To Tell the Truth


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

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

Who talked about this show

Anderson Cooper

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Anderson Cooper on appearing on To Tell the Truth as a child
00:40

Skitch Henderson

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Lyle "Skitch" Henderson on working on To Tell the Truth
01:30

Don Knotts

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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
00:41

Bob May

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Bob May on appearing on To Tell the Truth
00:34

Bob McGrath

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Bob McGrath on one of his first jobs in television, working on the game show, To Tell the Truth
00:38

Robert Mott

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Robert Mott on working on To Tell the Truth and on working with a laugh track
03:21

Tom Poston

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Tom Poston on acting as a panelist on To Tell the Truth and other Goodson-Todman game shows
04:09

Jacques Pépin

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Jacques Pépin on appearing on What's My Line? and To Tell the Truth
03:55

Bob Stewart

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Bob Stewart on the genesis of To Tell the Truth and The Price is Right
05:19
Bob Stewart on how his panel show To Tell the Truth got its name
00:47
Bob Stewart on Mike Wallace, the host of To Tell the Truth's pilot, who turned down the show to pursue journalism
01:48
Bob Stewart on the celebrity panelists on To Tell the Truth (including Dick Van Dyke and Peggy Cass)
02:57
Bob Stewart on a cast photo of To Tell the Truth
00:17

Betty White

View Interview
Betty White on appearing on What's My Line?, I've Got a Secret, and To Tell the Truth
01:52

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