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To Tell the Truth

Game Shows

About This Show

From Wikipedia:

To Tell the Truth is an American television game show created by Bob Stewart and produced by Goodson-Todman Productions that has aired intermittently in various forms since 1956 on both networks and in syndication. Along with The Price Is Right, it is one of two game shows in the United States to have aired at least one version in every decade since the 1950s, however no revivals are planned, meaning that the show will soon lose this title. A total of 25 seasons of the various versions of To Tell The Truth have been produced, just exceeding the 24 of What's My Line? and the 20 of I've Got a Secret.

 The show challenged a panel of four celebrities to correctly identify a described contestant who typically had an unusual occupation or experience. This "central character" was joined by two "imposters" who pretended to be that central character. The celebrity panelists questioned the team of challengers, with the imposters allowed to lie, but the central character "sworn to tell the truth".

Created by

Bob Stewart for Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions

Presented by

Bud Collyer (1956-1968)

Garry Moore (1969-1977)

Joe Garagiola (1977-1978)

Robin Ward (1980-1981)

Gordon Elliott (1990)

Lynn Swann (1990-1991)

Alex Trebek (1991)

John O'Hurley (2000-2002)

Narrated by

Bern Bennett (1956-1960)

Johnny Olson (1960-1972)

Bill Wendell (1972-1977)

Alan Kalter (1977-1981)

Burton Richardson (1990-1991, 2000-2002)

Charlie O'Donnell (1990-1991, substitute)

Production

Running time 30 minutes with commercials

Production company(s)

Goodson-Todman Productions (1956-1981)

Mark Goodson Productions (1990-2002)

Broadcast

Original channel CBS (1956-1968)

NBC (1990-1991)

Syndicated (1969-1978, 1980-1981, 2000-2002)

Original run December 18, 1956 – March 15, 2002

People Who Talked About This Show

  • Betty White
  • Bob Stewart
  • Don Knotts
  • Tom Poston

Featured Content

Video Clip: Excerpt from a 1965 telecast of To Tell the Truth featuring The Supremes and  Berry Gordy, Jr. Panelists are Tom Poston, Peggy Cass, Orson Bean, and Kitty Carlisle

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People Talking About This Show

  • Don Knotts
    • Don Knotts on a funny take-off of To Tell the Truth (he accidentally references  What's My Line) that he participated in on The Steve Allen Show with guest star Errol Flynn (00m 41s)
  • Tom Poston
    • Tom Poston on how being on The Steve Allen Show got him involved with game shows as a favorite panelist
  • Bob Stewart
    • Bob Stewart on the genesis of To Tell the Truth and The Price is Right (05m 19s)
    • Bob Stewart on how his panel show To Tell the Truth got its name (00m 47s)
    • Bob Stewart on Mike Wallace, the host of To Tell the Truth's pilot, who turned down the show to pursue journalism (01m 48s)
    • Bob Stewart on the celebrity panelists on To Tell the Truth (including Dick Van Dyke and Peggy Cass) (02m 57s)
    • Bob Stewart on a cast photo of To Tell the Truth (00m 17s)
  • Betty White
    • Betty White on appearing on What's My Line?, I've Got a Secret, and To Tell the Truth (01m 47s)
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