1974-1988
[Click here for Lucy on Password Part 1 and Part 2]
After the CBS version of “Password” (daytime and evening editions) was canceled in 1967, Goodson-Todman Productions syndicated the show and sold the rights to ABC daytime, where a rebooted version ran from 1971 to 1975. The producers finally consented to having the show move to Hollywood, rather than taping from New York City. The network slated the new “Password” to replace the cult soap “Dark Shadows” on April 5, 1971. Some of the soap’s more devoted fans threatened ABC with physical disruption of the first tapings but nothing came to pass. The new game featured the “Password Puzzle” – passwords that when combined give clues to another mystery word of name.
Early on the ABC version, contestants played a single elimination game; the winning contestants could stay until either defeated or win a maximum of 10 games, thus retiring them as undefeated champions. Later on, the limit was dropped, and champions stayed on the show until defeated. Every three months, the four top winners during that period would return for a quarterly contest.
Lagging in the ratings, on November 18, 1974 the show ran an all-celebrity format called “Password All-Stars.” For two weeks in July 1974, the show tried out the new format and Lucille Ball participated. The lack of civilian contestants and significantly altered rules did not go over well with fans and the format was abandoned in February 1975. Lucille Ball returned for one last play of her favorite game in May 1975, before the show went off the air at the end of June.
Goodson-Todman tried again and successfully brought “Password” to NBC on January 8, 1979, meaning it spent time on all three major networks, just like Lucille Ball herself. Originally titled “Password ‘79,” celebrity guest Carol Burnett remarked during a run-through that with the various new elements the show had adopted, it was “Password Plus” (aka “Password +”), which became the new title. Allen Ludden returned as host, although stomach cancer forced him to leave the show in 1980 and took his life the following year.
In this iteration, the announcer’s whispering of the password for home viewers has been eliminated. An electronic scoreboard has been added above the players’ heads. Players are now given the option to pass or play. The lightning round has been replaced by ‘Alphabetics’ – where the passwords all start with sequential letters of the alphabet. Players have one minute to guess ten words.
Other versions of the game show included “Super Password” (1984-89) on NBC hosted by Bert Convy. The announcer’s whispering of the password has been restored. The Password Puzzle is still part of the game but an added feature is the “Ca$hword” where players get only three clues to guess the clue found in a small box Convy calls “the magic toaster.” Just like “Password Plus” the winners go to the Alphabetics game.
“Million Dollar Password” (2008-10) was a sporadic series hosted by Regis Philbin on CBS.
“Password” ~ July 15-19, 1974
The show tries out its ‘all-celebrity’ game format for two weeks, the first of which was taped on July 8, 1974. Tom Kennedy steps in to host while Allen Ludden plays with Lucille Ball. The all-stars also included Elizabeth Montgomery, Mary Tyler Moore, Betty White, Robert Foxworth, Greg Morris, Harvey Korman, and Robert Reed. The show returned to civilian contestants before switching over to “Celebrity Password” in November 1974, a format that did not last very long.
“Password” ~ May 3, 1975
Allen Ludden (Host)
- Lucille Ball (Celebrity Player)
[Nearly all copies of the ABC re-boot of “Password” were lost when they were taped over in a recycling effort. It is believed that most of the tapes were used for “Family Feud.” File photo from Getty Images.]
“Password Plus” ~ August 18-22, 1980
August 22, 1980
Allen Ludden (Host)
- Lucille Ball
- Dick Martin
[All week, Lucille Ball and Dick Martin take on ‘civilian’ players. One of those ‘civilians’ is interior decorator Kirstie Alley, before her television fame. Eight years later she would share the cover of TV Guide with Lucille Ball. This is the final day of a week starring Lucy and Dick Martin. It begins with the Alphabetics round not done the previous day. ]
RESULTS
- In the first game, Dick’s partner guesses the Password Puzzle from the words “CBS” and “SUNDAY” = “60 Minutes” (although Dick Martin was going to say “Archie Bunker’s Place.” He later mentions “Little House on the Prairie”.)
- After Lucy is stumped, her partner guesses the second Password Puzzle from the words “SMALL” “MOON” “JOHN” “FARM” “MOON” and “SHACK” = Outhouse.
- Dick’s partner guesses the third Password Puzzle from the words “EARS” “CORN” “CANDLES” = Wax. The unused passwords were “SLIPPERY” and “MATERIAL” although Lucy is somewhat confused by them.
- The Alphabetics round features the letters ’D’ through ’M’. Dick and his partner only get six of the words.
- Dick and his new partner guess the Password Puzzle from the words “PHONY” “QUACK” “ATTRACT” “FOWL” “INSTRUMENT” = Duck Call.
“Password Plus” All-Celebrity Week
March 2-6, 1981
Tom Kennedy (Host)
Lucille Ball – When Kennedy asks about Lucie Arnaz, Lucy says she was born before “I Love Lucy” began (although Kennedy calls it “The Lucy Show”) and for a long time people didn’t even know she had a daughter. Lucy is playing for the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles Orthopedic Wing.
Betty White is playing for the Los Angeles Zoo to build an environment for koalas being given to them by Australia.
Desi Arnaz Jr. says he wants to destroy the myth that he played Little Ricky on “I Love Lucy,” and says that his counterpart’s name is Richard Keith and that he has his own band. Desi is playing for Therapeutic Riding for the Handicapped. Kennedy later notes that this is Desi’s first time playing “Password Plus.”
Dick Martin played Lucy Carmichael’s boyfriend on “The Lucy Show” but is best known as the co-host of “Laugh-In” with Dan Rowan. He is playing for the Josslyn Clinic Diabetes Foundation because Rowan is diabetic.
In the first half of the game Lucy and Betty are partnered. The partners switch after the Alphabetics round.
TRIVIA
- When the first password is “AIRPLANE” and Betty White guesses the Password Puzzle answer is “PILOTS,” Lucille Ball says “I made some of her pilots” punning on the word for a television program meant to lead to a future series. Lucy’s remark is taken as a sexual double entendre by her son.
- Instead of wearing her glasses to read the passwords, Lucille Ball holds them up to her face without putting them on.
- After the first commercial, apropos of nothing, Betty White says “I love this lady on my left. I just thought I’d announce that to America.”
- When Dick Martin gives the clue “Shhhh” for the password “SILENT” it is ruled an illegal clue. Kennedy says it is an utterance, not a word.
- Charades (the answer to the second puzzle) and pantomime were something Lucille Ball dearly loved and was quite adept at. Dick Martin chimes in with the name Mike Stokey and the early television show “Pantomime Quiz” (1947-59). Coincidentally, this game show was also Lucille Ball’s first television appearance in the late 1940s.
- Kennedy says that Lucy is a new grandmother of 9 week-old Simon [Luckinbill]. He was born to Lucie Arnaz and Laurence Luckinbill on December 9, 1980. This show was likely taped in mid-February 1981.
- To get the password “DOLLY” from Desi, Betty sings the word “HELLO” from the title song of Hello, Dolly.
- Before the end of the show, Desi promotes his upcoming TV film Advice to the Lovelorn starring Cloris Leachman. It aired on November 30, 1981 on NBC. This was a pilot that was not picked up for series.
RESULTS
- Betty solves the first Password Puzzle from the words “AIRPLANE” “OATH” “PRESIDENT” “TEXAS” and “PRESIDENT” = Lyndon Johnson.
- Lucy solves the second Password Puzzle from the words “BODY” “LANGUAGE” “SILENT” “PARLOR” “GAME” = Charades.
- Betty solves the third Password Puzzle from just three passwords: “SHY” “EMBARRASSED” “ROSY” = Blush.
- Lucy and Betty play ‘Alphabetics’ featuring letters ‘F’ through ‘O’. Betty guesses them all with 11 seconds still on the clock.
- Desi guesses the fourth Password Puzzle from just two words: “DOLLY” and “JANE” = Nine To Five. The unused passwords were “LILY” “FLICK” and “WORK.”
“Password Plus” All-Celebrity Week
March 2-6, 1981 ~ March 6, 1981
Tom Kennedy (Host) – At the start of the week, Kennedy said that his first successful game show was owned by Desilu: “You Don’t Say” (1963-75). Although Ball never appeared on the show, Betty White and Dick Martin did, as well as Lucy’s co-stars Vivian Vance and Gale Gordon.
Lucille Ball – throughout 1981 Lucy primarily does interviews and award shows. She has not been on “Password” since 1975.
Lucy’s first partner is Betty White, wife of the show’s founding host, Allen Ludden.
In the second game, Lucy is partnered with her son, Desi Arnaz Jr.
Dick Martin starred as Lucy’s boyfriend on the first seasons of “The Lucy Show.” He is probably best known as the host of TV’s “Laugh-In.”
Lucy’s son, Desi Arnaz Jr., is Dick Martin’s first partner.
In the second game, Dick Martin is partnered with Betty White.
TRIVIA
- Throughout the program, Lucille Ball looks grumpy and appears not to be enjoying herself.
- When the password is “HIDDEN” and Dick’s clue is “BEHIND” Betty says “Watch your mouth.”
- When the password is “CABINET” Betty White gives Lucy the clue “Calagari’s” which totally flummoxes Lucy. Betty is referring to the film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, a 1920 German silent horror film. When Lucy can’t moved past the obscure clue, White says “Don’t be sulky, Lucy, be sweet. You’re ruining your image.” Lucy paints on a big fake smile that makes her appear catatonic. Even Lucy has to laugh at herself.
- When the first password is “ODD” Betty guesses the puzzle answer is Tony Randall star of TV’s “The Odd Couple.”
RESULTS
- Lucy solves the first Password Puzzle from the words “BALD” “SMILE” “HIDDEN” and “CAMERA”: Allen Funt.
- Dick solves the second Password Puzzle from the words “PILGRIMS” “WINGS” “NOVEMBER” “HOLIDAY” and “BIRD” = Turkey.
- Dick solves the third Password Puzzle from the words “TRAVEL” “HAIG” “DIPLOMAT” “CABINET” and “JOB” = Secretary of State.
- Betty solves the fourth Password Puzzle from the words “ODD” “PIGS” “STRIKES” “STOOGES” “NUMBER” = Three.
- Dick and Desi Jr. win the first game and play Alphabetics featuring words with the letters ‘A’ through ‘J.’ They get 8 of the 10 words right.
Tom Kennedy gives the week-long winning totals:
Desi played for Therapeutic Riding for the Handicapped and earns them $1,000.
Lucy played for Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles Orthopedic Wing and earns them $3,300.
Dick played for the Josslyn Clinic Diabetes Foundation and earns for them $6,300.
Betty played for Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) and earns $13,250 to bring koalas to the Zoo.
“Password Plus” All Celebrity Week
December 2-4, 1981
Tom Kennedy (Host)
- Lucille Ball
[No information about these programs was available.]
“Super Password”
December 1 & 2, 1986
Bert Convy (Host)
Gene Wood (Announcer)
Lucille Ball is introduced as the star of “Life With Lucy.” Ironically, by the time this pre-recorded program aired, the series had already been canceled. The final episode aired on ABC on November 15, 1886. Convy notes that Lucy got a standing ovation from the studio audience.
Lucy’s partner is Ann Dusenberry, who plays her daughter Margo on “Life With Lucy.” She and Lucy are playing for the National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse.
Estelle Getty was then in her second year of playing Sophia on “The Golden Girls.” Lucy and Convy praise Getty’s transformation into the elderly Sophia.
Getty is partnered with her fellow ‘Golden Girl’ and the Queen of Password, Betty White. White and Getty are playing for the ASPCA.
TRIVIA
Rather than wear her glasses for the whole game, Lucy merely holds them up to her eyes to read the passwords.
RESULTS
- Betty guesses the first Password Puzzle with three words: “CRASH” “BRASS” and “ROUND” = Cymbals. Un-played passwords were “ORCHESTRA” and “PAIR.”
- Estelle guesses the second Password Puzzle with three words: “DOROTHY” “DEEP” “VOICE” = Bea Arthur. The un-played passwords are “GOLDEN” and “GIRL.”
- Estelle and Betty play the Ca$hword, but are unable to guess that it is “RESERVOIR” from the clues “WATER” “PLACE” and “RESERVE.”
- Betty guesses the third Password Puzzle with three words: “RINSE” “MOUTH” and “THROAT= Gargle. The un-played passwords are “WASH” and “SOUND.”
- Betty and Estelle play Alphabetics using the letters ‘C’ through ‘L’. Betty gets all ten passwords in 20 seconds.
- Ann steals the Password Puzzle by guessing “BLACKBIRDS” from “BAKED” “PIE” “FOUR” “TWENTY” and “ANIMALS”. Estelle guessed “FOUR AND TWENTY BLACKBIRDS” but the judges were only looking for one word, allowing Ann the opportunity to guess it.
“Super Password”
January 16, 1987
- Lucille Ball
- Betty White
- Ann Dusenberry
- Estelle Getty
This episode was taped on December 2, 1986, the same day Desi Arnaz passed away. In the book Desilu (page 356), Betty White is quoted as saying:
“The day Desi died, she and I were doing ‘Password’ together. She was being real funny on the show, but during a break she said ‘You know, it’s the damnedest thing. Goddamn it, I didn’t think I’d get this upset. There he goes.’ It was a funny feeling, kind of a lovely, private moment.”
Add to that “Life With Lucy” had just been canceled.
“Super Password”
November 7-12, 1988
Bert Convy (Host)
- Lucille Ball – This would be Lucille Ball’s last game show appearance before her passing in 1989.
- Carol Channing
- Dick Martin
- Betty White
- Marsha Warfield (“Night Court”)
"The last time I saw this great lady was at a taping of ‘Super Password’ in September of 1988. When I peeked through her dressing room door at NBC to say, ‘hello,’ she charged across the room to give me a hug – and, believe me, she hugged like no one else! The photo accompanying this story (above) was taken that afternoon. I was so pleased with it that I gave Lucy a framed copy that year for Christmas. A few months later, after she had been admitted to the hospital, I stopped by her house to deliver some flowers – and was thrilled to see the picture sitting on the buffet in her dining room. The realization hit me that I really had become a part of her life.” ~ George Light
Papermoon Loves Lucy 
Leave a comment