You Bet Your Life
You Bet Your Life was taken from Groucho's radio series of the same name. It was inspired after Groucho had done an improvisational scene with Bob Hope on radio. The idea was the same as it later was with Bill Cosby: to invite people on and have an unrehearsed conversation with them. Groucho could always be counted on to enliven the banter with his unique blend of comedy and wit. After talking with Groucho for several minutes, the contestants chose quiz questions from a category they had preselected and, if they answered them correctly, won money.
- 1950-1961
- 11 seasons
- NBC
- Comedy, Family, Game Show, Talk & Interview
You Bet Your Life was taken from Groucho's radio series of the same name. It was inspired after Groucho had done an improvisational scene with Bob Hope on radio. The idea was the same as it later was with Bill Cosby: to invite people on and have an unrehearsed conversation with them. Groucho could always be counted on to enliven the banter with his unique blend of comedy and wit. After talking with Groucho for several minutes, the contestants chose quiz questions from a category they had preselected and, if they answered them correctly, won money.
Season 11 Episode Guide
22 Episodes 1960 - 1961
Episode 1
Episode #11.1
Thu, Sep 22, 1960 30 mins
Episode 2
Clock - Man v. Woman
Thu, Sep 29, 1960 30 mins
Tuulikki Woods and Sam Rifken return from last week to report the results of their poll on the opinions of men versus women. George Fenneman is psychoanalyzed by contestant Dr. Loriene Johnston.
Episode 3
Episode #11.3
Thu, Oct 6, 1960 30 mins
Episode 4
Sun - Pigeons Kennedy & Nixon
Thu, Oct 13, 1960 30 mins
Actress Joy Harmon is among the guests. Pigeons "Kennedy" and "Nixon" are used to decide who will win the upcoming Presidential Election.
Episode 5
Episode #11.5
Thu, Oct 20, 1960 30 mins
Episode 10
Food - Hypnotist
Thu, Nov 24, 1960 30 mins
Hypnotist Traian Boyer puts an NBC page under his spell. Mrs. Housing Development of Baltimore is also among the guests.
Episode 11
Water - Hypnotist
Thu, Dec 1, 1960
Hypnotist Traian Boyer returns from last week and, once again, puts NBC page Mike Allen under his spell.
Episode 12
Smoke - Mail Carrier
Thu, Dec 8, 1960 30 mins
A retired rural mail carrier and a 19-year-old girl, who doesn't like to go to drive-in movies, are among the guests.
Episode 13
Paper - Opera Singer
Thu, Dec 15, 1960 30 mins
Charles Vespia, who likes to sing opera, is among the guests.
Episode 15
Face - Actor
Thu, Jan 5, 1961 30 mins
Behavioral psychologist Dr. Eden Ryl and actor Lloyd Kino are among the guests.
Episode 19
Dress - Butler
Thu, Feb 2, 1961 30 mins
Aden Lowry, an interior decorator from Kansas, who also plays the tambourine, and royal butler, Thomas Cronin, are among the guests.
Episode 20
Work - Author
Thu, Feb 9, 1961 30 mins
Author William Peter Blatty is among the guests.
Episode 21
Water - Boxer
Thu, Feb 16, 1961 30 mins
Boxer/actor Lou Nova is among the guests.
Episode 23
Skin
Thu, Mar 9, 1961 30 mins
Audrey Kaufman, Mrs. Housing Development of Amarillo, Texas, is among the guests.
Episode 25
Book - twins
Thu, Mar 30, 1961 30 mins
Identical twin-football players, Mike McKeever and Marlin McKeever, are among the guests.
Episode 28
Episode #11.28
Thu, Apr 20, 1961
Episode 29
#11.29 Paper
Thu, Apr 27, 1961
Episode 31
House : Harpo Speaks
Thu, May 11, 1961 30 mins
Contestants are Veronica Reed and Bill Brewer, Marika Aba and Charles Kephart, and the secret word is HOUSE. Harpo Marx makes a surprise appearance to promote his autobiography "Harpo Speaks"
Episode 33
Paper
Thu, May 25, 1961
Groucho's Daughter Melinda and her boyfriend Bobby Van perform "Put on a Happy Face". Lidia Valensuarles from Arizona and Alexander Count For Merebach Duke of Poland Prince of Romanofski are contestants.
Episode 35
Frankie Avalon and Harry Ruby
Thu, Jun 8, 1961
Frankie Avalon sings "I can't give you anything but love" with Groucho and Miss Junior Achievement Joyce. A sailor is asked up by Frankie to take his place in a spelling quiz with Joyce. Composer Harry Ruby and Carol Brisco are up second.
Episode 37
Table - Sheena of the Jungle
Thu, Jun 22, 1961 30 mins
Claude Bickering and Irish McCalla (star of Sheena, Queen of the Jungle) are the first contestants. Groucho tries the Sheena Call to no affect on Irish. Either a small man or a child in a monkey suit comes out when the secret word "Table" is said and tries to walk off with Irish McCalla who fights him off. After the break we comeback to a different stage with table and chairs where Groucho conducts an interview with the Los Angeles Chief of Police who doesn't seem to understand Groucho's humor. Then back to the game with L.A. Officer Riddle who plays the game without a partner and donates his winnings to the Police General Fund.
Episode 38
Table
Thu, Jun 29, 1961 30 mins
Last episode of You Bet Your Life, first one being 5 October 1950. Secret word is Table. Guests are Jackie Niles, restaurant hostess and Mal Merritt, runs a rooming house, and Molly Magruder, makeup artist and Jerry Sherman, USC student.