This Is Your Life

This Is Your Life was a television show hosted by Ralph Edwards, first broadcast in the United States from 1952 to 1961 on NBC. It originated as a radio show airing from 1948 to 1952.

Related Topics:
Ralph Edwards - United States - 1952 - 1961 - NBC - 1948

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The format of the show was simple: the host would ambush a celebrity or public figure, present them with a 'red book', and then conduct a biography of them in a television studio. The guest would be presented with family members and old friends, reunited with old acquaintances, and often shed a tear when a personal tragedy was recounted.

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Officially, the celebrity guests were surprised by their appearance on the show, as they were ambushed by the show's cameras and made their way to the studio during the commercial break. (The show was initially aired live.) Advance planning for the broadcast meant that inevitably, some celebrities would know in advance about the surprise. Carl Reiner later admitted that he knew beforehand about his appearance. Some were notified in advance because of medical conditions, including Eddie Cantor, due to his heart condition, and Lillian Roth, who had recovered from alcoholism. Some celebrities were unpleasantly surprised. Angie Dickinson refused to appear, and Laurel and Hardy were angered by being "tricked" into what would be their only television appearance on December 1, 1954. Laurel later said "I was damned if I was going to put on a free show for them".

Related Topics:
Carl Reiner - Eddie Cantor - Lillian Roth - Angie Dickinson - Laurel and Hardy - December 1 - 1954

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The show was exported to several countries, including the United Kingdom, where it was launched in 1955 on the BBC and was presented by Eamonn Andrews (who also ended up being the very first "victim"). It moved to ITV in 1969, and Michael Aspel (himself a "victim" in 1980) became presenter after Andrews died in 1987. It returned to the BBC in 1993, and was axed in 2003.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - 1955 - BBC - Eamonn Andrews - ITV - 1969 - Michael Aspel - 1987 - 1993 - 2003

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Guests on the UK version included Muhammad Ali, Joan Collins, Shirley Bassey, George Best, Spike Milligan, and Barbara Windsor. Footballer Danny Blanchflower turned down the "red book" on the British show in the 1950s, as did author Richard Gordon (of Doctor in the House fame) in 1974, and pop star Gary Glitter (before he was accused of paedophilia). In 2001 Bill Oddie (of The Goodies) initially turned it down, but later changed his mind and appeared on the show, although he looked uncomfortable. Jimmy Savile claims to be the only person to appear twice, the second time he was on the makers of the show were not aware that he had been on before and Savile chose not to tell them. A few others have appeared on the show twice, though, such as Bob Monkhouse and Eamonn Andrews himself.

Related Topics:
Muhammad Ali - Joan Collins - Shirley Bassey - George Best - Spike Milligan - Barbara Windsor - Football - Danny Blanchflower - 1950s - Author - Doctor in the House - 1974 - Gary Glitter - Paedophilia - 2001 - Bill Oddie - The Goodies - Jimmy Savile - Bob Monkhouse

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In Australia, the show is currently aired on the Nine Network on Thursday nights for about half the year. It began in the 80s and was first hosted by Roger Climpson on the Seven Network, before being relaunched in the 1990s and hosted by Mike Munro.

Related Topics:
Nine Network - Roger Climpson - Seven Network - 1990s - Mike Munro

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