Hal Block - Legacy

Legacy

Through the 1930s and 1940s, Block, while anonymous to the general public, was considered by many in the business as one of the best comedy writers working in network radio, Hollywood movies and Broadway shows. Block also made a major contribution to the USO during its early formative years and was Bob Hope’s comedy writer on the first USO tour Hope ever did. Block was also a critic of the entertainment business itself, writing articles for major publications where he discussed the writing profession, censorship, the influence of advertisers and the trend of deteriorating quality of radio programming.

In the early 1950s, Block joined the panel of the new television show What’s My Line? after the first few shows were criticized as dull and the show was in danger of cancellation adding a comedic element to the format. The show survived and by the time of Block’s departure was rated as one of the top shows on U.S. television. Block had set the precedent of having a comedian on the panel as he was subsequently followed by Steve Allen and then Fred Allen.

Block remains a controversial figure in television history, with denunciations being made by some, while praised by others. Journalist Earl Wilson had once dubbed Block "a radio genius" and Bob Hope called Block "a great comedy writer.” Then, in his book What's My Line? TV's Most Famous Panel Show, Gil Fates wrote, "You couldn't teach the meaning of good taste to Hal, any more than Star Kist could teach it to Charley the Tuna." Accessing Block's contribution to What’s My Line? Fates summed it up as “Hal had served his purpose when the program was young.” However, writer and journalist Bob Considine wrote in 1969 that Block "was to mean so much to the early success of television's What's My Line?" What's My Line? was on the air for 17 years, to become the longest running game show in U.S. primetime history, while Block returned to anonymity.