What was your favorite old-time radio quiz? That was the 64 dollar question

 With the run-away success of “millionaire” quiz shows and “reality” shows on television, it seems strange that 64 dollars was once the top prize on network radio and a box of candy bars was a consolation prize. Yet, small-budget quiz shows were immensely popular in the “Golden Age of Radio” in the 1940s and early 1950s before network radio was eclipsed by television:

“Dr. I. Q.,” a touring radio show which broadcast from theaters in various American cities, awarded silver dollars for correct answers or boxes of Mars candy to losers.

“Take It Or Leave It” gave one dollar for the first right answer, with money doubling for each answer up to 64 dollars. When confronted with a difficult question, people in the 1940s often said, “That’s the 64 dollar question.”

Television upped the stakes a thousand-fold with “The $64,000 Question” and “The $64,000 Challenge” for winners from the first show. These and some of the other shows in the 1950s were discovered to have been rigged. Contestants were given answers and coached on how long to pause before answering correctly or before throwing the game.

Quiz shows and game shows survived the scandals because viewers enjoy a contest, they admire people who seem to be smart, and they like to imagine what they would do if they won lots of money.

A pioneer in TV game shows was Mark Goodson, who with his partner Bill Todman produced many successful game shows over several decades.  These included “To Tell the Truth,” “I’ve Got a Secret,” “Password,” and many more. Goodson died on this date, December 18, in 1992. 

 Goodson and Todman’s games were not like the high-stakes money shows in the early years which were based in dishonesty.  Theirs were more like parlor or party games family or friends could have fun playing together.

Viewers have played home game versions of these TV games for decades, starting with board games with play money, then computer disks, followed by on-line versions. Some interactive Internet games offer prizes to contestants.

Favorite early game shows were brought back to life on cable through the Game Show Network. 

Many shows are copied from other successful shows. Some shows copy themselves.  For example, the long-running “Jeopardy” came up with a spin-off for a younger generation: “Rock and Roll Jeopardy.”

In the flurry of Christmas shopping during these final days of Advent, reflect today on two different mindsets which are evident both with reference to game show prizes and to presents you may receive at Christmas: We may be defiantly determined to get as much as we can and be disappointed or angry if we don’t get what we hoped for. Or we may enjoy being a participant and grateful for whatever we receive.

Verses for Today

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night” (Psalm 92:1-2).

Each day through New Year’s Day, January 1, 2013, inspirational thoughts will appear, in keeping with Advent, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.  These are from my book, Reflections for the Festive Seasons.  © 2002.  All rights reserved.