When this challenger's occupation was revealed, I thought the panel had no chance of guessing it. I really thought they would be thoroughly stumped, but, to my amazement, Dorothy and Bennett zeroed in on it, and I don't think they knew ahead of time what her occupation was.
@bigred997 Yes one of his more impressive deductions for sure. hehe. I love Bennett's hesitant questioning and looks of trepidation whenever he gets into, as he put it on another show "one of these 'ticklish' areas again" - potentially suggestive topics lol Block is kind of appalling, I feel bad for him being fired but I can kind of see why.
WML has a 'family' feel that Block just didn't fit in. He was very funny at times, other times a little too vulgar - for instance the joke about 'getting to first base' with the guest. A gentleman can tease and appreciate feminine pulchritude but to openly speak of doing something with her in that way is insulting and crude. It is 'Mad Men' era water cooler humor and not for WML.
Hal Block was to "What's My Line" like Pete Best was to The Beatles. Popular in the early years...but became an outcast ( mainly by their own efforts ) as the franchise got successful. It's true Block's remarks are tacky today...but remember, this was the early '50s and America was a very different country in many ways.
Actually, Hal Block was replaced by Steve Alan, Who was a wonderful panelist. After living the show in favor of hosting the tonight show, Steve was replaced by Fred Allan
Just to note, Hal was eventually fired from WML for making such 'over the top' comments. The 1950's did not care for a hound in heat approach. He was spoken to many times by the produces but, he couldn't keep his mouth shut.
As far as the negative Hal BlocK comments he may have gone a little too far at times but back then men made comments like that about women and I thought most of it was accepted in general even by women it was accepted that men talked that way. Even Bennett Cerf would make similar comments about women although often not as risqué. I'll bet the producers wrote these questions for him(Block) actually. Womens lib was the start of putting an end to those comments about women being accepted IMO.
Brooke Hanley Not really. Block’s comments and behaviour were seen by the male panelists and producers as inappropriate which is why he got fired eventually.
@elchoya100 It's a wonder that John Daly or the producer of the show didn't have a talk with him. Arlene Francis probably didn't enjoy all of those comments.
Like him or not, Hal Block was largely responsible for the show's success. The first couple of shows in 1950 had a journalist (Dorothy), a poet, a politician, and a psychologist on the panel, so it needed some comedy to prevent it from becoming a dull-fest. Hal actually proved to be rather popular with viewers; the Chicago Sun-Times called him "the freshest new personality in TV". By the 1952-53 season, it was #20 in the Nielsen primetime ratings.
On the contrary, Block was the most entertaining panelist on the show and by far the most popular at the time. It was only the narrow puritanic views of some conservative viewers and the latent antisemitism of people like Gil Fate and Cerf that got him fired. Cerf said in his memoirs that the show didn't need Block once Cerf was there because Cerf started providing the humor which is ridiculous. Block was the top gag writer of the 40s, Cerf's 'jokes' were painful to listen to.
![What's My Line? - Ralph Houk; Janet Leigh; Martin Gabel [panel] (Oct 23, 1960)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/sBwWJFpreyQ/mqdefault.jpg)
![What's My Line? - Ralph Houk; Janet Leigh; Martin Gabel [panel] (Oct 23, 1960)](/img/tr.png)
When this challenger's occupation was revealed, I thought the panel had no chance of guessing it. I really thought they would be thoroughly stumped, but, to my amazement, Dorothy and Bennett zeroed in on it, and I don't think they knew ahead of time what her occupation was.
@bigred997 Yes one of his more impressive deductions for sure. hehe. I love Bennett's hesitant questioning and looks of trepidation whenever he gets into, as he put it on another show "one of these 'ticklish' areas again" - potentially suggestive topics lol
Block is kind of appalling, I feel bad for him being fired but I can kind of see why.
WML has a 'family' feel that Block just didn't fit in. He was very funny at times, other times a little too vulgar - for instance the joke about 'getting to first base' with the guest. A gentleman can tease and appreciate feminine pulchritude but to openly speak of doing something with her in that way is insulting and crude. It is 'Mad Men' era water cooler humor and not for WML.
I agree. Block was a schmuck.
Wonder if her husband was there that night.
Block may have needed medical assistance after the show.
I like Dorothy's attire in this one. Gorgeous dress and accessories.
One of the more attractive guests, arguably prettier than any of the celebrities. Plenty of compliments!
Hal Block was to "What's My Line" like Pete Best was to The Beatles. Popular in the early years...but became an outcast ( mainly by their own efforts ) as the franchise got successful. It's true Block's remarks are tacky today...but remember, this was the early '50s and America was a very different country in many ways.
I thought he was funny. Cerf did not like him and he was a friend of Johns. Enough said. Hal Blick was harmless.
Not really
Block was frequently reprimanded for his inappropriate comments; and eventually fired. He was replaced by Fred Allen - a huge improvement, IMO.
Fred took a long time to get a comment out.
Actually, Hal Block was replaced by Steve Alan, Who was a wonderful panelist. After living the show in favor of hosting the tonight show, Steve was replaced by Fred Allan
IMO Fred Allen was awful.
@@m.e.d.7997 👈😡
Wrong!
@@TheBatugan77 He was clearly blatantly racist. He was lame too.
She looks a lot like Jennifer Jones!
Block is creepy.
Block's snide comments are directed at a married lady. Not cool!
Relax. He was funny and this was a show.
@@m.e.d.7997
He was a schmuck and a schmeggeggie. So are you.
It doesn’t matter if she was married or not, that’s just impolite and disrespectful.
Think about present day serta, etc. commercials
I like Hal Block. He was not as bad as Groucho on his show. I think he would have been better on a 70's game show, however.
If 60 years later we still find Hal Block’s comments inappropriate imagine how they were seen back then!
That's a perfect job for Kamala Harris.
I am sure that Kamala has demonstrated her skills on many different mattresses. 😊😊
Liked Arlene's off-the-shoulder number ...
Just to note, Hal was eventually fired from WML for making such 'over the top' comments. The 1950's did not care for a hound in heat approach. He was spoken to many times by the produces but, he couldn't keep his mouth shut.
she could be linda darnell's (a letter to 3 wives) body double.
bennett should have been a trial lawyer.
I think Bennett Cerf didn't like Hal Block. Maybe competition. I did not mind him(Hal). BTW to Aldiboronti Cerf himself was Jewish.
most didnt like Hal Block because he got rude and ungentlemanly with the women on the show. There is one show where Daly got angry with him.
As far as the negative Hal BlocK comments he may have gone a little too far at times but back then men made comments like that about women and I thought most of it was accepted in general even by women it was accepted that men talked that way. Even Bennett Cerf would make similar comments about women although often not as risqué. I'll bet the producers wrote these questions for him(Block) actually. Womens lib was the start of putting an end to those comments about women being accepted IMO.
Brooke Hanley
Not really. Block’s comments and behaviour were seen by the male panelists and producers as inappropriate which is why he got fired eventually.
@elchoya100 Yeah... Veeeery disturbing.
I agree I think these questions were fed to them on this one. I agree with Kozmon it did seem rigged with the kind of questions they were asking.
And apparently She tells Bennet she had been around him a few weeks earlier.
@elchoya100 It's a wonder that John Daly or the producer of the show didn't have a talk with him. Arlene Francis probably didn't enjoy all of those comments.
hal should be slapped
hal block is very annoying his questions on every show are always sexual towards women very disturbing
Like him or not, Hal Block was largely responsible for the show's success. The first couple of shows in 1950 had a journalist (Dorothy), a poet, a politician, and a psychologist on the panel, so it needed some comedy to prevent it from becoming a dull-fest. Hal actually proved to be rather popular with viewers; the Chicago Sun-Times called him "the freshest new personality in TV". By the 1952-53 season, it was #20 in the Nielsen primetime ratings.
On the contrary, Block was the most entertaining panelist on the show and by far the most popular at the time. It was only the narrow puritanic views of some conservative viewers and the latent antisemitism of people like Gil Fate and Cerf that got him fired. Cerf said in his memoirs that the show didn't need Block once Cerf was there because Cerf started providing the humor which is ridiculous. Block was the top gag writer of the 40s, Cerf's 'jokes' were painful to listen to.
aldiboronti I think you’re out to lunch.
To this very moment I had no idea Block was Jewish (if that’s so) but he often was creepy, cringeworthy and inappropriate.