What’s My Line?
YouTube has become a friend. I wish I had the courage to have a YouTube channel of my own but what would I say? I could show you the things I’ve knitted this Covid year but there are better crafters than I for that. Maybe I could discuss my favorite books like an elongated show and tell with book report. No…I can just tell you here.
But the blog is dead, isn’t it? I visit very few blogs these days – no one’s home anymore as they all seem to have channels. But I still like my blog even though without being out in the world, I don’t seem to have much to share. Sometimes I wonder if I’ve run out of stories to tell but then eventually, one pops into my head and I immediately think “I should blog about that”…
So back to YouTube: I was under the impression that a podcast was something one listened to but I’ve discovered that podcasts are also things you watch on Youtube. I’ve found some really interesting ones. I’ve also taken some “classes” and learned a few new things this year. And lately, I’ve been spending late evenings watching reruns of the wonderful old TV game show, What’s My Line?
Almost all episodes of What’s My Line (WML) are now on Youtube and they are marvelous. I’ve watched the show evolve over the years that it ran (1950’s – 1960’s) almost every night on my laptop. Occasionally, the panel changed places or a new panelist took the place of another but for the most part, WML was pretty consistent. Consistent in solid entertainment, captivating glamour, and most wonderfully, graciousness and good manners.
In case you don’t know anything about WML, four panelists must identify the occupation of three everyday guests and one mystery guest by asking a series of direct questions. While interviewing the mystery guest, they must be blindfolded as the guests were famous and recognizable. You can see for yourself (and join the WML Facebook page for even more information if you like) but for the purpose of this post, I want to tell you about the true nature of the show.
Watching the panelist affably introduce each other wearing tasteful but no less glamorous evening wear is really something to behold. Not one insider joke, name drop or snigger, WML was nothing short of elegant courteousness. And another thing – everyone from the host to the panelists to the guests were incredibly articulate and intelligent. And they cared – the panelists were kind in their jesting to each another and gracious and welcoming to each guest, even the woman from Florida, missing her front teeth whose day job was jumping into a flaming pool for a grocery store every afternoon! And that’s the other thing about WML – it was truly entertaining and interesting. The mystery guests ran the gamut from Frank Lloyd Wright to Jayne Mansfield. There’s a mystery guest for everyone’s tastes and interests. I just love it.
My favorite panelist is Arlene Francis (pictured above in white glove-prettiness) who enters each episode in a entrancing dress or sparkly suit. After sleuthing a little about her, I discovered she wrote a book about charm called “That Certain Something”. I can see why she was asked to write that book – she was the epitome of kindness, wit, and yes, charm. She and co-female panelists (namely journalist Dorothy Kilgallen) were also doyennes of perfect etiquette in their interactions with everyone on the show without losing a whisper of their charisma or allure.
Reruns of WML naturally have me wondering how all that loveliness morphed into the cleavage-heaving TV world of today. But does it really matter if I know I am the woman I want to be even if I don’t get to wear short white gloves regularly? And if I ever need a top-off of good manners, I have only to turn on YouTube and go straight to What’s My Line.
24 Comments
Sandra Walraven
Thank you so much for writing about What’s My Line. My husband and I have spent evenings watching episodes and are throughly enjoy each one. The show is interesting, funny and the panel elegant, intelligent and well spoken. It’s very refreshing compared to what’s on tv today.
I enjoy your blog and look forward to each post. Thank you for bringing a touch of beauty and class to my day.
A Lovely Inconsequence
Thank you so much Sandra!
A Lovely Inconsequence
Thank you so very much Sandra.
Margaret Powling
OOh, Donna, I do hope blogs aren’t dead, that would put the kibosh on my own blog for a start, and I enjoy writing it becuase it’s a connection with so many friends around the world now, those kind people who have left comments and whom I’ve come to really like as friends.
I can’t recall anyone called Arlene Francie on What’s My Line? I watched this as a child in the 1950s, on our small black & white TV. The compere was Irishman, Eamon Andrews and the panellists were Gilbert Harding (who played up to being an old grouch), Lady Isobel Barnet, Barbara Kelly (wife of Bernard Braden) and magician David Nixon. It was the supreme panel game and hasn’t been bettered. It was such a simple format. And I remember it was the first time that the occupation of “sagger-maker’s bottom knocker” came to my attention. Truly! But whatever the word is about blogs, we must keep them going for those for whom podcats and YouTube films are jsut a techno step too far.
Margaret P
A Lovely Inconsequence
Margaret, I love your blog! Your version of What’s My Line sounds charming!
Beth M.
I hope blogs aren’t dead, especially not this blog. Please keep posting!
Maureen
You are a terrific writer and I always look forward to reading your blog. It always gives me something to think about or aspire to.
A Lovely Inconsequence
Thank you so much Maureen!
A Lovely Inconsequence
Thank you so much Beth. I’m trying!
Carol Gee
I really look forward to your blogs and I am very happy that you will continue to post. I discovered you last year and have worked my way through all your old posts. Please keep up th e good work. I do remember What’s my Line? Now going to investigate You Tube. X
A Lovely Inconsequence
I’m so flattered Carol that you read through my 300 or so posts!
Karen
Blogs are not dead! As long as words are written and published on paper or screens, we will read. Especially insightful and thoughtful pieces which inspire us to think better thoughts and live deeper lives. Thanks for taking the time to write from your heart. I will always look forward to reading whatever you write. I loved this post, although I don’t remember this show. (My parents were very late to TV land.)
xo karen
A Lovely Inconsequence
Thank you Karen! Your readership is so important to me.
Lori
I love this blog and I’m so glad you are still posting. It’s so refreshing to read your lovely, thoughtful writing and remember that life is still filled with such sweetness. Thank you so much for continuing to write, I’ll be right here waiting for your next post.
A Lovely Inconsequence
Thank you Lori! I will continue to write here because I can be myself.
LA CONTESSA
I REMEMBER THAT SHOW!
I didnot recall what it was about but we did watch it!!
I have NEVER gotten into YOU TUBE nor PODCASTS…………………as this BLOGGING takes up enough TIME for me!I do like the silence of a HOME as well………I donot need music or any TV in the background!
NEW POST UP TODAY…………rambeling on as I have not much to say either.
Hope you enjoy the photos!
XXX
A Lovely Inconsequence
I love your blog Contessa!
Ann
I loved WML….and always loved that Arlene wore that diamond heart pendant. Thrilled when my dear husband bought me one for our 25th anniversary!
A Lovely Inconsequence
Ann, you have a lovely husband!
Barbara Ann
At first I thought you were going to tell us that you were stopping blogging. Please don’t! I love to see you in my inbox. Your topics are so varied that it’s liking opening a surprise gift when I am here. It is a delight to read a blog that is written with sensitivity and refinement. Thank you.
I remember watching that game show with my parents and am glad to know that I can watch it again on you tube. Didn’t know that. Maybe we can bring back civility yet!
A Lovely Inconsequence
Thank you Barbara Ann! I intend to keep writing in this space.
Anneli
I’m not sure if they are available on you tube, Donna, but I think you would also enjoy but the British version of ‘ What’s my Line ‘ from the fifties and sixties if you can find them.
Thank you for reminding me about this show , which was a favourite of my Mother’s along with ‘ I love Lucy ‘ and Waggon Triain , and was one of the shows we felt very ‘grown up ‘ to be able to watch with her !
Children’s television programmes from the UK at that time were only broadcast once a day, and television was a very special treat………we got our first set just before the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth 11 , there were not very many families who had one at that time, and I remember my parents friends , our neighbours, gathering around our set that day to watch the ceremony.
Special memories of childhood !
With best wishes from the UK .
A Lovely Inconsequence
Thank you Anneli! I will certainly look for the British version. They are so reassuring, aren’t they?
Karen
What a wonderful post!! Having only recently discovered this game show, I am just as entranced as you. The courtliness and etiquette, beautiful clothes, intelligent quizzings, the euredite insistence upon precision of language–it is one of my mental comfort foods. And, it is the perfect antidote to the current degradation of common courtesy and what now passes for acceptable behavior. I felt when I discovered this show a couple of weeks ago, I had fallen into an Aladdin’s cave of elegance, good will and graciousness. Thank goodness there are hundreds of episodes for us to enjoy! Arlene Francis is my favorite, too! She has such a sparkling merriment about her and is so genuinely interested in people that it just shines! I’m so glad you have introduced your readers to this dependable delight. And, by the way, your blog is also a dependable delight.