THE NAME'S THE SAME

ORIGINAL AIR DATE: 12/8/53
NETWORK: ABC
RUNNING TIME: 30 Minutes

The Cast
Robert Q. Lewis (moderator)
Bill Stern (panelist)
Joan Alexander (panelist)
Gene Rayburn (panelist)
Judy Holliday (celebrity guest)

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Game Show Overview

The basic concept of the show is that three panelists have to guess the name of the challenger. Each challenger is an ordinary person who happens to have a name that's the same as a famous person, place or thing. The panelists are allotted ten questions each. If the panelist fails to correctly ascertain the challenger's identity, they must give the challenger a check for $25. Three out of the four segments on the show are played under these rules. The other segment involves a celebrity guest star. Instead of guessing an identity, the panelists must use their questions to figure out what the celebrity's secret wish is. The money won by the celebrity is donated to their favorite charity.

Transcript of the Celebrity Segment

ROBERT Q. LEWIS: Ladies and gentlemen, it's a real pleasure for me to be able to introduce tonight's guest celebrity. She's a great actress in Hollywood and a lady we're delighted to have with us on The Name's the Same...Miss Judy Holliday.

[Judy enters and sits down beside Robert Q. Lewis]

ROBERT Q. LEWIS: As I say, this is a great pleasure for all of us Judy. What are you in town for? Are you relaxing? Is a new picture opening? What's happening?

JUDY HOLLIDAY: I live here.

ROBERT Q. LEWIS: (laughing) There's the best answer we've had on this show since we've been on the air.

JUDY HOLLIDAY: But there is a new picture opening. It's called It Should Happen To You and it will open in January.

ROBERT Q. LEWIS: Wonderful. Where will it be? Around a - well, probably one of the big houses downtown.

JUDY HOLLIDAY: I hope so.

ROBERT Q. LEWIS: I always look forward to a Judy Holliday picture, it's a wonderful, wonderful pleasure. Well, we're gonna be playing a guessing game with you...it should happen to you in just a couple of moments.

[Commercial break]

ROBERT Q. LEWIS: Panel, it's now time to work on Miss Judy Holliday. Before the show we talked to Judy and we asked her for a secret wish. We asked Judy for something she would like to see happen. She told us that her wish was something that she would really like to have. Ain't that right?

JUDY HOLLIDAY: Right.

ROBERT Q. LEWIS: Something she would really like to have. And, of course, it's up to you to find out what it is Judy would like to have. Let's let our home audience see what it is that Judy Holliday would like to have.

[Curtains reveal a sign that says: I'D LIKE TO HAVE TWINS]

ROBERT Q. LEWIS: Let's start the a...Let's start with Joanie Alexander. Joanie.

JOAN ALEXANDER: It's wonderful to see you Judy. I'm a great fan of yours. And now, (imitating the Billie Dawn voice) This thing you'd like to have, is it something you can hold in your hand?

ROBERT Q. LEWIS: She's been wanting to do that...(laughing too hard to finish)

JUDY HOLLIDAY: (laughing) Would you mind repeating that please?

JOAN ALEXANDER: This thing you'd like to have, could you hold it in your hands?

JUDY HOLLIDAY: Uh...yes.

JOAN ALEXANDER: Is it generally considered valuable?

JUDY HOLLIDAY: Extremely.

JOAN ALEXANDER: Is it attractive to look it?

JUDY HOLLIDAY: Very.

JOAN ALEXANDER: Would some lucky girls be likely to get this for Christmas?

JUDY HOLLIDAY: (laughing) I's quite a coincidence, but it could happen.

JOAN ALEXANDER: Is it something that the average man would give to the girl he was engaged to?

JUDY HOLLIDAY: (laughing hard) It wouldn't be a conventional present. No.

ROBERT Q. LEWIS: Very well put, indeed.

JOAN ALEXANDER: Well, is it something that's generally purchased?

JUDY HOLLIDAY: No.

JOAN ALEXANDER: Oh it isn't? Then I pass.

ROBERT Q. LEWIS: Bill, ten questions.

BILL STERN: Uh, let me understand. This isn't purchased and yet it is valuable?

JUDY HOLLIDAY: Yes.

BILL STERN: Is this symbolic of an achievement?

JUDY HOLLIDAY: (laughing) Yes, I would say so.

BILL STERN: Well, I mean by that, is this considered an honor?

JUDY HOLLIDAY: Yessssss.

BILL STERN: It is considered an honor. If a movie star got one, would it be newsworthy?

JUDY HOLLIDAY: Yessssss.

BILL STERN: Is this generally the reward for a great performance?

JUDY HOLLIDAY: (long pause while the audience and Judy laugh) No.

GENE RAYBURN: Work on that question Bill. There's something there.

BILL STERN: I wish I knew what I said.

ROBERT Q. LEWIS: Six questions Bill.

BILL STERN: I pass Bob.

ROBERT Q. LEWIS: Alright. Gene, you have ten questions.

GENE RAYBURN: Have we established the size or shape or something of this thing? No? Is this a living thing of some kind?

JUDY HOLLIDAY: Yes.

GENE RAYBURN: Oh it is. Is it a human?

JUDY HOLLIDAY: Yes.

GENE RAYBURN: Male?

JUDY HOLLIDAY: It could be.

GENE RAYBURN: But, apparently, it's no definite person. (Turns and yells at the person who counts how many questions remain) That's not a question George!

ROBERT Q. LEWIS: His name is not George, I told you.

GENE RAYBURN: Oh. Max!!! Is there just one of this living thing?

JUDY HOLLIDAY: No.

GENE RAYBURN: No? There are many of them.

[Judy looks to Robert Q. Lewis for advice on whether to correct Rayburn's statement. Lewis makes a gesture like "forget about it"]

GENE RAYBURN: You can't shrug me off like that!

ROBERT Q. LEWIS: You're putting your own feet into it boy. Go. Go.

GENE RAYBURN: Are there many people involved in this desire?

JUDY HOLLIDAY: Oh, I think it's sort of a universal wish.

GENE RAYBURN: Oh I see. This is not just personal with you.

JUDY HOLLIDAY: I know a number of people with the same wish.

ROBERT Q. LEWIS: And yet it is a very deep, personal wish as well.

JUDY HOLLIDAY: It's special, yes.

GENE RAYBURN: Do I have this wish?

JUDY HOLLIDAY: (laughing) I haven't any idea.

GENE RAYBURN: Why don't we go out and talk it over? (Judy just laughs) I pass.

ROBERT Q. LEWIS: Joanie, you have four questions.

JOAN ALEXANDER: Judy, does it have anything to do with a baby?

JUDY HOLLIDAY: Yes.

GENE RAYBURN: Uh-oh. I'm gone. I should have left long ago.

JOAN ALEXANDER: Two babies?

JUDY HOLLIDAY: Yes.

JOAN ALEXANDER: You'd like to have twins?

[The audience applauds]

ROBERT Q. LEWIS: That's a sorta real kind of wish too, isn't it?

JUDY HOLLIDAY: Yes it is. I'd love to.

ROBERT Q. LEWIS: Wonderful. And I certainly hope you achieve that. And stay away from Gene Rayburn. I would have nothing to do with him whatsoever. Meanwhile, Judy I can't tell you what a kick it's been having you on. We're all going to look forward to this new picture. Go on over and meet our panel. You get, let me see, a check from Gene...another from Bill...for your favorite charity and thanks from Swanson for being on The Name's the Same.

JUDY HOLLIDAY: Thank you.

[Judy shakes Robert Q. Lewis' hand, then walks across the stage to greet the panelists. After shaking their hands and receiving her checks, she departs.]

Show Credits

Producers Mark Goodson and Bill Todman

Associate Producer Peter Arnell

Director Herbert Hirschman

Technical Director John Broderick

Announcer Lee Vines