[quote name=\'ChuckNet\' date=\'Feb 4 2004, 11:41 AM\']
Then how do you explain the likes of Lee Meriwether, Arlene Francis (who should have also been in the 6th chair on some occasions), Julie London, Isabel Sanford, Esther Rolle, or even Ethel Merman occupying the 4th chair from time to time?
I said "frequently"...yes, there were plenty of guests in the 4th chair who played well and would return occasionally thereafter.
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Semi-regulars almost always sat in the 6th seat that were guaranteed for a good laugh. Joyce Bulifant, Betty White, Fannie Flagg, Patti Deutsch were the most frequent. But Marcia Wallace and Mary Wickes could also deliver if needed.
The 4th seat wasn't a guaranteed laugh seat, seemingly, and as a result, usually went to the newest player (NKOTB). It seems as if they went for a crescendo of laughs as they went through each tier.
One thing that struck me about Carol Wayne is that she seemed to be very smart. She usually only missed one or two questions per show.
The first few months she was on, she'd get long odds, but then produce the right answers; as time went on, the audience took that into consideration and gave her better odds.
Jim MacKrell told me she was actually pretty bright, and would usually be in her dressing room reading between shows.