To Tell the Truth

TTTT is certainly one of TV's most durable series, even for a game show. (Check out IMDB for the many incarnations and celebrities). One reason, I think, for the show's success is it's high level of audience participation. Folks at home could guess right along with the panelists as to which of the three challengers was telling the truth. Usually the real challenger had a distinction of some sort, dubious or commendable, like an Olympic swimming champ or a guy who walked 20-miles after losing his car keys. Then too, questioning of the challengers was always light-hearted from a range of four show biz personalities skilled at playful talk. And mustn't overlook the show's perennial host, the affable Bud Collyer, who kept things on track in easygoing style. Also, there should be a salute to the many pretenders, who, after all, had to do a lot of prepping in order to fool the panelists and the rest of us.

Anyhow, for a number of years I hardly missed an episode. To my limited knowledge, only a few episodes now appear available and are on Amazon's Prime Video. Too bad, since the premise itself is trans-generational, and the celebrity appearances include many famous names of yesteryear. I'm hoping some media visionary will spot the show's enduring appeal and deliver as many half-hours as possible to today's viewing audiences. If so, I'll be sure to tune in.