Mark Goodson on Letterman, April 12, 1982

For game show enthusiasts.

[@danielpoitras1858]

excellent interview! I was surprised at the time used with 'shnick schnack' clip...bold move in early days of LN. Thanks Don!

[@massapower]

Great Interview 😎👍🏻

[@fatalmodelmadhatter]

Nice to find a Late Night edition taped and broadcast on Dave's 35th birthday right on the day of his 73rd birthday! Here's hoping he has a nice day and is enjoying every sandwich.

[@fatalmodelmadhatter]

And I guess the time has come again.
Happy DA
Birthday VE
The merriest 74 year-old in all of... Broad Ripple... Long may he run!

[@jamesten]

I thought it was interesting that Goodson skipped a number of WML panelists to arrive at Steve Allen, perhaps in the spirit of expedition. No Fred Allen, no Hal Dimples Block (of course), and no Untermeyer. Dave mainly wanted parody material - like hearing Match Game in German (which sounded a lot like the USA version). Goodson-Todman created some very classy and low-stakes games which are still a pleasure to watch decades later -- Password, To Tell the Truth, I've Got a Secret among them. What's My Line was the top of that pyramid.

[@jamesten]

Gee, I don't know.

[@andrewschroy6368]

Speaking of Goodson's international stuff, I'd love it more if he played clips of Family Fortunes (UK Family Feud) and Aussie Price is Right in addition to the German Match Game clips.

[@mckeek8115]

"he bent my lederhosen"

[@charicegoettsch5425]

How can I get the entire episode? I’m looking for the interview with Markita Andrews

[@dongiller]

Holiday break time.

[@snowden67]

This was not a good interview. I think Letterman wasn't ready with enough questions and Goodson seemed willing to talk, but you had to ask him and he would answer in a short specific manner. Goodson did compliment Pat Sajak for what he considered the best interview he ever had. Goodson said he especially liked discussing the Blacklisting of the 1950's and how What's My Line (Louis Untermeyer) was forced off. Goodson was impressed Sajak knew enough to ask about this.

[@dongiller]

There was more to it here: Goodson objected to follow the first guest that night, a ten-year-old girl scout who sold thousands of girl scout cookies. He actually refused to come on unless the guest order was reversed and he'd be the lead guest. After a long delay in the taping, he was finally persuaded to come on after being threatened with the press getting word of his ridiculous beef with the girl scout.
So it was actually Goodson who wasn't willing to talk.

[@blind_t2]

Don Giller pretty wise. we don't want press getting into that! Price might have never seen 45 if that happened. Goodson just rolling with the punches i assume.

[@savethetpc1547]

@Don Giller That's incredible about the Girl Scout story -- yikes!

[@danielcarlson7516]

@@savethetpc1547 I was at the taping! I remembered the Girl Scout, but not Goodson.