To Tell The Truth - General Discussion

[pinkandsparkly13]

I guessed the tap dancer based on her pose at the beginning. I thought it looked like a pose a tap dancer might do compared to the others. Lol. I loved all the bits with Beverly.

I'm a Friday the 13th fanatic, but I really didn't know who was the first Jason, especially since he played the kid Jason. But I did lean towards number 3. And I just loved when he said Jason fans are the best in the world. I thought that was nice. Ha 

Doris always annoys me when she cuts them off and tells them just to reveal their answers. Sorry, you're not the boss and they're explaining why! 

[Swenson]

I gave up on this show.....why?  Because they have to stop with the "will the real so and so please stand up......after the break.  It makes me mad I tune out.....and don't come back even if I'm curious 

[chitowngirl]

I knew Erin Murphy right away! I figured the Milliner was #2 because she seemed the most modest about why a hat would be expensive. And I know the points don’t mean anything, but if they all choose the same in the last round, they aren’t going to change!

[LakeGal]

I've seen Erin Murphy as an adult so I knew her.  

 

[Phishbulb]

Is this ABC's first prime-time game show besides Who Wants to be a Millionaire to be filmed post-pandemic without an audience? I thought maybe these were still old episodes, but there clearly was no audience here. All the fake audience noise and laughter was obviously canned. It must've been filmed fairly recently too, because Kimmel's comments after he lost about demanding a recount or whatever hinted towards a post-election timeframe. 

I wonder if they'll bring back "Match Game" without an audience too, nothing about that show really requires one I guess. 

Edit: I guess there's "Celeb Wheel of Fortune" as well. 

Edited January 27, 2021 by Phishbulb

[ams1001]

1 hour ago, Phishbulb said:

Is this ABC's first prime-time game show besides Who Wants to be a Millionaire to be filmed post-pandemic without an audience? I thought maybe these were still old episodes, but there clearly was no audience here. All the fake audience noise and laughter was obviously canned. It must've been filmed fairly recently too, because Kimmel's comments after he lost about demanding a recount or whatever hinted towards a post-election timeframe. 

They also only have 3 panelists instead of the usual 4; I assume to be able to space out the chairs more.

[iMonrey]

Quote

I've seen Erin Murphy as an adult so I knew her.  

Yes, I'm surprised they didn't know her even if they all guessed right. Maybe they really did. I've seen her on various talk shows and documentaries over the years so I knew her on sight. 

I kind of guessed the milliner too because the two men had terrible hats. They looked really cheap like someone grabbed something out of wardrobe for the imposters. 

Good episode overall though.

[saber5055]

I recognized Adult Tabitha too, but I don't know why. Just knew it was her.

I went with the players' choice for the Kentucky Derby hat person. I really liked him, he was so smooth and kind. I'd want him to make me a hat, even if he couldn't. Sort of odd asking what horse won the Derby though, not all hat makers are horse people. Sort of like asking the hot-dog vendor or parking attendant what horse won. I've owned Thoroughbreds and watch all the Triple Crown and Breeders Cup races, and I couldn't tell you what horse won what when.

Glad MD* was a bit more toned down for this episode.

*Mama Doris (ugh)

[shapeshifter]

2 hours ago, saber5055 said:

I recognized Adult Tabitha too, but I don't know why. Just knew it was her.

Same

[853fisher]

If you'd given me a list of names, I could've told you it was Erin Murphy, but I didn't recognize her face.  Nice to have so many people mentioned from the show.  Agnes Moorehead is a favorite of mine.  I'm not one to get upset over comedy with no ill intent, but I did think the "did you go the way of the child stars with pills and liquor" line of questioning from Sherri was a little too flip.  Wouldn't she have felt like a jerk if the answer had been "yes, I struggled terribly with addiction in my life"!

Otherwise, everything was fine.  I was glad to see the show back.  I really didn't notice the difference from 4 to 3, other than in the context of my general allergy to any change.  Nothing felt missing really, but it didn't seem like the remaining panelists got further in depth either.  They must have used a few seconds to show the little montage of things dropped on Sherri.  It's a silly little bit, but I was waiting for it.

When the skating group looked all a bit deer-in-the-headlights to me at the start, I wanted to say, don't worry, Mama can't get near you because of COVID!  But even she was pretty alright.  Instead of scoffing at it, I should have known that "you mean the thing in the back that keeps my pants form riding up?" was too specific to be made up.  When am I ever going to learn? 😉

[iMonrey]

The #2 imposter for first AA Rockette really blew it with her lousy math. The ghost hunter one was a scream. They were all so sure it couldn't be #3 just because she was AA. And she thought Casper was the most realistic ghost portrayal in a movie!

[lambertman]

On 1/27/2021 at 10:34 AM, Phishbulb said:

Is this ABC's first prime-time game show besides Who Wants to be a Millionaire to be filmed post-pandemic without an audience? I thought maybe these were still old episodes, but there clearly was no audience here. All the fake audience noise and laughter was obviously canned. It must've been filmed fairly recently too, because Kimmel's comments after he lost about demanding a recount or whatever hinted towards a post-election timeframe. 

Edit: I guess there's "Celeb Wheel of Fortune" as well. 

Supermarket Sweep, Card Sharks and The Chase ( and, we assume, The Hustler) as well.  

Plus, $100,000 Pyramid has shot an entire new season that hasn't been scheduled yet.

[shapeshifter]

Nikki Glaser was a great contestant. She’s so quick with the ad libs. “Atlantic-ly,…” 😂 LOL!

[853fisher]

That was another great one.  I have loved puppets since I was very young.  I didn't recognize the puppeteer but I do know of the theatre and would like to visit after all this.  I was happy to read that they recently achieved a large fundraising goal and are continuing to do different virtual / socially distanced / etc shows.  The Cesar Chavez Day Parade through San Francisco's Mission is a wonderful opportunity to see lowriders, which I ran across on my way to the movies a few years ago: now I look so forward to seeing it again.  Even with the hydraulics, I wouldn't like to get up some of those hills.  I screwed up on the ghost hunter, thinking it couldn't be her because I would swear I'd seen her on a sitcom or something.  Just one of those faces, maybe.

16 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

Nikki Glaser was a great contestant. She’s so quick with the ad libs. “Atlantic-ly,…” 😂 LOL!

I like her a lot.  She does a few of these game shows and I'm excited every time I see her on the episode guide.  I think she's really funny without pushing too hard, and although the "I think it's #1 but I'm always wrong so I'm going to say it's #2" is sort of silly, she plays the game, asking germane questions in between the jokes.  I'd like to see her do comedy live sometime.

3 hours ago, iMonrey said:

The #2 imposter for first AA Rockette really blew it with her lousy math.

She sure did!  Too bad, I thought it might be her until then.  I'm sure there are several reasons the producers tweaked things a bit when they brought the format back, so that each impostor seems to independently organize a story and character for themselves around the basic premise.  The capital-A Actors they book most of the time seem to enjoy it, and they can be awfully convincing.  If it were me up there, though, I think I would prefer the older way, matching the basics to the real person and trying to pass as them more directly.  I would much rather know that I auditioned in 1985 and retired in 1990 or whatever, so I didn't have to do plausible math on the fly and I could spend more time on gilding things with cute details.  Of course, #2 could've just nailed those details down for her character going in!

[Chellichik]

I know I am a bit late, but I was so happy to see the roller skater last week.  Way back in the 80's I too, was a competitive roller figure skater.  I will say that if that guy is winning at nationals and placing at worlds with a double flip jump being his "trademark move", the skill level has gone down considerably.  People were doing triples in my day - not me, but the ones who skated world class and junior world class.

[theatremouse]

I knew who the puppeteer was as soon as he answered the "favourite" question. The letter specifically said the person specialized in marionettes. He's the only one who named a marionette guy. I realize it's possible for someone to end up a marionette specialist and still have their fave mostly work in a different format, but it's way less likely. Plus I doubt fakers would even be able to name someone who does marionettes.

[853fisher]

I have to admit to a moment of shame that I left out of my last post.  When #2 from the Rockettes group was asked how she kept her legs looking so good, she said "tap," and I said, "what does she tap?"  I'll be sending my degree back to the Department of Theatre and Dance to be destroyed this week.

20 hours ago, theatremouse said:

I knew who the puppeteer was as soon as he answered the "favourite" question. The letter specifically said the person specialized in marionettes. He's the only one who named a marionette guy. I realize it's possible for someone to end up a marionette specialist and still have their fave mostly work in a different format, but it's way less likely. Plus I doubt fakers would even be able to name someone who does marionettes.

That's pretty sharp.  I think the other two named Shari Lewis and Frank Oz?  So names the layperson would be more likely to know.  Bob Baker is definitely the most "inside baseball" of the three names.  If I were on the panel I might think that'd indicate the real person...or maybe Bob Baker was his grandfather and he had to say something. 😉

Edited February 4, 2021 by 853fisher
too many emojis

[theatremouse]

They really wasted a ton of time on the whole puppet vs ventriloquist dummy/ puppeteer vs ventriloquist spiel.

[Skyfall]

On 1/27/2021 at 10:34 AM, Phishbulb said:

Is this ABC's first prime-time game show besides Who Wants to be a Millionaire to be filmed post-pandemic without an audience? I thought maybe these were still old episodes, but there clearly was no audience here. All the fake audience noise and laughter was obviously canned. It must've been filmed fairly recently too, because Kimmel's comments after he lost about demanding a recount or whatever hinted towards a post-election timeframe. 

I wonder if they'll bring back "Match Game" without an audience too, nothing about that show really requires one I guess. 

Edit: I guess there's "Celeb Wheel of Fortune" as well. 

You forgot The Hustler an Supermarket Sweep.

Edited February 9, 2021 by Skyfall

[LakeGal]

No Mama Doris tonight!

[LadyNebula]

1 hour ago, LakeGal said:

No Mama Doris tonight!

And it was wonderful. 

[shapeshifter]

1 hour ago, LadyNebula said:

3 hours ago, LakeGal said:

No Mama Doris tonight!

And it was wonderful. 

Aww. I hope Mama Doris is okay. 
[shapeshifter hollering] Mama Doris! You okay? Was Anthony making fun of you again?

[Phishbulb]

Maybe she was recovering from that football match she had with Anthony in the Super Bowl commercial.

 

 

 

[853fisher]

I hope she was/is not unwell, but I didn't miss Doris for a minute either.  Her absence was my favorite thing about the episode.  It was fine, but I didn't enjoy it as much as others recently.  I like Joel, but he can really grate when he puts on that "too-cool-for-school" act.  No more than two deadpan lines in a row.  I found him sort of irritating tonight and wanted him to either play the game semi-seriously or shut up.  

[saber5055]

9 hours ago, 853fisher said:

I hope she was/is not unwell, but I didn't miss Doris for a minute either.  Her absence was my favorite thing about the episode.  It was fine, but I didn't enjoy it as much as others recently.  I like Joel, but he can really grate when he puts on that "too-cool-for-school" act.  No more than two deadpan lines in a row.  I found him sort of irritating tonight and wanted him to either play the game semi-seriously or shut up.  

I'm with you 100 percent. Missing Doris was a big plus, Smart Ass Joel was a big minus.

[Phishbulb]

Is there an ABC game show McHale hasn't been on? He was on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune this week, lol

[iMonrey]

Ugh, last week was SO MUCH better without Mama Doris. God grief, what a cartoon that woman is with her incessant cackle. And what on earth was Donald Faison on, laughing to the point of tears at every little thing she said and did? Whatever it is, I want some.

Doris was also 3 for 5, for those who are keeping score. She correctly "guessed" the rock fashion designer, harpist and super human memory. And of course she has to make her questions about herself. "How would you design for me? Do you have flat feet, like me?" 

I also thought Brad Garrett was a little too "on." He was dialed up to 11, he needed to turn it down to about a 6.

[theatremouse]

I thought the flat feet question was actually reasonably on target for the line-stander.

[853fisher]

These were filmed since COVID, weren’t they?  That’s why the silly “loser’s crown” has to be delivered by the robot, why (we’ve speculated) they went from four to three panelists, etc.  So what were Mama and the finger tutter doing an inch from each other’s faces?  The logic with which some shows have implement changes since March has seemed very inconsistent at times.

I liked the harpist and hyperthymesia rounds best.  The line-sitter just didn’t interest me much and, I try to keep an open mind, but neither was I impressed by the “finger-tutting.”  Mama unfortunately was in rare form.  What does she think is so funny or interesting about her “breastststststs”?  I’m no prude, but I find the fixation odd.  At least Anthony didn’t comment about them this time.

Edited February 18, 2021 by 853fisher
implement, not implicate: I swear I'm literate ;)

[SoMuchTV]

21 minutes ago, 853fisher said:

 

These were filmed since COVID, weren’t they?  That’s why the silly “loser’s crown” has to be delivered by the robot, why (we’ve speculated) they went from four to three panelists, etc.  So what were Mama and the finger tutter doing an inch from each other’s faces?  The logic with which some shows have implicated changes since March has seemed very inconsistent at times.

 

Whenever I see that kind of thing, I just tell myself that everyone involved was tested and quarantined for the appropriate amount of time before the show. Not practical, you say?  Lalalala I can’t hear you. 

[saber5055]

18 hours ago, 853fisher said:

neither was I impressed by the “finger-tutting.” 

I actually like that part since it reminded me of a French dance group I liked on World of Dance. It was unfortunate that the show insisted that MD take part and ruin it for me though. Can't stand her.

[chitowngirl]

Man, everyone was trying TOO hard tonight. Just ask your questions!

[ams1001]

Tonight's first ep:

• I loved the Nice Jewish Guy's "ab" reveal. 😄 He was a cutie.

Second ep:

• Go to Mars because the other planets are colder with less atmosphere? Tell that to Venus.

[Irlandesa]

Interesting.  No mama tonight in either of the episodes other than a brief phone call to break that Tom and Vivica tie.

[ams1001]

8 hours ago, Irlandesa said:

Interesting.  No mama tonight in either of the episodes other than a brief phone call to break that Tom and Vivica tie.

I couldn't find an explanation of why she's off (other than "getting a little rest" as she posted on Instagram) but apparently she'll be back soon.

https://www.thefocus.news/tv/what-happened-to-mama-on-to-tell-the-truth/

[theatremouse]

I'm just guessing but either: she had a potential covid exposure and had to quarantine, or she got her first dose vaccine and had to quarantine (or she had symptoms for completely unrelated reasons but still was not allowed on set because of it), and thus was unavailable for filming for a couple weeks. With game shows, that potentially adds up to a bunch of episodes.

[ams1001]

By the way, it does exist...

https://www.workman.com/products/nice-jewish-guys-wall-calendar-2021

 

(I gotta say, the real Mr. December is pretty cute.)

[iMonrey]

I'm sort of fascinated by the panel with Tom Lennon, Vivica A. Fox and Alfonso Ribeiro.

First of all, Tom Lennon. I'll admit, I thought he was funny in Reno 911. And he gets a few laughs as a game show panelist. But there is something vaguely off-putting about him that I just can't put my finger on. It's as though there's something lurking under the surface setting off my alarm bells. He has a constant persona that just doesn't feel genuine. He's kind of creepy.

Then there's Alfonso. This guy has tons of charisma but he reeks of desperation. I think he must feel like his career went nowhere after Fresh Prince of Bel Air. I'm amazed he didn't do the Carlton dance. 

I can't believe Vivica A. Fox is the same actress that played Jasmine in Independence Day. She looks so different, and sounds so different. I wonder if she's a smoker. 

Here's hoping the network is deluged with letters begging them to make Mama Doris's absence permanent. 

[saber5055]

8 hours ago, ams1001 said:

I couldn't find an explanation of why she's off (other than "getting a little rest" as she posted on Instagram) but apparently she'll be back soon.

Well, that's an example of good news (she's gone) vs. bad news (she's coming back).

I'm all about that Nice Jewish Guy calendar. I'd take the cover guy home and forget about letting him leave. Mr. December is welcome anytime too. (Call me!)

I've liked Tom Lennon on other game shows and Reno 911, but last night, OMG, I would have taken two hours of Mama Doris over five minutes of him. The show isn't about you, Mr. Lennon, although maybe it is since he was the self-proclaimed STAR of the night. And yeah, he's creepy weird as heck.

2 hours ago, iMonrey said:

Then there's Alfonso. This guy has tons of charisma but he reeks of desperation. I think he must feel like his career went nowhere after Fresh Prince of Bel Air. I'm amazed he didn't do the Carlton dance. 

He is hosting America's Funniest Videos, got the gig after his stint on Dancing With the Stars, took over for Tom Bergeron. And, of course, he did do The Carlton on DWTS.

[ams1001]

31 minutes ago, saber5055 said:

I'm all about that Nice Jewish Guy calendar. I'd take the cover guy home and forget about letting him leave. Mr. December is welcome anytime too. (Call me!)

lol...He has a nice smile. I was disappointed that picture didn't open a larger version. 😉 

[853fisher]

I was surprised to get two episodes on one night, especially when they are still having difficulty producing TV, aren't they?  Many shows I've enjoyed have been "burned off" when their networks don't see much future.  I recall scheduling has been somewhat irregular on many of ABC's game shows, so I won't get too worried, but it doesn't seem like a great sign.

Lauren Lapkus was perhaps my favorite panelist of the doubleheader.  She got some funny lines in but in between them asked sincere questions and seemed happy to be there.  I agree that there is something off-putting about Lennon as he presented himself.  McHale is similar on this show.  They just come off glib and greasy to me, trying way too hard to seem "cool," and don't strike a good balance between vaguely condescending not-really-questions and playing the game.  McHale's new hairstyle, which I've really only seen elsewhere on Proud Boys and people who try to cut in line at the douchiest bars (not that I'm claiming he belongs to either group), is not helping things either: at least he was nice to look at before.  I wonder what either of them is like truly "as themselves."  I know we're getting a TV persona version of all these people to some extent, but i feel like we get the least sense of authenticity from these guys and it's not appealing when others seem more natural.

[ams1001]

2 hours ago, 853fisher said:

Lauren Lapkus was perhaps my favorite panelist of the doubleheader.  She got some funny lines in but in between them asked sincere questions and seemed happy to be there.  I agree that there is something off-putting about Lennon as he presented himself.  McHale is similar on this show.  They just come off glib and greasy to me, trying way too hard to seem "cool," and don't strike a good balance between vaguely condescending not-really-questions and playing the game.  McHale's new hairstyle, which I've really only seen elsewhere on Proud Boys and people who try to cut in line at the douchiest bars (not that I'm claiming he belongs to either group), is not helping things either: at least he was nice to look at before.  I wonder what either of them is like truly "as themselves."  I know we're getting a TV persona version of all these people to some extent, but i feel like we get the least sense of authenticity from these guys and it's not appealing when others seem more natural.

I've never watched anything Lauren Lapkus has been in (other than Big Bang Theory) but I've always liked her when she's on this, or when she's popped up on a couple podcasts here and there. (I think my favorite panelist has been Joshua Malina; he's smart and funny and always asks good questions. They should have him more often.)

I, too, hated Joel's hair. I was kinda hoping he had it cut like that for a show or something because otherwise, just no.

[SoMuchTV]

20 minutes ago, ams1001 said:

. (I think my favorite panelist has been Joshua Malina; he's smart and funny and always asks good questions. They should have him more often.)

When was Joshua Malina on? Was it recently? I only know him because I just recently started bingeing  The West Wing, and following along with his podcast. Then I caught up to the point where he was actually in the show. I feel like on paper I should like him but something just felt off for me somehow. I’d like to go back and watch him in something else. 

[ams1001]

13 minutes ago, SoMuchTV said:

When was Joshua Malina on? Was it recently? I only know him because I just recently started bingeing  The West Wing, and following along with his podcast. Then I caught up to the point where he was actually in the show. I feel like on paper I should like him but something just felt off for me somehow. I’d like to go back and watch him in something else. 

He was on a couple episodes in each 2018 and 2019; looks like not since then.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5817158/episodes?year=2019

He was in an episode of This Is Us a couple weeks ago; waiting to see if he'll be coming back because he seems like too well-known an actor to just be a random nameless car crash victim. I feel like there's got to be more to that story.

[rr2911]

I used to love the original To Tell The Truth back in the 70's. I was hoping this show would be good and it actually was.........until the host's mother started to be shown more and more. I now many people like her, but I don't! So I don't watch the show. 

[lynxfx]

1 hour ago, rr2911 said:

until the host's mother started to be shown more and more. I now many people like her, but I don't! So I don't watch the show. 

I haven't found a single person that likes her on the show. Judging by the years of posts here not many do. Seems like only the celebs do or at least they are nice about it. 

[shapeshifter]

9 hours ago, lynxfx said:

I haven't found a single person that likes her on the show. Judging by the years of posts here not many do. Seems like only the celebs do or at least they are nice about it. 

I think Mama has her good moments, albeit they are few and far between.
To be fair, quite a few of the celebreties are often duller than I would expect (Joel McHale, I'm lookin' at you!).

I happened to catch "Funny You Should Ask" and found the celebs to be much more entertaining, especially Maz Jobrani.
I wonder if it's partly the show format and premise? 
Like maybe if Anthony Anderson had been given that show, his Mama would have had some good ad libs?

On this show, the "entertainment" is really about the weird professions.
Maybe I need to switch shows.
I need more laughter in my life.

[853fisher]

28 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

On this show, the "entertainment" is really about the weird professions.

It's interesting you say that.  I thought many of the people they've booked would have fit right in on the '68-'75 syndicated run of "What's My Line?" when they made the format a bit less stuffy, allowing demonstrations, etc.  When I liked "To Tell the Truth" best, they were booking mostly people who had written books or achieved something, or had some specific interesting story to tell beyond their occupation.  It might be a bit highbrow for 2021 ABC primetime, but I still would like them to point things a little more in that direction.

It wasn't all deadly serious "I'm a diplomat's wife who wrote a travelogue about Nixon's visit to China" either.  I remember a few very entertaining segments like "I put a layer of paint on a block of wood every day for over a decade" and the famous "I'm a college student who thinks meat costs too much so I've made fancy meals out of dog food."  But experienced TV personalities like Gene Rayburn and Kitty Carlisle could inject a little humor into just about any story without trying to fit their tight five in between questions.

And none of them would ever have made fun of any of the guests.  I know today's panelists are "just joking" when they do that, but I still find it very rude.  It reminds me a lot of that aunt who will point at someone on Thanksgiving and say, "no pie for you, dear, you've had enough," very kidding-but-not-really.  I cringed when they asked the puppeteer a few weeks ago how it felt not to have any friends, for instance.  That's not even clever, it's just jerky.  Who cares what the panel thinks of someone's unusual occupation or interest?

I do like this show and look forward to it every week for the good parts.  I know it's not 1971 anymore either, and I think that's a good thing in a lot of ways, but some tweaks could make it even better.

[rr2911]

I just watched on Youtube a TTTT episode from the 70's and I can see one difference that really stands out. The old version was about the contestants, while the current one seems to be about the celebrity panel and the annoying mother. 

In this old episode from the 70's, the panel had to guess which three "men" was a Hollywood makeup artist. The two false contestants, one was a producer of the show and the other one was a secretary (female disguised as a man) for the studio. After the reveal, one of the celebrities commented that they thought the one contestant (who was actually female) was just a "sissy" and everyone laughed! Can you imagine the uproar this show would have gotten if this happened today? This show would've been canceled immediately!   

Edited February 28, 2021 by rr2911

[Kromm]

On 1/27/2021 at 6:15 PM, saber5055 said:

Mama Doris (ugh)

Always ugh.  She's long past her sell by date.  She was amusing for like 1 season.