To Tell the Truth: Difference between revisions

The show, like most panel shows, was renowned for its recurring cast of celebrities. ''Truth'''s most famous panelists included [[Bill Cullen]], Bert Convy, Tom Poston, Peggy Cass, and Kitty Carlisle (the only panelist to appear on all five versions of the show).

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* [[Bonus Round]]: On the 1990s version, [[The Announcer]] would pick an audience member to play One-On-One, where a person gave two different anecdotes about himself or herself, and the audience member would win $1,000 if he or she picked the story that was true.

** The last subject of this game was Paul Alter, who directed the 1990s revival. The contestant chose incorrectly, but it was decided that she would get half of the prize money anyway.

*** Other hosts include Mike Wallace (original 1956 pilot entitled ''Nothing But The Truth''), Ralph Bellamy (1957), John Cameron Swayze (1958), Sonny Fox (1959), Robert Q. Lewis (1960/1963/1964/1967), Jim Fleming (1960), [[Merv Griffin]] (1961/1962), Jack Clark (1963), [[Match Game|Gene Rayburn]] (1963), Orson Bean (1963), [[Mark Goodson]] (1967/1991), [[Tattletales|Bert Convy]] (1968), [[Bill Cullen]] (1970/1971/1977), and Richard Kline (1990 pilots).

** [[Studio Audience]]: Voted on the three contestants during some versions.

* [[Affectionate Parody]]: [[Direc TV]], of all things, grabbed Alex Trebek and an eerily-accurate full-size replica of the 1973-78 "blocky" set for a series of promos. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Www8q7BQg20 Here's the first promo that was aired.] The whole lot can be found in [http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=DirecTV+%22To+Tell+The+Truth%22 these search results] as, even though three of the promos are on the company's official [[YouTube]] page, you have to root through the playlists to find them. Oh, and although they can get the set right, [[They Just Didn't Care|they can't get the rules right]].

* [[Ambiguous Gender]]: If the affidavit didn't specify the contestant's sex, and the contestant had a name that could be used for ether gender (Chris, Gene/Jean, Pat, etc.), the show would often present a mix of males and female impostors to further confuse the panel.

* [[Catch Phrase]]: "Will the real (name of contestant) please stand up?" and "Number (1, 2, 3), what is your name, please?"

* [[Christmas Episode]]: The 1990 edition had an episode where the central subject was a man who ran a Santa Claus hotline. All three contestants were dressed in Santa outfits, which led to a Christmas surprise when the impostors were revealed. ({{spoiler|The impostors were Rip Taylor and Christopher Hewitt.}})

* [[The Ditz]]: Polly Bergen, who would usually write down one number and say "Well I voted for #2, but I know it's really #3..."

** For the 2000s version, Paula Poundstone picked up the Ditz title. After one episode in which a panel member used the word "recuse" to explain why they couldn't vote in that round, Paula became obsessed with the word and would endlessly say "Well I should recuse myself from this round because of _________, but I won't..." before voting in each round in each episode. As with Polly, some found this cute — others...not so much.

* [[Dog Food Diet]]: Often, when a food-related guest came on the show, the panel got a sample of the cuisine to taste while Garry read the affidavit. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crFVwx_lae8 On this episode], the contestant cooked with dog food...

* [[Expy]]: Art Linkletter claimed at one time that this show was a rip-off of "Lie Detector," a segment of his show ''People Are Funny.'' Linkletter attempted to sue Goodson-Todman.

* [[Fan Service]]: The 2000s versions had contestants who were into at least vaguely fetish-related material, such as latex suits, mermaid costumes, et cetera.

* [[Loads and Loads of Characters|Loads And Loads Of Hosts]]: No fewer than '''''22''''' people have been known to host ''Truth'' at some point or another.

** There may be a twenty-''third'' host. When the 1980s version filmed a pilot with Robin Ward, they apparently filmed a second pilot with a different, albeit unknown, Canadian emcee. Apparently this other emcee had the rules down pat, but was rather stiff and distant — and [[Mark Goodson]], well-known to favor substance over style, chose Ward.

* [[Obvious Beta]]: The second pilot for the 1990s version actually aired in the Eastern and Central time zones by mistake ''in place of the premiere'', with marked differences from the actual series — most notably the host and set. The fandom didn't complain.

* [[Obvious Rule Patch]]: Possibly a holdover from the pilot's judge-and-jury set motif, early episodes had Bud Collyer collect up the ballots and reveal them one by one, saying which celebrity voted for which contestant.

** The one for the 1990 NBC revival aired on the east coast by mistake.

* [[Product Placement]]: As was common practice at the time, the sponsor's logo was seen on the panel's desk. There were also logos on the host podium and a small sign by the stairs the three contestants walk down. Additionally, an icon of the product would be seen on the contestant's #1, #2, and #3 signs (e.g., a round container for Arrid, the familiar Marlboro pack design for Marlboro, etc), and host Bud Collyer would mention that a sampler of the product would be given to the contestants along with the money they won.

* [[Real Life Relative]]:

** One memorable moment from the Garry Moore era involved noted NYPD undercover officer Richard Buggy as the subject. All three contestants were in disguise — #1 was a blind old lady, #2 was an old man on crutches, and #3 was a (hiccup) drunken street bum. After the real Buggy revealed himself ({{spoiler|number one}}), the impostors revealed their identities as well — {{spoiler|number two was Chris Hart, son of regular panelist Kitty Carlisle (Hart), and number three was Joe Garagiola Jr., whose father, Joe Sr., was sitting on the panel that particular episode. Neither parents recognized their children}}.

* [[The Show Must Go On]]:

** In [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XGY6t3Jrcw this episode], the question segment was accidentally erased, so Garry and the panel had to ad-lib and redo the voting segment.

* [[Title Drop]]: "Only one of these people is the real (name), and is the only one sworn...''To Tell The Truth''!"

* [[Thematic Theme Tune]]: The 1969-78 version had a [http://www.gameshowthemesongs.net/sounds/To%20Tell%20The%20Truth/Game%20Show%20Theme%20-%20To%20Tell%20The%20Truth.mp3 vocal theme], a type rarely used in game shows. Not only that, but it took the form of a ''love song'':

* [[Your Costume Needs Work]]: What the real person tried to make the panel think.

 

[[Category:American Series]]

[[Category:Game Show]]