| "THE GAME THAT REVEALS ALL!" I'VE GOT A SECRET packagers: Mark Goodson/Bill Todman Productions ('52-'59 & '72-'76), Telecast Enterprises ('59-'67), Oxygen Productions (2000-2001), Burt Dubrow Productions/Get Real Entertainment (GSN) air dates: 6/19/52-4/3/67 & 6/15-7/6/76 on CBS primetime, 9/4/72-8/31/73 in syndication, 1/1/2000-8/2001 on the Oxygen network (cable), GSN (4/17/06-2007) hosts: Garry Moore ('52-'64), Steve Allen ('64-'67, one episode in 2000), Bill Cullen ('76), Stephanie Miller (Oxygen), Bill Dwyer (GSN) announcers: Bern Bennett (original run), John Cannon (original run), Johnny Olson ('72-'76) HOW TO PLAY: A challenger faced a panel of four celebrities, most notable of which on the original version included Henry Morgan, Betsy Palmer, Bill Cullen, and Bess Myerson. The challenger concealed an interesting secret from the panel, which the challenger whispered into the host's ear. The panel's objective was to identify the challenger's secret. Each panelist was allowed 30 seconds to question the challenger in an attempt to identify the secret. If the panelist ran out of time, the challenger was given $20. If the challenger was successful at stumping the entire panel, (s)he left the studio with $80 in his or her pocket. Quite early in the '50s version, each panelist would be allowed 2 turns at questioning, with $10 awarded once a panelist ran out of time, again with $80 being awarded for stumping the entire panel. On the 2000-2001 version, a challenger was awarded either $1,000 for stumping the entire panel, or $200 for each panelist stumped. Stumping the panel on the GSN version won the challenger $1,000 and dinner for two in Beverly Hills. OTHER TIDBITS: Regular panelists on the Oxygen network's version included Amy Yasbeck, Jason Kravits, Teri Garr, and Jim J. Bullock. On one episode of the original version, one of the secrets involved milking a cow. As one of the panelists prepared to milk the cow, the cow suddenly began crappin' on the set! The theme from the '76 revival would be heard a year later as the theme from ABC's Second Chance. Back to my game show joint or my homepage. |