Shari Lewis

WHAT’S MY LINE?-Taped February 4, 1969

Host: Wally Bruner
Announcer: Johnny Olson
Celebrity Panel:

  • Soupy Sales
  • Shari Lewis (Lamb Chop) “She’ll be working all our heads” as Soupy
  • Bert Convy (Shoot Anything With Hair That Moves)
  • Arlene Francis, who wishes Wally a Happy New Year!

FIRST GUEST, but first the blindfolds.
Mr. X X

I’ll just say Mr. X X came through the audience and went past the panel coming to the set. Wally says he’s in the entertainment business.

Bert: We’d recognize you on sight, wouldn’t we?

Have you been in the news recently?
Perhaps, but also at any time.
Is what you do significant to us?
We’ll say it’s to find out who you are AND what you do
Do you do this in front of large audiences?
Yes
In Television?
Again, COULD BE
In the broadest sense, is this a physical act?
Yes
Do you wear a costume?
Yes, and you recognize him pretty quickly.
Does it have to do with the circus?
Not directly, but still Yes
Would you be a clown?
Absolutely Not $5

Arlene: Is what you’re wearing like an animal skin?
Yessss!
Are you inside of something in the shape of an animal?
Yes
Do I need to find out what kind of animal?
More of a general area what he does (“What is he, like Jonah?”)
Do you clean up (RE-DO) or destroy anything?
You’re close, but Wally’s ending this game already.

Mr. X X is Stunt Man Janos Prohaska, a CREATOR OF MOVIE MONSTERS, and who came in dressed as an extra from “Planet of the Apes”. Prohaska just happened to be Soupy’s double for a movie. He’s the chief monster man in Hollywood for a long time making chimpanzees. Oh, and here’s another of Janos’s creations…a ROCK MONSTER. “Thank you, Johnny Olson”. Other costumes are brought out, all made by Janos. They decide to made a bird out of Bert, putting a Coo-Coo Bird costume on his head.

SECOND GUEST: Stella Owen (Swansee, Wales)

Stella is the official national hostess of Wales and is playing a role when Charles is made Prince of Wales. What we’re talking about is a day job, salaried and dealing with a service.

Soupy: Do you do it outside? (The job)
Sometimes
I mean, an outside object, but you can do it inside?
Yes
Done on certain farms?
No $5

Shari: Would I come to you?
Yes
Would you touch me in any way?
Yes, but not necessarily.
Would it enhance me physically?
Eventually
In a form of something you’d say to me?
It would, but it’s not a basic part, so No $10

Bert: Would anything be exchanged?
No $15

Arlene: Anything to do with physical exercise?
Yes
Do you instruct?
Yes, and Arlene figures out the rest. Stella TEACHES PHYSICAL EDUCATION

It’s at a Junior/Senior High School and also teaches dancing and skin diving. Currently touring the U.S., she’s inviting guests for the future king’s investiture. Arlene is expecting Mr. Burton to be there (Actor Richard Burton, I presume). Besides her beauty, Stella’s position as Hostess come from her knowledge of Welsh accents and affairs. Not to mention being educated and speaking abilities. She has a doll dressed as Charles will be for the big event; robe, crown, silver sword and all. Also shown is a replica of the crown shown identical size. I’m not going to try to spell out her translation of “What’s My Line” in Welsh.

MYSTERY GUEST

Arlene: Known primarily for work in motion pictures?
No (Sounds weak)
Soupy: Primarily for Television?
No
Shari: Are you a boy or a girl? (Doesn’t count)
Are you currently appearing in this here town?
Yes
Bert: Are you in theater?
Yes
Arlene: Play in Broadway?
Yes
Soupy: Is it a musical?
No
Shari: Is it a play that originated in another country?
No
Bert: Is it a comedy?
No
Arlene: Is it a play that received enormous acclaim and was tried out in another state?
Pause, “Did someone leave the stage” Not in another state
Soupy (with 30 seconds): Is it Donald Pleasance?
NO!
Shari: Do you have laryngitis?
No, but you will in two minutes.
Are you in a play with a small cast?
No
Bert: It has to be James Earl Jones?
YES!

Arlene calls out his answer that the play “The Great White Hope” DID open first in Washington. D.C. But D.C. is not a stage. With that out of the way, she remembers to praise Jones for his work. He recounts how the play was supposed to just be at the Arena Theatre and never expected to come to New York. Especially hard with such an enormous cast as they were talking about.

HONEST ANSWERS

For Bert: “Where do you buy those beautiful clothes?”
Answer: He makes them himself! No wait…he had a tailor make the suit he’s wearing. The shirt was bought here in New York, imported from England. It’s bright yellow to match the tie. (Close Up) Not too expensive actually.

For Soupy: “How did you get to be coach of the Harlem Globetrotters?”
Answer: They needed help. Wally says it was between him and Vince Lombardi, but Soupy says it was Guy Lombardi. The team is a bunch of great clowns, from one to another.

And as the credits roll, Janos and Johnny O. invade the panel in full costume.

What’s my Line? is owned by Fremantle.