Password was a long-running game show (1961-1967 on CBS, then from 1971-1975 on ABC), with sporadic revivals usually under slightly different names. Hosted by Allen Ludden, the format involved two pairs of contestants (one of each pair was usually a celebrity) trying to be the first to signal the password without saying it directly. The most frequent celebrity contestant was Betty White (who married host Ludden during the show's run).

Both the format and Password name have been used periodically as a recurring element on Jimmy Fallon's late night shows.

References

• The format was used for the Sesame Street game show "Say the Word."

• The game show Sightword is featured in Sesame Street Episode 2428. While the title references Password, the actual game and its hosts spoof Wheel of Fortune.

• Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy played Password when they visited Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on November 16, 2011. They were teamed with Michael Stipe and Martin Short respectively.

• Elmo and Cookie Monster played Password when they visited The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on March 11, 2024. They were teamed with Jimmy Fallon and Tariq Trotter respectively.

Connections

• Kirstie Alley appeared as a contestant on Password Plus
• Carol Burnett was a celebrity contestant (1961-1974)
• Bruce Lanoil was a contestant on four 1986 episodes of Super Password
• Keke Palmer hosted the 2022 version
• Regis Philbin hosted Million Dollar Password (2008-2009)