Evening star., 1953-02-01

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marked by heaviness and inept
puns. The substitution of Mr..
Aliens quick wit is quite an
Improvement.
The visiting participants also
have something to do with the
success of this show. That
people are interested in people,
some one once remarked sagely,
is made fairly obvious by the
persistence of the human
race. Whats My Line?" in
facing the panel with people
of generally unusual occupa-
tion, comes up with interesting
ones.
But other shows have inter.
esting visitors. personable pan.
els and one, "It's News to Me-"
has John DAILY as master Of
ceremonies. There is an addi-
tional ingredient overlooked by
the imitators. It Is the man.
ner in which the empathy
factor is put to use.
Standardization
Empathy is a Sunday morn
ing word meaning nothing
more ominous than sympathy
carried to the point of self
Identification. Empathy Is
what makes the 6-year-old be-
come Hopalong Cassidy for a
half hour, what makes the
housewife identify herself with
the housewife answering ques-
tionS on a television show.
Either by accident or de-
sign. Whats My Line?" puts
this to excellent use. The
moment a visitor faces the
panel the program becomes a
battle of wits. with the audi
ence on the visitors side. The
comedy arising when Hal
Block asks a night-club
bouncer, say. would ever
have need for your services?"
is only coincidental.
The main theme of Whats
My Line?" is the outwitting
of that panel. John Daly's
every effort to help the visitor
by befuddling the experts gives
home viewers a warmer appre-
citation Of the program. Mr..
DAILY has become quite expert
at a private form of obfusca-
ton, too, which often leaves
even him wondering what he
said.
A considerable contrast is
presented by the other Good
son-Todman audience partici-
pation-panel show conducted
by DAILY. On "It's News to Me-"
clues are presented to suggest
recent news stories. The panel
members in turn recount the
news event or make up stories
to fit the clues. The visitor
from the audience wins or
loses by correctly spotting the
stories as fact or fiction.
Obvious Difference
The difference is obvious.
TITS News to Me" is devoted
to the outwitting of innocent,
visitors by q set Of New York
sophisticates. Your sympathy
is still with the visitor, but
the program doesn't take any
advantage Of it.
Some other followers Of
whats My Line?" have the
panel, the non-professional
participants and everything
but the DAILY touch in giving
aid and comfort to the guests.
On both 1--WE Got q Secret"
and Where Was II" to name
two, the masters Of ceremonies
often seem overanxious with
hints and too ready to decide
some panel member has come
close enough.
Groucho Marx. On the other
hand. knows the value Of em-
pathy to an audience-partici-
patton show. ''You Bet Your
Life" may be unrehearsed, but
1t is not unprepared. It may
not adhere strictly to a script,
but neither is 1t completely
spontaneous. even If Mr.. Marx
has a happy facility for max.
ing 1t sound that way.
The comedian makes sure
that his guests top him with
frequency.
He also sees to 1t that no
contestant Is completely de.
feated. Those who lose all
their money can win cash con.
ISOLATION by answering the
question, who Is buried in
Grants Tomb?"
What's My Line?" and "You
Bet Your Life" are consistently
high In the audience rat les.