Just Men!

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Just Men! was an American daytime game show that aired on NBC from January 3 to April 1, 1983. Betty White hosted, with Steve Day as announcer. Two female contestants competed to predict yes/no answers given by seven male celebrities.

At the start of each episode, seven keys were mixed in a box, one for each panelist (six others were available if needed). The champion sat in the driver’s seat with the keys and the onstage car as the prize.

Round 1: Contestants asked panelists questions for one minute and tried to guess which panelist said “yes.” A correct guess earned that panelist’s key. If both contestants guessed correctly, the round ended early.

Round 2: The players tried to identify which panelist said “no” to a question. Correct guesses earned keys; a miss gave the key to the opponent. Each contestant had one turn in this round.

Round 3: A final question left the number of “yes” or “no” answers to the remaining panelists unclear. Contestants took turns guessing and could steal keys. The round ended once all seven keys were claimed.

The contestant with more keys won. The champion then attempted the keys in the car’s ignition, one at a time. If the car started, she won the car and retired undefeated; if not, the host revealed the correct key and hinted at a prize. A champion who won seven consecutive games also won the car.

Just Men! was created by Rick Rosner and produced by Rosner Television, Century Towers Productions, and Orion Television. It aired at noon, lasted 13 weeks, and produced 65 episodes in total. It faced low affiliate clearances in many markets and was replaced by The New Battlestars.

Betty White’s performance made television history: she became the first woman to win the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host in 1983, after being nominated the previous year. She was again nominated in 1984. The show drew mixed reactions from critics.