Random Game Show Factoids Trivia Quiz

Answer: Dicker and Dicker

Dicker and Dicker of Beverly Hills provided furs for "Hollywood Squares", "The Price Is Right" and many others.

The company name was mentioned frequently, every time a prize package included a fur item...as in this excerpt from a 1976 episode of "Hollywood Squares";

"...and now take a look at the lovely and gracious Phyllis Diller...in a 23 hundred dollar full length coat by Divini. Natural Norwegian blue fox simple fur jacket and streamlength...Furnished by Dicker and Dicker of Beverly Hills. Thank you, lovely Phyllis!"

Answer: Chicago, 60609

The huge Spiegel catalog company was housed in Chicago, Illinois. Spiegel provided prizes for many popular game shows. Spiegel provided shows such as the original "Price is Right" everything from appliances to fine jewelry.

Spiegel was founded by Joseph Spiegel just after the US Civil War. The company moved into catalog sales in 1905, becoming one of the pre-eminent firms in the mail-order industry.

Answer: Beulah

"Truth or Consequences" was originally on radio from 1940 to 1957. It was seen on TV from 1950 to 1988. Bob Barker was the host from 1956 to 1975. The premise was to mix the quiz element of other game shows with difficult stunts. If a player answered wrong or too slowly, their answer was met with the loud buzzing sounds of 'Beulah the Buzzer'.

In 1950, radio host Ralph Edwards announced that they would air the show in the first US town that changed its name to Truth or Consequences. Hot Springs, New Mexico won the honor.

Answer: False

The 'interview' portion of both shows was scripted. Contestants were brought in and pre-interviewed by the writing staff, who then wrote the jokes depending on their answers. It was the style and delivery of both men that made it look like they were ad libbing.

It was said of Carson; "If it wasn't on cue cards he wouldn't say it...if he had to stand on his head to do a demonstration, the cue cards were held upside down".

Answer: He 'blew the whistle' on rigged game shows.

Herbert Stempel was a contestant on the game show "Twenty-One" in 1957. He had won $48000. Stempel claimed that he had been instructed by the producers of the show to lose to his opponent, Charles Van Doren. He also claimed to have proof. Herbert went to New York newspapers, but they declined to print the story, fearing libel. Stempel was eventually supported by James Snodgrass, who had sent registered letters to himself with the proof that he (Snodgrass) had been provided with answers. Stempel proved to a Grand Jury that he had been coached on his appearance and how to act and dress.

There was nothing illegal with this, but it served to destroy the credibility of game shows of that era.

Answer: Let's Make A Deal

Chuck Barris was born in a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania suburb on June 3, 1929. Barris' production company developed all the quizzes that are the wrong answers to this question. Barris himself hosted "The Gong Show".

Answer: False

The show's first sponsor was DeSoto Automobiles. DeSoto thought when they signed Groucho that he would do the show in his long black frock coat and painted on mustache from his movies. Groucho refused and the sponsors tried to end the show. The sponsor discovered that there was no provision in Marx' contract that he had to wear a frock coat. "If I can't be funny on television without funny clothes and makeup..." was Groucho's attitude. The program aired for 11 years.

Answer: True

Mark Goodson along with Bill Todman were the producers and owners of "To Tell The Truth". The premise of the show was that there were three people all professing to be the same person...two obviously lying. A celebrity panel had to discern, through questioning, who was the real person.

The 'success' of the show, per Goodson, was preparation...all contestants were 'schooled' on anything having to do with the 'truth teller'. To see a sample of the show, in case you have never seen it, check out "Catch Me if You Can" with Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Answer: True

"Dream House" aired during the daytime with host Mike Darrow from 1968 to 1970. Couples vied to win the 'house of their dreams', by answering questions in order to win rooms full of furniture. When they won seven rooms over succeeding weeks they won the house.

There was a nighttime version in 1968 where it took four consecutive wins to win the house. The show re-emerged from 1983 to 1984 and was hosted by Bob Eubanks. The house was worth over $40,000, and contestants received an additional $7,500 to purchase land.

The winners could have the house built wherever they chose in the United States.

Answer: Art Fleming

Art Fleming hosted "Jeopardy!" from 1964 to 1975, and from 1978 to 1979. Alex Trebek was the second host. "Jeopardy!" is a syndicated show, owned by the show's producers, who sell air rights to individual TV stations. Contestants are given the correct answers and must come up with the correct question...in question form.