Whats My Line - Tribute to Fred Allen Cyd Charisse Steve Allen panel (Mar 18, 1956)

Steve Allen returns to the panel this week to fill in for Fred Allen, who died suddenly of a heart attack the day before. John Daly makes a touching announcement at the beginning of the program to explain, then the program proceeds as usual until the closing, when each of the panelists offers a brief but heartfelt tribute to Fred (Steve Allen’s tribute in particular has been quoted many times). Class all around. Still makes me sad every time I watch it. The last segment features Japanese jazz pianist composer/arranger and bandleader, Toshiko Akiyoshi (though not as a mystery guest-- Akiyoshi wasn’t well known enough at this time for the panel to be blindfolded). MYSTERY GUEST: Cyd Charisse [actress in musicals, dancer] PANEL: Arlene Francis, Steve Allen, Dorothy Kilgallen, Bennett Cerf