Gene Rayburn

WHAT’S MY LINE?-Aired September 13, 1968

gamespeopleplayed December 24, 2023 No Comments

Host: Wally Bruner
Announcer: Johnny Olson
Panel:

• Soupy Sales
• Meredith MacRae
• Gene Rayburn
• Arlene Francis

Ah, but Arlene all of those things I have done, none of them compares with working with you on What’s My Line? and the rest of our very charming panel.

What things?? We don’t know, Buzzr clipped the intro again.

FIRST GUEST: Rufus Harley (Philadelphia, PA)

He’s self-employed and deals with a service.

Soupy: With what you’re wearing, would that have to do with what you do? (Afro-centric outfit)
It IS what he wears, but it’s not necessary $5
Meredith: Do you work for a profit-making organization?
Forgot the self-employed bit, she gets a pass.
Can your services be provided for both men and women?
Yes
Do you entertain people in any way?
Yes
Indoors more than outdoors?
Both, though mostly indoors. Not important, though.
Do people watch you?
Yes
You don’t touch people in any way?
No means Yes
Do you hold anything in your hand?
Yes
Can you perform on a nightclub stage?
Yes
When you have this thing in your hand, can you also move it away?
Yes
Are you a juggler?
No $10
Gene: Does who he do involve music?
Yes
Is his instrument in the string family?
No $15
Arlene: Is it a pipe?
Hmmmm, yes
Do you hold it in your mouth?
Yes
Something other than the flute?
Yes
Would knowing the instrument be essential?
Yes
“An instrument that we are not so accustomed to seeing in our orchestra?”
Yes
In the Kazoo Family?
No $20
Soupy, going through all of what Arlene has found out: Are you a clarinet player?
No $25
Meredith: The instrument longer than a whistle?
Yes
Do you play a recorder and cobras come up?
No $30
Gene: An instrument that the Western World is familiar with?
Yes 30 second warning
Is it a recorder?
No $35
Arlene with a final question: Does your costume bely the quality of the instrument, by that I mean is it anything like a bagpipe…

ARLENE DOES IT AGAIN! Yes, Rufus PLAYS BAGPIPES, Jazz bagpipe. He’s part of a four-piece combo and the American Federation of Musicians. Plus, he’s the only Left-Handed Bagpiper And of course, we have a performance.

SECOND GUEST: Bob Krugman (Chicago, IL)

He’s self-employed and deals with a product.

Arlene: Would I be interested in your product?
Possibly
Be interested for a man?
No $5
Soupy: Would it be good for an animal?
No $10
Meredith: Does your product come in contact with the body?
Yes
Is it other than clothing?
Absolutely not (No Means NO this time) $15
Gene: Is it an expensive product?

Does it change the appearance of the individual involved?
Hopefully
In the cosmetic field?
No $20
Arlene: Is it anything in the massage field?
No $25
Soupy: Benefit from the body up?
Sometimes “I’m beginning to understand you”
Soupy Passes
Meredith: When someone wears this product, can you see it?
Yes it’s not undergarments
Is it an accessory rather than a whole thing?
No $30
Gene: Is it made of animal substances?
Sometimes
Can also be made out of plastics?
In the broad sense
A harness?
No $35
Arlene: Would I be interested in buying for an animal?
No $40
Soupy: Would a woman wear this more than a man?
Definitely, Passes Again
Meredith (who was thinking Strait Jacket at one point): is it a bikini bathing suit?
No $45
Gene: Is it decorative?
Yes
Do you design the ones you make?
Yes
Is it made of fabrics?
Yes
Are they NOT utilitarian?
Yes means NO! Game over

Arlene would’ve gotten it: Bob makes MATERNITY CLOTHES, owner and designer of Plus One. Or Plus One Etc. depending on how many children a mother has. Before this, he was a stage actor and rock singer.

MYSTERY GUEST

Wally figures it’s okay to cut the panel 30 seconds, since this one is so well known. (2 1/2 Minutes Total)

Meredith: Are you in the entertainment business? “You might say that” (Sounds like Paul Lynde)
Gene: Are you primarily an actor? No
Arlene: Are you in the theater? No
Soupy: Are you known mostly for television? “Sort of”
Meredith: Have you ever had your own television series? Yes
Gene: Do you sing? “Sort of” (Deep-voiced)
Arlene: Are you singing someplace around New York at the present time? Yes (About to burst)
Soupy: Would this be in a nightclub? Yes and No
Meredith: Are you also known for your recordings? Yes
Gene guesses Mel Torme…RIGHT!

Mel was nervous after he did an interview with Patrick O’Neal. When O’Neal asked about lunch, Mel let him know off the record. Pat joked that he was on the panel. Soupy talks about a special Mel did with the Marty Page Group. Gene was amazed Mel could disguise his voice.

Closing: Looking back on the past week, Wally points out some great highlights. Soupy learning Yoga, Meredith’s father as a mystery guest and Arlene’s amazing skills. She doesn’t take all the credit for the work.

What’s My Line? is owned by Fremantle.

WHAT’S MY LINE?-September 11, 1968

gamespeopleplayed October 21, 2023 No Comments

Host: Wally Bruner
Announcer: Johnny Olson
Celebrity Panel:

• Soupy Sales
• Meredith MacRae
• Gene Rayburn
• Arlene Francis

FIRST GUEST: Miss X

She’s self-employed and deals in a service. (Wally forgets to show the audience the answer

1 Gene: Is it a physical activity?
Yes
Do you wear a certain costume when you perform?
Yes
Is it in the general field of entertainment?
Yes
Is it something that might go on in New York?
Yes
Could I do it with you?
Yes
“Would you like to meet me after the show?”
Yes (OH-OH!)
Would it be a pleasurable experience?
Yes “You do your show and I’ll do mine!”
Would it be remunerative to you?
Yes (There’s some compensation for her)
Would it change my physical appearance?
“It Could” but for the most part, No $5

2 Arlene: Is it a good idea to have music playing?
Yes
Does dancing come into it in anyway?
Yes
Are you a go-go dancer or belly dancer?
THE SECOND ONE

And Miss X’s real name is…LITTLE EGYPT! The Little Egypt, great granddaughter of the original who performed at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. This Little Egypt has been performing since five, but in nightclubs for about 6 1/2 years. And it pays extremely well…SHOCKER! Wally decides to pay her well by awarding the entire $50.

She went out the wrong way. Should I go get her?

Gene

SECOND GUEST: The Rev. Dale Lend (former assistant pastor of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church)

While attending school for his Masters at New York Theological Seminary, he’s in an occupation. It’s salaried and deals with a service.

1 Arlene: Have anyone ever called you a “swinging minister”?
Yes
Are you interested in new music?
Yes, but it might lead you on the wrong path. Wally lets it go. Since it ruined her plan, Arlene will pass. NOW it’s a No $5

2 Soupy: “You’re the guys who originated turtlenecks”
Something concerned with entertainment?
No $10

3 Meredith: Does it involve teaching?
No $15

4 Gene: Is it a full-time job?
Yes
Are people’s lives benefited in any way?
Perhaps (Let the laughter begin)
Sex involved?
Yes
Families?
Mmmm….No $20

5 Arlene: Do you move around from place to place?
No $25

6 Soupy: Something that I might come to you?
Yes
If I had this problem, would I have a problem?
Perhaps
If I came to you over a period of time, would it change my outlook?
The Rev. thinks so
When a person finishes coming to you, are they liable not to bother with a particular vice? Gambling, drinking, wild wild women?
Yes
Do you deal with alcoholics?
Sometimes, Soupy Passes

7 Meredith: Are you involved with gambling or card playing?
No $30

8 Gene: Do you work with young people or teenagers? (Arlene: “Alcoholic teenagers”)
No $35

9 Arlene: Does psychology have anything to do with you job?
Psychology made fit in to any job, but overall in this case, No! $40

10 Soupy: Anything to do with Alcoholics Anonymous?
No $45

11: Meredith: Do you come in contact physically?
Game Over $50

The Rev. must confess: He’s a BARTENDER. He works at Mr. Lacy’s in NYC for the last seven months and graduated from the International Bartending School. No, Arlene it’s not a milk bar. And at the job, Dale’s Reverend Uniform stays at home. On Sunday, he preaches at various congregations as a fill-in. It’s a way to relate to people he wouldn’t meet at work.

MYSTERY GUEST

1 Meredith: Are you in the entertainment business?
Yes (sounds like Donald Duck)
2 Gene: Are you an actor?
Yes
3 Arlene: Are you also a singer?
Yes
4 Soupy: Are you currently starring on your own television show?
No
5 Meredith: Are you my father?
YES, Gordon MacRae

Gordon’s been doing that “Donald” voice since Meredith’s been a baby. Now he’s doing it with her 2-month-old daughter, Amanda. He was hoping Meredith would catch on, since only Rich Little can do it better. (What about Clarence Nash?) The proud father dotes on his other daughter, Heather. She’s appearing in a movie and previous in a show called “Here’s Where I Belong” Truthfully, Gordon and the missus never gave advice about going into show business. He didn’t even know when Meredith got her first TV role in “My Three Sons”. The girls discovered it for themselves. Meredith said they’d preferred she’d become an English teacher.

Closing: Gene is a Yachtsman. Living in Long Island Sound, he was surrounded by boat races, but only got into it 3-4 years. Moving to Cape Cod, Gene bought a 13 ft. Fiberglas Catamaran and discovered the thrill of sailing against the elements.

He was in a yacht just the other day. He chased his girl around the deck for three hours.

Soupy

Gene gets more time with boats that he did with flying a plane.

The stalling ends so we could get to the real show: Little Egypt showing her stuff!

What’s My Line? is owned by Fremantle.

WHAT’S MY LINE?-2nd Taped Episode (Aired Sep. 10 1968)

gamespeopleplayed September 30, 2023 No Comments

Host: Wally Bruner
Announcer: Johnny Olson

Celebrity Panel:

• Soupy Sales
• Meredith MacRae
• Gene Rayburn
• Arlene Francis

And I tell you, Arlene, it’s much better being here than Saigon.

Wally’s intro, with no context (Why’d you delete the panelists intros, Buzzr??!)

FIRST GUEST: Esteene Del Rio (Chicago, IL)

Some strong whistling as Esteene signed in. She’s self-employed and deals with a product.

Gene: Does what you do bely your physical appearance?
Yes
Would I come to you?
Yes
Would it make me happy?
Yes
Would it cost me a great deal of money?
No $5

Arlene: Is the product edible or coatable?
Neither $10

Soupy: Would it help my home?
We don’t know what kind of problems Soupy has in his home, but generally No $15

Meredith: Does it come in contact with the body?
Yes
Is it other than clothing?
Yes means No $20

Gene: Are there animals other than humans that use the product?
Yes “I concluded that”
Household pets
Yes
Canine family?
Yes
Is it edible?
No $25

Arlene: Would the canine wear it?
Yes
Wear it on the head or neck?
Sometimes
Does it cover a certain area?
Yes
Do you make raincoats, fur coats or dresses?
ALL OF IT

She designs fashions for dogs, including mini skirts. Selling to department stores, grooming shops out of cloth and paper and. Prices go up to $500, the lowest Wally said was 298. ($298 or $2.98?) Time for a fashion show!

Shelly and Gigi are wearing psychedelic Lame line, changing full-length gown and a mini. Gene decides to help the human model transform. In her hand is Celito, both wearing paper embossed fabric. It’s totally disposable! (The other was cleanable.)

After the break, Wally offers Arlene a fitting for that special outfit; Arlene was more into the dog’s hair

SECOND GUEST: Bernice Gera (Indiana, PA)

She’s self-employed and deals with a service.

Soupy: Is it a service I might come to you for?
Perhaps
A service I’d come to you rather than you come to me?
A reluctant Yes
A service that would help physically?
It might
Would it make my house a better house?
Definitely No $5

Meredith: Do you wear a uniform?
Yes
Is what you do instructive?
To a degree, Yes
Do you work indoors more than outdoors?
Outdoors, So No $10

Gene: He gathers it’s more utilitarian than aesthetic?
Yes
Anything to do with food?
No $15

Arlene: Can we rule out sports?
No $20

Soupy: So it can be sports?
Yes
Is it a sport?
Yes
Is it a sports with both men and women?
Wally’s explanation flew over my head like it did Soupy’s
Bottom Line: No $25

Meredith with another wild guess: Are you a girl’s gymnastics instructor?
Not this time $30

Gene: The people that come to you benefit physically?
Debatable, but Wally makes it No $35

Arlene: Is it a team sport?
Yes
A sport indulged by men a great deal?
Yes
Even more than women?
Yes
Usually a man’s job?
Yes
If you’re not a instructor, are you a lady umpire?
YES

Mrs. Gera work for semi-pro with police departments. She next wants to get into real minor league baseball. And she used to play, hitting 350 footers! You could see her in live demonstrations around NYC with real Major Players such as Roger Maris. Problems in regular stadiums include lack of a dressing room. Soupy says she’d be a good cook because she can dust off the plates! Anyway, Bernice is mostly a base umpire so she doesn’t wear the chest protector. A new one is being designed for her. Mrs. Gera leaves us with her “YOU’RE OUT!”

MYSTERY GUEST

Arlene: Does one find you in the entertainment pages
A Deep Yes
Soupy: Associated with Television rather than Broadway?
High Yes
Meredith: Are you a comedienne?
yes
Gene: Are you appearing on Broadway?
No
Arlene: Do you appear on your own show?
Teary No
Soupy; Is there just one of you?
Now Yes
Meredith: Have you been associated with another person?
No
Gene: Are you Joan Rivers?
YES

And she was afraid they’d never figure her out. Gene has worked with her so often, he’s recognized her voice, despite all her attempts. Exclusively here on What’s My Line?, Joan announces her upcoming talk show. She promises it won’t compete with this show. Tapings start in two weeks. Being on the Tonight Show has been her big career boost. From seven bucks a week working office temp, her salary has skyrocketed…up to $12 a week. Joan also mentions the “Upstairs at the Downstairs” club where she works with her husband. They also have a seven-month-old to watch. Wally gets Joan to talk about writing her material. Soupy mentions how few women are out there in comedy. “Don’t get me started” “Show them your Mickey Mouse (watch) ” “I’ve gotta give it more cheese”.

Joan: Show them your Mickey Mouse (watch)
Soupy: I’ve Gotta give it more cheese

Closing: Soupy’s history with throwing pies. It started in Cleveland in 1950, and in those days, he’d whip up eggs or cream. One director gained lots of weight from eating offset. Many stars have gotten “creamed” by Soupy including Frank Sintara, Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, Shirley Maclaine and Jimmy Durante. There’s also a plug for his 25th High School reunion at West Virginia.

What’s my Line? is owned by Fremantle.

WHAT’S MY LINE?-First Taped Episode (TAPE: 7/9/68, Aired 9/9)

gamespeopleplayed July 23, 2023 No Comments

Host: Wally Bruner
Announcer: Johnny Olson

Celebrity Panel:

• Soupy Sales
• Meredith MacRae (Petticoat Junction)
• Gene Rayburn (Match Game)
• Arlene Francis

FIRST GUEST: Perle Epstein (New York City)

She’s salaried, dealing in service

Arlene: Work for a profit-making organization?
Yes
Work indoors?
Usually
Do people come to you for your service?
They can
Available to both men and women?
Yes
Regular hours, 9 to 5?
It could be, but not too important
Do you move around in your job?
Yes
Are you in a form of vehicle?
No $5

Soupy: Do you wear a uniform, other than street clothes?
Yes
Is it for decoration or keeping from getting messed up?
Ah, not a yes or no question. “I just like to get a right answer”
Is there a product involved?
No $10

Meredith: Would I come out with a degree, are you instructing me?
One question at a time: The Instructing one
Yes
What about that degree, like judo for example?
No $15

Gene: Is the uniform all white?
No $20

Arlene: This instruction useful?
Yes
Is it athletic?
In a broad sense, Yes
Do you touch a person in any way?
In this case, No $25

Soupy: You would never come to my house for this service?
Perle doesn’t know, but more likely for a handsome gentleman like you
Would it make me physically better?
Yes
A type of exercise?
Could be
Would it help me from the waist up?
Yes, the whole body (“I don’t know what it is, but I need it”)
Would I use it to lose weight?
It might, Pass

Meredith: Would it take place in a gymnasium?
It could
Teach/instruct a personal fitness class?
No $30

Gene: Could the panel come as a group and work all at once?
Yes
Do you ever wear a tutu?
No $35 (You’ve never seen Gene in a tutu and you never will)

Arlene (who’s got a gleam in her eye): Do you ever work on or near water?
No $40 (Down to 30 seconds)

Soupy: Do you come in contact with the body?
Yes
Are you a masseuse?
No, Wally gives it up here

Meredith guesses wrong with fencing instructor. Perle is a YOGA INSTRUCTOR. (She did a demonstration, but it was clipped off by Buzzr)

SECOND GUEST: Henry Parcell (Manawon, NJ, near the shore in Central NJ)

He’s salaried and deals in a product

Soupy: Would I come to you?
Possibly
As opposed to coming to my house?
Yes, way to sneak two questions in and stay in control.
Would I feel better?
No $5

Meredith: Used by both men and women?
Yes
Does it come in contact with the body?
Yes
Above the waist?
No $10

Gene: Would it increase my physical well-being in any way? (uproar of laughter)
No $15

Arlene: Product for anything other than the human race?
No $20

Soupy: Stuck on not helping Gene, something I would use in the house?
Yes
In one particular room or floor?
No $25

Meredith: Is one is able to wear this product?
Yes
Is it an undergarment?
Yes, generally
Is it a girdle?
No $30

Gene: Must be something women wear more than men?
NO $35

Arlene: Breaking down who and what can wear it. Do we rule out the Animal Kingdom?
Yes
Also from the waist up?
Still No $40

Soupy: Something to help me walk or dance better?
No $45

Meredith: Worn more by children?
Yes, wants to pass to Arlene, but Gene’s in the way
He blurts out “It’s Diapers” And Henry SELLS THEM.

Mr. Parcell works for the National Account Executive for Chicopee Mills Incorporated, a division of Johnson & Johnson.. All kinds of diapers, as long as they’re white. Soupy has a new slogan “We never mangle your baby’s triangles”

MYSTERY GUEST:

Meredith: Are you in the entertainment field? Yes (sounds of country bumpkin with a hiccup)
Gene: Are you currently in New York? Yes
Arlene: Are you playing in a Broadway play? Yes
Soupy: Is there just one of you? Yes
Meredith: Are you known for comedy as opposed to drama? No
Gene: In your current appearance, do you sing? Yes
Arlene: Is your wife in the show with you? No
Soupy: Is there another male as your co-star? No
Meredith with a guess: Joel Grey…RIGHT!

From one hit play to another “Cabaret” to George M”, it’s been a good year. Grey’s been in the business for 25 years, since age 11.

Closing: A chat with Meredith after figuring out who the mystery guest was. This was her first time on a game show panel. Meredith has also recorded her first record with her “Petticoat Junction” sisters along with solo records and live performances. It all started with “My Three Sons”, then a soap opera before “Petticoat” now in her third year. And it’s only her fifth year in show business.

What’s my Line? is owned by Fremantle.