WHAT’S MY LINE?-Taped August 20, 1968
gamespeopleplayed 
Host: Wally Bruner
Announcer: Johnny Olson
Celebrity Panel:
- Soupy Sales
- Joanna Barnes
- Nipsey Russell
- Arlene Francis
FIRST GUEST: Gene Beane (Chattanooga, TN)
Wally clues the panel in that Gene’s in Show Business. He’s also self-employed and deals with a service.
Soupy, who knows his brother “Boston Baked”:
Do you work with someone else?:
No $5
Joanne: Is this service performed before the show?
No $10
Nipsey: Does coming from Tennessee have anything to do with your performance?
No $15
Arlene: Are you on the ground?
Yes, but he could get off the ground
Do you use anything besides yourself?
Yes
If I knew the equipment, would I know the act?
Perhaps
Is it attached to you?
No $20
Soupy: During your act, are you hit, like a cannonball?
For that, it’s No $25
Joanna: Is the object not particular to showbiz?
Yes
Might I have one?
No $30
Nipsey: Is it a performance?
Yes
Are you a hillbilly singer?
No $35
Arlene: Is the equipment quite long, like in the stilt family?
No $40
Soupy: Is the act outdoors instead of indoors?
Yes
It doesn’t have anything to do with animals?
No means Yes
Something you perform at a grandstand?
Yes (30 seconds left)
Is it a high dive?
No $45
Joanna: Any physical danger?
Yes
Does it have to do with explosives or charges?
Yes
She’s almost there, “Are you shot out of anything”
The Last No!
Gene BLOWS HIMSELF UP WITH DYNAMITE!
As a matter of fact, he had performed at the point of this taping, 1,040 TIMES! In the act, Gene puts himself in a box, pushes the detonator and
Joanna says it probably accounts for the short hair. To quote the performer, “I literally get a bang out of my job” He’s played all over North and South America with no mistakes. And it’s all on film. Gene’s putting on his helmet, gets into the box, the box goes Boom!!! Gene flys out and stumbles around to the right, only inches away. There is occasionally a blackout from the G-force from the lungs. Nipsey calls it “Excedrin Headache #10.” In truth, Gene is less afraid of the act than he is driving the highway from show to show.
“Better Luck Next Time” and Next Time is now.
SECOND GUEST: Lana Barrett (Mamaroneck, NY)
Miss Barrett is salaried, dealing with a product.
Nipsey: Based on the audience reaction, a profession not usually attached to a pretty young girl?
Yes
Do you come in contact with other people
Yes
Is it necessary to converse with other people?
A Little Bit
It’s not the central essence of your job?
No means Yes
Does the product touch the human body?
Yes
Between the waistline and the top of the head?
Yes
Would Nipsey’s social presence be enhanced?
YEAH!
Between the chin line and the top of the head?
Yes
Consumed or eaten or drunken in any way?
Yes
Attached with an outdoor activity, like a carnival?
Mostly No $5
Arlene: Solid rather than liquid?
Yes
Buy in a store?
Yes
Something to have at meal time?
Not to leave you astray but No $10 (30 sec.)
Soupy: Is it chewable?
Yes
You wouldn’t swallow it necessarily?
No, not bubble gum we’re talking about $15
Joanna: Under a dollar?
Yes
Grocery Store as opposed to a drug store?
No, and that’s time!
Arlene guesses that Lana’s a good humor man! If only we’d had another minute.
Wally calls Lana the best-looking Good Humor man in West Chester County. And what’s so shocking about her driving a truck? Her customers include a few dogs that come for Vanilla every day. And now, because a little good humor never hurt anyone, there’s ice cream for Wally and all the panel.
MYSTERY GUEST
A Big Applause and a strawberry shortcake stick for our guest
Arlene: Is there more than one person?
Just one, said meekly
Soupy: Must be in show business?
Could be, Wally says No
Joanna: Are you in the Sports Field?
Sometimes, Wally clarifies Yes
Nipsey: Involved in Politics in New York State?
Both agree, No
Arlene: Are you a baseball hero?
Yes
Soupy: Must be Mickey Mantle?
No
Joanna: National League Player?
Yes
Nipsey: Team once based in New York City?
Yes
Arlene: Are you “Say Hey”?
Yep, it’s WILLIE MAYS
And Willie is upset about Wally saying baseball is NOT show business. As Nipsey knows, that’s what they call “Batman” in Harlem. Looking back at an article Wally read, we hear about whether Willie could break his career home run record of 714. Mays was at 569 at the day of taping. Experts say he could’ve done it. Ever humble, he’d be happy just reaching 600 against today’s “modern” pitchers. Maybe these longer games could help, but Willie’s not interested. As for any other current hitter, 34-year-old Hank Aaron might be too old. Willie guesses that the Babe got home runs from ground rule doubles. Wally says either way, Willie has made his mark in baseball.
Are you saying I’m through?”
Closing: Wally gives an introduction: “We are delighted this week to have a handsome, charming, gracious, intelligent, resourceful, funny (Not you, Soupy) Nipsey Russell with us.” He can’t deny it, it’s all true. Russell started in show business early, dancing in a kids’ chorus. This grew into a tap-dancing trio and moved into comedy. Highlights this year include performing on the Red Skelton Show and a new variety program “Soul”. Many rock bands and entertainers like Redd Foxx and George Kirby are set to appear. Meanwhile, the panel is doing fairly well for a Monday.
What’s My Line? is owned by Fremantle.
