TO TELL THE TRUTH


The Mark Goodson-Bill Todman classic game which originally premiered on CBS on December 18, 1956 and had several runs in nighttime, daytime, and syndication through 1981, reappeared on the NBC daytime schedule on September 3, 1990.
Some would say that the 90's version which lasted only until May 31, 1991 was jinxed from the very beginning. On premiere day (9/3/90), NBC fed the wrong episode. The network mistakenly aired the unsold pilot with host Richard Kline. This pilot had a different set but the new theme and format were basically the same. The announcer was Charlie O'Donnell. Viewers in the Eastern and Central time zones saw the wrong episode.
Pilot host: Richard Kline
View of pilot's set
Panel on the pilot: Morton Downey, Jr., Cindy Adams, Lynn Swann, and Lynn Redgrave


The pilot was redone. Gordon Elliot was the new host. The format and set were reworked, but the same (new) theme music was used. Burton Richardson was the new announcer. Charlie O'Donnell occasionally filled in.

Host: Gordon Elliot
Premiere week: Panelists David Niven, Jr., Gloria Loring, Lynn Swann, Kitty Carlisle
Gordon Elliot was anointed by Kitty Carlisle on the premiere show!


After two months on the air, Gordon Elliot was replaced by new host Lynn Swann. Elliot's association with the show was clouded by a contract dispute about a competing production company having exclusive talent rights to Elliot. Elliot had to leave the show. He later went on to host his own talk show for two years for CBS/FOX.

Lynn Swann moved over from frequent panelist to new host on October 29, 1990. He lasted for three months.

On February 4, 1991, Alex Trebek took over as the show's fourth host. Trebek now had the distinction of hosting three game shows at the same time: NBC's "TTTT" and "Classic Concentration" and the syndicated "Jeopardy!"

Alex Trebek had to miss several tapings due to his wife suddenly going into labor. Producer Mark Goodson hosted several shows during Trebek's absence. Goodson could then be considered as the show's fifth host!

Third host: Lynn Swann
Alex Trebek replaced Lynn Swann


During the 90's run, such classic panelists as Polly Bergen, Peggy Cass, Orson Bean, and Kitty Carlisle returned. Carlisle frequently sat on the panel during the eight month run.

View of new set
Two classic games were played during each show


"One-on-One" was played during the final segment of the show. Here's announcer Burton Richardson giving an audience member a chance to win $500.
A guest made two proclamations, one true and one false. Celebrity panelists asked questions about the statements before the selected audience member decided which one was correct. If the audience member was correct, he would be awarded the cash prize. If not, the guest won the $500.


"To Tell The Truth" was cancelled on May 31, 1991. Mark Goodson made a guest appearance on the final show.

Coming Soon-TTTT: The Early Years


Check out Randy Amasia's suggestion for a revival!