The incredible irony could not have escaped Fred Allen that after his radio show was knocked off the air by a quiz show he railed against, he is now hosting a quiz show.
He looks tired at the start of the show, and isn't helped by a lame joke about Herb Shriner's absence.
It takes more than 6 1/2 minutes for the actual game portion to start; Allen was known on his radio show for Bristol Myers in the 1930s for yapping to ordinary people so much, there was no time left for the reason they were on the show.
The first couple of contestants are dry and dull. The second couple was must better. They gave Fred a chance to show his wit. He observes to a short shoe salesman he isn't far from his work. The show picks up then. At the end, he takes a shot at CBS.
Kenny Williams is the announcer and even appears on camera. He's best known for announcing Hollywood Squares. Dennis James' Old Gold spots have been cut out; he was one of the smoothest people on TV at the time.
Goodson-Todman has former CBS-TV host Gil Fates masterminding the show, with Petrillo-pressured live music supplied by Milton DeLugg.
Four of five simply because it's Fred Allen. But he acquitted himself far better on his radio.