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I've Got a Secret

From Alfawiki
I've Got a Secret
Company typeTelevision program
IndustryEntertainment, Television
FoundedJune 19, 1952; 74 years ago (1952-06-19)
FounderAllan Sherman, Howard Merrill
Headquarters
United States
ProductsPanel game television program

I've Got a Secret is a United States-based panel game television program created by comedy writers Allan Sherman and Howard Merrill, and produced by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman for the CBS network. This show was inspired by Goodson–Todman's earlier panel format, What's My Line?, but instead of guessing a contestant’s profession, the panel’s objective was to discover a surprising, extraordinary, embarrassing, or amusing secret belonging to the participant.

The original broadcast debuted on CBS on June 19, 1952, continuing until April 3, 1967. It began airing in black and white before transitioning to color in 1966, following the trend of other prime-time network shows.

The series experienced several revivals: a weekly syndicated version during the 1972–1973 season; a brief summer return on CBS from June 15 to July 6, 1976; a daily revival on Oxygen from 2000 to 2001; and a second GSN revival with new episodes airing daily from April 17 through June 9, 2006.

Hosts and panelists

Initially, the program was hosted by radio and TV figure Garry Moore. After a period of rotating panelists, the regular lineup settled with game show host Bill Cullen, comedian Henry Morgan, television presenter Faye Emerson, and actress Jayne Meadows. In 1958, Emerson departed to pursue theatrical work and was succeeded by actress Betsy Palmer. Later that year, Meadows relocated to the West Coast, leading to former Miss America Bess Myerson joining the panel. Guest hosts occasionally filled in for Moore, including Cullen, Morgan, and Palmer. The primary announcer throughout most of the original run (1952–67) was John Cannon.

Moore exited after the 1963–64 season to retire from television. His successor was Steve Allen, who left his syndicated talk show to take over hosting duties beginning September 21, 1964. Allen also returned as host for the 1972–73 revival. The short-lived CBS summer edition in 1976 was hosted by former panelist Bill Cullen and featured regular panelists such as Richard Dawson, Henry Morgan, Pat Carroll, and Elaine Joyce.

The Oxygen revival (2000–2001) was hosted by Stephanie Miller, with recurring panelists including Jim J. Bullock, Jason Kravits, Amy Yasbeck, and Teri Garr. The GSN iteration featured host Bil Dwyer alongside a permanent panel composed of Billy Bean, Frank DeCaro, Jermaine Taylor, and Suzanne Westenhoefer.

Gameplay

Episodes typically included two rounds with regular contestants followed by a round featuring a celebrity guest; occasionally an extra regular round was added.

Standard rounds

In each segment, the panel’s task was to guess a contestant’s secret—generally an unusual or remarkable fact from their life, achievements, or possessions that could be amusing or surprising.

Contestants were introduced by the host who quietly revealed their secret; this information appeared as text on screen for viewers. Following this, the host provided a hint before panel members began their questioning.

At first, each panelist had two opportunities during a timed 15-second period to question the contestant as the turn passed around twice. For every incorrect guess, the contestant earned $10 (up to $80). In mid-1954, this format changed: there was only one questioning round with $20 awarded for each panelist unable to identify the secret. The time allowed for questioning became more flexible to suit live broadcast requirements. Later in the series’ run, producers sometimes cut off panelists close to uncovering the secret to maintain pacing or add humor. The initial questioner was often chosen strategically based on their knowledge related to the secret.

Once a secret was uncovered—either guessed correctly or revealed by the host—the contestant would be interviewed or demonstrate their secret firsthand, sometimes involving participation from the host or panelists.

Distinguished guests included Colonel Harland Sanders ("I started my restaurant with my first Social Security check"), drummer Pete Best ("I used to be one of The Beatles"), and Samuel J. Seymour, who was the last living eyewitness to President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. A special "teenage appreciation" episode in 1958 showcased talented youths such as chess prodigy Bobby Fischer, pop icon Paul Anka, and basketball star Oscar Robertson. Other notable contestants featured Sgt. Ira Jones, Elvis Presley’s First Sergeant during his time in Germany, as well as scientist Philo T. Farnsworth, credited with inventing electronic television.

Guest appearances

In most episodes, a celebrity guest was spotlighted, introduced with the phrase "my name is [Name] and I've Got a Secret!" Initially, these secrets tended to be authentic personal disclosures. Nevertheless, producer Allan Sherman later admitted that numerous celebrity secrets—such as Boris Karloff's supposed fear of mice—were actually scripted by the production team, with the celebrities cooperating in the act.

By the mid-1950s, the celebrity secret segment transformed into a format where guests presented challenges to the panel, sometimes connected to their current work but frequently unrelated. This change eliminated the traditional guessing game. Certain challenges foreshadowed ideas that would appear in future game shows: for instance, Woody Allen invited the panel to guess words defined by children, an early version of what became Child's Play. Other segments featuring Peter Falk and Soupy Sales involved identifying famous individuals from photographs tracing their growth from infancy, a concept later adopted by Face the Music.

A number of secrets centered around Henry Morgan, whose "charming curmudgeon" character inspired writers to craft humorous scenarios. Morgan embarked on themed week-long excursions—often filmed for highlights—including buying an English Christmas dinner in England while dressed in traditional garb; working at Roy Rogers' dude ranch; experimenting with a gambling theory in Las Vegas; and accompanying Ann Sheridan on an African safari. Additional roles included serving as a background spear bearer at the Metropolitan Opera, playing a corpse in a Broadway murder mystery, acting as Santa Claus for underprivileged children, and reading a radio script amid distractions from panelists. A Halloween installment featured Arnold Stang dressed as a ghost using Morgan’s bedsheet, culminating in a staged unveiling of Morgan’s bed concealed behind a curtain.

Distinguished guests on the program

Throughout its broadcast history, I've Got a Secret welcomed numerous prominent guests.

Name Episode date Secret
Buster Keaton 25 July 1952 I once threw a pie at Hedda Hopper.
Harpo Marx 21 April 1954 I am impersonating Harpo Marx (actually Chico Marx).
Boris Karloff 13 October 1954 I have a fear of mice.
Cy Young 13 April 1955 I am inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Ronald Reagan 15 October 1955 No secret. The game restarts whenever a panelist makes an error.
Samuel J. Seymour 8 February 1956 I witnessed John Wilkes Booth shoot Abraham Lincoln.
Clyde Tombaugh 24 October 1956 I discovered the planet Pluto.
Philo Farnsworth 3 July 1957 I invented electronic television at age 14. (Farnsworth’s sole notable TV appearance)
Bobby Fischer 26 March 1958 At 15 years old, I became the U.S. chess champion.
Ira Jones 6 May 1959 I was Elvis Presley’s platoon sergeant.
Delia and Bertie Harris 26 April 1961 Our grandfather fought in the American Revolutionary War.
Viola and Stephen Armstrong 17 September 1962 Our son Neil Armstrong became an astronaut today.
John Cale 16 September 1963 I performed an 18-hour concert. (Later co-founded The Velvet Underground)
Colonel Sanders 6 April 1964 I started KFC using my $105 Social Security check.
Pete Best 30 March 1964 Two years ago, I left my position as one of The Beatles.
Cole Palen 26 April 1965 I arrived here flying a 1912 airplane.
Denise Austin,
Lynn Austin,
Jacque Fitch 		18 October 1965 's great-grandmother is watching on TV; the others' great-grandmothers are backstage.

(Note: Original text incomplete here; preserved as is.)

William Pollock 6 June 1966 I operate the oldest functioning automobile in the U.S.; no parts replaced since 1891.


History and style

I've Got a Secret adopted a more casual tone compared to its counterpart What's My Line?. The host and panelists addressed each other by first names, and early on, the strict time limits for questioning were discarded in favor of a more entertaining rhythm. Panel members typically wore suits or sport coats, with Morgan and Moore frequently choosing bow ties. Smoking during broadcasts was common practice until the later stages of the series, with Moore continuing to smoke up to his final episode. Each episode began with the host introducing the panel through clever wordplay.

Although only yes-or-no questions were officially permitted, the show often took liberties with this rule. Unlike What's My Line?, the host regularly provided clues when panelists digressed, and while formal collaboration among panelists was prohibited, whispering became increasingly accepted over time.

Initially broadcast in black-and-white, the show transitioned to color in 1966; however, the majority of surviving episodes remain in black-and-white. Sponsorship played a significant role, featuring prominently through on-set advertisements and commercials, with some sponsors even giving product samples to contestants. This sponsorship presence diminished toward the series' end.

In 1967, as part of a sweeping cancellation by CBS targeting panel shows due to declining ratings in critical demographics despite financial profitability, I've Got a Secret was discontinued alongside What's My Line? and To Tell the Truth. Unlike its counterparts, it did not continue without interruption in other formats; What's My Line? shifted to syndication, while To Tell the Truth persisted as a daytime program. Host Steve Allen returned to his syndicated talk show the following year.

The program made an appearance in the 1959 motion picture It Happened to Jane, where Moore and the panel portrayed themselves.

Following Goodson-Todman’s sale in January 1960, production responsibilities moved to Telecast Enterprises, Inc., a company jointly owned by CBS and Moore.

Carsey-Werner planned a revival for fall 1993 syndication alongside Bill Cosby's You Bet Your Life, but these plans were abandoned before airing; no permanent host or panelists had been announced.

In March 2023, Embassy Row, Werner Entertainment, and Game Show Enterprises Studios revealed plans for an hour-long pilot aimed at reviving the series with Katie Nolan as host. The panel includes Nikki Glaser, Colton Dunn, Cristela Alonzo, and Matteo Lane.

Merchandise

A board game based on I've Got a Secret, featuring Garry Moore on its packaging, was launched in 1956 by Lowell Toy Manufacturing Corporation of New York City.

1970s revivals

The revivals during the 1970s mostly preserved the original format but placed greater emphasis on celebrity secrets rather than challenging the panel. Richard Dawson appeared regularly as a panelist, joined frequently by actress Pat Carroll and occasionally by Henry Morgan. The syndicated 1972–73 version was hosted by former panelist Steve Allen, while Bill Cullen took on hosting duties for the 1976 CBS revival.

Oxygen revival

On Oxygen's version, each panelist was allotted 45 seconds for questioning. Contestants received $250 for each panelist they stumped and $1,000 if they managed to stump them all. Hosted by Stephanie Miller, the set was designed to resemble a stylish urban apartment. This revival produced over 120 episodes. Steve Allen and Betsy Palmer made guest appearances during its run.

GSN revival

The GSN iteration allocated 40 seconds to each panelist and permitted one conference per round. Successfully stumping all panel members earned contestants $1,000 along with a dinner for two in Beverly Hills. Participants received appearance fees and farewell gifts. The panel consisted exclusively of openly gay members, subtly acknowledged through innuendos; host Bil Dwyer was introduced as "the straight man to the panel." Occasional appearances were made by minor entertainers such as piano juggler Dan Menendez.

Episode status

Several early episodes from the original 1952 season are missing. The majority of episodes from late 1952 until the show's cancellation in 1967 survive as digital copies of black-and-white kinescopes. The very first episode is believed to be lost.

GSN

A number of episodes remain unaired on GSN, largely due to the show's historical sponsorship by Winston cigarettes and subsequent advertising restrictions enacted since 1971. For instance, a 1956 episode awarded $80 along with a carton of Winston cigarettes; however, non-smoking contestant Samuel J. Seymour was given pipe tobacco instead. It is unclear whether this decision stems from legal considerations or network policy. Additionally, GSN has omitted several known episodes, potentially due to their loss or poor preservation.

All subsequent revivals exist in complete form except for the 1976 series, whose preservation status is uncertain; its pilot can be found on YouTube, and the finale survives as an audio recording. Occasionally, GSN airs episodes from the 1972–73 syndicated run.

Buzzr

The over-the-air digital network Buzzr, owned by Fremantle, broadcasts the program in a two-hour block alongside To Tell the Truth and What's My Line?. Each episode is shown unedited, including original commercials (with cigarette advertisements removed), within a 40-minute time slot.

Nielsen ratings

Between 1952 and 1967, I've Got a Secret consistently ranked within the top 30 television programs for ten out of fifteen seasons, reaching its highest position at #5 during the 1957–58 season.

Theme music

From 1952 to 1961, the opening theme was "Plink, Plank, Plunk!" composed by Leroy Anderson, featured on the album Classic TV Game Show Themes (credited there to Norman Paris). Between 1961 and 1963, an energetic rendition of Max Steiner's "Theme from A Summer Place" served as the theme.

From 1963 to 1967, an upbeat march composed by musical director Norman Paris was used, incorporating piccolo and xylophone and featuring a melody reminiscent of schoolyard taunts. In 1972, Steve Allen's "This Could Be the Start of Something" was adopted as the opening theme, arranged by Edd Kalehoff for Score Productions; Kalehoff also composed that year's closing theme.

The 2000 revival's theme was created by Tim Mosher and Stoker, while Alan Ett and Scott Liggett developed a jazz-influenced theme for Bil Dwyer's 2006 GSN version.

International versions

Country Name Host Channel Air dates
Australia I've Got a Secret Eric Pearce HSV 7 1956–1958
Don Seccombe QTQ Channel 9 1967–1973
France J'ai un Secret Pierre Bellemare TF1 1982–1983
Japan My Secret Keizo Takahashi NHK 1955–1967
United Kingdom I've Got a Secret Ben Lyon ITV 1956
Tom O'Connor BBC1 1984–1988

Australia aired two versions: one in Melbourne (1956–c.1958) hosted by Eric Pearce during HSV 7’s launch phase with regular panelists including Olive Wykes and Jack Dyer; another in Brisbane (1967–1973) on QTQ Channel 9 hosted by Don Seccombe, featuring celebrity panelists such as Ron Cadee and Joy Chambers.

Japan's NHK broadcast My Secret from 1955 through 1967 with Keizo Takahashi as host. France’s TF1 presented J'ai un Secret between 1982 and 1983 under Pierre Bellemare’s hosting.

The United Kingdom produced two editions: a 1956 ITV version hosted by American-born Ben Lyon and a BBC1 revival running from 1984 to 1988 with Tom O'Connor as host.

External links

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