The title card from the premiere episode.
Game Show hosted by Jackie Gleason for CBS in 1961 where four panelists (Pat Harrington Jr., Pat Carroll, Jan Sterling, and Arthur Treacher) stuck their heads into a scene and had to guess what it was based on Gleason's responses to their questions. The panelist who guessed the scene got 100 CARE packages donated in their name, while the packages were donated in Gleason's name if nobody got it. The series was sponsored by Kellogg's and L&M Cigarettes, with Dennis James pitching some commercials for the former.After the premiere on January 20, the show was blasted by nearly every critic in the country; viewers of the timeslot on January 27 saw Gleason sitting on a barren stage apologizing for (and making fun of) the show, chalking up its failure to "the intangibles of show business" and sharing memories of other failures he was involved in.
The apology (part of which can be seen here
) was critically lauded, and Gleason finished out his network commitment with a one-on-one informal talk show entitled The Jackie Gleason Show, which ran until March 24.
Game Show Tropes in use:
- Personnel:
- The Announcer: Johnny Olson, who stayed in this role for the subsequent talk show.
- Game Show Host: Jackie Gleason.
- Studio Audience
This show provides examples of:
- Becoming Part of the Image: The concept behind this game show.
- Biting-the-Hand Humor: The below-mentioned "Chock Full O'Booze" quip in the apology episode, riffing on the Chock Full O'Nuts brand of cereal. Kellogg's was not amused and pulled their sponsorship the following week, claiming that "this isn't the show we bought."
- Catchphrase: "I'm sorry, your time is up."
- Foreshadowing: Near the end of the apology, Gleason mentions that "This isn't a requiem for a heavyweight." While the reference note and joke note are somewhat obvious, it should be noted that Gleason starred in the 1962 film adaptation of Requiem for a Heavyweight.
- I Need a Freaking Drink: During the apology, an audience member ran onstage and poured alcohol in Gleason's coffee cup. While drinking from it, Gleason realized what had happened.Gleason: It's a new blend called "Chock Full O'Booze".
- It's All My Fault: In his apology, Gleason takes full responsibility for laying the egg, while at the same time paying tribute to the experienced and talented people who came together to make the show happen.
- Nintendo Hard: To the max. Add clues and it's more like playing charades, breaking the point of the game.
- Product Placement: L&M Cigarettes and Kellogg's, the latter only staying on for the first two shows (see above).
