What's My Line? - Vaughn Meader; Martin Gabel [panel] (Dec 30, 1962) [UPGRADE!]

It's week twelve of the WML "Summer of Upgrades"! Just one more week to go. . .
Every Sunday this summer, I've been posting upgraded versions of episodes already posted to this channel. Tonight's video replaces a version that was missing half of the show entirely, thanks to complete copy provided by Ron Gomes. Many thanks to Ron for sharing his personal recordings for use in these upgrades!
MYSTERY GUEST: Vaughn Meader
PANEL: Arlene Francis, Martin Gabel, Dorothy Kilgallen, Bennett Cerf
To see the comments left on the earlier version of this show, please click this link: • Video
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[@60-second-HACKS]

Those comments about the coming year in Kennedy's voice are spooky. And then, his interaction with Dorothy Kilgallen (given her connection to Kennedy and her disputed death).

[@victorthorn1591]

The wish for the new year (1963) is rather poignant.

[@gretchenking5952]

I was thinking the same thing. Ironic that it would be just the opposit.

[@bekimcolaku5258]

Unfortunately the '60s changed America and the world for the worst

[@stevefowler5970]

@@bekimcolaku5258 in what way?

[@mattlibby4490]

@@stevefowler5970 JFK, whom Vaughn Meader famously impersonated, would be assassinated in 1963.

[@shirtless6934]

Ironic

[@GenerationX1967]

Is it possible to feel nostalgic for a time one never experienced? I love watching old episodes of this show. People dressed better, spoke better, and actually had intelligent conversations. Thanks so much for the post...

[@craigdallas784]

MrWitchman1967 Yes! I have felt that way all my life

[@SteveCarras]

Glad to know how you feel! :D I'ts hte way i feel, though I WAS growing up in the middle of its heyday, 1960, in the middle of the history of broadcasting of the show> Glad you loved it.

[@weeverob]

Mr. Witchman, I agree. I just purchased from the App Store the NPR weekly radio show “Says You!” The game is comprised of a single host and panel of 4 players and a live audience, like “What’s My Line”, with the difference being the players are presented questions involving the meaning of words. And similar to “What’s My Line” on “Says You!” there’s civility, intelligence maturity and humor that’s nearly lost today. I highly recommend getting it.

[@oldwestguy]

Yes it is indeed possible... I turn the clock back every time I watch these videos, and happily so. I'm afraid that's the only way we will ever be able to experience this level of charm and class. You certainly are unlikely to encounter them in today's world.

[@silasmarner7586]

Take it away with you and speak and dress well and you'll make other people happy...

[@MrJoeybabe25]

I can't think of another artist who lost it all in one tragic day.

[@sansacro007]

Really, incredibly sad and unjust. Sank into depression and alcohol. Essentially blacklisted. You'd have thunk he killed Kennedy. Sad. But he has stood the test of time. Sad and sweet to see him during happier times.

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

THIS.. was a rather bittersweet episode if there ever was one.

[@shirleyrombough8173]

Very tragic. The mystery guest was so intertwined with JFK in looks, in mannerisms and his career that I could hardly watch this mystery guest segment. I ask myself what the world be like if JFK had lived to serve two full terms. On that day in December of 1962 we had no reason to think he would'nt have. Nor could we have guessed that the end of Dorothy's life would have been entwined with Mr. Kennedy's death as well. I do appreciate the network's role in bringing this segment to us, though we mourn the loss deeply.

[@TheTarget1980]

@@shirleyrombough8173 what do you mean with "the end of Dorothys life" ? I am a foreigner and it is hard for me to understand everything.

[@booper521]

I have Mr. Meader's record The First Family. I was ten years old in 1962 and I thought that was such a funny record. My whole family sat around and listened to it and laughed hysterically!

[@dannydoc1969]

I was also 10 years old, and we also listened to this album. I must of played it 20 times, and had it mostly memorized. It WAS hysterical.

[@MadiBendy]

One of my aunts were born during 1962. My parents were not born until ‘68. I was born in 1997. Cannot express enough how much Kennedy meant to them. My grandmother talks about him alot and that appreciation has been instilled in myself now.

[@johnholliday5874]

I was too. One of the neighbor kids had the record and we listened to it in my basement. It was pretty funny And then come November it wasn't any more.

[@nancyhenrichs8589]

My brother had the album and listened to it. Caroline and I are the same age

[@1olddirtroad]

We still have it

[@Wilsonfamily66]

Tonight's mystery guest is an interesting chapter of entertainment history.

[@jeffreysalter3650]

Nice to see someone (Vaughn Meader) with a great talent who exhibits genuine humility and a sense of gratitude

[@fliegeroh]

How sad. The coming year was the one of the most tragic in American history. Meader's career ended when JFK died because he was so typecast as JFK, he couldn't get work. He went broke and eventually went back to music and managing a pub.

[@Jay-vr9ir]

He should gown a beard , sooner than he did changed his name and changed his style of comedy .

[@JohnParks-zc1pn]

True, but JFK was not going to be President forever, and he should have had a backup plan.

[@Historian212]

@@JohnParks-zc1pnThat’s cold, dude.

[@QuadMochaMatti]

@@JohnParks-zc1pn A certain insane felon is convinced that he'll be president for life, if he ever gets his wretched self back into the White House again.

[@dannydoc1969]

Thank heavens we couldn't see into the future. I loved his Album and listened to it repeatedly. The memory brings tears to my eyes, now.

[@joycejean-baptiste4355]

We had an exercise morning program on T.V. in the early 1960's called Jack LaLane that my mother used to watch and exercise with.

[@npe1]

Poor Vaughn, his comedy career also ended on that awful day in Dallas.

[@1776TomPaine]

Wow! I'd like to have a time machine and go back and see Vaughn Meader at Carnegie Hall!

[@nadiazahroon6573]

He made albums

[@1776TomPaine]

@@nadiazahroon6573 Yes, I've listened to the albums. Very funny. But it would be nice to have had the chance to see him live.

[@TheJMascis666]

The rubber schwan... is mine!

[@38ddkelly]

Unfortunately, Mr. Meader's success would end less than 11 months later

[@soulierinvestments]

His impersonation of Kennedy tonight turned out to be chillingly ironic about Kennedy in 1963, though no one at the time realized it.

[@rayjr62]

And his career more or less ended. And sadly Vaughan would never recover, both professionally and emotionally.

[@lynnpineda7615]

adding to the irony is panelist Dorothy Kilgallen ..who was investigating JFK's death when she passed in 1965..

[@malcolmbrannen]

You are not Tysons Accosta you are Lucabrazzi but you can't because he is dead

[@jmccracken1963]

+Kelly02895 In the spring of 1963, Cadence Records released "The First Family, Vol. 2" with more topical comedy material related to the Kennedy administration. It isn't nearly as funny as the original album - BUT quite ironic is the last band on Side 2, which last about 10 minutes and consists of the responses of some New York City elementary school students when asked by Vaughn Meader (as Vaughn Meader), "What do you think of President Kennedy?" Then President Kennedy died - and that album was pulled from record store shelves very quickly. Some time in the 1990s, I was browsing in a new used-record store on the north side of Chicago (on Montrose Avenue, a little bit west of the Chicago & Northwestern commuter railroad tracks), and I found a copy of "The First Family, Vol. 2" in stereo, in good condition, for only $4.00. Of course I bought it - and I have listened to it. (No, it's not for sale - and no, I don't have the technical "know-how" or equipment to upload it to KZbin.)

[@neilmidkiff]

Regarding President Kennedy's comment that he thought Vaughn Meader sounded more like his brother Teddy than like himself: None of us hear our own voices the way others do, because some of what we hear of our own voices is conducted through the bone of the skull. Remember your surprise the first time you heard a recording of your voice? So no matter how accurate an impressionist may be, the subject of his impression is not likely to be impressed by it.

[@justplainbrad7713]

Neil Midkiff - From a logical viewpoint, yes, that could be considered a probable assumption, as most have never heard their own voice. Did you consider that John F. Kennedy, was not like 'most men'? By that, he was a very careful, articulate man, and as hard as it is for me to say about my childhood, real life, hand-picked hero, he was vain enough to listen to his voice, looking for flaws to correct. Considering what he had to deal with, it went above vanity, actually, and became more of a need for a flawless visual, and audio presentation, that had a great impact on a large audience. Scholars have argued whether or not he really could read 200 words ahead of what he was speaking...as was said of him. Your reasoning is sound for a lesser man, but not John F. Kennedy. He had his flaws, but he knew what worked, and you can rest assured that he heard his own voice often enough to know the difference.

[@bogieviews]

@@justplainbrad7713 I recall that it was reported that he read 1200 words a minute. I think that sparked an interest in Evelyn Woods.

[@willdrucker4291]

Wow...even John Daly accidentally called Vaugh Meader, “Mr. Kennedy”

[@Vitte4]

Interesting twist at 13:29: Cerf asks Packer linebacker Ray Nitschke if Packer halfback Paul Hornung was badly hurt in the 4th quarter of the NFL Championship game that afternoon. Nitschke responded that he bruised his ribs - "but he will be all right for next year." Cerf: "I bet he will." Well ... no. Turned out Hornung was suspended for the '63 season for betting on NFL games.

[@caspence56]

Sad to think a year from that particular episode President Kennedy would be gone, Camelot would be a memory, and this country would never, ever be the same.

[@badaan2002]

@gcjerryusc Don't even mention his name, His Slogan is::"Make America White Again" He is a disgrace!!

[@thebluerobin]

@gcjerryusc LBJ may have had his faults but he was a great leader when it came to domestic issues. If it were not for Vietnam Johnson would have stood out as one of our greatest presidents.

[@Rippedflesh69]

caspence56, how do you know that the world wouldn't be worse if Kennedy hadn't been assassinated?

[@stevekru6518]

The awful creature was LBJ

[@shirleyrombough8173]

@@badaan2002 This week the US is about to elect a president who will bring decency, competence and kindness to the office and to the US. Let's all work together to1d X X bring that about.

[@bobpierce115]

It's eerie how Vaughn Meader kind of looks like JFK too.

[@dancelli714]

As schoolboy I'd be a bit sleepy the next day at School Monday, but it was worth it.

[@islandgal500]

Holy Smokes! Ray Nitschke just turned 26 (born Dec. 29, 1936) during this show. Men and women all looked much older in those years, but wow, he could pass for being in his late 40s. I was 11 in 1962.

[@beccawiley6684]

Vaughn Meader was born in my hometown of Waterville, Maine!

[@gailsirois7175]

OMG !!! I too was born in Waterville Maine...how exciting..I'm now in Texas, but I never hear Waterville mentioned

[@beccawiley6684]

@@gailsirois7175 I am actually from Gardiner/Randolph, but my daughter was born and raised in Waterville, and I lived there for 25 years!

[@denisehogarth5433]

My son is trying to perfect a varity of voices and I pointed him to this man and his album. Thank you

[@woodykelleher9253]

Man, Vaughn Meader is SCREWED!! ---Lenny Bruce, 11/22/63.

[@PizzAzzC]

Looks like Arlene was the only person on the panel who wished the bobby pins man a Happy New Year and the Happy New Years wishes amongst the panel was so touching. I am surprised Martin did not give Arlene a kiss, but laughed when Dorothy gave both Martin and Bennett a kiss..one of those awww moments

[@brucemarsico6]

Didn't Lenny Bruce proclaim on 22 November 1963 that 'Vaughn Meader is fucked!'

[@HermanSays]

Arlene Francis constantly asking a mystery guest to do some sort of performance.

[@peterfranks6243]

Recorded on the 30th of December 1962, If only president Kennedy got to see that date one year later

[@itorapadas]

In less than a year after his appearance on What's My Line, Mr. Meader will fade away into obscurity.

[@filmguymike]

Here is the album, "The First Family" they are referring to: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqjYaYZsetCrb9k

[@WhatsMyLine]

It's week twelve of the WML "Summer of Upgrades"! Just one more week to go. . . Every Sunday this summer, I've been posting upgraded versions of episodes already posted to this channel. Tonight's video replaces a version that was missing half of the show entirely, thanks to complete copy provided by Ron Gomes. Many thanks to Ron for sharing his personal recordings for use in these upgrades! If you're not already a member of our Facebook group, now is a great time to join! Every Sunday evening (10:30pm NYC time, naturally) a bunch of us watch an episode at the same time so we can chat about it as we watch. We've been doing this all year, and it's always a blast-- the time ***flies*** by. If you're interested, please check out the group and join in the live chat tonight! And if you are interested in joining in, you'll probably want to delay watching this episode till the chat starts tonight! (There's more information in the group.) Link to the WML Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/728471287199862/ Please click here to subscribe to the WML channel if you haven't already-- you'll find the complete CBS series already posted, and you'll be able to follow along the discussions on the weekday "rerun" videos: kzbin.info/door/hPE75Fvvl1HmdAsO7Nzb8w

[@MIKECNW]

I don't get it. My understanding the panel was blindfolded when famous people came on and disguised their voice and Ray comes on as is and while not everyone watches football to me it should be obvious that a not of people would know who he was.

[@joelake7986]

Ah, the glasses would render him unrecognizable, just like Superman!

[@jmccracken1963]

Particularly since Martin Gabel was at the game and Bennett Cerf was watching the game on TV.....

[@JeffSchreiber99]

Wow. I remember it. In my childhood it was socially acceptable to make fun of Democrats.

[@dinahbrown902]

Still Is

[@willdrucker4291]

@13:42...”Hornung hurt his ribs but he’ll be ok for next season”...ehhhh..not quite Ray....months later, both Paul Hornung and Alex Karras we’re suspended for the ‘63 season for gambling..

[@michaelnak2681]

I loved listening to his album as a ten year old until you know what.

[@brucemcgee2281]

Always liked seeing Arlene Francis, and Dorothy Killgallen on this show. Mr Daly was no slouch, either.

[@quirkyquips9915]

When John Daly says "with your permission" he never actually asks much less waits for them to answer.

[@preppysocks209]

He is making them an offer they can't refuse. It is very rare that a contestant takes issue.

[@davefreeman-live756]

Guy wins his first NFL Championship, takes a shower, and humbly goes on live television a few hours later on What's My Line. Yeah - things are a little different these days.

[@vicepresidentmikepence889]

Yes, because we all know athletes never go on TV or the movies, today😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ealswytheangelicrealms]

Meader's' career ended on November 22, 1963.

[@Oso8467]

What an amazing show! I loved watching this as a kid. Wasn't television nice then?

[@SteveCarras]

I dod,tpopo. I agree.. You can HAVE Roseanne for "non-liberal" etertainment, just gimme the non-political ncie stuff of the old days (pre-1970s for me..)

[@jeffreysalter3650]

Television and everything else.

[@SteveCarras]

Actually, ROseanne is a great person!

[@igkoigko9950]

There were far fewer choices and there was more censorship. Time shifting watching shows wasn’t feasible. TV is better today, especially since old shows are readily available online.

[@stevekru6518]

@Tessmage Tessera Most network tv is painful to watch but some are praiseworthy. For example, a limited series solidly based on facts is “Unbelievable.” There are other enjoyable shows but because of its veracity and themes I hope many people watch it

[@preppysocks209]

Once again, Bennett is both argumentative and wrong. When the line is revealed, he says that it involves food and drink, as if he were correct and was given the wrong answer when in fact he was given a yes answer to that question. And for all his criticism of Dorothy's camera hogging, he is always the panelist most likely to want to ask a guest a question once the line or the MG is revealed.

[@QuadMochaMatti]

Bennett Fudd was only interested in being on the teevee skween as much as possible, no matter if he looked a fool.

[@zoevtapas]

thanks for this!!

[@brookeukena246]

We had that record, and even though much of it was over my head, I still laughed. I think I related most to the cover art of the child on the Shetland pony representing Caroline and Macaroni. After November 22, my Mom decreed that we would never listen to it again. So it sat in our record cabinet, untouched, for decades.

[@Historian212]

Yes, an experience many of us shared. Couldn’t bear to listen to it, couldn’t bear to part with it, either.

[@satori03]

I'm crying right now thinking about that day...I was in 5th grade and we were told in class and we went home early. I went to the park and cried while swinging on the swing set

[@RobertPerrigoOkiechopper]

I look forward to Sundays , its nice to sit back and enjoy a show.

[@WhatsMyLine]

I'm so glad, Robert! Only one more upgrade video left to post, though. . . but I have some more surprise goodies coming up after we're done with this round of upgraded videos!

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

I love goodies!

[@dalehall2067]

NEVER forever forgiven

[@mikejschin]

For anyone who is interested, the audio of Vaughn Meador's "First Family" album is on KZbin: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqjYaYZsetCrb9k

[@paddle_shift]

Sadly, that upcoming year would NOT be as good as the year before.

[@jimlaguardia8185]

Meader's roaring career was wiped out by the JFK assassination.

[@libertyann439]

So was JFK's

[@davidsanderson5918]

I have to confess I've never heard of him. So you're right.

[@michaelbarnhart2593]

Great job on the upgrade! Enjoyed it! :-)

[@shirtless6934]

The coming year, 1963, ruined his career.

[@mrkeno1000]

it ruined a lot more

[@shirleyrombough8173]

Shirtless: More than one person's job was ruined on that day. Our entire way of life was affected and we still haven't recovered. Look at what passed for "president" from 2017 to 2020.

[@JayTemple]

For many years, the Guinness Book of World Records listed a 1963 album of John F. Kennedy's speeches as the fastest-selling album of all time, "ironically beating out Vaughn Meader's 'The First Family'."

[@davidrbecken]

I have that album somewhere around in here.

[@tomitstube]

the great ray nitschke, they should have blind folded the panel with this one. ray was one of the greatest of all time. a great quote by jfk about meader's impression of him, asked if he was "annoyed or enjoyed" by the impression, jfk said, "I listened to Mr. Meader's record and, frankly, I thought it sounded more like Teddy than it did me. So, now he's annoyed."

[@tomitstube]

mrzoperxplex jfk had a great wit, one of the smartest presidents we've ever had. most politicians have to pivot to a talking point or an already used joke, jfk was able to think on his feet and stay in the moment with any question.

[@gemoftheocean]

@@tomitstube JFK and Reagan were best at off the cuff jokes.

[@tomitstube]

@@gemoftheocean reagan was an idiot. his ayn rand/alan greenspan corporate ideology will be the downfall of american democracy.

[@njpete987]

Why is it that, during this period of time, they used the word "pictures" but today they say "movies" or "films?"

[@4seeableTV]

That's just what they called them back then. Paramount Pictures, RKO Pictures, etc. They referred to moving pictures, but shortened it.

[@spongevee1]

The Academy Award still goes to the 'Best Picture.'

[@billyshepard5514]

Since I wasnt alive I only heard of Mr. Meader when searching. Shocked to see he was the most famous comedian that year and then 1963 it was over and erased from history books of comedy

[@Historian212]

Not erased for those of us who were around back then. But his career was over, sadly. I was eight years old that year, my family played that record so much I had it all memorized. Being so young, I’m sure there was humor on it that I didn’t understand, but we laughed and laughed. Never forgot it. We were doing some of those punch lines endlessly. I still recall a lot of it, and I’m now 68.

[@44032]

If they had SNL back then, Vaughn Meader would have made a great cast member an would have shown the talent to portray many characters.

[@SteveCarras]

Vaughn meador, ak the First Family LPs. I'm love to have Vaughn Monroe on there.

[@lindanitzschke1315]

I got to meet Ray in Sioux City at a meet and greet about half a year before he passed away. What a nice man! (When the meet and great was over, I went back in to the sporting goods store to ask Ray a very important question..."Ray, how do you pronounce your last name?!!" He kind of glared at me and said, "NITZ-kee!" You see, everyone back then pronounced it as "NITCH-kee!" (He DID spell his name incorrectly, tho, leaving out the "z," but I didn't dare tell him, ha!)

[@algoritmosalfredohipicasig7116]

Oh, the irony.

[@jaddison1112]

President Kennedy would never see another New Year.

[@JesseTheMindless]

Vaughn Meader - career assassinated 11/22/1963

[@willdrucker4291]

Whoaaa...that’s NFL HALL OF FAMER and Green Bay Packer legend, RAY NITSCHKE....looks very sophisticated and stylish right here...but you sure didn’t want to line up across from him on the football field

[@justplainbrad7713]

Will Drucker - Watching him shake hands with the panelists, I had a tremendous laugh thinking, he looked like a typical big wimp, and he would be a first-target of bullies in my town...then I imaging the faces of the bullheads that push him around, and find themselves bouncing off of walls. He just looked the part of a big softy. What a surprise!

[@spongevee1]

I have both of the First Family albums, but this is the first time I've actually seen Mr Meader!

[@Farrah300]

I love that the first two panelist introduced were husband and wife.

[@woodykelleher9253]

Ray looks OLD for a pro fb player!! Looks like a school teacher.

[@bbailey7818]

Poor Vaughn Meader! His career essentially ended the following year come November.

[@CAP198462]

17:18 unfortunately 1963 was not a pleasant year. Certainly not November.

[@jmccracken1963]

I wonder how much the newspaper strike played into the panel's ability or inability to figure out the Mystery Guests in December of 1962 - or some ordinary contestants' "lines," for that matter. (I'm thinking, for instance, of Barrie Sloan in the 23 December episode; and the panel would probably have been blindfolded for Ray Nitschke had the newspapers not been on strike.) It certainly sounded as though Ray Nitschke was still thawing out from the NFL championship game played earlier that day at Yankee Stadium. (Final score, by the way: Green Bay 16, New York 7.) If memory serves me correctly, I think that Ray Nitschke was one of the Green Bay Packers who appeared on WML? as a group in January of 1967, either a week before or a week after Green Bay's lopsided victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in the first-ever Super Bowl. I'm sure that the producers planned having a Kennedy on as one of the "ordinary" contestants, along with a "Kennedy" as the Mystery Guest, this evening.

[@davidsanderson5918]

Come on Martin. Can't you kiss your flipping wife at New Year?!? Dear me, what's wrong with the man!!

[@keithhyttinen8275]

Mr. Meader was so talented. Too bad his career tanked when JFK was whacked in Dallas.

[@dalehall2067]

My first job in radio FM stations nobody listen to listen to. Never never forget Mr. medor Never forget

[@michaelpowell6805]

Vaughan had British teeth...& like many public performers a slight stutter apparently...seemed like an okay guy...bet he didn't see that coming...guess the public memories were too painful for him to come back and go through it all over again in 68...a dusty little half forgotten & neglected niche in the American mind of far too painful memories...

[@JordanMB94]

Just wondering, was that Hal Simms announcing in place of Johnny Olson in this episode?

[@cjcar63]

"... I think he sounds more like Teddy than me."

[@bt10ant]

...the rubber duck is mine."

[@maralisil]

I was merely 2 months old! 😊

[@jonshecket3010]

This is a gem.

[@adamodeo9320]

once when people had class and talent

[@jrnumex9286]

no career in show biz tanked in just 1 fateful day as meaders.

[@kennethbutler1343]

I guess in 1962 no one knew who Ray Nitzschke was!!! I knew who he was right away.

[@algoritmosalfredohipicasig7116]

John thought the glasses would fool them, you know, like it did for Clark Kent.

[@preppysocks209]

It is a reflection on pre-Super Bowl America that a pro football player with a leading team who had played that day, and two of the panelists had seen perform that very day in person, could appear without masks, using his real name, and not be immediately known.

[@worldnotworld]

What's with that failure-to-kiss at the end?

[@LarsRyeJeppesen]

Good to see Gabel back...Dorothy looked like she almost didn't know which way to turn at her entrance, and that introduction of Benneth...

[@barrykendrick3146]

+Lars Rye Jeppesen Very perceptive of you. She seems quite disoriented for just a second-as though blinded by a light-but of course not necessarily that. Note that she's making her introductions very short, but still has a problem with Peter Ustinov's name the next week 1/6/63.

[@MrThesper]

@@barrykendrick3146 Looked like she had been hitting the bottle again!

[@noway7555]

@@MrThesper Exactly what I thought.

[@Historian212]

She asked the same question twice, for one guest.

[@vaec58]

My Mother had the album The First Family..

[@doriskray1430]

Lots of comments here re: how everyone looks so old. No one over 21 looked young back then. They all dressed/looked like their parents. Things changed soon. Long hair for men, jeans and t.shirts kept folks younger.

[@librarybob1958]

Less than a year later, JFKs life would be over...and so, to all intents and purposes, would be Vaughn Meader's

[@preppysocks209]

Meader lived to be 68, nearly 50% longer than JFK. He could not have made a living playing JFK forever. His career prospects were ruined but his life continued. There is simply no comparison.

[@sugarjoe50]

Vaughn Meader's career ended abruptly on Nov. 22, 1963.

[@ianman15]

The death of John F. Kennedy pretty much killed Vaughn Meader’s career.

[@milart12]

No one recognized Ray Nitsche by name?

[@MCO18]

17:37

[@nankerphelge3771]

Hard to believe no one on the panel disqualified themselves for Ray Nitsche. The Hall of Fame linebacker for the Green Bay Packers was the MVP of the 1962 Championship game that Martin Gable attended.

[@gemoftheocean]

Gable was a Giants fan. Back then tv wasn't full of ESPN type coverage. Given Ray was on the offensive line, and Gable attended in person, it's quite likely he didn't buy a program or bring a radio to hear game coverage. They didn't have jumbotrons and things like that, or announce the players.

[@bigprincess9595]

@@gemoftheocean Actually, Ray was the starting middle linebacker for the Packers for a number of years.

[@larchmontmark1]

I saw the show when it was broadcast and thought the same right then. I mean gimme a break 🙂 ....he was MVP of the championship game that afternoon!!! I sure knew exactly who he was when he came on, and I'm sure millions of others did too.

[@YaelleG]

Wow ...! I have such chills.

[@kasperjoonatan6014]

Watching this a few days after the misery in London is good for one's soul :) Go Packers!! 💛 💚

[@UrAveragePOS]

Vaughn Meader! 😁😸

[@oldtimer794]

Very sad that Mr. Meader was asked to say a few words on what the coming year would bring.

[@igkoigko9950]

Dorothy never looks good and often looks sickly, but in this episode she looks very old.

[@shirleyrombough8173]

Igko igko: Dorothy looked and acted just fine. She was the best panelist, which she would not have been if she were affected mentally in any way. Strega.

[@Eddie_Schantz]

Vaughn Meader would have probably gotten away with his guest spot or would have gotten further than he didif he would have used the same voice thru the whole game. When he kept changing voices, he was more aptto give it away.Also, Ray Nitzschke probably figured he wouldn't get very far with his appearance.

[@eggbertinkabod1121]

I'M 900 POUNDS AND NEED A DATE

[@charlespapineau5428]

I love Vaughn Meader. What a class act. My understanding is that he refused to impersonate JFK after he was assassinated out of respect to him and his family. You wouldn't see that today.

[@JohnParks-zc1pn]

That is not how it happened. All his records were pulled from the stores, and his act was canceled. His career died with JFK and never recovered.

[@Bossrich6287]

Thiese people read books and had real conversations,unlike our moronic culture today

[@nancyhowell4505]

@abulakle *These 🙂

[@megancrager4397]

Why wouldn't Martin kiss his wife?!

[@phildirt3]

That must have killed his career after jfk was assasinated

[@milosterwheeler2520]

Eleven months later his career came to a crashing halt in one day.

[@watchman1178]

What a great episode! I had not seen this one before. 2-3 observations: (1) The fact that Nitsche (sp?) wasn't immediately recognized just goes to show how far both media and the NFL have come. He was a star player; no way an NFL star wouldn't be recognized today, at least by name. (2) Nitsche was a linebacker, but I could've sworn he answered "yes" when he was asked if he played on the line. (3) Nitsche was asked about the injured Paul Hornung and replied, "He'll be okay for next season." Kind of ironic, because Hornung would go on to be punished for having been caught betting on games, and the punishment was a 1-yr. suspension. Hornung had to sit out the entire 1963 season. (4) I had forgotten who Vaughan Meador was. Too bad for both his and JFK's sake that he didn't have that gig for 8 years instead of just 3.

[@jmccracken1963]

And, perhaps in part because of Hornung's suspension, the following year it would be the Chicago Bears' turn to beat the Giants in the NFL title game.

[@loissimmons6558]

+jmccracken1963 It was close between the Packers and the Bears for the Western Conference championship. The Bears finished 11-1-2 while the Packers were 11-2-1. Both of Green Bay's losses came against Chicago. The Packers had to settle for runner up even though they had a better record than the Giants did in winning the Eastern Conference (11-3). The Lions also lost Alex Karras to a one year suspension as part of the same league disciplinary action against gamblers. And five other Lions players were fined $2000 apiece for betting on one game in which they did not play. They finished tied for fourth in the West with a dismal 5-8-1 record. The year before, they were runner up to the Packers with an 11-3 record. Compared to baseball, which has suspended players for life when they have been caught betting on games and consorting with known gamblers, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle handed out relatively mild penalties.

[@lilybean835]

It always bugs me when Bennett tries to sneak out inappropriate questions he knows better than to ask. Like asking about a football player's injury? The one sport where their injuries are profiteered off of. He keeps asking questions he knows are out of line. I can't believe John lets him get away with that. Usually he catches faux pas. But Cerf gets away with a lot.

[@gailsirois7175]

Too much

[@igkoigko9950]

There is nothing inappropriate asking about a player injury. There would be no inside information in a public statement and violation of no fiduciary relationship.