Panelist Martin Gabel was about to premiere in the play 'Big Fish, Little Fish' at an out-of-town tryout in Philadelphia, beginning on February 27th. The comedy would later premiere on March 15 at ANTA Playhouse on Broadway and run for 101 performances, closing on July 10, 1961.
Maurine Neuberger, the first contestant, was a U.S. senator for the State of Oregon from November 1960 to January 1967. She was elected to her husband's seat, U.S. senator Richard L. Neuberger, after becoming a widow.
Tallulah Bankhead had just premiered in the Broadway play 'Midgie Purvis', which opened on February 1st, at the Martin Beck Theatre. Bankhead received glowing reviews and a Tony Award nomination, but the play suffered from numerous rewrites and failed to last beyond 21 performances, closing on February 18, 1961.