As you probably know, the entire staff and management of this website (i.e., me) is a big fan of certain old game shows, including the classic What's My Line? As of last evening, I am also a big fan of the new What's My Line?
What's that? You didn't know there was a new What's My Line? You want to know what channel it's on? Well, it isn't on any channel. It's a weekly (every Wednesday evening) live show at the Acme Comedy Theater in Hollywood. Host J. Keith van Straaten, who some of you might know from the Beat the Geeks series, picks up the mantle of the late John Daly. He can't compete with Daly in convoluted explanations of obscure technical points but in every other capacity, he's as good or better.
He and his crew have put together a highly professional and entertaining version of the old show with celebrity panelists and genuine Mystery Guests. Last night, the panelists were author Jonathan Ames, actresses Mink Stole and Rachael Harris, and comic actor Gary Anthony Williams. Mr. Williams was especially funny as he and the others guessed (or in two cases, failed to guess) the contestants. The first was a man who made toilet seats. The second was a lady who taught others to speak Tibetan. And the third was a woman who plays the Chinese Zither, and who treated us to a lovely demonstration of the instrument. Lots of fun.
But it was when we got to the Mystery Guest(s) spot that things exploded. The panelists donned blindfolds and out came the host of Let's Make a Deal, Monty Hall, accompanied by the lovely Carol Merrill, who modelled prizes on that show. Two game show legends! The audience (and Mr. van Straaten) could not have been more thrilled, and after Gary Williams guessed who it was, J. Keith conducted a good, amusing Q-and-A spot with Hall and Merrill. Unlike the TV version, the show isn't crammed into a half hour minus commercials. Since van Straaten's a pretty good interviewer, the time is put to good use.
You can learn all about upcoming shows over at this website. As you'll see, my buddy Len Wein is an occasional guest panelist, having first gone on the show as a contestant. Even when he's not on stage, Len is there almost every week and this time, he got me to go with him and his lovely spouse, Chris. He told me I'd have a great time and he did not oversell it. If you go over the next few months, you may see me there.