“You Bet Your Life” was a top rated American radio and television game show that aired from 1947 until 1961. The show's host was the legendary comedian Groucho Marx.
The show debuted on ABC radio on October 27, 1947 featuring ordinary people from different walks of life as the contestants. Grouch put them through their paces with a joke filled personal conversation before beginning the game portion, where contestants would answer trivia questions for cash prizes. Each episode also featured a “secret word” on a card held by a duck with glasses, raised eyebrows, and a cigar that would trigger an alarm and award the extra prize money should the contestant accidentally say it at any point during the show.
February 1, 1950 – The Secret Word is “Air”. Contestants include a young engaged couple, a house mover, and parents of 20 kids.
“You Bet Your Life” was a top rated American radio and television game show that aired from 1947 until 1961. The show's host was the legendary comedian Groucho Marx.
The show debuted on ABC radio on October 27, 1947 featuring ordinary people from different walks of life as the contestants. Grouch put them through their paces with a joke filled personal conversation before beginning the game portion, where contestants would answer trivia questions for cash prizes. Each episode also featured a “secret word” on a card held by a duck with glasses, raised eyebrows, and a cigar that would trigger an alarm and award the extra prize money should the contestant accidentally say it at any point during the show.
25 Jan 2025
Episode 17 - "Sky"
January 25, 1950 – The Secret Word is “Sky”. Contestants include a librarian, police officer, and television repair man.
“You Bet Your Life” was a top rated American radio and television game show that aired from 1947 until 1961. The show's host was the legendary comedian Groucho Marx.
The show debuted on ABC radio on October 27, 1947 featuring ordinary people from different walks of life as the contestants. Grouch put them through their paces with a joke filled personal conversation before beginning the game portion, where contestants would answer trivia questions for cash prizes. Each episode also featured a “secret word” on a card held by a duck with glasses, raised eyebrows, and a cigar that would trigger an alarm and award the extra prize money should the contestant accidentally say it at any point during the show.
18 Jan 2025
Episode 16 - "Spoon"
January 18, 1950 – The Secret Word is “Spoon”. Contestants include a bouncer, chiropodist, and an Irish war bride.
“You Bet Your Life” was a top rated American radio and television game show that aired from 1947 until 1961. The show's host was the legendary comedian Groucho Marx.
The show debuted on ABC radio on October 27, 1947 featuring ordinary people from different walks of life as the contestants. Grouch put them through their paces with a joke filled personal conversation before beginning the game portion, where contestants would answer trivia questions for cash prizes. Each episode also featured a “secret word” on a card held by a duck with glasses, raised eyebrows, and a cigar that would trigger an alarm and award the extra prize money should the contestant accidentally say it at any point during the show.
11 Jan 2025
Episode 15 - "Milk"
January 11, 1950 – The Secret Word is “Milk”. Contestants include a young engaged couple, house mover, and parent of 20 kids.
“You Bet Your Life” was a top rated American radio and television game show that aired from 1947 until 1961. The show's host was the legendary comedian Groucho Marx.
The show debuted on ABC radio on October 27, 1947 featuring ordinary people from different walks of life as the contestants. Grouch put them through their paces with a joke filled personal conversation before beginning the game portion, where contestants would answer trivia questions for cash prizes. Each episode also featured a “secret word” on a card held by a duck with glasses, raised eyebrows, and a cigar that would trigger an alarm and award the extra prize money should the contestant accidentally say it at any point during the show.
4 Jan 2025
Episode 14 - "Tree"
January 4, 1950 – The Secret Word is “Tree”. Contestants include a a spinster, a sailor, and a congressman.
“You Bet Your Life” was a top rated American radio and television game show that aired from 1947 until 1961. The show's host was the legendary comedian Groucho Marx.
The show debuted on ABC radio on October 27, 1947 featuring ordinary people from different walks of life as the contestants. Grouch put them through their paces with a joke filled personal conversation before beginning the game portion, where contestants would answer trivia questions for cash prizes. Each episode also featured a “secret word” on a card held by a duck with glasses, raised eyebrows, and a cigar that would trigger an alarm and award the extra prize money should the contestant accidentally say it at any point during the show.
28 Dec 2024
Episode 13 - "Name"
December 28, 1949 – The Secret Word is “Name”. Contestants include a car hop, a college football player, and a chiropractor.
“You Bet Your Life” was a top rated American radio and television game show that aired from 1947 until 1961. The show's host was the legendary comedian Groucho Marx.
The show debuted on ABC radio on October 27, 1947 featuring ordinary people from different walks of life as the contestants. Grouch put them through their paces with a joke filled personal conversation before beginning the game portion, where contestants would answer trivia questions for cash prizes. Each episode also featured a “secret word” on a card held by a duck with glasses, raised eyebrows, and a cigar that would trigger an alarm and award the extra prize money should the contestant accidentally say it at any point during the show.
21 Dec 2024
Episode 12 - "Chair"
Groucho Marx quizzes contestants on the classic game show 'You Bet Your Life', featuring a secret word that can award extra prize money, and offers a glimpse into the wit and charm of a bygone era.
14 Dec 2024
Episode 11 - "Hair"
Groucho Marx hosts a hilarious episode of “You Bet Your Life” featuring a secret word of “Hair”, as contestants compete for cash prizes with witty banter and trivia questions.
7 Dec 2024
Episode 10 - "Dust"
Groucho Marx puts contestants, including a bacteriologist and an engaged couple, through a joke-filled personal conversation before the game portion, where a secret word could award extra prize money.
30 Nov 2024
Episode 9 - "Window"
Groucho Marx puts contestants to the test with witty banter and trivia questions, offering cash prizes and a chance to win extra money by saying the secret word 'Window'.
23 Nov 2024
Episode 8 - "Sky"
Groucho Marx puts contestants through their paces, revealing the secret word and awarding extra prize money, in a game-changing episode of 'You Bet Your Life' podcast.
16 Nov 2024
Episode 7 - "Grass"
November 16, 1949 – The Secret Word is “Grass”. Contestants include a weatherman, airport girl, and circus worker.
“You Bet Your Life” was a top rated American radio and television game show that aired from 1947 until 1961. The show's host was the legendary comedian Groucho Marx.
The show debuted on ABC radio on October 27, 1947 featuring ordinary people from different walks of life as the contestants. Grouch put them through their paces with a joke filled personal conversation before beginning the game portion, where contestants would answer trivia questions for cash prizes. Each episode also featured a “secret word” on a card held by a duck with glasses, raised eyebrows, and a cigar that would trigger an alarm and award the extra prize money should the contestant accidentally say it at any point during the show.
9 Nov 2024
Episode 6 - "Ink"
November 9, 1949 – The Secret Word is “Chair”. Contestants include an optometrist, a health department worker, bus driver, and a roller coaster operator.
“You Bet Your Life” was a top rated American radio and television game show that aired from 1947 until 1961. The show's host was the legendary comedian Groucho Marx.
The show debuted on ABC radio on October 27, 1947 featuring ordinary people from different walks of life as the contestants. Grouch put them through their paces with a joke filled personal conversation before beginning the game portion, where contestants would answer trivia questions for cash prizes. Each episode also featured a “secret word” on a card held by a duck with glasses, raised eyebrows, and a cigar that would trigger an alarm and award the extra prize money should the contestant accidentally say it at any point during the show.
2 Nov 2024
Episode 5 - "Shoe"
November 2, 1949 – The Secret Word is “Shoe”. Contestants include an expecting father, a nurse, a fix-it-man, and a hotel detective.
“You Bet Your Life” was a top rated American radio and television game show that aired from 1947 until 1961. The show's host was the legendary comedian Groucho Marx.
The show debuted on ABC radio on October 27, 1947 featuring ordinary people from different walks of life as the contestants. Grouch put them through their paces with a joke filled personal conversation before beginning the game portion, where contestants would answer trivia questions for cash prizes. Each episode also featured a “secret word” on a card held by a duck with glasses, raised eyebrows, and a cigar that would trigger an alarm and award the extra prize money should the contestant accidentally say it at any point during the show.
26 Oct 2024
Episode 4 - "Radio"
October 26, 1949 – The Secret Word is “Radio”. Contestants include a bachelor, a spinster, and magic shop clerks.
“You Bet Your Life” was a top rated American radio and television game show that aired from 1947 until 1961. The show's host was the legendary comedian Groucho Marx.
The show debuted on ABC radio on October 27, 1947 featuring ordinary people from different walks of life as the contestants. Grouch put them through their paces with a joke filled personal conversation before beginning the game portion, where contestants would answer trivia questions for cash prizes. Each episode also featured a “secret word” on a card held by a duck with glasses, raised eyebrows, and a cigar that would trigger an alarm and award the extra prize money should the contestant accidentally say it at any point during the show.
19 Oct 2024
Episode 3 - "Cluck"
October 19, 1949 – The Secret Word is “Cluck”. Contestants include a mindreader and a sleep walker.
“You Bet Your Life” was a top rated American radio and television game show that aired from 1947 until 1961. The show's host was the legendary comedian Groucho Marx.
The show debuted on ABC radio on October 27, 1947 featuring ordinary people from different walks of life as the contestants. Grouch put them through their paces with a joke filled personal conversation before beginning the game portion, where contestants would answer trivia questions for cash prizes. Each episode also featured a “secret word” on a card held by a duck with glasses, raised eyebrows, and a cigar that would trigger an alarm and award the extra prize money should the contestant accidentally say it at any point during the show.
12 Oct 2024
Episode 2 - "Smile"
October 12, 1949 – The Secret Word is “Smile”. Contestants include a pair youngsters.
“You Bet Your Life” was a top rated American radio and television game show that aired from 1947 until 1961. The show's host was the legendary comedian Groucho Marx.
The show debuted on ABC radio on October 27, 1947 featuring ordinary people from different walks of life as the contestants. Grouch put them through their paces with a joke filled personal conversation before beginning the game portion, where contestants would answer trivia questions for cash prizes. Each episode also featured a “secret word” on a card held by a duck with glasses, raised eyebrows, and a cigar that would trigger an alarm and award the extra prize money should the contestant accidentally say it at any point during the show.
5 Oct 2024
Episode 1 - "Chair"
October 5, 1949 – The Secret Word is “Chair”. Contestants include a pair of Newlyweds, a Librarian and a Wrestler, and a Druggist and a Grave Digger.
“You Bet Your Life” was a top rated American radio and television game show that aired from 1947 until 1961. The show's host was the legendary comedian Groucho Marx.
The show debuted on ABC radio on October 27, 1947 featuring ordinary people from different walks of life as the contestants. Grouch put them through their paces with a joke filled personal conversation before beginning the game portion, where contestants would answer trivia questions for cash prizes. Each episode also featured a “secret word” on a card held by a duck with glasses, raised eyebrows, and a cigar that would trigger an alarm and award the extra prize money should the contestant accidentally say it at any point during the show.
Who has been a guest on Groucho Marx: You Bet Your Life Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
a special effects man
a group of foreign college students
a messenger boy
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
159,009,933
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 42 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
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