What's My Line? - Ted Lewis; Jack E. Leonard & Margaret Truman [panel] (Jul 15, 1956)

[@sodality3970]

Ted Lewis was a great performer back in the day...so many people wanted to , and played with him , in his band .

[@malikashiqui]

And thanks for posting these. Can't overstate how much pleasure they have given me!

[@WhatsMyLine]

malikashiqui I'm very happy to hear that. :)

[@robertjean5782]

It's even displaced my depression 😊 🎉

[@slaytonp]

My parents had phonograph records of Ted Lewis, and one of my first memories of playing them was when I was 4, around 1938. To this day, I remember all of the words and tunes for "Me and My Shadow" and several more of his specialty songs. I had forgotten why his name was familiar, because he was not a popular singer later on, but as soon as they mentioned "Me and My Shadow," my mind went right back to the rest of them--("When My Baby Smiles at Me--etc.") It's so much fun to have that happen.

[@sdgakatbk]

What's My Line has to be the best game show ever on television. Having Margaret's husband as the first guest was classic and a very good start. Then this show got better from there. Including John Daly's obfuscating "explanations" which are hilarious.

[@waynehowell6160]

Ted Lewis's famous catchphrase was "Is everybody happy?" My grandfather was nuts about him. He would talk rather than sing "Me and My Shadow," and about halfway through the number he'd move toward the wings, and a black man would follow him back out and mimic his every move, being his shadow.

[@Beson-SE]

Thanks for your comment. I had never heard of Ted Lewis Before but it was thrilling to see him and Jack E perform "Me and My Shadow" together. 22:10

[@lynettepalecek3141]

@Wayne Howell. Right. I have the "Abbott and Costello" movie on a DVD where they did everything that you said. It was a lot of fun watching that. 😀

[@lllowkee6533]

The bird whistles were impressive. !

[@robertjean5782]

I agree 😊

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

Margaret Truman and Clifton Daniel were married until his death in 2000 at the age of 87. I got the feeling that Margaret had no clue who Ted Lewis was. She just sat there looking a bit bewildered. I guess it's to be expected, as she was only 32 at the time. It would be like a 32 year old in 2022 not knowing who someone like Donna Summer was, who was hugely popular at one time.

[@neilmidkiff]

Margaret and Clifton were married on April 21, 1956, less than 8 weeks before this show.

[@Merrida100]

She's so smitten and still so in love in this episode. You can see how she's glowing with that newlywed affection.

[@mikegendron3723]

It was the first marriage for both of them, they had 4 children and were together until Clifton died in Feb 21, 2000. Don't see that much anymore!!

[@sansacro007]

Didn't know of Lewis, Leonard, or Daniel until watching WML. The show is a great historical record of 20th Century American culture.

[@lynettepalecek3141]

I have a DVD set of the "Abbott and Costello" movies that were made in 1940. The Lewis and his band were in one of those movies. Ted did the routine "Me and My Shadow" with a black actor. The black actor played the shadow. They were very good at it. Ted Lewis was an excellent singer and band leader. He had the catchphrase "Is everybody happy?" That's the way that he started his act.

[@yawlltube]

"The babies aren't there yet." Another reason to love her.

[@miketheyunggod2534]

Oh but they are my little liberal friend.

[@robertjean5782]

Gorgeous woman Arlene 😊

[@GingerHey]

Did it seem to you that Margaret Truman did not know who Ted Lewis was even after they took off their masks... would be understandable if she didn't...she was of a younger generation..Love this show... thanks for posting!

[@cosybully]

I got the same impression. He appealed to the older generation.

[@Bigwave2003]

I have a rare photo of Ted Lewis wearing a ski cap.

[@RexusSolextra]

Really?

[@SuperWinterborn]

I do also think Mr. Leonard was right about that "Baby-business"... "They had not yet arrived", yes, but it's still "Baby-business".

[@erichanson426]

I totally agree

[@ayishas4385]

Yeah, and the baby IS there, even if you can't see him or her yet!

[@robertjean5782]

It would have to be the physical baby, 😊

[@gaelengesser9484]

It seems like they do the "Expectant Parent" line every 9 months or so.

[@waynehowell6160]

I used to be a file clerk for a lawyer in Family Court, and I can tell you, there are a lot of people who do the "expectant parent" thing every nine months or so.

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

LOLLLLLLLL!!! And since this is a family commentary board, we'll leave it along right there.

[@robertjean5782]

😅

[@joncheskin]

I had never seen Jack E Leonard before watching his appearances on What's My Line. I had no idea that Don Rickles had a spiritual guru in the insult comedy field.

[@418-Error]

Jonathan C He always reminds me of Phil Silvers

[@barryrivadue9228]

Rickles acknowledged Leonard's influence, and early on Leonard thought Rickles was "stealing my act," half kiddingly.

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

NEWSPAPERMAN TEACHER COURSE FOR EXPECTANT PARENTS

[@spivackl]

When you ask "law or medicine?) And Daly starts yammering on about law, you can be sure its medicine!

[@robbycan]

I agree with Jack Leonard, something to do with babies certainly seems like a Yes if you are advising expectant parents.

[@robertjean5782]

Mother pregnant attending baby preparedness class😊

[@bigwilson8794]

Back in the days when the word "pregnant" was considered vulgar, hence "expectant". And fathers really had nothing to do with the childbirth process at all.

[@ToddSF]

I'm not sure they could have accurately displayed "Teaches course for pregnant parents" since the father-to-be isn't actually pregnant himself. In fact, even today, if the such a course were for both the prospective mother and father, "expectant parents" would still be used, wouldn't it? But you're right that they couldn't use the term "pregnant" on TV in the earlier days -- Johnny Carson used to talk about those days and the various euphemisms required -- saying that a woman was "in a family way" or "expecting". When I was a small child in the 1950's, even my mom used "expecting" quite often to describe a pregnant woman. Around 1950, "pregnant" ceased to be a word considered impolite by most, but TV dragged its heels about such things and was really quite prudish. They "beeped out" Jack Paar when he used the term "W.C." in telling a joke on "The Tonight Show" and he was so incensed when they did it that he walked off and never came back.

[@MrJoeybabe25]

Re: The Clifton Daniel segment. I thought it was tradition to have at least one go 'round the panel before guessing.

[@malikashiqui]

Funny to think we are still arguing about a call John Daly made on the fly 58 years ago. But I think Jack and Bennet were right about "baby business."

[@robertjean5782]

Now 67 years😊

[@robertjean5782]

There was no physical live baby😅

[@peterburritt6057]

Good grief!!!!! How many hints and ideas does Daly have to give,,,you would have got them if he didn't give Cerf, certifiable answer I've seen a lot of these and enjoy them immensely, thank you

[@loissimmons6558]

I was surprised that no one thought of RN for the degree of the second challenger. They acted like Dr. or MD are the only medically related degrees. In fact RN is the degree which Jayne DeClue had when she appeared on WML. In fact, eventually she ended up with many certifications, degrees and letters after her name. She was four days away from her 33rd birthday when she appeared on WML. She married in 1961 and remained married to the same man until her death in December 2001. She had quite a career in her lifetime and continued to work after she and her husband said that they were retiring to Texas near Houston. Although born in Brooklyn, she grew up in Queens, which is where she was living at the time of this broadcast. As a salute to my fellow Queens resident, here's the life story of Jayne DeClue Wiggins. www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=43566151

[@loissimmons6558]

Fast forward about 10-15 years after the date of this broadcast. My mom was watching some variety show. At some point they trot out Ted Lewis (who I had never heard of at that time). He could barely move and of course as a singer, he talked as much as he sang even at the height of his career. And he couldn't do much by this time in that department either when he was pushing 80. I admit that I could have put it in a nicer way (I was still in HS at the time), but basically I said something to the effect of "Why did they bring out this guy? He's terrible." No doubt the criticism my parents routinely gave of the music I liked played a part in the bluntness of my remarks. My mom replied that Lewis was very popular in his day, as big or bigger than the rock and roll musicians I liked. And she told me that one day, I would feel nostalgic for my favorites when they were old and their best days were far behind them, and I would love to see them perform one more time for old times sake. Looking back at my life, my mom was usually right about such things, about how my attitudes would change in the future as I grew older. But I have to say that this time, she was totally wrong. God bless any of the old rock and roll stars who have survived this long. So many died young for a myriad of reasons and many others who lived a full life are gone now: Elvis, Buddy Holly, John Lennon, Otis Redding, Jim Morrison, Whitney Houston, Donna Summer, Leslie Gore, Mary Wells, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, and many many more. But I have no interest in seeing those who remain old, wrinkled and tottering. I want to remember them the way they were when they were younger, healthy, looking good and performing well. Talking to them would be a different matter. I would love to talk to Paul McCartney, Dionne Warwick, Joni Mitchell, Frankie Valli, Smokey Robinson, Gordon Lightfoot and others of that era who are physically and mentally able to converse. I'd love to hear about their lives and all the interesting stories they must have to tell. For my youngest days, I loved to hear the stories of older people, what things were like before I was born. But to watch them perform, no. When I do so, it makes me sad, and there's enough sadness in the world without looking for more.

[@Sylvander1911]

Yet McCartney still packs them in.

[@robertjean5782]

No insult meant, but I know I'd want to have a conversation with you, being your so interesting and intelligent, informative. Wrinkles and all😊

[@mrpuniverse2]

In the previous episode the week before Margaret Truman Daniel was the gust and they said she and her husband were going to be on the show. So Clifton Daniel's appearance was preempted as the panel ie Bennett already knew

[@chayashalom2065]

+mrpuniverse2 I went back and listened 3x. What I heard was 'next week Margaret Truman will be on sitting on the panel & Mrs. Clifton Daniel (her married name) will be sitting right next to her'. Kind of an odd way for him to phrase it.

[@accomplice55]

@@chayashalom2065: Exactly. I expected him to be on the panel. Maybe at that point they thought he was going to be?

[@VynceMontgomery]

What's this about calling Jack E Leonard "Charlie Needleman"? was that a character he played somewhere? The web seems not to know.

[@ToddSF]

Yes, that's odd -- the only thing I could find was a character "Judge Needleman" that Jack E. Leonard played on "The Red Skelton Show" in 1963. So I can only speculate that he might have recurringly portrayed a comic persona "Charlie Needleman" and, in that character, he might have played a judge in one of the comedic skits on Red Skelton. Jack E. Leonard always came out on stage to do his loud and abrasive insult comedy wearing a hat with a very narrow brim and a suit that was too small for him -- and I wonder if he wasn't appearing as a character Charlie Needleman wearing that suit and hat. Mere speculation on my part, but it might be so given that the panel was referring to Leonard as Needleman. Odd that the character is so hard to find on the 'Net, isn't it?

[@robertjean5782]

​@@ToddSFExactly 😊

[@bigwilson8794]

Directed by Frank Satenstein, of The Honeymooners fame

[@WhatsMyLine]

Dick Wilson Very interesting-- I don't pay much attention to the credits, so I hadn't noticed.

[@robbycan]

"Missed A Clue" hahaha

[@gailsirois7175]

Get a little tired of it But I LOVE the show..I saw it from early 60s on..but I was born in 56

[@wchumphries]

A really fun episode! As always, thanks for posting. (I thought Jack E. was quite funny and not the least obnoxious this time around - just my opinion.)

[@robertjean5782]

It's the newbies that don't "get it"😊

[@1013pka]

I love watching these. I had never heard of Ted Lewis or that annoying Needlenose guy.

[@robertjean5782]

That annoying guy was revered by millions of people who enjoyed hisSchick, over 40 years😊

[@leesher1845]

How could John Daly have said that the expectant parents instructor wasn’t in the baby business??

[@YY4Me133]

They had some weird ways of defining things, such as bugs not being animals.

[@robertjean5782]

​@@YY4Me133horses animal, bee bug😊

[@princeharming8963]

I always thought that Jack 'E' Leonard was a riot.

[@stevekru6518]

Judging only from this episode, more likely he could cause a riot when the audience rushed to leave his annoying presence

[@princeharming8963]

@@stevekru6518 - LoL.

[@peternagy-im4be]

He's about as funny as a cancer diagnosis.

[@robertjean5782]

He was loved and enjoyed for 40 + years by millions 😊

[@ChrisHansonCanada]

22:30 That's what passed for "talent" back in 1956.

[@robertjean5782]

Exactly and tens of millions enjoyed it for over 40 years 😂

[@miketheyunggod2534]

Margaret Truman looks 20 years older than her age.

[@57highland]

Hair and make-up styles of that era seemed to make people look older than their age. Clothing too.

[@robertjean5782]

It's the cameras and lights😊

[@robertjean5782]

​@@57highlandThe hairstyles and clothing were top fashion and expensive 😊

[@randylovering24]

I think john gave it away

[@dinahbrown902]

He and the audience gave it away numerous times

[@robertjean5782]

​@@dinahbrown902Everyone gets caught up in the moment 😅

[@RexusSolextra]

Proof that Ted Lewis=Bird

[@thunderball6908]

I can't stand when the guest panelist is too much of a "ham". I miss Steve Allen, lol.

[@bp.andrewherron8539]

REALLY Some times John should just keep his mouth shut.

[@robertjean5782]

Send him an email 😅

[@Gwaithmir]

Having Jack Leonard on the panel was a waste of time.

[@peternagy-im4be]

Much like Victor Borge another irritating unfunny jerk to end all jerks.

[@RayhanAhmed-qr3vz]

Ted Lewis the dustman 😂

[@kulturekritik9665]

How can they say that the woman who teaches expectant parents is "not in the baby business?"

[@robertjean5782]

Because she's not, she is a person that instructs the parents about the birth and care of the coming child!!😊

[@Merrida100]

Jack Leonard uses up the same lines and "jokes" over and over, they're recycled and quite irritating. Are you from this planet? Over and over? Ugh.... He actually reminds me of Hal Block in his blustery mannerisms (without the sexism as much). I really like Bennet Cerf and Arlene Francis. They're smart and engaging.

[@kevincramer9235]

Jack E. was never very funny (and I'm old enough to remember him not being funny), but he was pretty quick in his turns, at least. Beats Wally Cox, who took eternities to not be funny.

[@13ECHO20]

I always fast forward when it's his turn to ask questions.

[@rogerknights857]

@@13ECHO20 I listen / view the whole show at 1.25 speed. (Click on the gear wheel to adjust it.)

[@princeharming8963]

Jack was a bright guy, albeit a little rough around the edges. He played to a certain audience for sure. It's been said, on occasion, that before Rickles.. the was Leonard.

[@jerrylee8261]

@@princeharming8963 I enjoyed Jack in this show. He's quick and witty.

[@ericapple1711]

ikleit

[@El_Ophelia]

What ever possessed them to keep putting Leonard on as a panelist? He's always hamming things up and thinks he's so funny, so full of himself. "You are from this planet?" and "I can't hear you, are you secret service?" Too harsh and brash, especially when all the other panelists maintain composure and are professional. Do people really enjoy him and this type of.....delivery? I find him dreadful.

[@Lilbit09]

As usual , Lilly Beans, you say it so well! I completely agree. He was so clunky, heavy, and not funny. I hope he doesn't come back too often.

[@peternagy-im4be]

Steve Allen was far and away the best comedian in that seat. Most of his like were absolutely awful and added precisely nothing to the panel. They were actually beyond bad and belong to an entirely different category.

[@robertjean5782]

​@@peternagy-im4beYou're born in another era and can't appreciate his humor

[@ealswytheangelicrealms]

I am surprised Frank Fay was never on the show. His far right views were in tune with McCarthy who was prominent at that time. Plus would have been really interesting to hear some of the abrasive answers he sure would have given due to probably nobody on the panel would have liked him. Frank Fay is the one actor that I would really liked to have seen on the show because he certainly would have been a unique mystery guest very different than anyone else they ever had on the show.

[@accomplice55]

And he'd been married to Barbara Stanwyck. Not that that has anything to do with anything. :)

[@beadyeyedbrat]

I don't get the humor of comedians like Leonard.

[@robertjean5782]

You're from another era 😊

[@muvmuv4785]

IMO Leonard is obnoxious and unfunny. I cannot imagine him being tolerated on the Canadian or BBC versions of WML then.

[@petemarshall8094]

The Canadian version was all in French. He might have appeared on Front Page Challenge, which was an upmarket version of WML and ran for many more years.

[@mutleyadamsracing2684]

Just thinking these women were just given a right to vote years earlier...sad

[@gailsirois7175]

Bennett Cerf cheated...he gets FAR too many right

[@lynettepalecek3141]

KNOCK IT OFF!!!! BENNETT CERF DID NOT CHEAT!

[@peternagy-im4be]

@@lynettepalecek3141 he surely did

[@lynettepalecek3141]

@@peternagy-im4be No he didn't. You're just jealous because Bennett Cerf was much more intelligent than you ever were and are. He wrote a lot of books that were best sellers. He kept up with current events, including ALL of the latest news about ALL of the celebrities and sports stars. You're extremely ignorant to not know that you moron! Btw, I recognize your name. You're a lying troll who keeps posting your very stupid comments to the videos like this one. Get lost you lying troll!

[@peternagy-im4be]

He sure did honey

[@robertjean5782]

​@@lynettepalecek3141He was a millionaire, world renowned and traveled to meet anyone of status, certainly had no reason to cheat😊

[@danthemanfan3339]

Can't STAND Ted Lewis. His schmaltzy corny talk-songs- ugh. I'd really hate to have been part of the scene when he was popular, and BOY was he then. Ms Truman on the panel is the daughter of past president Truman. When a critic gave her a less than complimentary review, Truman sent word that if he saw that reviewer on the street he'd punch him right in the nose. Imagine a president saying that now.

[@kevincramer9235]

Easy to imagine now.

[@joncheskin]

That would be a polite comment out of the current administration.

[@preppysocks209]

not in the nose -- the actual part of the body was lower. Truman wrote the letter and did not intend that it actually be sent, but it was and became public.

[@rogerknights857]

@@preppysocks209 "Truman wrote the letter and did not intend that it actually be sent," I've read that his secretary actually circular-filed Truman's intemperate letters, and Truman came to rely on his doing so.

[@lynettepalecek3141]

@Dan Themanfan. You never explained why you can't stand Ted Lewis. What did he do or say that upset you? You shouldn't make such a statement without an explanation.

[@Night-Tid3]

I feel like Bennett was cheating. I wouldn't be surprised if the producers were giving him clues about the contestants.

[@stranger7138]

No doubt.

[@cosybully]

I read that Bennett Cerf was a master at voice recognition. He spoils the fun on a number of these shows by guessing the mystery guest too quickly. Sophie Tucker's return appearance immediately comes to mind.

[@lynettepalecek3141]

BENNETT CERF WAS NOT CHEATING!!!! He did extensive traveling all around the world and he kept up with the current news about famous celebrities and other figures. Don't be so naive.

[@ayishas4385]

No, he wasn't cheating. He's just really good at it. You can see John's disappointment when he can't shake Bennett off the scent. Having watched a lot of these, Bennett is by far the fastest at recognising people he knows. He's also the most up on the news, even obscure news, so if anybody has been in the news lately, he's the fastest to get it.

[@peternagy-im4be]

Cheating Bennett Smurf strikes again.

[@lynettepalecek3141]

BENNETT CERF DID NOT CHEAT!

[@peternagy-im4be]

@@lynettepalecek3141 sure he did

[@robertjean5782]

What's your reasoning for saying this??😮

[@markxxx21]

Leonard keeps going on and on about how good looking Margaret Truman's husband is? Hmmmmm... another Cerf?

[@ericapple1711]

ikleit