Loading summary
Transcript8 lines
- [00:00]
Lindsey Graham
Hi, this is Lindsey Graham, host of American Scandal. Our back catalog has moved behind a paywall. Recent episodes remain free, but older ones will require a Wondery plus subscription. With Wondery, you get access to the full American scandal archive ad free, plus early access to new seasons and more. Join Wondery plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. It's November 28, 1956, in NBC Studios at New York City's Rockefeller Center. 30 year old Charles Van Doren is standing backstage waiting to be introduced as the newest contestant on the hit television quiz show 21. He straightens the collar of his suit and runs his fingers through his curly brown hair, trying to settle his nerves. Before his TV debut, he peeks through the curtains and sees more than 100 people in the studio audience waiting for the game to begin. But his mind is on a different audience tonight, his family watching at home. He's a member of the famous Van Doren literary family. His father and uncle are both Pulitzer Prize winning writers and his mother is an acclaimed novelist and magazine editor. So he's nervous about how his foray into the lowbrow medium of television might go over with them. Van Doren himself doesn't even own a TV and has never heard of 21 until one of the show's producers asked him to be a contestant just a few weeks ago. Now, seeing the studio audience, the TV lights and cameras, he's beginning to wonder if it was a mistake. So as he hears the show's host, Jack Barry, call him to stage, he takes a deep breath and prays he doesn't do anything to embarrass himself. Van Doren strides out from the wings and the studio audience erupts in applause. He nods to the crowd, then turns to shake hands with Barry and his opponent, Herbert Stempel. Stempel is already well known to quiz show fans. He's the longest running champion on 21 to date. Some have gone so far as to call him unbeatable, and this only adds to Van Doren's apprehension. The show's host, Jack Barry, then begins reading from a cue card in his hand, introducing Van Dorn to America as an impressive fellow, a professor of music at Columbia University that studied at Cambridge University in England and plays classical piano in chamber groups. Hearing this, Van Doren winces. Truth is, he barely plays the piano and he teaches literature, not music. He considers trying to correct the record, but before he can, Barry presses forward, noting Van Doren's famous family, mentioning his award winning father. Van Doren stares into the glowing red light on top of the camera, thinking about his family watching at home. His father is probably mortified to have his name dragged into this, but all Van Doren can do now is smile bashfully as Barry prattles on. Then, finally, after finishing his introduction, Barry asks Van Doren and Stemple to head into their respective isolation booths to begin the game. The show's assistants, a pair of attractive young blonde women, emerge from behind a curtain and lead the contestants into two soundproof glass booths. Inside his booth, Van Doren puts on an oversized pair of headphones, and his world goes completely silent. He then watches as Barry, standing at Elektra, turns to ask Stemple the first trivia question of the game. A moment later, Van Doren hears Barry's voice in his headphones. All right, Mr. Van Dorn, now it's your turn to play. I'll give you the category, and you choose the difficulty from 1 to 11. The harder the question, the more points you'll earn. The first category is the Civil War. How much do you know about that? Well, that's an awfully big subject. I'll try for eight points. Okay, for eight points. Because of a disagreement with his commanding general, Ulysses Grant was placed under arrest for a brief time in 1862. Who was the commanding general of the Union army at that time? Oh, I know his name. Halleck. General H.W. halleck. That's correct. And you have eight points. Van Doren's headphones go silent again as Barry turns to Stemple to ask another question. Then, a moment later, Barry's voice returns in the headphones. Back to you, Mr. Van Doren. Your next category is newspapers. How many points you want to try for? I think I should go for seven, but I'm worried Mr. Stempel may be pulling ahead, so I'll take 10. All right, for 10 points. This is a tough question. The grandsons of Joseph Medill, two of the most successful journalists from 1914 on, were the owners and managers of the Chicago Tribune and the New York Daily News. What were their names? Bandorin pauses for a moment and reaches into his pocket. He pulls out a handkerchief and wipes a few beads of sweat from his forehead. Well, the Chicago Tribune, that would be Colonel Robert R. McCormick. That's correct. And the Daily News, Wouldn't that be Patterson? Joseph Patterson? It would be. And now you have 17 points. Moments later, the game ends in a tie. The show's host, Jack Barry, informs the audience that Van Doren and Stempel will face off again next week. And the ultimate winner will go home with an enormous cash prize as Van Doren heads backstage. He feels queasy, though, because despite his performance, he's not quite the trivia expert he just played on tv. In fact, he was given all the answers to the questions in advance by the show's producers. The whole game was rigged from the start, and if the truth is ever revealed, it would bring a level of shame to Van Doren and his family that would tear his entire world apart. American Scandal is sponsored by Noom, a leader in behavior change weight loss. But now they combine their proven weight loss program with affordable GLP1 medications so you can lose weight and keep it off. Because Noom doesn't just give you access to meds, it helps you build habits to keep the weight you lost lost. Noom's app features protein tracking so you can ensure you're getting the right nutrients, and fitness classes so you can keep muscle while losing fat. Noom GLP1 starts at $149 and is delivered to your door in seven days. So start your GLP1 journey today at Noom.com that's N-O-O-M.com Noom the Smart Way to Lose Weight not all customers will medically qualify for prescription medications. Compounded medications are not reviewed by the FDA for safety, efficacy or quality.
- [06:39]
Jack Barry
Here's a tip for growing your business get the VentureX business card from Capital One and start earning unlimited double miles on every purchase. That's right, with unlimited double miles, the more your business spends, the more miles you earn. Plus, the venturex Business Card has no preset spending limit, so your purchasing power can adapt to meet your business needs. The VentureX business card also includes access to over a thousand airport lounges. Just imagine where the VentureX business card from Capital One can take your business. Capital One what's in your wallet? Terms and conditions apply. Find out more@capital1.com venturexbusiness.
- [07:26]
Lindsey Graham
From Wondery, I'm Lindsey Graham, and this is American scandal. In the 1950s, Americans fell in love with the new media medium of television. At the start of the decade, less than 10% of households had a TV set of their own. But by 1955, that number soared to 50%. Watching TV quickly became a habit. For much of the country, nothing captured their attention quite like the quiz show phenomenon. Shows like 21, the $64,000 question, and Dotto became some of the most watched programs on television. Viewers were hooked by the drama of watching real people compete for prizes, sometimes in the form of life changing amounts of cash. But many of these early game Shows were not what they seemed. Pressured by their corporate sponsors to maintain high ratings, some quiz show producers began engineering the games to favor the most popular contestants. And there was no contestant more popular than Charles Van Doren, the tall, handsome scion of a prominent literary family. Van Doren's victory over rival contestant Herbert Stempel, a smash hit with viewers and the four month winning streak that followed would make Van Doren a household name. All the while, behind the scenes, Van Doren was provided with the answer to every question he was asked. But Stemple and a handful of contestants from other rigged quiz shows soon grew resentful about being forced to lose. And before long, they decided to expose what was really happening behind the scenes. Within a few years time, the entire quiz show genre came tumbling down. And when the full truth came to light, America's relationship with TV would never be the same. This is episode one. All the Answers. It's January 1955, nearly two years before Charles Van Doren's quiz show debut. At the Madison Avenue headquarters of cosmetics company Revlon television producer Lou Cowan is preparing to make one of the biggest pitches of his career. Cowan is waiting in one of the company's upscale conference rooms with a briefcase tucked under his arm. A handful of Revlon executives walk in, including the company's founder, Charles Revson, and his brother Martin, the company's second in command. Cowan stands and shakes their hands. Then, as all the men take their seats, Cowan opens his briefcase and removes a handful of documents and poster boards for his presentation before turning back to face the executives. Though, he takes a deep breath, his instincts tell him he's got a winning idea on his hands. But still, he knows his groundbreaking new concept could be a tough sell. At 46 years old, Cowan has already built a successful career, having produced more than 50 shows across TV and radio. He first struck gold in the 1940s, creating the hit radio shows Quiz Kids and Stop the Music before venturing into the new, more lucrative medium of television. But to get that money, the first, most important step in selling a new TV show is getting a sponsor on board. If they agree to cover the cost of producing the show, Cohen can take it to one of the three major broadcast networks and get it on the air. But sponsors like Revlon don't know much about how TV works, so Cohen often uses metaphors to sell him on a new idea. Cohen starts his pitch by placing an oversized photo of Mount Everest on an easel at the end of the conference table. He asks the executives to think back two years to 1953. When Sir Edmund Hillary became the first climber to reach the summit of Everest. Cowan reminds them that this event captured the imagination of people around the world. It was front page news for months. And with this new show, Cowan is imagining they too can capture the magic of scaling the world's tallest mountain with a half hour televised trivia competition. Cowan looks around the room to gauge the reaction, but he only finds blank stares. Revlon founder Charles Revson clears his throat and checks his watch. Afraid of losing the room entirely, Cowan quickly pivots and brings the pitch back down to sea level. He asks the executives to recall the old radio quiz show, Take it or Leave It. Cowan didn't create that show, but he always admired the format. Contestants were tasked with answering a series of increasingly difficult trivia questions, with each correct answer being awarded twice as much money as the previous question. And if they get a question right, contestants could choose to go home with all the money they'd earned or risk it all to continue playing. Cowan explains this was the real magic of the show. That moment when everyday people were given the choice to take the money and run or risk it all for a chance to double their winnings. This is what he wants to create. Create a moment of choice. A moment of high stakes. A moment of drama. Cowan can see Charles Revson's eyes narrow as they meet his own. He finally seems to have the founder's full attention. So Cowan reminds the executives of the payout structure for Take it or Leave it. The first question was worth just a dollar, the second question worth two. But eventually, contestants would build their way up to the show's big grand prize moment. The $64 question. It worked great for radio, but Cowan asserts that $64 isn't enough to lure a TV audience. Cowan looks up and sees the executives are leaning forward in their seats. Now's the time for the big reveal. He tells the room that his new show is called the $64,000 question. The executives look around at each other, their eyes wide. Cowan explains that $64,000 would be the most money ever given away on a quiz show. 20 times what the average American makes in a year. If people like the $64 question, they'd go absolutely wild for a show that's offering a thousand times that. Cowan points back at the photo of Mount Everest, explaining that $64,000 is truly an Everest worthy number. The kind of money that captures imaginations. All Cowan needs now is a presenting sponsor. Cowan looks directly at the Revson brothers. He can see Charles Revson rubbing his chin deep in thought as he considers the implications of giving away that much money. And he watches as Martin Revson begins sketching numbers on a legal pad. So Cowan says he knows he's asking for a lot here. The show will not be cheap to make, but he tells the room to imagine the newspaper headlines the day after the first contestant wins the grand prize. It'll be covered like the day Everest was scaled. And even better, people will associate the achievement with Revlon. Cowan promises the company's investment will pay for itself many times over. Cowan then takes a seat, wrapping up his presentation, and gives the room a minute to think it over. At the head of the conference table, he sees Charles Revson grinning. Cowan knew he had a good idea, and based on the look in Charles eye, it appears he may also have a sponsor. Soon after Lou Cowan's pitch, Revlon agrees to sponsor the $64,000 question can, and within just a few months, they find a home for the show on CBS. The program debuts in June of 1955 and quickly proves to be an enormous hit. Within just a few weeks, it's the top rated show on Tuesday nights, and by the end of July, it takes the crown as the number one show in all of television, beating out iconic programs like I Love Lucy and the Ed Sullivan Show. All across America, audiences are captivated by the enormous, enormous grand prize of $64,000, the equivalent of more than $750,000 today. They also responded well to the show's format. In each episode, contestants answer a series of questions in a single area of expertise, like opera, boxing or royal families. And when a contestant passes the $4,000 mark, they are only asked one new question per episode, returning week after week to see how far they can climb. They become like recurring characters in a drama series, with audiences tuning in to see how their favorite player's journey will end. But within a few months of the show's debut, a flaw emerges in its design. By August of 1955, not a single contestant has won the grand prize. In fact, no one has even chosen to attempt it, opting instead to stop at the second to last $32,000 question rather than risk losing it all. And while Revlon has been delighted with the ratings, they're worried that if nobody ever answers the $64,000 question, audiences will eventually lose interest. So the company begins pressuring Cowan to deliver a grand prize winner. One Wednesday morning, just hours after yet another contestant has declined to attempt the final question, Cowan invites his friend Mark Goodson to his Manhattan office to talk things Over. Goodson is himself a veteran producer of game shows for radio and tv, and Cowan wants to get his perspective. Hey, Mark, thanks for coming by, man. I'm in a real pickle with this show. I need to pick your brain on it. Have a seat. A real pickle, huh? You've got the number one show on tv. What on earth could be the problem? Is Revlon selling too much lipstick? No, no one's complaining about the ratings. But Revlon wants to see a grand prize winner. Frankly, I agree with him. If we go the whole season without anybody even attempting the final question, let alone getting it right, the audience is going to notice. I mean, it's in the title of the damn show. $64,000 question. It's our entire selling point. But what do you think's holding back the contestants? I mean, is 32 grand just such life changing money that nobody wants to risk it? I think that's part of it. But there's another problem. Even if they were to win the situation 64,000, it would push them into a new tax bracket. In effect, the final question is really only worth a few extra thousand in what they take home. Statistically, the contestants are making the right choice. And I suspect some of them have gamed that out. I'm sure they have. Anyone who gets to 32 grand is no dummy. Maybe you could bring on wealthier contestants who are already in those tax brackets. Maybe they just want a chance to be remembered as the first ever grand prize winner. Yeah, we thought about that, but there's only so many rich people around. Most of them have no desire to appear on a television quiz show. Besides, the audience won't root for people that already have a lot of money. Yeah, there's something else you could do. Just sort through that big pile of applications you got and find the most likable contestants. You know, nice smiles, relatable backstories. Then just give them the answer to the final question. Give them the answer? Rigged the show? Well, in so many words, yeah. I mean, at least the final question. That's really the only way you can be sure they'll try it. I can't believe you're saying this. Well, what's the big deal? I mean, be honest, Lou. Half the show is already smoke and mirrors. You're keeping the questions on stage in an oversized bank vault with a pair of armed guards. We both know that's all for show. I mean, I'm not criticizing. It's great tv. You've got the number one show in the country, but might as well, take it one step further. No, I don't think so. It would be unethical. Well, unethical maybe, but not illegal. We're making entertainment, not documentaries. Your only job is to give the audience the drama they want and keep Revlon happy. What the audience doesn't know won't hurt them, Mark. All it would take is for one contestant to blab and the whole thing would come tumbling down. Imagine how Revlon would react if the audience turned on them for putting on a fraudulent show. We'd be cancelled the very next day, and I'd never work again. There has to be another way. Well, you know, it's just an idea. I'll think on it. But, look, I got another meeting. Yeah, yeah, I do, too. Thanks for stopping by. I'm sure I'll figure something out. As Cowan walks his friend out and closes the door behind him, he feels a knot growing in his stomach. The idea of rigging the game feels dirty. Even if it could help persuade more contestants to take a chance at the grand prize question, Cohen knows there has to be a better, more ethical solution to the problem. But in the meantime, he'll just have to pray that someone finally has the guts to play the game all the way through. Throughout the summer of 1955, Revlon continues to pressure Lou Cowan to produce the first grand prize winner of the $64,000 question. And Cowan continues to resist rigging the outcome of the show. But when Cowan leaves for another job, Martin Revson, second in command at Revlon, takes a more direct role in overseeing the show. Revlon's sponsorship has proven to be more successful than the company's executives ever dreamed. Their gross earnings are at an all time high, and the stock price has more than doubled. Revlon has come to see their fortunes as being directly tied to the show's success. And when one of the show's producers, Merton Koplan, travels to Revlon's Madison Avenue headquarters for a meeting, he discovers firsthand just how eager the cosmetic company executives are to maximize the show's success. As the meeting begins, Martin Revson slides a chart across the desk to Coplin. It's a graph with two lines, one tracking the weekly ratings of the show and the other showing weekly sales for Revlon. Coughlan listens as Revson explains how they move up and down with nearly in lockstep. Revson then passes over another chart, this one showing how the ratings fluctuate up and down each week based on who the contestants are. As Coplon looks it over, Revson says this proves that the $64,000 question cannot afford to have too many unpopular contestants. He tells Kaplan that to juice the ratings and Revlon's bottom line, he needs to make sure that the most compelling contestants stay on the show for as long as possible. Coughlin instantly understands the implications of Revson's point. It sounds like the Revlon executive is pressuring him to engineer who wins or loses week to week. But Revson goes one step further. He notes that when Lou Cowan initially pitched the show, he promised that the first $64,000 winner would create massive media coverage for the show and Revlon. So Revsen tells Coplin that he needs to deliver on Cowan's promise, and soon. If Coplin can't make that happen, then Revlon may need to bring in their own team of producers or find a new quiz show to sponsor. Cough doesn't know what to say. He's been given a seemingly impossible either manufacture a winner or lose his job. Logistically, he knows he could rig the show. Not only is he responsible for picking which questions are used, he also spends significant time with contestants in the days leading up to their first appearance, discussing their topic of expertise and helping them prepare. So he has plenty of opportunity to give the answers to Revson's preferred contestants. But Copland also knows that if a contestant were ever to go public about this, his career would be over. Coplon racks his brain trying to find a way to give Revson what he wants without making the show fraudulent. Eventually, Coplon offers a compromise. He says that once a contestant proves to be good for tv, he'll spend extra time with them before every show and really narrow down their exact area of expertise. For example, if the topic is geography, he'll find out which areas they know the most about. Then he'll write specific questions he's confident they'll be able to answer. That way, Revlon can get what they want without the liability of going over the line into rigging the show. Leaning back in his chair, Revson says he likes the sound of that. But there's still the issue of how to make sure at least one of the contestants attempts this $64,000 question. Copland admits this will be a tougher challenge, but he assures Revson that he's already got an idea for how to make it happen and how to stage it so that the $64,000 question becomes the most talked about show on television. American Scandal is sponsored by Squarespace, the all in one website platform for entrepreneurs who want to stand out and succeed online. But do you need a website of of course you do. I mean, if you own a business, have a hobby, write a blog, run an organization, create online, create irl, but show off your creations online. You need a website. In this day and age, your dog might need a website. So to help get you a website and a good one, Squarespace's new Design Intelligence combines two decades of industry leading design expertise with cutting edge AI technology to unlock your strongest creative potential. Design Intelligence empowers you to build your own unique digital identity across your entire online presence. So no matter what you do on the web, write, create, sell, consult, coach, teach, you can do it better, faster and look more professional with Squarespace. Head to squarespace.com for a free trial and when you're ready to Launch, go to squarespace.com scandal to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. That's squarespace.com scandal to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or.
- [24:26]
Jack Barry
Domain the Sleep Number Smart Bed is the best bed for couples. And there's a good reason for that. Only Sleep Number Smart beds let you choose your ideal comfort and support on your side of the bed. Firmer or softer on either side. Sleep Number does that. Perhaps you want your side cooler and your partner wants their side warmer. Sleep Number does that too. You choose what's right for you, making it the best bed for the both of you. The Sleep Number Smart Bed will even automatically respond and adjust to your movements to help you sleep comfortably all night long. Your Smart Bed will even learn how you sleep and provide you personalized insights to help you sleep even better. Why choose a Sleep Number Smart Bed? So you can choose your ideal comfort on either side and now save 40% on the new Sleep Number Special Edition Smart Bed limited time, exclusively at a Sleep Number store near you. See store or sleepnumber.com for details.
- [25:31]
Lindsey Graham
In late summer 1955, Merton Coplon, producer of the $64,000 Question, starts looking for a contestant who might finally attempt to answer the show's final grand prize question. For weeks, he examines one contestant after another, assessing their likability and their appetite for risk. Before long, he identifies a possible candidate, Richard McCutcheon. McCutcheon is a Marine captain, which should make him easy for viewers to root for. Coplon also figures that a person who's seen combat may be more willing to risk his previous winnings by going for the top prize. And on the night of September 13, 1955, Coplon is thrilled to see McCutcheon do just that. Coplon is backstage watching the show Live on air at Rockefeller Center, McCutcheon has returned to the stage after successfully answering the $32,000 question the previous week. Now the show's host, al March, asks McCutcheon if he'd like to go home with the money he's already won or try for one more question, attempting to become the first grand prize winner in the show's history. Without hesitation, McCutcheon says he's going to go for it. Coplon pumps his fist as the room fills with applause. A moment later, the isolation booth is wheeled to the front of the stage, and a young female assistant leads McCutcheon inside. As the crowd goes silent, the stage lights dim, leaving a single spotlight on the booth. Cough watches anxiously as host Hal March takes the question envelope from a security guard on stage. Coplon holds his breath, knowing he's done all he can to prepare McCutcheon for this moment. The previous afternoon, he spent hours with him, giving him practice questions about his chosen topic of expertise, cooking. What he learned is that McCutcheon has a deep knowledge about the history of British cuisine. So Copland custom tailored the final question. Now, as Coplan and the rest of America watches, host Hal March opens the envelope and reads the question. He asks McCutcheon to name and describe five dishes and two wines from the menu of a royal banquet hosted by King George VI in honor of French President Albert le Brun in 1939. It's an incredibly specific and difficult question, truly worthy of the $64,000. Kaplan knows only a tiny fraction of all the people on earth could answer it correctly, and he made sure that McCutcheon is one of them. The two men discussed this exact meal in their practice session yesterday. McCutcheon even brought it up on his own, inspiring Copland to craft the final question around it. So now Coplon watches as the Music ends and McCutcheon has asked for the answer. He cracks his knuckles and grins with confidence. Knowing what's coming. Coplon smiles as well. McCutcheon moves through the first five delicacies and two wines with ease, even throwing in some additional details about the meal for good measure. And when the answer is confirmed correct, the audience explodes in applause. McCutcheon steps out of the booth, beaming with pride. Coplon imagines Martin Revson watching at home, equally as happy. Coplon has finally delivered the big winner, as promised. And on top of that, he's found a successful formula for engineering the show, ensuring that there will be even more grand prize winners to come when ratings for McCutcheon's victory are reported the following day. Merton Coplon sees that his gambit has paid off. 55 million Americans watched the broadcast, making it the highest rated episode in the history of television. By this time, TV game shows have become a full blown cultural phenomenon. Hoping to replicate the success of the $64,000 question, the major networks have filled dozens of time slots with other game shows such as the Big Surprise, Treasure Hunt, and the Price is Right. Among those eager to cash in on the craze are producer Dan Enright and host Jack Berry. They quickly get their program Tic Tac Dough onto NBC. And soon after, they follow it up by creating another quiz show called 21, offering a unique twist on the popular card game Blackjack. On each episode of 21, two contestants go head to head, taking turns answering trivia questions on a variety of topics. Each question is assigned a point value from 1 to 11, with with harder questions earning more points. The goal is to end the round with a score as close as possible to 21. Enright and Barry bring on a sponsor, Pharmaceuticals Inc. The makers of the multivitamin Geritol. And together they find a home for 21 on NBC. But when the first episode airs in September of 1956, it proves to be a flop. So the following morning, when Enright walks into Barry's office, his expression is grim. Jack, you got a second? Yeah, sure, Dan. What's going on? I'm gonna level with you. I think we're in trouble with 21. I knew the ratings weren't gonna be great, but the sponsor is even more upset than I was expecting. Just got off the phone with them. He called the show a total dud, lacking any sort of suspense or drama. Well, honestly, I agree. Even on stage, I could almost feel the audience yawning. Well, we're never gonna let that happen again. Something has to change. Yeah, to me, the problem is the contestants. They just weren't that good, you know, they barely got any questions right. Nobody wants to watch people miss questions over and over again. So we either need to find smarter players or get dumber questions. And we certainly need more correct answers, that's for sure. But I don't want easier questions. The audience wants to see a challenge to be impressed by the contestants. Alright, so what are your ideas? I'm thinking about a more drastic change. I mean, you've seen the numbers for $64,000 question. People aren't tuning in just to see someone get a big pile of money. They're tuning in for the people on the show they know and like it's no different than how? People follow their favorite characters on sitcoms or soap operas. They get attached to these contestants. They're not even contestants anymore. They're characters. They want to see how far they'll go where their story ends. Yeah, sure, but how do we make it happen on 21? Well, remember Richard Jackman, the contestant we had on Tic Tac? Doe Ryder from upstate? Yeah. Did some modeling. Yeah, he was good. Good looking, well spoken. But we're not going to be able to find 10 more Richard Jackmans. I don't think we have to. We just bring him back on 21. Okay, easy enough. We can cast him for the show, but who says he'll win? Ah, well, here's the idea. I'll give Jackman a practice quiz before the show, just like I do with everyone else. But for. For him, I'll use the real questions, and if he gets any wrong, I'll just tell him the right answer. Damn, that sounds like rigging the game. I mean, he's a smart guy. He'll figure out what you're doing. Of course he will. But what's he going to do? Refuse to take the money? I don't know. What if Jackman tells someone? Or worse, he could think we've made a mistake and stop me live on air. Say he's already been given the answers. Now, look, Jackman said it himself. He's a struggling writer, right? This guy's going to make more money in one night than he's made in the past decade. And then he'll show up to double it the next week. Trust me, he's not going to say a word. Nobody is that honest. Well, we need to save the show. And if you think this is what's needed, then I'm not going to stand in your way. But leave me out of it. I'm just going to ask the questions on the cards. You're going to have to handle the rest. As he leaves Barry's office, Enright shakes his head. He was hoping Barry would be more excited about this creative solution. It's his job to make sure the show is working. And sometimes that means manufacturing a little drama for the audience. So when Enright returns to his own office, he reaches for the filing cabinet and pulls out Jackman's file, praying that this plan will work. Because if it doesn't, in the new cutthroat world of TV game shows, 21 could go bust.
- [33:26]
C
Ladies, is everyone trying to fix their health concerns with unproven gummies and tricks? Well, thank goodness low libido has a real clinically proven treatment. Low libido can be so frustrating, but there is a treatment called addi. ADDI is the first and only FDA approved pill proven to boost sexual desire in certain premenopausal women. Isn't that great a clinically proven option for your low libido that comes from a doctor, not a gas station? Learn more@addi.com and take charge of your sexual health with a treatment that's backed by science. Remember, that's Addy A d d y I.com Addi or Flavanserin is for premenopausal women with Acquired Generalized Hypoactive Sexual Desire disorder who have not had problems with low sexual desire in the past who have low sexual desire. No matter the type of sexual activity, the situation or the sexual partner, the low sexual desire is troubling to them and is not due to a or mental health problem, problems in the relationship or medicine or other drug use. ADDI is not for use in men or to enhance sexual performance. Your risk of severe low blood pressure and fainting is increased if you drink one to two standard alcoholic drinks. Close in time to your ADDI dose. Wait at least two hours after drinking before taking ADDI at bedtime. Your risk of severe low blood pressure and fainting is also increased if you take certain prescriptions over the counter or herbal medications or have liver problems. Low blood pressure and fainting can happen when you take addi. Even if you don't drink alcohol or take other medicines. Do not take if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in addi. Allergic reactions may include hives, itching or trouble breathing. Sleepiness, sometimes serious can occur. Common side effects include dizziness, nausea, tiredness, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, and dry mouth. See full PI and medication guide including boxed warning@addy.com PI or call 844 pink pill addy that's addy a-d d y I.com thank you to our partner, Minto Scum. You ever feel like you're just going through the same motions day after day? We've all been there. Staring at brake lights in traffic or stuck in a long meeting. Not anymore with Mentos Gum. Listen up. This isn't just your regular gum. We're talking about a whole vibe refresh. Think of it as your personal reset button. One piece and suddenly that traffic jam becomes your private concert venue. That meeting that should have been an email. It turns into a full on fiesta. From flavors like fresh mint to bold strawberry, Mentos gum transforms ordinary moments into fresh possibilities. Whether you want to switch up your route home or keep your mind fresh in a meeting. Refresh the everyday with Mentos gum. Yes, to fresh with Mentos gum.
- [36:11]
Lindsey Graham
After producer Dan Enright recruits the handsome and engaging Richard Jackman as a contestant on 21, he gets to work prepping him for his appearance. The day before the episode is set to tape. Enright spends hours with Jackman practicing trivia questions, sneaking in the actual questions Jackman will be asked on the show. Enright leaves Jackman completely unaware that he's been hand picked to be 21's first brief breakout star. But that proves to be a disastrous miscalculation. On the night of October 3, 1956, Enright is backstage at 21 Studio inside Rockefeller Center. The episode is nearing its end, and Enright is ecstatic. Jackman has already defeated two opponents, and he's one question away from beating the third. Enright watches as Jackman answers his final question correctly, winning the game 19 7. And as Jackman steps out of his isolation booth, host Jack Berry congratulates him on his incredible performance. He informs Jackman he's earned more than $24,000, the most ever won on the show, and invites Jackman back next week for a chance to win even more. The crowd explodes in applause. It's clear they love Jackman and that Enright's scheme is working according to plan. When the episode wraps up its broadcast, Jackman walks off stage and Enright greets the new champion with a slap on the back. Wow, Richard. Heck of a show. I knew you'd be great. Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it, because I certainly did not. What do you mean? Jackman pulls Enright by the arm, away from the crowded backstage area into a secluded hallway. Those questions were identical to the ones you gave me in the practice quiz yesterday. Please tell me that was some sort of mistake. Well, you got me there. I just wanted to make sure you performed well. And based on how the games went, I'm guessing you didn't give that sort of help to my opponents. Look, you're a smart guy. You probably could have won all on your own. All I did was help things along. You're great on camera, and we'd like to keep you on the show for a while. You should be thrilled. You should have told me about your little scheme. I never would have agreed to come on the show. I am an honest man, not some sort of quiz show crook. Well, I have to tell you, Richard, I'm shocked at this reaction. I've never seen a man so upset about making $24,000 for a half hour of work. Well, I've got news for you. I'm not taking a dime of that money. You can send it to the other contestants or give it a charity. It could be 24 million for all I care. My conscience is not for sale. I'm very sorry, Richard. Well, it seems like we should have told you that this is how the show works. But. But listen, go home and take some time and cool off. When you come back next week, we'll play a clean game. No answers in advance. Oh, I don't have any intention of returning. You'll just have to figure out something else. Jackman storms off toward the green room while Enright watches, stunned. He rubs his temples, absorbing what just happened and thinking about what to do next. Just moments ago, he was celebrating the success of his seemingly foolish, foolproof plan, but now it's blown up in his face on the very first try. He'll need to figure out a new way forward and fast. In the days following Richard Jackman's victory on 21, Dan Enright continues talking with him, imploring Jackman to return and compete again on the following week's episode. Because Enright knows if Jackman simply disappears from the show, it will be confusing to the audience at best and at worst, deeply suspicious. Eventually, Enright convinces Jackman to accept a payout of $15,000, significantly less than what he earned on the show. Jackman also agrees to appear at the top of the next episode and explain to the audience that he's chosen to retire from the game because he doesn't want to risk the portion of his winnings that he would forfeit if he were to lose. Enright is relieved to have put the immediate problem behind him, but he's still left with figuring out how to ensure the most entertaining outcomes and produce a compelling repeat champion. Someone who's not only likable and charismatic, but willing to keep quiet about being fed the answers. So on the night of October 16, 1956, two weeks after Jackman's first appearance on the show, Enright begins sifting through a stack of contestant applications on his desk. Each one includes a headshot along with biographical information and the results of the sample quiz the contestant took when applying. But it's hard to know which of these people would make a compelling champion, let alone if any of them will be willing to play along with the scheme. After a few minutes of digging, Enright sits back in his chair, feeling defeated. He realizes there's no way to ensure any of these potential contestants will behave any differently than Jackman. But then it comes to him. What he needs to do is make sure they're willing co conspirators from the very beginning. He'll have to make a deal with them up front, offering them a hefty payout in return for willingly taking part in the hoax. So with that in mind, Enright returns to the stack of applications. On the top of the pile he finds the folder for an applicant named Herbert Stemple. He flips it open and sees his headshot. Stemple looks like the quintessential nerd. He's wearing a drab suit and horn rimmed glasses with thick lenses. And at first he doesn't seem especially compelling. But as Enright reads over Stemple's biography, he becomes intrigued. Stemple is a 29 year old student at the City College of New York. He's a veteran of World War II and his tuition is being covered by the GI Bill. He also has a wife and a young son, which means he'd likely be thrilled by the chance to make tens of thousands of dollars and isn't likely to risk it by blabbing about what goes on behind behind the scenes. Then Enright looks over Stempel's score on the sample quiz. It's outstanding. In fact, it's the best Enright has ever seen. To earn a score this high, Stempel must have an IQ in the top 1%. That would make him much more believable as a repeat champion. So Enright picks up Stempel's headshot again. Leans back in his chair. He imagines how Stempel might come across on tv. He was hoping to find someone who could make match the model worthy looks of Jackman. But maybe Stempel could be molded into a different but equally compelling type of character. Enright thinks of an episode of pro wrestling he recently watched on tv. Of course the crowd loved to see the hero win, but they were equally invested in seeing the villain lose. Maybe Stempel could be 21's first villain. Enright can mold him into a smug, know it all kind of character. A human computer with with zero charisma. The audience would tune in week after week just hoping to see him lose. Enright finds Stempel's phone number in the file and begins dialing. And as he waits for Stempel to answer, a sly grin creeps across Enright's face. Stempel has no idea he's about to be made into America's most hated quiz show champ from Wondery. This is episode one of Quiz Show Rigging for American Scandal in our next episode, a rivalry on 21 catapults the show in the ratings, bringing fame and fortune to a pair of contestants. But when one of the men is forced to leave the show, he threatens to expose the backstage collusion and bring the entire quiz show industry tumbling down. If you're enjoying American Scandal, you can unlock exclusive seasons on Wonder Binge new season first and listen completely ad free when you join Wondery in the Wondery app, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a survey@wondery.com survey if you'd like to learn more about this story, we recommend the books Television Fraud by Kent Anderson, Prime Time and Misdemeanors by Joseph Stone and Tim Yawn and the PBS American Experience documentary the Quiz Show Scandals. This episode contains reenactments and dramatized details. And while in most cases we can't know exactly what was said, all our dramatizations are based on historical research. American Scandal is hosted, edited and executive produced by me, Lindsey Granford Airship Audio editing by Christian Paraga Sound design by Gabriel Gould Music by Thrum this episode is written by Corey Metcalfe, edited by Emma Cortland Fact Checking by Alyssa Jung Perry produced by John Reed, Managing producer is Joe Florentino, senior producers are Andy Beckerman and Andy Herman, development by Stephanie Jens and executive producers are Jenny Lauer, Beckman, Marshall, Louie and Aaron O'Flaherty for Wondery.
- [44:45]
C
Have you ever wondered how a circus performer could become the most powerful woman in the Byzantine Empire? Even the Royals is a podcast from Wondery that pulls back the curtain on royal families from ancient empires to modern monarchs to show you the darker side of what it means to be royalty. Before she ruled an empire, Theodora was a teen sensation in circus shows featuring dancing bears, burlesque performers and blood soaked chariot races. But when her star came crashing down, she clawed her way from rock bottom to the very top, using everything from comedy to espionage to get there. Empress Theodora didn't just survive, she revolutionized women's rights across the Byzantine Empire, like changing laws to let women divorce men, own property and bring abusive men to justice. For all her work in pioneering, she's remembered as the most powerful Byzantine empress in history. Follow even the Royals on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to even the Royals early and ad free by joining Wondery plus.