The American Experience: The Quiz Show Scandal

Although it doesn't resonate in our collective memory like Watergate, the quiz show scandal which rocked the nation during the late 1950s was both a frightful harbinger of the large-scale deception yet to come and a very early indicator of just how irresponsible the mass media could be when a few bucks were involved. In the compelling narrative style that The American Experience has become justly renowned for, The Quiz Show Scandal traces the story of the rapid and huge success of "The $64,000 Question," along with the growing realization that some contestants were more popular than others--and therefore likely to draw more viewers (an observation which didn't escape the commercial sponsors). The producers, as well as other quiz show producers, also discovered that a non-scripted half-hour of real questions and answers could be both deadly dull and a total disaster (whole stretches could occur without anyone correctly answering a question). Having set the scene, The Quiz Show Scandal moves into its central tale: After Herbert Stempel--a longstanding winner (thanks to previously supplied answers)--was dropped in favor of pretty boy academician Charles Van Doren, he stewed. As Van Doren's star rose (he was eventually on the cover of Time), Herbert got more and more ticked-off...until he finally spilled the beans. In the ensuing court investigation some 100 people--both TV industry folk and previous contestants--would perjure themselves until child actress Patty Duke recanted her statement and the pins began to fall. The Quiz Show Scandal is an excellent documentary which goes beyond a simple retelling of events to offer an incisive look at a naive America coming face-to-face with the dark side of the American Dream. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (Available from: PBS Video, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314; 1-800-344-3337.