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1950's TV Game Shows Trivia Quiz

TV game shows were all the rage in the 1950's. I was in my early teen years in the 50's. I can remember sitting on the floor and gawking at our big black and white box. Have fun with these questions about the age of innocence.

A multiple-choice quiz by ncterp. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
ncterp

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
410,846

Updated
Mar 15 23

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
801

Last 3 plays: Guest 40 (4/10), Guest 173 (10/10), Guest 172 (9/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What was the name of the quiz show that was emceed by Bud Collyer from 1950-1956 and sponsored by Sylvania? Hint

You Bet Your Life

Beat the Clock

To Tell the Truth

What's My Line

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Question 2 of 10

2. The quiz show "What's my Line" featured four panelists who tried to guess the guest's occupation. There was one man and two women on the panel, along with host John Daly. One of the women was Arlene Francis. Who was the man and the other woman? Hint

Bennett Cerf and Dorothy Kilgallen

Bennett Cerf and Ann Francis

Perry Como and Dorothy Kilgallen

Bennett Cerf and Ginger Rogers

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Question 3 of 10

3. Groucho Marx hosted a game show that began with him saying, "Say the secret word...". What was the name of the show? Hint

ToTell the Truth

Strick it Rich

The Big Payoff

You Bet Your Life

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Question 4 of 10

4. Who was the only former Miss America to appear as a regular panelist on "I've Got a Secret" beginning in 1958? Hint

Betsy Palmer

Bess Myerson

Lorraine Day

Faye Emerson

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Question 5 of 10

5. Who was the only panelist to appear in every version of "To Tell the Truth", from 1956 to 2002? Hint

Polly Bergen

Tom Poston

Dorothy Kilgallen

Kitty Carlisle

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Question 6 of 10

6. This TV game show had no panelists. It was hosted by Jack Bailey. The all-female audience chose the winner from among four female contestants, each of whom told a tale of woe. The winner was decided by an "applause meter". What was the show's name? Hint

Strike It Rich

For The Love of Money

Queen for a Day

Who Do You Trust

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. This TV game show was also hosted by Jack Bailey from 1953-1956 and by Bob Barker from 1956-1975. The sponsor was Old Gold cigarettes.

Strike It Rich

Truth or Consequences

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Question 8 of 10

8. Needing the money, Dr. Joyce Brothers, a psychologist entered and won the "$64,000 Question". What was her chosen category? Hint

Ancient Greece

prizefighting

professional football

Japanese Tea Ceremony

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which game show host hosted over 25 game shows on radio and TV? Hint

Bob Barker

Bud Collyer

Ralph Edwards

Bill Cullen

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Question 10 of 10

10. The show that was the impetus for the Congressional investigation into the 1950's game shows was "Twenty-One". Who was the embittered contestant who "spilled the beans" to investigators? Hint

Herb Stempel

Richard Welch

Charles Van Doren

Martin Lowrey

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 18 2024 : Guest 40: 4/10
Dec 17 2024 : Guest 173: 10/10
Dec 17 2024 : Guest 172: 9/10
Dec 15 2024 : Guest 209: 7/10
Dec 15 2024 : Guest 96: 8/10
Dec 10 2024 : Guest 98: 4/10
Dec 09 2024 : Winegirl718: 9/10
Dec 09 2024 : Guest 74: 6/10
Dec 08 2024 : Guest 75: 4/10

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What was the name of the quiz show that was emceed by Bud Collyer from 1950-1956 and sponsored by Sylvania?

Answer: Beat the Clock

Couples competed against the clock doing all sorts of crazy stunts. James Dean was a stunt tester for the show.

Answer: Bennett Cerf and Dorothy Kilgallen

Bennett Cerf was the founder of the publishing house Random House. Dorothy Kilgallen was a crime reporter and played a role in the retrial and subsequent release of Sam Shephard, whose case formed the basis for the TV series "The Fugitive".

3. Groucho Marx hosted a game show that began with him saying, "Say the secret word...". What was the name of the show?

Answer: You Bet Your Life

Groucho was introduced by George Fenneman. By this time, his cigar was real, but the mustache was painted on.

4. Who was the only former Miss America to appear as a regular panelist on "I've Got a Secret" beginning in 1958?

Answer: Bess Myerson

Bess Myerson was the first Jewish Miss America. She replaced Betsy Palmer on the panel.

5. Who was the only panelist to appear in every version of "To Tell the Truth", from 1956 to 2002?

Answer: Kitty Carlisle

Kitty Carlisle was an actress, opera singer, game show panelist and Broadway performer. When it came to entertaining, she pretty much did it all.

Answer: Queen for a Day

This game show was often criticized for exploiting people's hardships. Jeanne Cagney, sister to James Cagney was a fashion consultant for the show.

7. This TV game show was also hosted by Jack Bailey from 1953-1956 and by Bob Barker from 1956-1975. The sponsor was Old Gold cigarettes.

Answer: Truth or Consequences

Ralph Edwards, the show's creator, dared any town in the country to change its name to Truth or Consequences. Hot Springs, NM, took the dare and is now known as Truth or Consequences, NM.

8. Needing the money, Dr. Joyce Brothers, a psychologist entered and won the "$64,000 Question". What was her chosen category?

Answer: prizefighting

The producers did not want Dr. Brothers to win, so they intentionally gave her tough questions which she still got right. This was one of the shows that got wrapped up in the quiz show scandals of the 1950's.

9. Which game show host hosted over 25 game shows on radio and TV?

Answer: Bill Cullen

Cullen was never implicated in any game show scandal. Cullen hosted "The Price is Right" before Bob Barker.

10. The show that was the impetus for the Congressional investigation into the 1950's game shows was "Twenty-One". Who was the embittered contestant who "spilled the beans" to investigators?

Answer: Herb Stempel

Charles Van Doren was an English professor at Columbia University. Despite being given the answers, he agonized over the questions. He should have been a drama professor. Stempel had been the reigning champion.

Source: Author ncterp

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ladymacb29 before going online.
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