Bill Cullen: Difference between revisions

Legendary [[Game Show]] host who appeared on more games than anyone else in American television, and whose career spanned across many shows on radio and television from [[The Thirties]] to [[The Eighties]] (including his own 15-minute Thursday-morning variety show, ''The Bill Cullen Show'', on [[CBS]] in 1952). He died in 1990 from lung cancer, and is often [[Fan Nickname|called]] "The King of Game Shows" or "The Dean of Emcees".

 

 

Not to be mistaken for [[Peter Cullen]] (who has a very different fandom), nor the Bill Cullen who hosts ''[[The Apprentice (TV series)|The Apprentice]]'' in Ireland.

----

== Radio Series ==

* ''[[Winner Take All]]'' (1946-50 on radio; hosted a brief TV run in 1952)

* ''Catch Me If You Can'' (1948)

* ''[[Beat the Clock]]'' (1949; quiz show unrelated to the stunt show)

* ''Stop The Music'' (1954)

 

* ''Meet Your Match'' (1949; local WOR series that was canned after two episodes)

* ''[[I've Got a Secret]]'' (1952-67 as regular panelist and occasional host; also helmed a brief 1976 version)

* ''Bank On The Stars'' (1954)

* ''Down You Go'' (1956)

* ''[[To Tell the Truth]]'' (1969-78 as regular panelist and occasional host)

* ''Blankety Blanks'' (1975)

* ''Pass The Buck'' (1978)

* ''[[Chain Reaction (TV series)|Chain Reaction]]'' (1980)

* ''[[Password|Password Plus]]'' (1980; hosted four weeks as a fill-in for Allen Ludden)

* ''[[Hot Potato (TV series)|Hot Potato]]'' (1984)

 

 

== Unsold Pilots ==

* ''The Choice Is Yours'' (November 28, 1970; Bill's only show for Hatos-Hall)

* ''Equal Partners'' (August 3, 1976)

* ''Decisions Decisions'' (1979; two pilots, one of which featured [[David Letterman]])

* ''Punchlines'' (December 30, 1979; revival of ''Eye Guess'')

 

----

* [[Adorkable]]: Bill's early work, in the "just so darn sweet" mold.

* [[Deadpan Snarker]]: More often directed towards himself and whatever show he was hosting, but contestants would get their share as well.

* [[Getting Crap Past the Radar]]: Bill ''loved'' to do this.

** One prize on ''Price'' was a breakfront with a built-in stereo, record player, and fold-out bed.

(''cue [[Big Applesauce|New York]] audience laughing their hearts out, and Bill acting very coy'') }}

** A famous one from Joe Garagiola's tenure as host of ''To Tell The Truth'' (taped May 18, 1977), when Bill [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxEa1hCxETA explained] why he had to disqualify himself during a game with a contestant who trained birds.

{{quote|'''Bill''': Diane, I couldn't see your nametag there. It was facing away from me for the best reason in the world.}}

* [[The Short Guy with Glasses]]

 

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Presenters]]