To Tell the Truth
| To Tell the Truth | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Genre | Game show |
| Created by | Bob Stewart |
| Presented by |
Bud Collyer (1956–68) Garry Moore (1969–77) Joe Garagiola (1977–78) Robin Ward (1980–81) Gordon Elliott (1990) Lynn Swann (1990–91) Alex Trebek (1991) John O'Hurley (2000–01) Anthony Anderson (2016–) |
| Narrated by |
Bern Bennett (1956–60) Johnny Olson (1960–72) Bill Wendell (1972–77) Alan Kalter (1977–81) Burton Richardson (1990–2001) David Scott (2016–) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of seasons | 12 (1956–68) 9 (1969–78) 1 (1980–81) 1 (1990–91) 2 (2000–01) 2 (2016–) |
| Production | |
| Running time | 22–26 minutes (1956–2001) 42–46 minutes (2016–) |
| Production company(s) |
Goodson-Todman Productions (1956–81) Mark Goodson Productions (1990–2001) Gaspin Media (2016–) |
| Distributor | Firestone Film Syndication, Ltd.(1969–78) Viacom Productions(1980–81) Pearson Television (2000–01) FremantleMedia North America (2016–) |
| Release | |
| Original network |
CBS (1956–68) NBC (1990–91) Syndicated (1969–78, 1980–81, 2000–01) ABC (2016–) |
| Original release | December 18, 1956 – present |
To Tell the Truth is an American television panel game show created by Bob Stewart and produced by Goodson-Todman Productions that has aired in various forms since 1956 both on networks and in syndication. As of June 14, 2016, the show is one of two game shows in the United States to have aired at least one new episode in at least seven consecutive decades, the other game show being both incarnations of The Price Is Right. As of the 2016 version, a total of 26 seasons of the various versions of To Tell the Truth have been produced, surpassing the 25 of What's My Line? and the 20 of I've Got a Secret.
The show features a panel of four celebrities whose object is the correct identification of a described contestant who has an unusual occupation or has undergone an unusual experience. This "central character" is accompanied by two impostors who pretend to be the central character; together, the three persons are said to belong to a "team of challengers." The celebrity panelists question the three contestants; the impostors are allowed to lie, but the central character is sworn "to tell the truth." After questioning, the panel attempts to identify which of the three challengers is telling the truth and is thus the central character.
Although there have been some variations in the rules over the years (including the addition of a secondary game in some versions), certain basic aspects have remained consistent throughout all versions of To Tell the Truth. Three challengers are introduced, all claiming to be the central character. The announcer typically asks the challengers, who stand side by side, "What is your name, please?" Each challenger then states, "My name is [central character's name]." The celebrity panelists then read along as the host reads aloud a signed affidavit about the central character.
The panelists are each given a period of time to question the challengers. Questions are directed to the challengers by number (Number One, Number Two and Number Three), with the central character sworn to give truthful answers, and the impostors permitted to lie and pretend to be the central character.
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