History Creator / BillCullen

During a 2007 countdown of the "Top Ten Hosts" by Creator/{{GSN}}, Bill was listed as #7 despite the narration and commentators all but outright saying he deserved top prize. Still, it was better than a 2007 WNBC slideshow of the top ''twenty'' game show emcees that managed to omit Bill entirely (much to the chagrin of the station's then-chief anchorman Chuck Scarborough, who shares a birthplace with Bill), a 2007 A&E ''Biography'' on the genre that somehow managed to avoid mentioning Bill at all over its two-hour runtime (which along with the total omission of [[Series/{{Password}} Allen Ludden]] had drawn ire from game show fans as well as [[Series/Hollywood Squares Peter Marshall]]), and a 2013 WebVideo/WatchMojo [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc1xOqiELXw "Top Ten Hosts" video]] that relegated Bill to an uncredited clip at the very end, after the main list and honorable mentions.

** Contrary to once-popular belief, Bill did not turn down ''The New Price Is Right'' due to the revamped set requiring more mobility (indeed, the set was arguably one of the ''last'' things to be worked out). At the time, Bill was helming ''Three On A Match'', being a panelist on ''To Tell The Truth'', hosting segments on NBC Radio's ''Monitor'', and doing commercials for a chain of department stores in the northeast. Given that ''Price'' was going to be done in Los Angeles whereas Bill was firmly rooted in New York, his salary for doing 39 episodes of ''Price'' (there was no network version planned at the time) would've had to sufficiently replace the four paychecks he was already getting, and so he opted not to take the risk.

On-air, Cullen's limited mobility was largely obscured by the design of his shows' sets, which tended to have him stay behind a podium with as little movement as possible, and strategic directing and editing. (Similar accommodations were made for him on shows where he appeared as a panel member.) However, this was '''not''' why he wasn't chosen to host ''Series/ThePriceIsRight'' again when it was revived in 1972 — Bill, who hosted the original 1956-65 run, was in negotiations, but this fell through and Dennis James was chosen for the upcoming nighttime series (it was only by about mid-Spring 1972 that CBS expressed interest in a daytime series and Creator/BobBarker got involved). It should be noted that James was chosen for ''Price'' about six months before most of the revival's details were ironed out.

During a 2007 countdown of the "Top Ten Hosts" by Creator/{{GSN}}, Cullen was listed as #7 despite the narration and commentators all but outright saying he deserved top prize. Still, it was better than a 2007 WNBC slideshow of the top ''twenty'' game show emcees that managed to omit Bill entirely (much to the chagrin of the station's then-chief anchorman Chuck Scarborough, who shares a birthplace with Cullen) and a 2013 WebVideo/WatchMojo [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc1xOqiELXw "Top Ten Hosts" video]] that relegated Bill to an uncredited clip at the very end, after the main list and honorable mentions.

Not to be mistaken for Creator/PeterCullen (who has a very different fandom), [[Literature/{{Twilight}} a family of vampires]], or any of [[http://userdata.acd.net/ottinger/cullen/more/links.html these guys]] who are also named "Bill Cullen".

* Also appeared as a celebrity panelist on many, many pilots produced by his best friend, Bob Stewart.

** Actually, Bill did appear as a panelist on the December 27, 1963 nighttime edition of ''The Price Is Right.'' Robert Q. Lewis hosted in Bill's stead. Bill then appeared in 1982 on Bob's version to promote his new show ''Child's Play,'' which came on before ''Price.''
** Late 1975/Early 1976: "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecv0mNlS8N0 The Bottom Line]]", probably the most bizarre example of this Trope '''ever'''.

* UrbanLegends: According to the reference book ''Total Television'', Bill replaced Dennis James as host of the syndicated game ''PDQ'' (1965-69) later in its run. No other reference book supports this, and the existence of an episode taped October 3, 1968 with James as host effectively ruled this false. Cullen may have filled in, but there is no evidence of this either.

During a 2007 countdown of the "Top Ten Hosts" by Creator/{{GSN}}, Cullen was listed as #7 despite the narration and commentators all but outright saying he deserved top prize. Still, it was better than a 2007 WNBC slideshow of the top ''twenty'' game show emcees that managed to omit Bill entirely (much to the chagrin of the station's then-chief anchorman Chuck Scarborough, whom shares a birthplace with Cullen) and a 2013 WebVideo/WatchMojo [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc1xOqiELXw "Top Ten Hosts" video]] that relegated Bill to an uncredited clip at the very end, after the main list and honorable mentions.

During a 2007 countdown of the "Top Ten Hosts" by Creator/{{GSN}}, Cullen was listed as #7 despite the narration and commentators all but outright saying he deserved top prize. Still, it was better than a 2007 WNBC slideshow of the top ''twenty'' game show emcees that managed to omit Bill entirely (much to the chagrin of the station's then-chief anchorman Chuck Scarborough, whom shares a birthplace with Cullen) and a 2013 [=WatchMojo.com=] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc1xOqiELXw "Top Ten Hosts" video]] that relegated Bill to an uncredited clip at the very end, after the main list and honorable mentions.

On-air, Cullen's limited mobility was largely obscured by the design of his shows' sets, which tended to have him stay behind a podium with as little movement as possible, and strategic directing and editing. (Similar accommodations were made for him on shows where he appeared as a panel member.) However, this was '''not''' why he wasn't chosen to host ''Series/ThePriceIsRight'' again when it was revived in 1972 — Bill, who hosted the original 1956-65 run, was in negotiations, but this fell through and Dennis James was chosen for the upcoming nighttime series (it was only by about mid-Spring 1972 that CBS expressed interest in a daytime series and Bob Barker got involved). It should be noted that James was chosen for ''Price'' about six months before most of the revival's details were ironed out.

** Actually, Bill did appear as a panelist on the December 27, 1963 nighttime edition of ''The Price Is Right.'' Robert Q. Lewis hosted in Bill's stead.

** Actually, Bill did appear as a panelist on the December 27, 1963 nighttime edition of''The Price Is Right.'' Robert Q. Lewis hosted in Bill's stead.

** Actually, Bill was a panelist on ''The Price Is Right'' on December 27, 1963. Robert Q. Lewis guest hosted.

During a 2007 countdown of the "Top Ten Hosts" by Creator/{{GSN}}, Cullen was listed as #7 despite the narration and commentators all but outright saying he deserved top prize. Still, it was better than a 2007 WNBC slideshow of the top ''twenty'' game show emcees that managed to omit Bill entirely (much to the chagrin of the station's then-chief anchorman Chuck Scarborough, who shares a birthplace with Cullen) and a 2013 [=WatchMojo.com=] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc1xOqiELXw "Top Ten Hosts" video]] that relegated Bill to an uncredited clip at the very end, after the main list and honorable mentions.

* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: Bill ''loved'' to do this.
** One prize on ''Price'' was a breakfront with a built-in stereo, record player, and fold-out bed.
--->'''Bill:''' Something like this probably took a lot of thinking, didn't it? That's amazing, it's a complete [[LampshadedDoubleEntendre entertainment]] unit!\\
(''cue [[BigApplesauce New York]] audience laughing their hearts out, and Bill acting very coy'')
** A famous one from Joe Garagiola's tenure as host of ''To Tell The Truth'' (taped May 18, 1977), when Bill [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxEa1hCxETA explained]] why he had to disqualify himself during a game featuring bird trainers.
--->'''Bill:''' Well, you know we have a rule on this show that, if we have seen some of the people on this show, whether they’re right or wrong, we can question but not vote. Well, I have to disqualify myself because I met one of those gentlemen in the men's room.\\
'''Panelist Kitty Carlisle:''' What has that got to do with this?\\
'''Bill:''' Well, I want you to know where I met the man!\\
'''Garagiola:''' How do you answer Kitty's question?\\
'''Kitty:''' How did you know he was the real one?\\
'''Bill:''' He had his bird in his hand!
** From the ''Hot Potato'' premiere (January 23, 1984), a line mocked by the hosts of GSN's ''Faux Pause'':
--->'''Bill:''' Diane, I couldn't see your nametag there. It was facing away from me for the best reason in the world..

On-air, Cullen's limited mobility was largely obscured by the design of his shows' sets, which tended to have him stay behind a podium with as little movement as possible. (Similar accommodations were made for him on shows where he appeared as a panel member.) However, this was '''not''' why he wasn't chosen to host ''Series/ThePriceIsRight'' again when it was revived in 1972 — Bill, who hosted the original 1956-65 run, was in negotiations, but this fell through and Dennis James was chosen for the upcoming nighttime series (it was only by about mid-Spring 1972 that CBS expressed interest in a daytime series and Bob Barker got involved). It should be noted that James was chosen for ''Price'' about six months before most of the revival's details were ironed out.

On-air, Cullen's limited mobility was largely obscured by the design of his shows' sets, which tended to have him stay behind a podium with as little movement as possible. However, this was '''not''' why he wasn't chosen to host ''Series/ThePriceIsRight'' again when it was revived in 1972 — Bill, who hosted the original 1956-65 run, was in negotiations, but this fell through and Dennis James was chosen for the upcoming nighttime series (it was only by about mid-Spring 1972 that CBS expressed interest in a daytime series and Bob Barker got involved). It should be noted that James was chosen for ''Price'' about six months before most of the revival's details were ironed out.

Bill suffered from polio as a child and was badly injured in a 1937 motorcycle accident; as a result, he had great difficulty walking for the rest of his life. Creator/MelBrooks has mentioned on multiple occasions (including a late-2012 episode of ''Series/JimmyKimmelLive'') that the time he imitated Cullen's jerky walk after an appearance on ''Eye Guess'', without knowing he was legitimately injured, was the most mortifying moment of his life. Bill graciously took it in good humor, however, and in fact told Brooks that he was actually very grateful for the mimicry as up until then, he felt that others were being too pitying of him.

* {{Adorkable}}: Bill's early work, in the "just so darn sweet" mold.
* DeadpanSnarker: More often directed towards [[SelfDeprecation himself]] and [[BitingTheHandHumor whatever show he was hosting]], but contestants would get their share as well.

--->'''Bill:''' Diane, I couldn't see your nametag there. It was facing away from me for the best reason in the world.
* TheShortGuyWithGlasses
* SmokingIsCool: Semi-averted. He was a known smoker, lighting up about a pack a day, but he rarely smoked on-camera. It was lung cancer that led to his declining health by the mid-1980s and his death at age 70 in 1990.

** A famous one from Joe Garagiola's tenure as host of ''To Tell The Truth'' (taped May 18, 1977), when Bill [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxEa1hCxETA explained]] why he had to disqualify himself during a game with a contestant who trained birds.
--->'''Bill:''' It was an accident. Before the show I walked into the bathroom, and there was [the contestant] with his bird in his hand.

Bill suffered from polio as a child and was badly injured in a 1937 motorcycle accident; as a result, he had great difficulty walking for the rest of his life. Creator/MelBrooks has mentioned on multiple occasions (including a late-2012 episode of ''Jimmy Kimmel Live'') that the time he imitated Cullen's jerky walk after an appearance on ''Eye Guess'', without knowing he was legitimately injured, was the most mortifying moment of his life. Bill graciously took it in good humor, however, and in fact told Brooks that he was actually very grateful for the mimicry as up until then, he felt that others were being too pitying of him.

William Lawrence Francis Cullen (February 18, 1920 – July 7, 1990)was a legendary GameShow host who appeared on more games than anyone else in American television, and whose career spanned across many shows on radio and television from TheThirties to TheEighties (including his own 15-minute Thursday-morning variety show, ''The Bill Cullen Show'', on Creator/{{CBS}} in 1952). He died in 1990 from lung cancer, and is often [[FanNickname called]] "The King of Game Shows" or "The Dean of Emcees".

Legendary GameShow host who appeared on more games than anyone else in American television, and whose career spanned across many shows on radio and television from TheThirties to TheEighties (including his own 15-minute Thursday-morning variety show, ''The Bill Cullen Show'', on Creator/{{CBS}} in 1952). He died in 1990 from lung cancer, and is often [[FanNickname called]] "The King of Game Shows" or "The Dean of Emcees".

During a 2007 countdown of the "Top Ten Hosts" by Creator/{{GSN}}, Cullen was listed as #7 despite the narration and commentators all but outright saying he deserved top prize. Still, it was better than a 2007 WNBC slideshow of the top ''twenty'' game show emcees that managed to omit Bill entirely, much to the chagrin of the station's then chief anchorman Chuck Scarborough (who shares a birthplace with Cullen)...and even ''that'' was better than a 2013 [=WatchMojo.com=] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc1xOqiELXw "Top Ten Hosts" video]] that relegated Bill to an uncredited clip at the very end, after the main list and honorable mentions.

Bill suffered from polio as a child and was badly injured in a 1937 motorcycle accident; as a result, he had great difficulty walking for the rest of his life. Creator/MelBrooks has mentioned on multiple occasions (including a late-2012 episode of ''Jimmy Kimmel Live'') that the time that he imitated Cullen's jerky walk after an appearance on ''Eye Guess'', without knowing he was legitimately injured, was the most mortifying moment of his life. Bill graciously took it in good humor, however, and in fact told Brooks that he was actually very grateful for the mimicry as up until then, he felt that others were being too pitying of him.

During a 2007 countdown of the "Top Ten Hosts" by Creator/{{GSN}}, Cullen was listed as [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK9mNOp8V0M #7]] despite the narration and commentators all but outright saying he deserved top prize. Still, it was better than a 2007 WNBC slideshow of the top ''twenty'' game show emcees that managed to omit Bill entirely (much to the chagrin of the station's then chief anchorman Chuck Scarborough, who shares a birthplace with Cullen) and a 2013 [=WatchMojo.com=] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc1xOqiELXw "Top Ten Hosts" video]] that relegated Bill to an uncredited clip at the very end, after the main list and honorable mentions.

* ''Hit The Jackpot'' (1948-49, 1950)
* ''Beat The Clock'' (1949; quiz show unrelated to [[Series/BeatTheClock the stunt show]])

* ''Stop The Music'' (1954)

* ''Professor Yes 'n' No'' (1953-54)
* ''Place The Face'' (1954-55)
* ''Bank On The Stars'' (1954)

* ''Pass The Buck'' (1978)

* ''HowDoYouLikeYourEggs?'' (March 23-31, 1977; four pilots aired to promote the interactive Warner QUBE system)

* SmokingIsCool: Semi-averted. He was a known smoker, lighting up about a pack a day; however, he rarely smoked on camera. It was lung cancer that led to his declining health by the mid-1980s and his death at age 70 in 1990.
* UrbanLegends: According to ''Total Television'', Bill replaced Dennis James as host of the syndicated game ''PDQ'' (1965-69) later in its run. No other reference book supports this, and the existence of an episode taped October 3, 1968 with James as host effectively ruled this false. Cullen may have filled in, but there is no evidence of this, either.

Not to be mistaken for Creator/PeterCullen (who has a very different fandom) or any of [[http://userdata.acd.net/ottinger/cullen/more/links.html these guys]] who are also named "Bill Cullen".

Bill suffered from polio as a child and was badly injured in a 1937 motorcycle accident; as a result, he had great difficulty walking for the rest of his life. Creator/MelBrooks has mentioned on multiple occasions (including a late-2012 episode of ''Jimmy Kimmel Live'') that the time that he imitated Cullen's jerky walk after an appearance on ''Eye Guess'', without knowing he was legitimately injured, was the most mortifying moment of his life. Bill graciously took it in good humor, and in fact told Brooks that he was very grateful for the mimicry as up until then, he felt that others were being too pitying of him.

During a 2007 countdown of the "Top Ten Hosts" by Creator/{{GSN}}, Cullen was listed as [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK9mNOp8V0M #7]] despite the narration and commentators all but outright saying he deserved top prize. Still, it was better than a 2007 WNBC slideshow of the top ''twenty'' game show emcees that managed to omit Bill entirely (much to the chagrin of the station's lead anchorman Chuck Scarborough, who shares a birthplace with Cullen) and a 2013 [=WatchMojo.com=] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc1xOqiELXw "Top Ten Hosts" video]] that relegated Bill to an uncredited clip at the very end, after the main list and honorable mentions.

* WrittenInInfirmity: Nearly every show he hosted made accommodations to cover up his limp. As a celebrity partner on ''Password Plus'' and various versions of ''Pyramid'', he and the other celeb were seated at their desks (with their respective contestants on ''Pyramid'') instead of doing the traditional walk-on. If Bill was part of the winning team, he usually wasn't shown walking to the Winner's Circle or Alphabetics before the commercial break. This variation also applied when he took over as host of ''Password Plus'' for an ill Allen Ludden; where Ludden usually entered the stage from the same entrance as the celebrity guests, Cullen would enter from the opposite side, near the contestant desks.

-->'''Bill:''' Something like this probably took a lot of thinking, didn't it? That's amazing, it's a complete [[LampshadedDoubleEntendre entertainment]] unit!\\

-->'''Bill:''' It was an accident. Before the show I walked into the bathroom, and there was [the contestant] with his bird in his hand.

-->'''Bill:''' Diane, I couldn't see your nametag there. It was facing away from me for the best reason in the world.

* WrittenInInfirmity: Nearly every show he hosted made accommodations to cover up his limp.
** As a celebrity partner on ''Password Plus'' and various versions of ''Pyramid'', he and the other celeb were seated at their desks (with their respective contestants on ''Pyramid'') instead of doing the traditional walk-on. If Bill was part of the winning team, he usually wasn't shown walking to the Winner's Circle or Alphabetics before the commercial break.

* ''ThreeOnAMatch'' (1971-74)