Who Pays?

Who Pays? was a short-lived primetime game show where a panel of three celebrities tried to identify a guest celebrity by questioning two people who worked for that particular celebrity.

Broadcast
NBC July 2, 1959-September 24, 1959

Host
Mike Wallace

Panelists
Celeste Holm Gene Klavin Sir Cedric Harwicke

Announcer
Pat Hernon

Packager
Lester Lewis Productions

Gameplay
As the first clue, each employee identified the job he or she did for the celebrity (example: Hairdresser, Cook, Butler etc.) Each panelists was allowed one minute to question the guests. Questions required specific and detailed answers. If the panel did not correctly guess the person's identity, then a second clue was given and another round of questioning began. In addition, the guest celebrity could make comments from an off-stage booth using a disguised voice. In the end, A guest received $100 after one round if he or she stumped the panel and $200 after two rounds.

Trivia

 * the first celebrity guests on the debut of the show were Red Buttons and Carol Channing.


 * This was the last game show Mike Wallace emceed in his ten-year career as a game show host.


 * In 1961 he became narrator on Biography and in 1963, he joined CBS News where he was one of the original hosts of the long-running news program 60 Minutes when it original premiered in September 1968.


 * Future game show announcer Gene Wood was a writer on Who Pays? During the 1960s. Prior to this, Wood also did some writing for Captain Kangaroo. Also, He didn't begin his game show announcing career on a regular basis until 1969, when her was heard on Beat the Clock.