It's News To Me

It's News To Me was a precursor to Liar's Club.

Broadcast
CBS 1951-1954

Packager
Goodson-Todman Productions

Distributor
CBS Television Productions

Hosts
John Charles Daly (1951-1953)

Walter Cronkite (1954)

Announcers
Art Hannes

Bill Hamilton Bob Sherry

Bob Dixon

Gameplay
Each typical episode contains two contestant rounds, followed by a newsmaker round, and occasionally followed by an additional contestant round.

Round 1: Contestant Round
Each round was a bluffing game where contestants attempted to determine if answers that was given by one of the panelists was true or false.

The contestant was staked to $20 at the beginning of the game. The contestant and panelists were then shown an item or items including props, drawings, photographs, or motion picture/newsreel footage. Sometimes a dramatic performance (example: Goodson-Todman staffer Frank Wayne appears giving part of a speech) was presented. A panelist chosen by the emcee would then supply a story that would tie the item to a news event, past or present. The contestant would then decide if the panelist's story was true or false. The contestant earned $5 for a correct decision and $5 was deducted for an incorrect decision. Play continued until all four panelists had played and the contestant kept whatever money that was earned at the end.

Round 2: Newsmaker Round (Final Round)
In this round, eyewitnesses or participants involved with news events in the past or present would play a game similar to "I've Got a Secret". The panelists would question the newsmaker to determine the identity of the news event. If the panel failed to identify the event, the newsmaker would receive $100.

Panelists
Anna Lee

Nina Foch

Quincy Howe

Robin Chandler

John Henry Faulk

Mel Allen

Quentin Reynolds

YouTube Video
Opening to show