| Host | |
| Lindsay Graham | |
| Interviewees | |
| Howard Blumenthal Bob Boden (Episode 5 only) | |
| Broadcast | |
 | |
| Packagers | |
| Airship Wondery | |
Quiz Show Rigging was a five episode documented series where it covers the infamous quiz show scandals of the 1950's. This was part of a 61st season of the podcast series called American Scandal.
Plot[]
In the 1950s, America was captivated by high stakes television quiz shows like The $64,000 Question and Twenty One which promised everyday Americans a shot at life-changing winnings. But behind the scenes, producers decided they couldn't leave the drama to chance. They needed to ensure that the most compelling contestants battled it out week after week, setting the stage for a fraud that would shake the entire industry.
Episode Guide[]
| Episode # | Episode Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | All the Answers | In the 1950s, America was captivated by high stakes television quiz shows like The $64,000 Question and Twenty One which promised everyday Americans a shot at life-changing winnings. But behind the scenes, producers decided they couldn't leave the drama to chance. They needed to ensure that the most compelling contestants battled it out week after week, setting the stage for a fraud that would shake the entire industry. |
| 2 | The Perfect Contestant | Herbert Stemple is given the opportunity of a lifetime when television producer Dan Enright offers a guaranteed winning streak on the quiz show Twenty One - so long as he follows the script. Stempel enjoys his newfound celebrity and financial success, but as ratings plateau, the producers search for a fresh face to take his place. |
| 3 | Consolation Prize | As former quiz show champion Herbert Stemple watches Charles Van Doren continue his staged winning streak on Twenty One, he threatens to go public with what he knows. Meanwhile, another contestant quietly takes steps of his own to document the show's fraud. |
| 4 | Deception | Twenty One producer Dan Enright takes drastic action to keep the rigging scandal under wraps by discrediting his accuser, Herbert Stemple. But investigators with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office uncovers undeniable proof that soon sparks a Congressional hearing, and puts Charles Van Doren in the hot seat. |
| 5 | The Pressure Cooker | Television producers Howard Blumenthal and Bob Boden weren't old enough to experience the quiz show scandals of the 1950's firsthand, but it had a major impact on their lives and careers. Blumenthal's father helped produce the rigged quiz show Twenty One, and Boden worked alongside disgraced producer Dan Enright in the 1980s following his return to television. The two went on to co-found the National Archive of Game Show History and today, they join Lindsay to talk about the legacy of the quiz show scandals. |
See Also[]
Twenty One
The $64,000 Question
Quiz Show
The American Experience