Password

Password is an American television game show which was created by Bob Stewart for Goodson-Todman Productions. The host was Allen Ludden, who had previously been well known as the host of the G.E. College Bowl. Password originally aired for 1,555 daytime telecasts each weekday from October 2, 1961 to September 15, 1967 on CBS, along with weekly prime time airings from January 2, 1962 to September 9, 1965 and December 25, 1966 to May 22, 1967. An additional 1,099 daytime shows aired from April 5, 1971 to June 27, 1975 on ABC. The show's announcers were Jack Clark and Lee Vines on CBS and John Harlan on ABC. Two revivals later aired on NBC from 1979–1982 and 1984–1989, followed by a prime time version on CBS from 2008–2009. In 2013, TV Guide ranked it #8 in its list of the 60 greatest game shows ever.

Password (1961-1966) is an American television game show created by Bob Stewart for Goodson-Todman Productions and aired on CBS. Hosted by Allen Ludden, who had previously been well known for hosting the G.E. College Bowl, the program is a classic daytime quiz built on a simple premise: contestants and celebrity partners take turns giving single-word clues to get the other to say a secret password. Announcer Jack Clark joins Ludden on the set, while guest celebrities rotate through the panel, bringing their own wit to the guessing. The engine of each episode is the tense rhythm of a clue, a guess, and a near miss, with the board and the ticking pressure of the round carrying the momentum. The show runs six seasons across 174 episodes, a light format that moves quickly and rewards quick thinking over elaborate preparation. Its tone is breezy, playful and nostalgic, the wholesome sociable energy of mid-century American television. Fans of Match Game, Family Feud and What's My Line? will find a kindred spirit in its blend of word play, celebrity banter and studio-bound competition. Although later revivals followed on NBC, ABC and CBS, this original run remains the defining version of the format.

• Match Gameshared celebrity word game format, studio quiz structure, and light competitive tone
• Family Feudshared word association game format with contestant guessing and partner clues
• What's My Line?shared classic daytime game show format with host-led quiz rounds and celebrity panels

Created by

Bill Todman, Mark Goodson, Bob Stewart

Release Date

1961-10-02

Episode runtime

30 min

Rating

7.4 / 10 (11)

What is Password about?

A 1960s American television word game in which celebrities and contestants trade one-word clues to get a partner to say a secret password.

What is Password like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Password as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is Password violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Password.

Which shows are like Password?

Shows with a similar feel include Match Game, Family Feud, and What's My Line?.

How long is Password?

Password: 6 seasons, 174 episodes.

Is Password still running?

No, Password has ended.