Class News

Gerry Shea ’64 recalls appearance on 1966 “Password” TV show

January 15, 2021

A friend reminded Gerry Shea of his 1966 appearance on the TV show “Password.” Here is his account:

Florence Henderson and a nobody like me were my opponents, and my partner was Paul Anka. I think the show was done and televised in the spring or summer of 1966 or thereabouts. There was a competitive trial run a few days earlier to try to get on the show, among the nobodies. I had to get my partner to say "serial." I said "Cheerios," and she said "cereal." A sea of literalist competitors objected, but the producers stressed that phonetics carry the day. Lucky me, for thanks to Paul I won a few dollars and a portable typewriter I used to type things up during my final year at Columbia Law School.

I guess phonetics rule for the hearing impaired, too!