Kirpal Singh, the first contestant, worked for rocket and missile propulsion manufacturer Aerojet, in one of its divisions which delivered the propulsion systems for the US Navy's submarine-launched Polaris missile. Singh had previously appeared on episode 'Harry Belafonte (1955)' when he worked as a marine engineer for the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Rudy Vallee was starring in the hit-Broadway musical 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying', which opened at the 46th Street Theatre on October 14, 1961. Vallée would leave the production in October 1964. The comedy closed on March 06, 1965, after 1,417 performances, and was adapted into 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967)', with Vallée reprising his role.
Guest panelist Darren McGavin was starring in the Broadway play 'Blood, Sweat and Stanley Poole', which had opened on October 05, at the Morosco Theatre. The production would close on December 16, 1961, after 84 performances. This was the New York stage debut for Peter Fonda.