andy Griffith Show was!

[@grantbewick6164]

+ZoneFighter1 It is possible that on October 31, 1965, Dorothy didn't know off the top of her head that "The Andy Griffith Show" was so popular. But her column that appeared in the New York Journal American three days later indicated that "Gomer Pyle" was popular enough to have caught the attention of her eleven-year-old son. She wrote that her boy enjoyed watching that show and also Soupy Sales' TV show. Regarding the episode where you can observe the panelists' reactions to Brian Epstein, please remember that Bennett asks if he regrets having agreed to promote the Beatles, but Dorothy expresses fondness for the group.

[@poetcomic1]

+What's My Line? Didn't even know Walter Brennan was star of The Real McCoys either.

[@wvanderwahl]

+Chris N Dorothy guessed who he was in less than six minutes- that was pretty good to me. Yes, Rick Nelson was a beauty if a bit shy and dare I say insecure in his demeanor? This series was a real treat, it should be brought back in some form today.

[@jas22]

+Chris N There are people in their 50s who can't name two nirvana songs. I can't name ONE from Kanye West. It's possible that in 1959 the middle aged panel knew very little of rock n roll.

[@geoffm9944]

While Elvis was in the army, Ricky Nelson became the teenage pop idol. He showed promise as an actor in the film ‘Rio Bravo’ but for some strange reason his film career stalled. Ricky should have been given more film opportunities, but sadly it didn’t happen. He carried on making hit records until the mid 60’s, but like so many solo artists was elbowed out of the limelight with the advent of British pop groups, Motown & the new wave folk music, popularised by the likes of Bob Dylan. It was tragic that his singing career ended with his death in a plane crash. RIP Ricky.

[@susanhicks4149]

Rick wanted to sing and did not want to act. This is well known, he was a good actor and really a beautiful human. It was his choice to concentrate on his music. I wish that he had done more movies. Love him ! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@jacquelynmason1305]

When all the other teenage girls were coming any for Elvis, I was crazy for Ricky Nelson!! I still love his voice,music, and those eyes!!! Oh my goodness!!!

[@franperez3950]

Generally it was Elvis or Ricky. But I loved them both. And don’t forget James Burton played with both of them.

[@donaldcrabbe7404]

never, thought I'd see a contestant, with my lifelong, happy vocation. There she was, following Mr. Nelson. Thumb, up.

[@sydneycarton9973]

Dorothy Kilgallen was ahead of her time with the question about having a backbeat.

[@2340Vegas]

If you follow this show chronologically it's almost like a history lesson. Fifties rock and roll stars, test pilots, astronauts, famous athletes, .anti' Castro rebels, Sixties British invasion stars, famous movie and TV stars and Directors etc. etc. My favorite was Eva Marie Saint saying she off to film some movie called North By Northwest.

[@leemclaury6251]

Ricky was so handsome . A perfect models face

[@czar14617]

he was one of the best

[@HolgerRuneFan]

He was just gorgeous!

[@judithking3436]

Ricky Nelson is so handsome here.

[@racourdav]

IMO, the best looking of ALL the teen heartthrobs was Rick Nelson, very talented and he seemed to be a nice guy too ,RIP

[@jdepape9645]

I had a boy crush on Ricky Nelson. Such a handsome young man.

[@nellypomeroy1267]

I love his "Traveling Man" 🎶. A fine young man Ricky Nelson was. ❤️

[@m.e.d.7997]

With only so many questions to ask per guest it is amazing that the occupations were ever guessed at all. So many of them were obscure jobs to say the least.

[@Ivehadenuff]

I clicked on this just to watch Rick Nelson. He was so beautiful. It was an extra treat to see the dress Dorothy Killgallen was wearing. It’s fabulous.

[@raysmusic49]

Love this show! I met Ricky Nelson back in the 70s……he was very quiet.

[@FMHammyJ]

Some people get it all......he was talented, and dang he was good-looking.....

[@brookehanley3659]

He did not look like Ozzie or Harriet. He was always gorgeous even younger on the show

[@rickrick5041]

I wish they gave him a chance to talk about his music or anything at all

[@rickrick5041]

@@haydennault5342 Very calm. He sang very very well

[@kennethlatham3133]

I know, everybody here gushing over his looks, they should give their eyes a break and LISTEN to his MUSIC! Start with "Lonesome Town".

[@Edgamertv1]

I don’t know much about this MR.Daly but I like his manner and respect to Ricky

[@francoisedunne223]

How great it was to see a video of this old program that we used to watch back in the day and how terrific it was to see Ricky Nelson he was a good looking guy and an all-around great singer actor and fabulous. Rest in peace Ricky. We all loved you we still do

[@bakilacat1]

Got to see Ricky Nelson for my 21st bday in 1981 in NC. Was a good time!

[@MrWmJosephSmithIII]

Arlene was always so gorgeous.

[@MrSouthofBoston]

William Joseph Smith III I agree. Beautiful eyes especially when she smiles.

[@lajas46]

He's beautiful

[@davidsoulier6375]

Of the rare collection of WML writers's panels, this is one of the most memorable. Shulman. Kilgallen. Cerf. The combination of Shulman, the first contestant, and the mystery guest make this a major landmark WML of all time.

[@Aj-lh3sp]

I have the biggest crush on Ricky Nelson

[@MrUhwoody]

I miss Rick.

[@BleedBNG]

Ricky Nelson... the prince of Rock and Roll.

[@dinahbrown902]

🤣🤮

[@vertxxgg]

John Daly was south african a charming talent in Golden Age of TV

[@bobcrestwood740]

Sadly, Rick Nelson died at age 45 in a plane crash. So many singers died that way, including Buddy Holly, Richy Valens, The Big Bopper, Patsy Cline, Otis Redding, John Denver, Jim Croce, Lynyrd Skynyrd, etc. The touring lifestyle makes that much more likely than it is for the average person. I don't envy recording artists -- I just saw a list online -- a very long list -- of recording artists who died unnatural deaths. There were 2 or 3 who were electrocuted by their guitars.

[@m.e.d.7997]

I know they found cocaine and maybe other drugs when they died on them. Not unusual in the music biz but not sure if it was pilot error or not. It was sad. Rick was with his girlfriend. Always seemed very nice.

[@maddyhayes617]

VERY SAD.

[@sandrageorge3488]

😢😢

[@machellep1]

Unfortunately the training required for pilots was very different back in the day. My father in law owned a plane after world war 2 just because he could buy it. He flew goods until he had to set the plane down in a field with his wife and kids on board in a storm. The next week she insisted he get a new job.

[@auggie803]

-Yes. I read that the 2 or 3 band members that were electrocuted were killed because it started to rain and they kept on singing. By then their electrical guitars were wet and when they went to disconnect the instrument,s That is when the 3 of them were fried.

[@Starrman69]

He signed in as Rick Nelson, They put "Ricky Nelson" as he was sitting down. Even then he was trying to get away from being called "Ricky"

[@frankburns8946]

I saw Rick Nelson in 1972 in the Liverpool Empire. One of his last 'Live' performances. He was superb but sadly played to a half-full theatre...

[@julier.1902]

I saw Rick in Tulsa in 1981. Fantastic!!! Full house too.

[@frankburns8946]

Julie Russell Hi. I was embarrassed at the low attendance...heaven only knows what Rick thought. Seals&Croft were support. When I say it was one of his 'Last' performances I am of course referring to the UK.

[@kathleenl4387]

I wanted so badly to see Rick Nelson in concert December 31, 1985. Sadly, my little girl was in the children’s hospital in Dallas. I also found out that Mr. Nelson had been killed in a plane crash. That was a tough night. RIP Rick Nelson

[@brookehanley3659]

Ozzie said he knew when he saw the Beatles appear on Ed Sullivan in February 1964 that Ricks career was over.

[@frankburns8946]

He did have some success with 'Garden Party' I seem to recall late in his recording career. Good song as well.@@brookehanley3659

[@philiphoward1731]

Wow Dorothy Kilgallen sure was smart she can figure out anything good for her❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@yuvalkonsker3118]

love the song hello mary lou

[@yuvalkonsker3118]

intresting

[@teresagroth5511]

My first record was Ricky Nelson and I loved it and I was wild about Him!

[@waynebrasler]

Ozzie could be very hard on the boys on the set, it is said, but what he did in building the radio and then the T.V. show was remarkable. Bringing David and Rick on to replace actors portraying them proved a stroke of decision. Likewise, Rick's enormous recording career ignited from the start because of Ozzie's great artistic and business sense.

[@mallorybesom1717]

yes. in some respects ozzie and harriet was an original type of very early reality TV.

[@barrykendrick3146]

+mallory besom Oddly enough, their TV living room was an exact reproduction of their actual living room...

[@inkey2]

Although 4 years ago I would like to add something. Many Rock historians consider Ricky Nelsons song "Traveling Man"... "as it was shown on the TV show Ozzie & Harriet" to be the first "Rock Video".....(although nobody realized it at the time.) In parts of the song (as shown on the TV show) there are double exposures of Ricky and various parts of the world with various exotic young females.....syncing the song to the various places a "Traveling Man" would go.

[@pogwo1968]

I read it was the Nelson boys, themselves, who wanted to be the radio show after Bing Crosby and his sons were guests on the show.

[@cynthiaennis3107]

@@pogwo1968 yes. After one of Bing’s boys was on the radio show, the Nelson Brothers then asked their parents if they could replace the other actors! Rick would play tennis later on with Lindsey Crosby, I think it was.

[@mena94x3]

Lord, Arlene is always gorgeous, but she’s especially ravishing tonight! LOVE that dress! I had such a crush on Ricky Nelson when I was young, especially loved him on The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet. ❤️❤️ Sweet Jesus, he’s beautiful.

[@mena94x3]

tinwoods - 😂😂😂😂😂 That’s hilarious! I’m usually pretty good about catching typos / bad autocorrects. Thanks for catching it - it’s fixed. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@marclemonmusic]

Very interesting to see this old US footage. Ricky was a talented artist who made many great records.

[@Sylvander1911]

JCD is the only one I've ever heard put Harriet ahead of Ozzie

[@emmabradford137]

Colin Harris: I noticed that, very gracious of him

[@joeambrose3260]

What a schnook