You Bet Your Life #60-38 Final episode! ('Table', Jun 29, 1961)

Well, this is it: the last episode of YBYL. There's no reference made to this being the final episode, primarily because no one at the time knew that it would be.
Groucho would continue to limp along in unsuccessful follow-up formats for the next few years, but the end of YBYL basically meant the end of Groucho's time as a major force in television. It was poor scheduling rather than genuine audience disinterest that caused the ratings to plumet prematurely in the last two years, which is a real shame: Groucho was as sharp as ever, the era of prime time game shows was still going strong, and this whole final season demonstrates that the program still had plenty of juice left in it.
So where are the rest of the episodes? There were over 400 episodes produced for television. Of these, around half are totally unaccounted for and quite possibly lost forever. The films we know to survive are the 16mm prints made for syndication. After many years of dedicated collecting I'm still missing a few dozen of these. This is an impossibly difficult series to track without a good log, which makes filling in missing episodes a major uphill battle. No one knows what episodes they have (not unless they have a copy of Mark Petty's log, "Tell 'em Groucho Sent You", and too few people have it.)
I've shared all the shows I've been able to find-- if anyone out there has episodes that I haven't posted yet and is willing to share them, please send me a message. This series has been all but totally inaccessible to the public for over 20 years, and deserves to be much better remembered and more widely seen than it is!
COUPLE #1: Jackie Niles, restaurant hostess / Mal Merritt, father of 11 children who runs a rooming house, and does a nutty dance number that would have made Rowena proud
COUPLE #2: Molly Magruder / Jerry Sherman, USC student
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Click here to subscribe to the YBYL channel, where you'll find well over a hundred complete episodes you can't find anywhere else, as well as some rare Burns and Allen material that doesn't really belong there:
/ @grouchomarx-youbetyou...
New Facebook group for You Bet Your Life! If you've already been sucked into the Facebook vortex, you might as well check it out, right? groups/16432...
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Episode identification and basic description based on "Tell 'em Groucho Sent You", © 1997 by Mark Petty. Used by permission.

[@lenhummel5614]

This great show should have gone on another ten years. Groucho was a true national treasure.

[@acousticshadow4032]

This is quality TV. I just watched no less than 20 episodes in a row. Thank you, Groucho.

[@thomaslee1354]

Sorely missed A national treasure

[@nieldooley2906]

one of the best things on youtube. genuine warm and funny comedy. A million miles away from todays expletive filled comedy acts.

[@lenhummel5614]

So true. This is timeless entertainment.

[@ecmcomichael1]

I don't know about you, but I see a glimpse of Bert Lahr (Cowardly Lion, Wizard of Oz) in the face of Mal Merritt. And how beautiful, graceful and tall his female co-contestant! And only 19 years old. Amazing. Looking at how each of these guests interacted with each other, this was a time when we were perhaps the least divided as a country. I long for a return to those times, however, I'm not holding my breath.

[@ronniebishop2496]

ecmcomichael1 17!

[@garycarpenter2980]

As for the young lady I see Jackie Kennedy as a blonde and I hear her soft voice

[@moss8448]

one day I felt bad and said aw the hell with it...found Groucho on YT and spent one of the best days just going back in time and reminding myself what true wit was.

[@temeculajoe]

A million thanks for putting these up on youtube, Groucho was one of a kind

[@garynorthtruro]

Groucho was truly One Of A Kind.

[@ravensbrood3544]

Society sure has gone downhill since 1961, look at that beautiful 19 year old classy young woman.

[@Lava1964]

Not a tattoo to be found.

[@HansDelbruck53]

@@Lava1964 But we didn't see all of her.

[@ferlenarab]

She is stunning!

[@ncf1]

@@Lava1964 its horrible, all these tattoos, everywhere. People with individuality so rare, just a bunch of lemmings everywhere.

[@SuperPatrick777]

Nothing but reprobates now .

[@peggyann11]

WE NEED MORE SHOWS LIKE THIS . GOD BLESS THE GREAT GROUCHO!

[@Juliaflo]

Don't forget Harpo, Chico, and sometimes, Zeppo.

[@sisterveronicayoung9314]

It's so much fun watching these broadcasts. Thank you for all your efforts in posting as many episodes as possible.

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

Veronica Young My pleasure-- glad you're enjoying the videos. :)

[@BluebirdFrank]

Brilliant timing from the funniest man to ever draw breath - no one comes near then or since

[@JohnSmith-en8vx]

Very true. Groucho is the goat.

[@rockvilleraven]

@@JohnSmith-en8vx Also George Fennerman as the Announcer and straight man to Groucho's comedic foil.

[@patriciamooney928]

Robin Williams and Jonathan Winters were right up there.

[@monstersofthemidway7125]

After all these years, I still enjoy watching Groucho and You Bet Your Life.

[@paulyricca3881]

😠 U NEED A LIFE 💅🏻👴🏻💅🏻 YEA BIG TIME

[@giorgikvatchadze4928]

In this era of rampaging mediocrity and obscenity, your uploads bring back the refreshing winds of the sweet bygone times. I must thank you for giving us the opportunity of experiencing these moments. Subscribing was the least I could do to show my gratitude to you.

[@tomdelayhole]

"obscenity" snicker. One of Groucho's famous lines on the show concerned a married couple with a bunch of kids. Groucho asks, "How did that happen?" The man says "I love my wife." Groucho replied, "I love my cigar, too, but I take it out every once in awhile." I think that episode never aird.

[@Kikilang60]

Bill Cosby did a remake of the show. So much for the obsenity.

[@holleyjomartinez4009]

Amen.

[@rockvilleraven]

@@Kikilang60 Jay Leno's doing a remake, but he can never fill Groucho's shoes.

[@johnbecker9242]

Last episode and both couples won the big money. Great ending to a classic series.

[@marc108]

What makes these so genuine is the humble ways in that people seemed so happy without pretending

[@SallySallySallySally]

Usually, the phrase "final episode" implies that a program has run out of gas, but this episode certainly doesn't fit that category. This is one of the funniest and most entertaining episodes I've seen! Groucho is in absolutely top form as are Fenneman, Meakin and everyone else. I can't thank you enough for going to all the trouble of putting these here.

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

Glad you enjoy the shows-- and I couldn't agree more! There was plenty of gas left in this show.John Guedel and Groucho apparently decided to end YBYL for financial reasons, to pave the way to syndicate the old shows (figuring that they would sell better without "competition" from new episodes). "Tell It To Groucho" was more or less a disaster.

[@Milo30066]

Thanks for these wonderful films. I was several years old when this last episode ended. Duration of life on earth is not fair.

[@J.B24]

Watching that old guy dance makes me think they need to bring back TV like this.

[@1summero]

Thank you for posting these videos. I can remember watching You Bet your Life when I was a kid. Love the show

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

Kay Dugan My pleasure, Kay-- glad you enjoyed them.

[@garydavidderby]

I WAS 19 YEARS OF AGE

[@paulyricca3881]

💅🏻👴🏻💅🏻BREAKIN NEWS U OLD

[@paulyricca3881]

@@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476 WE WAS CELL MATES AT FALSOM REMEMBER ME 💅🏻👴🏻💅🏻 💅🏻👴🏻💅🏻IS MY NAILS DRY? TEE HEE

[@paulyricca3881]

@@garydavidderby 😵💤YAWN

[@thedonwesley5279]

Thanks much ! Now I'm going to start from the beginning and watch them all over again !

[@solohoh]

Thanks for your dedication and time in putting all this together. These shows are still entertaining and bring back lots of pleasant memories. The best part is seeing the personalities and characters of the (1950-1961) era.

[@JohnSmith-en8vx]

Groucho still had his fastball even at the end. A great show for the ages.

[@ed3432]

Thank you for all the uploads. YBYL was a classic. Todays TV shows pale in comparison.

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

ed3432 My pleasure, and thanks for the thanks. :)

[@captaindj9790]

If only the girls we're still well spoken and beautiful like the young lady in the first game.

[@parsonscarlson7984]

Amen! But even a not so attractive girl / young lady would do herself better by wearing a dress and hiding it rather than flaunting it. "A women's best asset is a man's imagination." (read that back in the day in either a Dear Abbey or Ann Landers column and never forgot it).

[@captaindj9790]

@@parsonscarlson7984 Yup! Totally agree. Even my 22 year old son speaks on that when it comes up. His girlfriend is more than happy to wear clothes haha my son is what people would say is an old soul.

[@suttonelms1]

Wonderful timing and wit by Groucho ... what a treasure. I love his smile after cracking a one-liner.

[@NuNugirl]

When this show was on, I was two and a half years old. My Mommy probably had on her light blue shirt waist dress, that’s a cotton dress with buttons in the front that ended at the waist. She always wore a cloth belt around her slender waist. Her hair was the most beautiful color red and always perfectly done. She always wore lipstick, eyebrow pencil and mascara. When she went out she wore gloves, a matching hand bag and shoes. Her light blue eye glasses had rhinestones on them. By today’s standards she was a size 6, 37 years old and I am the youngest of four. My Mom was a natural beauty. I can still see her in my mind’s eye. I miss you Mommy.😇❤️

[@parsonscarlson7984]

Great description. She should've been one of the Miss Housing Development contestants. Might have won.

[@williamanthony9090]

By way of the hundreds of contestants who appeared on this show over the years, You Bet Your Life is an amazing study in sociology!

[@rudolftrost3534]

An absolute truth!

[@MrMenefrego1]

*How many times have you made this same exact comment!*

[@williamanthony9090]

*You tell me. You seem to be counting.*

[@MrMenefrego1]

@@williamanthony9090 At last count, 12 in this comment section alone! We get it, IT'S 'FASCINATING'! You are abusing the right to comment, *ENOUGH ALREADY!*

[@williamanthony9090]

@@MrMenefrego1- *12 my ass....*

[@beatmet2355]

Kudos to whoever compiled these videos. I’m finishing up the playlist after several months of watching with my breakfast. They’ve been very enjoyable.

[@stevebutler812]

Thank you for all your posting & research. Esp not destroying the experience with intrusive ads. I have been motivated by each episode to look up info on one, or more, contestants from each episode. I've added to the Comments, links to articles, etc, on various guests. Many of the Comments include stories from the family or others who personally knew these guests, or were somehow impacted by them. Thus, thanks for not disabling Comments. I know I've spent more time researching YBYL guests than actually watching these episodes. For example, the lovely little girl at 9 years old, Elaine Redie. She waltzed, spoke 4 languages, translated for a German speaking guest, ad-libbed jokes, had been in dozens of TV shows, and said she'd bet her friend $2,000 she was going to be President? Elaine went on to be in about 100 TV episodes. One Commenter noted Elaine co-starred with Ronald Regan on a TV episode called, "Nobodys Child". I found it on KZbin & the young girl acted the part of a feral, abused, filthy, neglected child. Wow. At 10 years old she was the best actor on the episode! But, as the Commenter pointed out, Reagan did go on to be President. And, Elaine? She and her husband stayed married, had a Playhouse in So Cal, and she's still active in plays. Husband died of cancer 20 years ago. It was inspiring, to learn "what happened" to that amazing child, who's German Immigrant parent's obviously modeled something very wonderful. The show gave no tone of racism, except it probably followed the racist policies in effect for the Networks, Sponsors, etc., of the day. Sadly, now the real dangers to censorship are the Tech execs, same story, different elites. Groucho would get banned or demonitized with that material today. There had to have been many homosexuals on the show. Yet, never did Groucho query too deeply when his older guests had never married. Never a hint of bias on that issue. All in all, generally very respectful to guests with the understanding that sarcasm is what Groucho does! And, the obvious sexualization of women? Seriously? It was in all of the Marx Brothers movies. Chorus girls were part of the menu. Right, wrong, or indifderent, Yet, I've never heard any suggestion Groucho abused his influence via sexual harrassment like Bill Clinton, Harvey Wienstein, or "the casting-couch. Groucho had much more access to the most beautiful women of the day. No complaints of abuse. Some guests, faded into obscurity. But, many benefitted, like Jack LaLane, Gypsy Boots Bootzin, Reggie the 1957 Mr Olympia who took his shirt off & posed, people labeled health or fitness nuts, on the fringe, their success developed or increased following an appearance on YBYL. The lovely Sylver family, at a time when YBYL didn't seem to have any black guests, except they appeared alongside another black guest. Who knows why? Groucho made sexual connotations and maybe the risks of a black person with a non-black person in that scenario? The Sylver's parents divorced. But, the 8 Sylver kids performed on Soul Train, had Gold & Platinum records in tbe Disco era. They were just getting started & YBYL purposefully promoted and helped the Sylvers success. That episode was not a coincidence that randomly resulted in their singing on the show. And, Groucho is holding their baby, playfully entertaining the child, years before MLK, Malcolm X, riots, and the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Or, the writer who won $10,000 ($42,000 in 2018) allowing him to devote himself to writing and became hugely successful. He cited that $10,000 win as his freedom to pursue writing, resulting in movies made of his books. Thanks to Groucho. Your work to get these episodes posted has allowed me to enjoy the experiences of learning more about these guests, as I said, partly from the Comments. Like the Comments for "The Great Imposter" episode whose father was one of the Doctors in the hospital where The Great Imposter worked & lived for almost a decade, until his death. The Commenter was in his late teens, & affirmed many things about that fascinating, very rare man, and added in some private conversations. The Commenter had The Great Imposter visit his high school, and his father had him as a guest at there home countless times. The Commenter even posted an experiment he did to test if The Great Imposter actually had a true, photographic memory, using a copy of Sports Illustrated and an article on Kenny Stabler. Look it up. It's in the Comments for that episode. Even Wikipedia doesn't say if he had one, or not, but that it was reportedly photographic. Your Commenter proved it, just shortly before that facsinating man died. Obviously, there was some type of talent-scout out finding & screening people for interesting guests who were on the edges or inside the "Hollywood" scene. I'd love that backstory: "How did guests actually get on the show?" There's got to have been many people being pushed onto the show for their entertainment careers, upcoming movies, books, etc. The sheer number of guests that already were more or less famous made YBYL seem like a Talk Show vs a Game Show. Thanks, and ✌ I have laughed again, with a type of laugh that appreciates the incredibly witty mind of a comic genius. Even with the shows writers, set-ups of interesting guests, & Groucho's vaudeville honed abilities, there is a quality to the overall interplay with everything and everyone that makes each unique episode an experience of glimpsing into people's unique lives. The show presented nearly every age group, social class, and life course. Immigrants. Rich. Working Class. Many languages. Like, the British Rear Admirals daughter who spoke 16+ languages & dialects who bluntly criticized America's sexist attitudes towards women, older women especially, workaholic men, and parentifying of children, all while smoking one of Groucho's Havana cigars? Groucho paid her enormous respect, and that was 15+ years before Feminism! Nobody on TV was getting away with that. Yet, the interplay was hilarious. He didn't back off of a chance to make a sarcastic retort, while allowing most people to get their story out. Jim Carrey playing Andy Kaufman ad mean spirited is how many people see Groucho. This show demonstrated Groucho was just an entertainer, playing a shtick, getting laughs, & making mula. He isn't trying to hurt anyone. Like the unmarried, L.A. city council member Groucho absolutely roasted? He let the guy talk. It was like a free campaign commercial, with a running sarcastic comnentary. Hilarious. They made severe smog problems a funny topic, while the guy announced plans for moving to city control of garbage collection, & the banning of garbage burning. Was that a coincidence? Who knows? The councilman never did marry. Groucho didn't press the issue. Groucho gave him a platform. I was stunned to lose count of how many times Groucho predicted the end of comedy that dares to insult, tease, etc. As in "The Angry Plumber" episode. That plumbers attitude is the epitome of the "Social Justice, Warrior" and "Cancel Culture" that today seeks to punish unto destruction anyone who allegedly offends anyone purporting to either have been offended, or on behalf of anyone who might have been offended. Dave Chappelle refuses to bow. Grouch proclaimed it. 60 years later, a Canadian comedian making a somewhat tasteless joke about a Canadian teen with Tretchers Syndrome was fined $42,000! $35,000 to the supposedly offended kid, and $7,00 for his supposedly offended mom. Inagine what Groucho's retort to that might be? Thanks. Groucho sent me.

[@cvv3670]

I stumbled on all these episodes and have been watching them over for weeks! Brilliant, thank you !

[@519djw6]

Jackie Niles was absolutely gorgeous! I wish more of these younger contestants, who have a greater likelihood of still being among the "Land of the Living," would see these videos and drop a line.

[@josephhellstern949]

that's what I was thinking too she was gorgeous. 1961 what would have happened to her I often wonder occasionally people or their kids do pop up on these comments. Interesting to find out what happens as some of the contestants

[@deltabilly1]

Thanks so much for posting these!!!! You got me hooked.

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

So glad you're enjoying them-- I'm hoping to be able to post some additional shows soon!

[@SecsSells]

Two beautiful ladies in the finale! Jackie worked in a nice place that still exists. Molly was on Surfside 6 and Make Room for Daddy

[@SK-jt1kp]

Thank You from the bottom of my heart for uploading all these wonderful Groucho YBYL episode, I can't imagine the work it has/is for you but please know that it is deeply appreciated. You have brightened many a day for me by having these available. Be Well, Happy and Prosperous~ SK in USA (NC)

[@harmonysinger8077]

TY indeed.

[@westy40]

Appreciate all the posts and the creation of this awesome channel. Lots of enjoyment and laughs and a type of humor we'll never see again.

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

westy40 My pleasure. It's been a delight to see the comments from folks just discovering (or rediscovering) the series. But when will this ever come back into reruns??? There are so many more episodes readily available that I don't have, after 20 years of collecting.

[@sadiajhonson1338]

what. goine. on o ko I

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

Sadia Jhonson Well said, Sadia. Well said. Or rather, "What the hell?"

[@louissrcappitelli2064]

Sadia Jhons

[@altfactor]

At least "You Bet Your Life", after fourteen years combining TV and radio, went out "with a bang", with it's final two teams of contestants each winning their big questions, with one of them splitting $5,000.

[@davidlogansr8007]

Yes, that was rare, and made me happy! Even the old guy who danced hugged Groucho, who was 78 years old when this was filmed!

[@davidlogansr8007]

One of these couples should have chosen a new DeSoto, with the Chrysler Corporation eating the difference! My Dad had a DeSoto and it was one H[££ of a car! Dad always looked for Chevy’s or any GM car and would quietly push the button for Low1, and all they would see was six tail lights! Happy Memories with the DeSoto that ate GM!

[@marymarysmarket3508]

@@davidlogansr8007 no..groucho was 71 here

[@altfactor]

DeSoto's sponsorship of "You Bet Your Life" ended at the conclusion of the 1957-58 TV season.

[@ChatGPt2001]

The final episode of "You Bet Your Life" titled "Table" aired on June 29, 1961 [1]. "You Bet Your Life" was an American quiz show hosted by Groucho Marx of the Marx Brothers, with George Fenneman as the announcer and assistant [1]. The show originally debuted on ABC Radio in October 1947, then moved to CBS Radio in September 1949, and finally transitioned to NBC-TV in October 1950 [1]. The format of the show was simple, but the interplay between Groucho, the contestants, and George Fenneman was the highlight of the program [1]. The show was known for its comedic banter and Groucho's quick wit.

[@theresaholguin699]

Mel was an absolute cool guy. Groucho was a genius. Love Groucho and all the Marx brothers

[@yannschonfeld5847]

Un très grand merci pour tous vos efforts et votre courage de chercher ces épisodes et de les télécharger.

[@stevebutler812]

Oiu, Oiu. And, that's all the French I know. That is, if you don't count French Fries. And, who's counting? I never do. I just eat them.

[@harmonysinger8077]

Merci Beaucoup!

[@iamseekingtheway]

Thank you for archiving these for future generations. I've watched these every day since i moved into my new house. That will always be a good memory for me. I appreciate that very much!

[@akshatasrecipes]

Thanku so much for postings these episodes of ybl......Groucho was a genius ... if you do find anymore please do post...

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

anne sequeira I am at the mercy of the kindness of strangers! But I certainly will post any more shows I find. I'm not optimistic, unless the show comes back into reruns, but if it does, this entire YT channel will probably be toast.

[@williamanthony9090]

Akshata's Recipes- Bill Cosby did a revival of this show in the early 1980's, and although he was pretty quick witted himself, the "magic" just wasn't there anymore. I would like to see those shows, however, if somebody has copies of them. (Of course "rapist" Cosby's fall from grace, due to his own criminal and atrocious behavior, will probably keep that from ever happening.)

[@irgski]

Mal was a pretty good foil to Groucho!

[@davidlogansr8007]

That RARE bird, an episode I do not recall! I remember watching Groucho and YBYL and even if due to then age, I didn’t get all the jokes, I fo now, and my long held appreciation of Mr.Marx is at its Zenith! I really do believe that Groucho was truly, the funniest msn who ever lived!

[@NuNugirl]

We watched this show on a black and white Zenith TV. 😜sorry I can’t help myself.

[@dranthonysheeran6]

Thanks for this wonderful collection--Anthony Sheeran

[@davidlogansr8007]

Sorry for my typos, but I guess my point got through! Thank You for sharing these wonders!

[@davidcaruso4859]

That old guy was a funny funny man

[@aloisemason3044]

The contestants were so greatful in everything presented..

[@harmonysinger8077]

Very entertaining 60+ years later Yet so nostalgic

[@elizabethdepalma9371]

Oh my God! The dance is wonderful.☺☺☺☺☺

[@kinky_Z]

Thank you so much for uploading all these episodes and for Mark Petty's and your precise annotation! I grew up watching Groucho every week. I was 13 when this final episode aired. These videos brought back memories of the smog and the strange cultural beliefs that I grew up in in the L.A. community of Whittier. With a now distant perspective, it gives me some strong personal, psychological, bittersweet insights. How far we've come! Good and bad.

[@stevebutler812]

You know, I never thought about it like that. You are correct. I grew up in Nor Cal, SF Bay Area. L.A., SF, few other places in the USA where it was almost normal to run into people like the ones on Groucho's show. Sure, NYC, D.C., Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, tourist sites. But, that's all day every day in SF & L.A. I had a very hard time understanding why a black man with a white woman was a problem when I was in D.C. in the 1990's! I'd been seeing that from SF to So Cal, all my life. My Aunts participated in tbe UC Berkeley riots, Haight Ashbury scene, etc.They were later referred to as Hippies. Yet, I had an uncle that made Archie Bunker seem polite and respectful. He had about 50 ugly words to describe black people. In CA racism is less common or out there. The vibe has been anti-racism for decades. It's definitely a huge influence to live in Ca one's entire life, amongst that level of multiples of diversity, vs seeing it through that 📺 bubble. When you can eat ethnic foods prepared in that ethnicities various sub-cultures, it's kind of mind-blowing to not even be able to find a decent salad bar in some middle America all-you- can -eat, mostly fried food, less diverse locals. I say, "dude" because I've been saying, "dude" for like, 45 years. Sean Penn in Good Times at Ridgemont High, had the Cali thing goin on. I cannot imagine if I grew up in podunkville, nowhere in particular, going through some mono-culture separated mostly by financial diversity. When watching the Hare Krishna dudes walking down the street ain't no thing, you mighta grown up in Cali. Hopefully, we're more "chill" for it. Now, the 150,000 homeless is definitely a big issue. Overtaxed to death. But, beats many places where I'd probably notice someone wearing some traditional dress from a place I couldn't even find on the globe. Here? Just a normal thing. That must have had an influence on me I can not measure. ✌

[@dontyaeverwashthatthing9176]

thanks for providing this gift

[@MMitchellMarmel]

Thank you very much for your efforts. I've enjoyed the run.

[@cefcat5733]

She is 80 now. Hope she is watching. Bet she is still lovely. It seems like Groucho might have had scouts, in order to find beauty and a good sense of Humor in his guests. Wonderful chemistry.

[@loissimmons109]

Mal Merritt's sleepy and somewhat fuzzy voice reminds me of a long time character actor, Henry Jones (some may remember his as Judge Dexter on the TV show "Phyllis"), but his mannerisms remind of Wallace Shawn (Vizzini in "The Princess Bride"). Mal had a comedy flair of his own, but as far as I can tell, never on the screen other than his brief appearance on the finale of YBYL.

[@parsonscarlson7984]

He definitely looked like Krushev, as he mentioned his friends said of him.

[@alfredroberthogan]

I was able to get a couple of short items for my doctoral dissertation on radio and TV space coverage from 1923 to the present--anecdotes from the 1956 episode with rocket sled pioneer John Paul Stapp and the 1958 episode with George Jarvis the guided missiles guy, in a humorous exchange with host Groucho Marx. I had recently found and transcribed some Milton Berle jokes about the Space Age from a November 1958 episode of another NBC TV series, like You Bet Your Life, ,also hosted by someone gifted with the Jewish comedic gene.Growing up, I heard my poor dear Father mention the lowering of the duck with the Secret Word. He and my poor dear Mother evidently watched this program more than a few times. It makes me so sad to realize that Mr. Marx and so many people in these clips are no longer with us. I had only seen brief clips from this series until this week. As a journalist and historian, I am painfully aware how much of our broadcasting heritage has apparently been lost, and how limited is the access to much of what definitely still does exist. Thank you very much for your efforts in making this programming available for educational and scholarly purposes, and more. I have now filled in a gap in my TV history literacy. My 2005 master's thesis Televising The Space Age is available free online via the UMCP DRUM Web site. My doctoral dissertation will be called Anchors, Astronauts, and Audiences. Following the sage advice of William Shakespeare, among others, I am including a few pieces of comic relief in it.

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

These shows are of great cultural value, and deserve to be AVAILABLE to the public, which far too often they're not even cases like YBYL where the shows are in the public domain. I'm delighted to hear you were able to use these posts to help with your dissertation-- that's not exactly something I ever expected to read in response to these shows! :)

[@suzannemorrow9987]

so delightful !! makes me think of my Dad & Mom !!

[@josephpalermo4538]

At 71...Groucho was still pretty sharp for his age!!!!

[@christopherkloe6442]

Mal Merritt is nearly as good as Albert Hall. Thx for all this.

[@sticksbass]

really fun watching these old shows.

[@sallykohorst8803]

thanks so much for all the episodes you could give us and they are so funny. Love regular people on the show and not stars.

[@mikeoak5289]

At the Santa Barbara Library I found a DVD called the Lost Episodes of YBYL. None of them are here on you tube.

[@lenb7275]

I was born June 5 61 I enjoy watching these videos

[@parsonscarlson7984]

Thanks for the uploads. I've enjoyed every one of them. Learned a lot about how it was back in the day, a few years before and after my birth. What a contrast to today in decency, respect, mannerisms, and behavior in dress and general appearance. How far America has fallen in these respects, but admittedly, on the flip side, we have made progress in other areas. Not enuff, however.

[@katyluby8735]

I truly wish this show ran longer. It was True Entertainment!

[@keithnaylor1981]

Fantastic last show. One of the best!!! Now back to the top and continue with my weekly dose of this super brilliant show, as entertaining now as it was then.

[@WaterShowsProd]

I was sure there was going to be a reveal that Mal Merritt was actually an old Vaudeville performer and perhaps an old aquaintence Groucho's when he and his brothers were on the circuit. He was quite a card and Groucho clearly enjoyed playing with him.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Mal Merritt was a real hoot. What a funny guy!!! He had that gorgeous Jackie Niles in stitches.

[@altfactor]

For it's final season, "You Bet Your Life" went head-to-head against the then-red-hot crime drama "The Untouchables". Although "You Bet Your Life" had spent most of it's run among the ten most popular prime-time shows on American television, it's ratings plunged in it's final season.

[@marions.120]

Khrushchev doing ballet was hilarious!

[@E.Carrillo]

Groucho was a good straight man when he wanted to be.

[@harlow743]

He played straight to both Chico and Harpo

[@blitzkrieg3546]

Groucho truly the Ladies man.

[@DomFalance]

if you're gonna go out, at least go out with an endgame win.

[@parsonscarlson7984]

Reminds me of Ted Williams going 6 for 8 in a double-header on the last day of the season!

[@bobthetvfan]

The ratings had fallen somewhat against "The Untouchables" on ABC; also, Groucho had grown tired of the show after 14 years (including radio). I've read somewhere that the day before this show was filmed he told a friend that it would be the last, He did reappear briefly on CBS in 1962 in "Tell It To Groucho," which lasted from January to May, and there was a British version, "Groucho," in 1965 which Groucho said failed because the audience didn't have the foggiest notion of what he was talking about.

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

Bob Patrick Frankly, the correct info you offered in your own comment completely contradicts the notion that Groucho had grown tired of doing a TV quiz show! He was on record many times that he loved doing the show, not to mention how important it was to his ego as a performer to be in the public eye, and earning big money. "Tell It To Groucho" was at least the third attempt to get Groucho back on TV in a weekly quiz format, and then-- as you said-- he did a short run of shows in England in 1965. He certainly didn't need the money, so if he was sot tired of doing the show, why on Earth would he have continued looking for a YBYL-replacement for the next 3 years? Note, too, that the show wasn't even officially cancelled-- they would have gone into a 12th TV season if a second sponsor had been lined up, but they weren't able to find one. The ratings had tanked when they changed the time slot to 10:30PM in the prior year, and sponsors were no longer interested. That's the whole story. Groucho's feelings had nothing to do with it-- if he'd had his choice, the show would have kept running.

[@bobthetvfan]

+Groucho Marx - You Bet Your Life I should point out that Groucho, in his book "The Secret Word Is Groucho," said that the "YBYL" format had become too familiar and that he wanted to do something else. John Guedel almost immediately came up with what would become "Tell It To Groucho." So I guess it would be more accurate to say that Groucho didn't want to be off television, or even off a game show, but he wanted to do something different. Also, the show moved to 10 PM in 1958, after DeSoto dropped sponsorship, and yes, the ratings did begin to slip about that time. Unfortunately, by 1961 the audience had dropped below 10 million viewers (compare that to its combined radio-TV audience of about 40 million at the show's peak in the mid-'50s. The first attempt to syndicate the show, in the 1960s, was not as successful as the '70s attempt, perhaps because there was a whole new audience of young people who vaguely remembered the show as children or who hadn't been born when the show was on NBC,

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

Bob Patrick Since I left my comment about this last year, I've learned a little more about how YBYL went off the air. Turns out that Guedel and Groucho had a specific financial interest in YBYL being cancelled and a new format launched, because Guedel felt that YBYL would not sell in syndication if it was still running on network television. They had decided as early as Feb of 1961 that YBYL would not return in the fall (newspaper articles from the time confirm it). Unfortunately, their first attempt at tweaking the format, "What Do You Want?", didn't sell. The WDYW pilot isn't much better than "Tell It To Groucho", but at least Fenneman was still in it. It was a huge mistake. I'm convinced that YBYL had enough life left in it to last another couple seasons. Groucho was still in top form, imo. It was the time slot change, and Guedel's decision to retire the program, that really ended Groucho's time in weekly television. They made a bundle of money syndicating YBYL, but the exposure was probably just as important to Groucho as the money was. A real shame.

[@jessenone3708]

I watched these shows when I was a kid, but only because i had no other choice, my dad and mom like it so i had to watch it too//. that was the 50s

[@kevinjudy7218]

The tall girl is Hot!! Groucho was better than his usual BEST!

[@m42037]

Funny she's 19 and not old enough to take cocktail orders. This is the only country in the world where you have to be 21, (18-19 any other countries) you can go to war, but can't have a drink, or a joint now cannibus is legal, which shouldn't of been banned anywhere nobody has ever died from it. Also Jay Leno is remaking Groucho's show You Bet Your Life, I hope he pays respect to him he was the best, him and Johnny Carson

[@anthonylucchese421]

I get a laugh and chuckle out of each episode! Great impromptu comic Groucho is and hope that maybe in 2020 that this show will return with a new host. Anthony Joseph Lucchese

[@roadking0073]

🧐"I've been married 32 years!" 🤓"Well, what are you crowing about?"😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 Poor Groucho, he couldnt get anybody to bite on the Bald bird joke! I'm sure Mel was the funniest Uncle at the family gatherings.

[@subrotochatterjee5788]

When two thousand five hundred dollars was enough for the girl to say: “Now I can get married!”

[@rj6683]

That second guy Jerry ,pretty funny-looking.

[@laurnaleto4622]

In the Songwriters' Hall of Fame, Harry Ruby scored several of the Marx Brothers films, and created enduring songs, e.g., "Who's Sorry Now."

[@MileyonDisney]

The 19-year-old girl was cute - kinda looks like Katherine Heigl or Mandy Moore.

[@user-qo2wv7zj5o]

Love that 19 year old !! I will marry her but I think she was 7-8 years older than me.

[@Tervahattu]

Jackie is so wonderful and charming

[@loissimmons109]

It was a shame that another winning format couldn't be found for Groucho. I wonder if they assumed that with his talent, he could make anything work. It seems to me that there are three basic types of quiz shows: those that rely on knowledge and ability (e.g. Jeopardy or Concentration); those that are celebrity based (e.g. Hollywood Squares and many of the Goodson-Todman shows); those that are comedy oriented, often at the expense of a non-celebrity contestants (e.g. Let's Make a Deal and Chuck Barris's shows). Most of those comedy oriented concepts would not have fit Groucho. Groucho's comedy was part visual, but mostly cerebral. One more recent game show that might have worked for Groucho is Family Feud (imagine 10 contestants to spar with!). Alas, Mark Goodson developed it 15 years too late for Groucho.

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

The debacle that was "Tell It To Groucho" is good indication of how much more was involved in producing such a great show as YBYL than just sticking a brilliant comic in the middle of it all. Almost no other game show was produced the way YBYL was (as far as I know, only "Who Do You Trust"), and the production methods had a great deal to do with making the show click. Not to mention the irreplaceable George Fenneman. You can't manufacture chemistry like that. YBYL was a very special show-- it never would have been what it was without Groucho, of course, but Groucho wasn't the sole reason it was so great.

[@loissimmons109]

Absolutely. And time and place play a part. Basically the same format as YBYL was moved over to England, but with a different audience and without George Fenneman, it flopped. And in the history of Family Feud, i read that at one time it was the most popular game show in the country. But then the American public's tastes started to change and Wheel of Fortune rose to the top. And shows with a lot of interaction between the host and the contestants need the right type of host. Game shows like Pyramid only need an attractive host with a nice, calm voice. The quiz itself, the celebrities (although some shows like Jeopardy don't have one other than the host), sometimes some gimmicks (e.g. Press Your Luck) and the contestants' excitement carry the show. But a show like Family Feud with many hosts over the years, it is clear that some hosts were way more suited for the role than others. I have personal experience on how contestants are selected for quiz shows. Shortly after college, I qualified for Jeopardy (the Art Fleming years). And in the summer of 2003, I passed the qualifying test and was interviewed by a staff member for Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Although they never tell you the reason why, my guess is that I was considered too low key and maybe without an interesting enough back story (like the public school teacher who was also a professional wrestler who also qualified for Millionaire). And perhaps, being from the NYC area and testing in NYC, there were too many people who were of the same demographic as me. (One of the ironies of my life is that it is far more interesting now and I am definitely in a different demographic, but I have not kept up enough with all the latest entertainment, sports and current events to do well on those types of shows now.)

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

There's one episode of the Groucho BBC series posted to this channel, the only to surfaced publicly since they originally aired. The legend goes that the show was a colossal flop, because UK audiences were expecting the Marx Brothers Groucho, not the YBYL Groucho. I don't know how true that was, but certainly the show didn't succeed. The one show we have is fairly good, imo. Not great, but a lot better than "Tell It To Groucho". Then again, Joy Harmon alone sets my teeth so on edge, I'm probably not a good judge! :) That's a shame you didn't make it on either of those shows. I don't think I'd be great at a hardcore trivia/knowledge game like Jeopardy, but I always thought I would do great on a Pyramid or Password-type show-- except for being too much of an introvert to even consider auditioning!

[@loissimmons109]

Hmm. At the time I auditioned, I was also something of an introvert, especially when I auditioned for Jeopardy way back in the day. But I knew I could do well and a desire to win some big money (the first time just out of college and the second time to pay off business debts) overcame fear of pulling a Ralph Kramden "I brive a druss" or not knowing the composer of Swanee River. I seriously doubt that anyone who has spoken to me in the last few years would call me an introvert now. I am living proof that a major life change can begin a "new life" at 60. But my days of doing well on general knowledge shows is past. It would have to be a word game. And there just aren't that many quiz or game shows of that type being made any more. I'm not extroverted enough to do what my aunt did years ago and dress up like some fruit or vegetable (a tomato?) when she got to act like an idiot in front of Monty Hall on Let's Make a Deal. Of current game shows, I could do well on Chain Reaction (if it is renewed, it is taped in NYC) but I need a partner; I don't have a large enough family for Family Feud; I also would do well on Pyramid and it is taped in NYC (hmm - hopefully not during March or April in tax season). I saved Wheel of Fortune for last because yes I would do well on it. It is taped in LA usually, except for special weeks here and there. But I highlight it because it is the only game show I have watched in the studio audience. And therein lies a tale. I was on my honeymoon and we did the NBC tour on Saturday morning. At the end of the tour, they gave away free tickets to game shows they were taping that afternoon. Not having heard of either show, we picked one basically by eeny, meeny, miny, moe. We went across the street to eat lunch (no, not the infamous NBC commissary) while waiting for the show to start. Soon we noticed that a black woman kept looking over at us from a couple of tables away. She would turn away when she saw us looking back. We speculated that maybe she disapproved of us because we were an interracial couple (not that common at the time). Finally she came over. It was just the opposite. Her husband was white and was a possible contestant on Wheel of Fortune that afternoon. (They had nine people available to come on the show and they would randomly pick two new contestants to face the returning champ.) She said that they didn't have anyone there to root for him if he got picked. She was hoping that because of what we had in common we would root for him. Sure, I said, but we had tickets for the other show. Don't worry about it, she told us, there are more than enough tickets available and they won't mind doing an exchange. So that's how I got to see Wheel of Fortune. But this was in June 1981. Chuck Woolery was the host and Susan Stafford was the hostess. (A really zany woman, we were advised by our new acquaintance. Who knew Susan would walk away from Wheel the following year to go to college and begin a life of humanitarian work?) We got to see a game show from the audience perspective: watch for the applause sign and make a lot of noise when it flashes, don't shout out answers (not easy for me!), and the on air joke during the second taping about how we were a better audience than for the last show! Woolery and Stafford made a very good team and interacted verbally much more than Pat and Vanna. As for the man we were to root for? He didn't get on the show. But just for our willingness to be there for him in case he did, we were treated to a free dinner at a posh restaurant on top of what is a tall building by LA's standards. He provided the piano entertainment there. Not only was it a chance to dress up, but we really needed that free meal because we were just about out of money. It was the last night of our honeymoon and we flew back to NY the next morning. Alas, the marriage lasted less than a year, but the show and the memory live on.

[@grouchomarx-youbetyourlife7476]

Very interesting stories, Lois-- thanks for sharing them! :)

[@user-is7cu5mi6o]

I'm Italian and I don't know English. I'm discovering these videos (I already knew the genius of Groucho) and although I only have the subtitle track in Italian to understand, I enjoy it very much even if I am aware that I am losing a lot of Groucho Marx's humor.

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

Love 💘 how Groucho says, "Pittsburghhhh" 😃

[@billthompson6442]

If instead Groucho had said “ instead squeezing the hair out of you “ he said i had a hard time plucking the hair out of you” it would have been funnier! I can not ever be his equal but I can weigh in once in awhile. Rip Groucho, we love you and miss. Speaking of weighing in, Groucho lightened the load for all of us ( lol) Later Bill Thompson

[@MrJoeybabe25]

When was the episode filmed? The networks usually cancel and renew shows in the spring...earlier than later, thought this may not have been the case in 1961. Surprised he didn't know. Another reason for not mentioning that it was the last show (if he knew it) is that it was going right into syndication, and they didn't want to make folks think the show was going away.

[@sammyvh11]

The pride of Freedonia.

[@GeorgeSwift-qj1ik]

Groucho was the #1 punster of all time!

[@J.B24]

They need to bring this back. But this was when there was good wholesome music.

[@tubapizza]

Family legend had it thay a cousin, Arthur Sexauer, was a contestant. Groucho's line : "Sex hour? we're lucky to get a coffee break around here!" In the 90 minute blooper compilation, Groucho says something about "Joe Sexauer", it has to be Art. Do you have any idea when that was? thanks!

[@maughmer]

I came here looking for James Hong. Last week he mentioned to Kimmel that he'd been on the show. I'm now wondering if that's one of the missing episodes.

[@boostboost8567]

R.I.P. MAL A real funny guy..

[@fatbowe]

I actually saw this show when it aired...😂yes iam old🎉

[@sweiland75]

Are there any nineteen year old girls, nowadays, who want to get married? LOL

[@MileyonDisney]

Thank you, Nickelodeon and Disney Channel!

[@Tre404]

@Brian ... Well said.

[@RonnieMinh]

Wow ... the gal in the first segment is a a "dead ringer" for Jessica Simpson.

[@Hankjones1]

The hundred-dollar questions are only easier if you know the answer😂

[@papagen00]

I go to a lot of high end restaurants but have never encountered a young luscous sweet thing like this girl.

[@Judahthanksgiving]

Big fan of Groucho.