Bennett Cerf was THEE Guy. I have seen pretty much every available episode of WML? and he's right about one thing.. you just couldn't fake it for very long. He just seemed like the kind of person you wanted to be around all the time.
When I was a 7 - 10-y/o kid watching WML, I of course couldn't have known or much valued at the time how the panelists achieved their fame or stature, and so I didn't have the reverence then that I have now for Bennett Cerf and Dorothy Kilgallen -- Cerf especially. Here's a man who had it all -- good looks, pedigree, supreme intellect, vision, tireless effort, sense of humor, and a zest for life. And to top it off, he was a genuinely decent human being; he didn't trade on his aristocracy and was open and approachable. The American experience is richer for Bennett Cerf having been here in our time, and at the zenith of America's influence in the world. A great man.
Mr. Cerf -- a true gentleman and a scholar. I highly recommend his book "At Random" for a penetrating look at early 20th Century days of publishing and the inevitable emergence of one of America's most intriguing personalities.
I read the book & loved it. I can remember thinking how he survived the stock market crash of 1929 & of course he clearly states, people could not afford to go out to eat or the theater they stayed home & read books. He was such fun, At Random was a charming book with lots of lovely pictures of precious people from his life.
Cerf was absolutely charming. Even as a child when I first watched, I adored him. His wonderful NY accent is delightful. Intelligent and a wonderful American humorist even Mark Twain would have loved.
What a wonderful story! Always thought spending some time talking with Bennett & Dorothy would be a hoot. After a couple of drinks they'd be hilarious. (off camera of course)
+rick charles YEAH, MAN !!!!!!! And you can invite Miss Francis along, too; we can't have too much glamour or wit or loveliness. Dry martinis for us all, and Cheers !
I wonder if either of Bennett’s boys or if Arlene son ever watches their old shows on TH-cam it would be weird but I wonder if they know how much we love and miss there parents.
@@melianna999 Peter Gabel, sadly, passed away 2 years ago to the day that I'm writing this. Bennett's sons, Christopher and Jonathan, are both still alive.
We hear so much of Mr. Cerf’s association with the WML television program, I would love to hear him talk about his acquaintances with great authors and his work as a publisher.
You should check out his memoirs, then, called "At Random"-- it's still in print, and almost exclusively focuses on his career as a publisher and his relationships with great authors! Or listen to the long "Oral History" interview he did in the late 1960s, which was one of the primary sources for the book (it was published posthumously): th-cam.com/video/IR483LEArUc/w-d-xo.html
Sometimes at a dinner party.. the question will come up.. "If you could go back in time and have lunch with someone, whom would you choose?" Although John Adams is still at the top of my list, Bennett Cerf runs a Very close second.
Question: Bennett came from an upper class Manhattan, N.Y. family. Bachelor of Arts degrees in Literature and Journalism from Columbia University. 'Worked with top publishers and co-founded legendary Random House publishing. A witty humorist, writer and speaker. So why did this educated, high class New Yorker speak with a blue collar Bronx accent thick enough to curdle youa co-aw-feee ? After watching and liking him on TV for decades, this question suddenly occurred to me, after my New York friends were discussing various accents of many typical and atypical New Yorkers. None of the other TV panelists, all of whom were also sophisticated New Yorkers, spoke with a thick Bronx accent. They spoke with the semi-British New York theater accent, pronouncing their city "Ne-u Yoke". I imagine he learned the accent at a very young age and it simply stuck. Since he came from a prominent family and later became a publishing mogul, nobody at college or later in business, would ever mention it, lest someone would remark "the emperor has no clothes". His accent was one thing that uniquely distinguished him on the TV panel, and it obviously endeared him to both TV and live audiences.
How awesome that the panelists went for drinks/dinner after the show with not just the mystery guest but the other guests too! Nowadays that would never happen. Too many egos.
WML was before my time - sadly. how great it would have been to have been part of that or even to be in the "circles" he was in. seems like not just a funny guy but genuinely nice, not pompous or arrogant or phony like so many celebs are
Nearly all of the episodes that survive, over 700 of them, are on TH-cam to watch whenever you want. Just find the "What's My Line" channel, where they've been organized into chronological playlists for ease of viewing. Highly recommended!
"There is nothing worse than _dead time_ on radio or television - a ten-second blank seems like an hour to the people listening (or watching)." I wish the current producers of _Wheel of Fortune_ would keep this advice in mind.
His pronunciation of abdomen you don't hear anymore, I think some scientists may have said it like that. I remember on WML, I think it was the show after Fred died they had on Montreal Canadiens goalie Jacques Plante (plaunt) which they all pronounced plant and Cerf asked if he was on the active roster which Cerf pronounced roaster. Daly also said Plante was the winner of the Vezina Trophy which he pronounced Vezeena
I so enjoyed this. I wish that I could have known Bennett Cerf personally. He had an unusual accent. I guess I can Google this information myself to find out. He had a passion for literary works, which in my book made him a very sexy man!
Another Bennett pronunciation moment.... Bennett gives a new pronunciation to the common word "Abdomen". In Bennett's world the overwhelming emphasis is on the second syllable, and it becomes "Ab-DOUGH-men.....I wish I knew the speech impediment that Bennett had. I know there's a condition when you constantly mispronounce names and words. What did he have!?
+Galileocan g In the somber episode following Fred Allen's death, Canadiens goalie Jacques Plante (plont) was a contestant. Aside from all the panel pronouncing his name as "plant" Cerf asked him if he was on the active "roaster" (roster) of the Canadiens hockey team. Daly then says Plante was awarded the "Vezeena" (Vezina) trophy as top goalie. Yikes!
He was born in 1898. Go to the library or use Google Books to find a dictionary from back then, and you'll find that it indicates the pronunciation he uses. Things change! You can also find music from the 1910s that puts the -DO- syllable on a strong beat, and rhymes it with "foeman". Bennett does have a strong New York accent and mangled some words, but this isn't one of those cases.
Hal Block is my most fav. panelist who contributed the most towards the laughs while Mr. Cerf was quite repetitious, serious & unfunny. Especially disliked his words about Hal Block in a 1968 interview, which seem like insecurity to me.
Seriously? I've lived in the UK, Australia and New Zealand (which I am guessing you have not), and their socialised medicine works a darn sight better than ANY system, present or past, that America has ever come up with. I now live in the USA where, each day I meet people who have lost their home, live savings and even their marriage because of your fucked-up, corrupted health system. You're obviously one of the self-centered 1% who doesn't need to worry about being in this position otherwise you wouldn't talk such rubbish. But if not, then I hope one day when you do get cancer and are presented with a half a million dollar co-pay to cover the cost of chemo that you will indeed think twice before talking out of your ass.
@@donttalkcrap That needed to be said. Hopefully, we shall tweak our system, in the not so distant future, and inject more humanity into it. Hopefully.
I think you've got egg on your face...Suggest you visit a dermatologist, NHS of course. I also think you should take a blood test for what appears to be a case of acute mirth deficiency.
@Have it now Totally agree. He was very unfunny due to his extremely serious mannerism. He was quite pompous & arrogant & I especially disliked his words about Hal Block. Block was the one who contributed the most towards laughter.
@@abhinavs1137 Block was the only one of the panellists who need the WML panellists job , so he tried too hard ...and some of his remarks did not go down too well with the shows conservative audience. Bennett Card spoke about Hal Block in an interview (1968 ?) with some sympathy but it's a fact that he did not get on with Block
Bennett Cerf was THEE Guy. I have seen pretty much every available episode of WML? and he's right about one thing.. you just couldn't fake it for very long. He just seemed like the kind of person you wanted to be around all the time.
When I was a 7 - 10-y/o kid watching WML, I of course couldn't have known or much valued at the time how the panelists achieved their fame or stature, and so I didn't have the reverence then that I have now for Bennett Cerf and Dorothy Kilgallen -- Cerf especially. Here's a man who had it all -- good looks, pedigree, supreme intellect, vision, tireless effort, sense of humor, and a zest for life. And to top it off, he was a genuinely decent human being; he didn't trade on his aristocracy and was open and approachable. The American experience is richer for Bennett Cerf having been here in our time, and at the zenith of America's influence in the world. A great man.
Here! Here!
Mr. Cerf -- a true gentleman and a scholar. I highly recommend his book "At Random" for a penetrating look at early 20th Century days of publishing and the inevitable emergence of one of America's most intriguing personalities.
I'm reading it now. It's funny as well as thought provoking. Would recommend it.
I read the book & loved it. I can remember thinking how he survived the stock market crash of 1929 & of course he clearly states, people could not afford to go out to eat or the theater they stayed home & read books. He was such fun, At Random was a charming book with lots of lovely pictures of precious people from his life.
If you have the entire talk, I think a lot of us would love to hear it!
Thanks so much for this special clip. It really sheds light on Bennett Cerf as well as WML. Enjoyed it a lot.
What a cool find! I hope more of these turn up. He spoke so much, that one would think colleges and other institutions might hold some of his talks.
Enlightening info from Mr. Cerf about WML & told in that awesome NY Lockjaw Accent of his.
Thanks much for this upload. :-)
Cerf was absolutely charming. Even as a child when I first watched, I adored him. His wonderful NY accent is delightful. Intelligent and a wonderful American humorist even Mark Twain would have loved.
What a wonderful story! Always thought spending some time talking with Bennett & Dorothy would be a hoot. After a couple of drinks they'd be hilarious. (off camera of course)
+rick charles YEAH, MAN !!!!!!! And you can invite Miss Francis along, too; we can't have too much glamour or wit or loveliness. Dry martinis for us all, and Cheers !
+iamintheburg
Bottom's up my friend!
They where great ❤
I wonder if either of Bennett’s boys or if Arlene son ever watches their old shows on TH-cam it would be weird but I wonder if they know how much we love and miss there parents.
Are they still alive?
@@melianna999 Peter Gabel, sadly, passed away 2 years ago to the day that I'm writing this. Bennett's sons, Christopher and Jonathan, are both still alive.
He was always my favorite What's My Line panelist His autobiography At Random is an excellent read.
What a great show and Mr. Cerf as well.
We hear so much of Mr. Cerf’s association with the WML television program, I would love to hear him talk about his acquaintances with great authors and his work as a publisher.
You should check out his memoirs, then, called "At Random"-- it's still in print, and almost exclusively focuses on his career as a publisher and his relationships with great authors! Or listen to the long "Oral History" interview he did in the late 1960s, which was one of the primary sources for the book (it was published posthumously): th-cam.com/video/IR483LEArUc/w-d-xo.html
What a nice guy.. Bennett Cerf was a great panelist.. a great show.. what's my line was
Thank you for this gem!
Mr Cerf❤️❤️
Sometimes at a dinner party.. the question will come up.. "If you could go back in time and have lunch with someone, whom would you choose?"
Although John Adams is still at the top of my list, Bennett Cerf runs a Very close second.
Question: Bennett came from an upper class Manhattan, N.Y. family. Bachelor of Arts degrees in Literature and Journalism from Columbia University. 'Worked with top publishers and co-founded legendary Random House publishing. A witty humorist, writer and speaker. So why did this educated, high class New Yorker speak with a blue collar Bronx accent thick enough to
curdle youa co-aw-feee ? After watching and liking him on TV for decades, this question suddenly occurred to me, after my New York friends were discussing various accents of many typical and atypical New Yorkers. None of the other TV panelists, all of whom were also sophisticated New Yorkers, spoke with a thick Bronx accent. They spoke with the semi-British New York theater accent, pronouncing their city "Ne-u Yoke".
I imagine he learned the accent at a very young age and it simply stuck. Since he came from a prominent family and later became a publishing mogul, nobody at college or later in business, would ever mention it, lest someone would remark "the emperor has no clothes". His accent was one thing that uniquely distinguished him on the TV panel, and it obviously endeared him to both TV and live audiences.
Oy vey!
How awesome that the panelists went for drinks/dinner after the show with not just the mystery guest but the other guests too! Nowadays that would never happen. Too many egos.
How do you know that? It was THEIR egos that might have led to them going out after the show to be seen. Possibly?
Was WML finish on Sunday 11 pm?
@@marbury2403
You make zero sense.
You need to be quiet.
absolutly GREAT Gentleman...my first american literaturebook was aRandom House one by mr Bennett Cerf
The story about the pregnant woman was hilarious!
WML was before my time - sadly. how great it would have been to have been part of that or even to be in the "circles" he was in. seems like not just a funny guy but genuinely nice, not pompous or arrogant or phony like so many celebs are
Nearly all of the episodes that survive, over 700 of them, are on TH-cam to watch whenever you want. Just find the "What's My Line" channel, where they've been organized into chronological playlists for ease of viewing. Highly recommended!
What a class act.
"There is nothing worse than _dead time_ on radio or television - a ten-second blank seems like an hour to the people listening (or watching)."
I wish the current producers of _Wheel of Fortune_ would keep this advice in mind.
No, WoF gets it.
They are fine.
@@HelloooThere
No they don't.
They're not fine.
Talk no more.
I’d love to hear the rest of this program.
Nobody speaks in that beautiful old New Yoaawk accent anymore.
His pronunciation of abdomen you don't hear anymore, I think some scientists may have said it like that. I remember on WML, I think it was the show after Fred died they had on Montreal Canadiens goalie Jacques Plante (plaunt) which they all pronounced plant and Cerf asked if he was on the active roster which Cerf pronounced roaster. Daly also said Plante was the winner of the Vezina Trophy which he pronounced Vezeena
I so enjoyed this. I wish that I could have known Bennett Cerf personally. He had an unusual accent. I guess I can Google this information myself to find out. He had a passion for literary works, which in my book made him a very sexy man!
He's a Noo Yawkah.
@@jpmaher8220 the way he pronouces, 'moderator ', is a dead give away. A real New Yorka, like me. 😎
This is great, a superb find.
That story was hilarious...Thanks Bennett....The pregnant lady of course..
3:39 Wow! Since when did Toots Shor serve coffee??
Prolly when Jackie Gleason had a hangover! 😃
It's unfortunate that the Time magazine cover featured a portrait that looks nothing whatsoever like Bennett. :/
I have that issue .. it's a great article!
He said the same about you, Bub
❤
The joke was great!😂
Ah, murderously incompetent though it may sometimes be, the Brits still love their NHS.
Bennett is a real life Roger Sterling type :)
Help me! I can't stop chortling at the NHS story and the expectant mother. I don't believe it for a moment.
Another Bennett pronunciation moment.... Bennett gives a new pronunciation to the common word "Abdomen". In Bennett's world the overwhelming emphasis is on the second syllable, and it becomes "Ab-DOUGH-men.....I wish I knew the speech impediment that Bennett had. I know there's a condition when you constantly mispronounce names and words. What did he have!?
+Galileocan g I note that he calls it a MUYMERRR the first time he says " murmur " .
+Galileocan g In the somber episode following Fred Allen's death, Canadiens goalie Jacques Plante (plont) was a contestant. Aside from all the panel pronouncing his name as "plant" Cerf asked him if he was on the active "roaster" (roster) of the Canadiens hockey team. Daly then says Plante was awarded the "Vezeena" (Vezina) trophy as top goalie. Yikes!
He was born in 1898. Go to the library or use Google Books to find a dictionary from back then, and you'll find that it indicates the pronunciation he uses. Things change! You can also find music from the 1910s that puts the -DO- syllable on a strong beat, and rhymes it with "foeman". Bennett does have a strong New York accent and mangled some words, but this isn't one of those cases.
I believe "Ab-DOUGH-men" is accepted usage.
What did he have? A Brooklyn accent!
Hal Block is my most fav. panelist who contributed the most towards the laughs while Mr. Cerf was quite repetitious, serious & unfunny.
Especially disliked his words about Hal Block in a 1968 interview, which seem like insecurity to me.
I think Hal Block helped make WML become the success it was. Without him it may not have survived for long.
@@Jall234 Second that.
Moore Jason Martin Betty Miller Donna
White Jennifer Moore Melissa Hall Ruth
Socialized medicine didn’t work in the 50s and it won’t work today. So glad he told that story
I think you missed the point. BTW, the Brits love their NHS.
Seriously? I've lived in the UK, Australia and New Zealand (which I am guessing you have not), and their socialised medicine works a darn sight better than ANY system, present or past, that America has ever come up with. I now live in the USA where, each day I meet people who have lost their home, live savings and even their marriage because of your fucked-up, corrupted health system.
You're obviously one of the self-centered 1% who doesn't need to worry about being in this position otherwise you wouldn't talk such rubbish. But if not, then I hope one day when you do get cancer and are presented with a half a million dollar co-pay to cover the cost of chemo that you will indeed think twice before talking out of your ass.
@@donttalkcrap That needed to be said. Hopefully, we shall tweak our system, in the not so distant future, and inject more humanity into it. Hopefully.
I think you've got egg on your face...Suggest you visit a dermatologist, NHS of course. I also think you should take a blood test for what appears to be a case of acute mirth deficiency.
@@rogerlephoque3704 Why don’t you explain what in the hell you’re talking about? I don’t see any success with socialized medicine.
Most unfunny hack I ever heard, his jokes are horrible.
Why did you feel compelled to share your opinion??? You're nobody, and no one asked you.
Everyone has the right to their own opinions. Even when they are wrong. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
@Have it now
Totally agree. He was very unfunny due to his extremely serious mannerism. He was quite pompous & arrogant & I especially disliked his words about Hal Block. Block was the one who contributed the most towards laughter.
I liked Bennett Cerf's puns 😂.
@@abhinavs1137 Block was the only one of the panellists who need the WML panellists job , so he tried too hard ...and some of his remarks did not go down too well with the shows conservative audience. Bennett Card spoke about Hal Block in an interview (1968 ?) with some sympathy but it's a fact that he did not get on with Block