I've Got A Secret (1952)

“I’ve Got A Secret” was a game show comprised of 4 panelists, 1 host/moderator and 3 guest contestants. One of the 3 contestants had a “Secret” and the 4 panelists would take turns asking the 3 guests’ questions to see if they could figure out who they were looking for. The 2 impostor guests could lie if they wanted, just to try and fool the panel into thinking they were the one with the secret. At the end of the question and answer round each panelist would write down who they thought was the real person they were seeking to find. When all four had selected their answers were revealed one at a time. If the panelist guessed incorrectly than the 3 contestants would win money to split between themselves. If all 4 panelists were incorrect they then would get an additional amount of money added to their winnings. Also on almost every episode they would have a celebrity guest on the show, the panelists would be blindfolded and would try to guess the celebrities’ identity. The celebrity guest would try to change or disguise their voice to help in the deception.

This series aired on “CBS” TV and debuted at 10:30 PM on Thursday, 19 June 1952. During its’ long run of 17 seasons had had a total of 5 additional time slot changes. In July 1953 it aired at 9:30 PM on Wednesday, in September 1961 it aired on Mondays at 10:30 PM. In September 1962 it remained on Mondays but moved to a 8 PM start, in September 1966 it moved back to the 10:30 PM time slot. The show ended its’ run in April 1967 but came back from 15 June 1976 until it went off the air on 5 July 1976 on Tuesday nights at 8 PM. The hosts/moderators of the run of the show were “Garry Moore” from 1952 to 1964, “Steve Allen” from 1964 to 1967 and for the very shot return in 1976 it was “Bill Cullen”. Some of the regular panelists who were on the longest period of time were “Henry Morgan” from 1952 to 1976, “Jayne Meadows” from 1952 to 1959, “Faye Emerson” from 1952 to 1958, “Betsy Palmer” from 1957 to 1967 and “Bess Myerson” from 1958 to 1967. From 1972 to 1973 it was on during the daytime on selected syndicated networks hosted by “Steve Allen” Newer versions of “I’ve Got A Secret” aired in 2000 on the “Oxygen” network with hostess “Stephanie Miller” and again in 2006 on the “Game Show” network. The newest version on “GSN” has an all-gay panel with host “Bill Dwyer” who is said to be straight.