Inger's "First Impression"

Inger was featured in numerous game and quiz shows during the 1960's, including The New Truth and Consequences, Your First Impression, You Don't Say, and Personality. Inger was known for her quick, clever responses and she learned much about her fellow man through observation. In August 1962, Inger was a guest columnist for UPI and wrote about what she'd learned through her appearances as a panelist. The complete essay by Inger reads:

In the last several months I've learned that actors are selfish people (as if I didn't already know that); that some of the happiest married couples really hate each other; that hardly any stimulating conversation exists anymore.

This possibly startling data comes from some on-the-job training as an analyst-panelist on television shows. My analysis sans couch should have provided me with enough experience to hang out my own shingle and start psyching people. Heaven help them.

It isn't easy to guess the mystery guest on "Your First Impression," the show that throws questions and gets answers back with the speed of a computer. Once, I did get a clue to a guest's identity. She said a word that I knew was a unique part of her vocabulary. 

Actors are the hardest to guess. They're trained to react quickly to say at times what they wish to believe instead of what might be the strict truth. One of the prime traits that come out in this free association quiz is—selfishness. Some actors reveal, without knowing it, a trait which makes you feel sorry for them—their loneliness.

Another segment of "Your First Impression" deals with husbands and wives. From the answers they give such as "If we had to do over again, we'd never get married," you wonder how they've stayed "happily" married for 20 years. It's mostly the men who seem to wish they were free souls. 

I find it stimulating to do panel shows because I'm out there on my own fending for myself against some very sharp wits and it gives me a fine mental workout.

It makes me realize that people don't really know how to talk anymore. Everybody is so busy talking about his own work or being so diplomatic that the conversation has no bones to it. If you start a discussion, all the straw people run away because they think you're trying to start a fight.

There's a paradox here somewhere. The very medium which has stifled, nay killed, conversation is the only place left where one can get a chance to talk.

Note from Emily:

Although I've found some clips of the game shows online, I've yet to find a clip featuring Inger. I remain eternally optimistic that I will unearth one of Inger's episodes in time. 

Source:

"Inger Stevens Discovers Actors are Selfish People." Portland Press Herald. August 30, 1962.