What's My Line? was a game show which ran from 1950-67 on CBS and 1968-75 in daily syndication. A panel of four celebrities asked yes-or-no questions of a contestant in order to guess their occupation. In addition to everyday people who often had unusual occupations, a celebrity "Mystery Guest" was featured in which the panel was blindfolded and the object was to identify the guest. Bennett Cerf, father of Christopher Cerf, was a regular panelist.
The syndicated series, hosted by Larry Blyden beginning in 1972, twice featured Muppets and their performers.
Appearances[]
- "Big Bird of TV's Sesame Street" was the Mystery Guest in an episode taped in July 1973, while "his best friend" Caroll Spinney talked to the panel out of costume at the end. Panelists were Arlene Francis, Henry Morgan (who disqualifies himself for having accidentally seen Big Bird in the hall), Sherrye Henry, and Jack Cassidy (who keeps thinking it's Smokey the Bear).
- Jim Henson appeared as the first Mystery Guest with Kermit on November 16, 1974 (taped two days earlier). The panel consisted of Arlene Francis, Dr. Joyce Brothers, Jack Cassidy, and Soupy Sales. The following Mystery Guest was Dick Cavett.
References[]
- The series was also spoofed on Sesame Street with a number of different sketches, including "What's My Part?", "What's My Letter?", and "What's My Job?"
- In Episode 0891 of Sesame Street, Buffy has Maria and Luis guess what her new job is. With their eyes closed, she leads them to her taxi; Maria jokingly asks, "Is it bigger than a breadbox?" referencing an infamous question Steve Allen had frequently used on What's My Line?.
Connections[]
The Muppets and Line operated in similar early-1970s show-biz circles, and hence shared many of the same guest stars.