organized crime. Much of the investigation was televised and Block suggested to Kefauver he change the name of his broadcast to "What's My Crime?" Block created what became a tradition of the show's opening. At the beginning of the show each panelist would introduce the panelist sitting beside them, except for the last, who would introduce Daly, the host. It was Block's idea, as the last panelist, to break from the simple, straightforward introduction and instead introduce Daly with a joke. This was later taken up by Bennett Cerf after Block's departure. It also fell to Block as the comedian, then later Steve Allen and Fred Allen, to participate in what executive producer Gil Fates called his "Gambits". Prior to the broadcast, Fates would hint to Block a line of questioning for one of the guests which he felt would generate the most laughs. Fates has said it required a comedian to sense from his clues what would generate laughter. For example, with a guest who manufactured girdles, Block was advised to ask questions about kitchen items. On the show Block asked, "Will it make ice-cubes?" To a professional sword swallower he asked, "Do you work outdoors–or is yours considered an inside job?" While technically not cheating, as the panelist was not told the guest's profession, the practice was eventually discontinued in light of the quiz show scandals. Fame By 1952, What's My Line? had become one of the highest-rated shows on television, and major publications praised Block's work. Irv Kupcinet of the Chicago Sun-Times called him the "freshest new personality in TV." Sid Shalit of the New York Daily News called Block "effervescent." Vogue magazine said, "People are laughing at Hal Block." The Chicago Tribune called Block "a golden boy on TV". The Philadelphia Inquirer called Block's humor "impish buffoonery." Block had made the difficult leap from the obscurity of working as writer to becoming a hugely popular television figure in a very short period of time. As a writer Block had worked in anonymity. "For years nobody recognized me, not even the comedians I wrote for," he said. The show had made Block famous overnight and he admitted enjoying it, "Don't think I mind this being recognized, for I love it." However, Bill Todman, the show's producer, said "Hal was never able to live with the idea of being a celebrity." Popular, but problematic During the first three