Quiz Show Rigging | The Perfect Contestant | 2

Summary

American Scandal: Quiz Show Rigging | The Perfect Contestant | Episode 2 Summary

Introduction

American Scandal, hosted by Lindsay Graham and produced by Wondery, delves deep into the dark underbelly of America's most notorious scandals. In Episode 2, titled "Quiz Show Rigging | The Perfect Contestant," the podcast explores the infamous 1950s quiz show scandals that shook the television industry. This episode meticulously details the manipulation behind the scenes of the show "21," highlighting the ethical breaches and personal conflicts that defined this dark chapter in television history.

Setting the Scene: Herbert Stempel's Selection

The episode opens on a September evening in 1956, introducing Herbert Stempel, a 29-year-old with a high IQ and a photographic memory, living in Queens, New York. Eager to gain financial independence and complete his college degree, Stempel sees an opportunity when he applies to be a contestant on the burgeoning quiz show "21" (00:19 - 01:35).

The Producer's Proposition

Stempel’s audition takes a pivotal turn when Dan Enright, a TV producer for "21," visits his home. Enright conducts a practice round, assessing Stempel's performance. During this session, Enright reveals the true nature of the selection: "I've got the answers we're going to ask in the actual show tomorrow" (03:14, 02:06). Realizing the show is rigged, Stempel contemplates the ethical implications but ultimately agrees to participate for the promised $25,000 (04:34 - 05:14).

Implementation of the Rigging

Enright meticulously prepares Stempel for his role as the show's "villain." He alters Stempel's appearance by convincing him to wear an unflattering suit and adding a loud ticking wristwatch to enhance his unlikable persona (09:22 - 12:16). This transformation ensures that audiences are invested in rooting against Stempel, thereby boosting the show's ratings.

Stempel's Rise and the Producer's Dilemma

Stempel's calculated victories, fueled by predetermined answers, make him a celebrity overnight, earning him around $50,000 within a month (12:16 - 13:01). However, as the show's ratings begin to plateau (16:06 - 17:02), Enright faces pressure from sponsors to limit prize payouts. He informs Stempel of a cap on winnings, forcing a reduction in payout ($40,000 - 60,000 depending on earnings) (14:25 - 15:40). Feeling betrayed, Stempel reluctantly signs the shady contract, questioning Enright's trustworthiness for the first time (15:38 - 16:26).

Introducing Charles Van Doren: The Perfect Replacement

With ratings declining, Enright and his assistant Albert Friedman seek a new contestant to replace Stempel. Their search leads them to Charles Van Doren, a handsome young man from a prestigious family, whom Friedman meets at a Greenwich Village cocktail party (17:02 - 20:24). Recognizing Van Doren's potential as a more likable and charismatic contestant, they convince him to join the show, ensuring both he and Stempel play predetermined roles to maintain the show's appeal (20:24 - 25:35).

The Final Showdown: Stempel vs. Van Doren

On December 5, during a climactic episode, Stempel is forced to intentionally lose to Van Doren, culminating in three consecutive ties that dramatically escalate the prize money (25:35 - 28:27). Enright and Friedman meticulously script Stempel's downfall, emphasizing Van Doren's charm and intellect to captivate the audience. Stempel, burdened by the deceit and his diminishing role, faces a personal crisis as his dreams of becoming a television star are crushed (28:27 - 35:02).

Aftermath and Stempel's Dilemma

Post-episode, Stempel grapples with his emotions, recognizing that Enright may betray him once again. Despite feelings of resentment, he contemplates using his insider knowledge of the show's rigging as leverage against Enright, should the need arise (37:19 - 38:52). The episode concludes with a foreboding sense that the industry's dark secrets are poised to surface, igniting public outrage and demanding accountability (38:52 - 40:46).

Notable Quotes

• Herbert Stempl: "This could give me the independence I craves while I finish getting my college degree." (00:50)
• Dan Enright: "You know the opponent wants to see you lose. Play ball with me, and you're going to make it happen." (04:06)
• Charles Van Doren: "I don't even own a television. Well, you know, it's not a bad way to make a living." (19:11)
• Herbert Stemple: "I'm just a freak with a good memory." (37:31)

Conclusion

Episode 2 of American Scandal masterfully unravels the intricate web of deceit that ensnared one of America's most admired quiz shows. Through vivid storytelling and dramatizations based on historical research, the podcast exposes the lengths to which television producers went to manipulate public perception and ensure high ratings. As the episode concludes, listeners are left anticipating the fallout of these revelations, setting the stage for further exploration of the quiz show scandals in subsequent episodes.

Further Resources

For those interested in delving deeper into the Quiz Show Scandals, the episode recommends the following resources:

• Books: Television Fraud by Kent Anderson, Prime Time and Misdemeanors by Joseph Stone and Tim Yawn.
• Documentary: PBS's American Experience: The Quiz Show Scandals.

Credits

This episode was hosted, edited, and executive produced by Lindsey Graham for Airship. Audio editing was handled by Christian Peraga, with sound design by Gabriel Gould and music by Thrum. The episode was written by Corey Metcalfe, edited by Emma Cortland, and fact-checked by Alyssa Jung Perry. Production was led by John Reed, with managing producer Joe Florentino and senior producers Andy Beckerman and Andy Herman. Development was overseen by Stephanie Jens, and executive producers included Jenny Lauer, Beckman Marshall Louie, and Aaron O'Flaherty.

Transcript

[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.

[Herbert Stempel]

Or on Apple Podcasts. It's a September evening in 1956. 29 year old Herbert Stemple darts around his apartment in Queens, New York, frantically dusting tabletops and fluffing pillows to spruce the place up for an important guest. And as he begins stacking his wife's.

[Lindsey Graham]

Collection of Life magazines into a neat.

[Herbert Stempel]

Pile on the coffee table, he hears the knock at the door. Stempel's heart skips a beat. He knows who it dan Enright, a TV producer for the Quiz Show 21. A few weeks ago, Stempel applied to be a contestant on the show. He has a remarkably high IQ and a photographic memory, so if he could get on the show, he thought he'd have a decent shot at winning some money. Even though his wife's family is already wealthy, he doesn't want to be beholden to them financially, and this could give him the independence he craves while he finishes getting his college degree. Still, Stempel knew being selected was a long shot, so he was pleasantly surprised.

[Lindsey Graham]

When just an hour ago, he got.

[Herbert Stempel]

A call from Enright asking to meet.

[Lindsey Graham]

About being cast as a contestant.

[Herbert Stempel]

The producer was so eager to get.

[Lindsey Graham]

The ball rolling, he offered to come.

[Herbert Stempel]

Right over to Stempel's home. Stemple takes a final look around the living room before opening the door. Mr. Enright, thanks for coming by. Please call me Dan. Oh, sure thing, Dan. Come on inside. Can I get you a drink?

[Lindsey Graham]

No, no, thank you.

[Herbert Stempel]

I'd like to just get right down to business, if that's all right. The two men take a seat on the couch. Stemple watches as Enright opens his black.

[Lindsey Graham]

Briefcase and removes several stacks of rectangular note cards.

[Herbert Stempel]

Can we start with a little practice round, see how you do? You know the game, right? We give you a category and ask.

[Lindsey Graham]

What level of difficulty you want.

[Herbert Stempel]

One to 11. One's easiest, 11 is hardest. Yeah, I understand. What's the category? Novels. Well, I'm a big reader, so let's go for nine. Enright thumbs through the stack and begins reading from the card. All right, for nine points, which Charles Dickens character is based on Dickens own godfather, the shipping magnate Christopher Huffman? Well, let me first think about which of his novels involve shipping. Oh, that's great. Talk us through what you're thinking just like that. Even if you know the answer, the audience wants to hear your process, so draw it out. Oh, okay. Well, I remember now that the novel Dombey and Son is about a family in the shipping business, so I suppose the magnate would be the patriarch of the family. His name was Paul Dombey. For nine points. That's correct. Herb, you're a natural. Let's try another. The next category is baseball. Ooh, not my forte. I'll try for three points. All right, for three, who was the winning team in the first world series in 1903? Oh, geez. Well, my dad loves the Yankees, and if it was them, I think he would have mentioned it. So I'm just going to guess and say it was the Detroit Tigers. I'm sorry. The correct answer is the Boston Americans. Oh, no. I would never have known that. Maybe we should try a different category. I'm better with things like geography or science. You got any of those? It's okay, Herb. This is just a practice round. We're feeling it out. I've really only got one more question for you, and it's the only one that matters. How would you like to make $25,000? $25,000? Well, who wouldn't? Then play ball with me, and I'm going to make it happen. Okay. I mean, is 25 about what I could win if I do well on the show? Well, it's not a question of could win. You're going to win tomorrow night and then come back as the returning champion to win again. 25 is just the minimum I see for you. It could be potentially much more. Well, I appreciate your confidence in me, and I will try my best, but I'm sure the other contestants will be plenty smart as well. Herb, I need you to listen to me carefully. I've got another stack of cards here, and these are the questions we're going to ask in the actual show tomorrow. I'm going to leave them here for you, and I want you to start studying so you'll be fully prepared. You catch my drift? As Enright pulls the cards from his breast pocket and hands them over, Stemple finally understands what this meeting is about.

[Lindsey Graham]

21 is rigged.

[Herbert Stempel]

He's not being cast as a genuine contestant, but more like an actor in a play. Looking at the cards, Stempel's mind races through all the legal and ethical implications of what Enright is proposing. But then he thinks about the money. He'd be a fool to say no to 25 grand, and all he has.

[Lindsey Graham]

To do is go along with a little charade.

[Herbert Stempel]

Besides, Enright is a TV professional. If he's okay with putting on a phony game, then it must be just how things are done. So after a moment, Stempel looks up at Enright, meeting the producer's eyes. He gives Enright a little nod and says he's in.

[Dan Enright]

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[Lindsey Graham]

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[Herbert Stempel]

You set for yourself.

[Lindsey Graham]

Start listening today when you sign up for a free 30 day trial at audible.com as.

[Herbert Stempel]

In 1955, a quiz show called the $64,000 Question premiered on CBS and quickly became one of the hottest things on television. Audiences were captivated by the format of the show, in which contestants answered a.

[Lindsey Graham]

Series of trivia questions to either double.

[Herbert Stempel]

Their money or be sent home empty handed. In the wake of the show's success, other networks raced to fill their lineups with competing game shows, and TV producers like Dan Enright were eager to cash in on the craze. Enright pitched NBC his concept of a show based on the card game Blackjack. He called it 21, and the network quickly snatched it up. But when the pilot episode premiered In September of 1956, it was a flop. The contestants were unable to answer most of the trivia questions, leaving the show devoid of any drama or stakes. The show needed to change course quickly, so Enright devised a brazen new plan. He would find a compelling contestant and simply feed them the correct answers before the show taped, providing the continuity of a repeat champion, someone viewers could get invested in rooting for or against week after week. Enright thought he had found that contestant in Herbert Stempel, and soon after, Stempel.

[Lindsey Graham]

Agreed to the plan.

[Herbert Stempel]

It seemed like the perfect partnership. Enright would get his returning champion, and Stempel would get the prize money. But Stempel did not realize that he was replaceable. And as soon as the audience began losing interest in him, Enright would begin looking for his next star. This is episode two, the Perfect Contestant.

[Lindsey Graham]

It's September 1956 in Herbert Stempel's living.

[Herbert Stempel]

Room, and now that Stempel has agreed to participate in the rigging of Quiz Show 21, producer Dan Enright is making sure Stempel is prepared to make his debut on tomorrow night's episode. Enright sits next to Stempel on the couch, reading off the questions he'll be asked.

[Lindsey Graham]

And Enright is impressed with the way.

[Herbert Stempel]

Stempel carefully talks through every question, building suspense before he gives the correct answer. This is exactly the type of drama quiz show audiences love. So when Enright is satisfied that Stempel has the questions down cold, he moves on to the next and equally important item on his agenda.

[Lindsey Graham]

Wardrobe.

[Herbert Stempel]

Enright tells Stempel he'd like to see what clothes he has in his closet to help him pick out what he might wear.

[Lindsey Graham]

So Stempel leaves Enright into the bedroom.

[Herbert Stempel]

Opens his closet door, and pulls out a black pinstripe suit. He explains this was the suit he wore in his wedding, the nicest one he owns. Looking it over, Enright thinks to himself.

[Lindsey Graham]

It is indeed a nice suit.

[Herbert Stempel]

Too nice, because Enright believes that every story needs a villain, and he's casting Stempel in that role.

[Lindsey Graham]

Enright's idea is to portray Stempel as.

[Herbert Stempel]

A human computer, a nerdy trivia savant devoid of any charisma or style.

[Lindsey Graham]

Enright wants Stemple to irritate the audience.

[Herbert Stempel]

So that they tune in week after week, hoping to see him lose.

[Lindsey Graham]

But Enright knows Stempel would balk at this vision.

[Herbert Stempel]

So as he flips through Stempel's closet, he keeps it to himself. Enright then pulls out a half dozen other suits and lays them on the bed. Then he steps back to look the collection over. One of the suits immediately jumps out. It's a boxy double breasted navy blue number that looks to be about 50 years old. Enright holds it up to Stempel's body and smiles. It screams schlubby and charmless. Enright tells Stempel he'd like him to wear this one for the show. But Stempel pushes back, explaining, it belonged.

[Lindsey Graham]

To his father in law who passed.

[Herbert Stempel]

Away, and it doesn't fit him well. In fact, he was planning to give it away to charity. Enright pauses to choose his next words carefully. He knows he can't tell Stempel that he wants to make him unlikable. But he does need to offer Stempel some sort of explanation for why he prefers this bad suit. So Enright explains that he doesn't necessarily want Stempel to look stylish for the show. He wants to portray Stempel as a cash strapped veteran, just an ordinary guy trying to make ends meet as he works his way through college. Exactly the type of guy who would borrow his father in law's old suit for a TV appearance. Stampel looks unconvinced, so Enright reminds him that if they're going to be partners, they need to work together to make the most compelling television possible. Stempel should begin to think of himself.

[Lindsey Graham]

As a character on a scripted program.

[Herbert Stempel]

And Enright as the director. Letting Enright pick the outfit is part of the deal, and if Stempel goes along with it, he's guaranteed to win.

[Lindsey Graham]

$25,000 on the show.

[Herbert Stempel]

Stempel still is clearly not happy. He offers to put on the suit so Enright can see how bad it truly is.

[Lindsey Graham]

And while he heads to the bathroom.

[Herbert Stempel]

To change, Enright notices a wristwatch on top of the dresser. It looks like the type you could buy for a dime at the Salvation Army. The band is made from fake brown leather, and the ticking is so loud.

[Lindsey Graham]

That it fills the room.

[Herbert Stempel]

Enright thinks it's certainly loud enough to be picked up by the microphone in 21's isolation booth.

[Lindsey Graham]

And that could be a nice touch.

[Herbert Stempel]

Not only will it complete Stemple's cheap look, the ticking sound would add suspense as the audience waits for Stempel to answer.

[Lindsey Graham]

So when Stempel returns from the bathroom.

[Herbert Stempel]

Enright tosses him the watch and stands back to look at his creation. A grin creeps across his face. Enright knows it for sure. He's just created 21's first villain. The night after his meeting with Dan Enright, Herbert Stempel makes his debut on 21. Having already been supplied with the answers beforehand, he easily wins all three games in the episode, earning around $9,000.

[Lindsey Graham]

And he continues to win for the.

[Herbert Stempel]

Next three weeks, again thanks to the answers provided by Enright. After a month on the show, Stempel has earned around $50,000, double what Enright originally promised him. And by far the most money he's.

[Lindsey Graham]

Ever earned in his life.

[Herbert Stempel]

And with Stempel's run performing well in the ratings, he's also become a bona fide celebrity. His old army buddies call to congratulate him, and he gets plenty of positive attention from his classmates and professors at college. Stempel is on top of the world. But as his fifth appearance on 21 approaches, with another big payday in his sights, he learns that things aren't quite as they appear. On an afternoon in late October 1956, Stempel arrives at Enright's Manhattan office to rehearse the questions and answers for tomorrow night's show, just like he has every week before. But as they conclude this session, Stempel gathers his coat to leave.

[Lindsey Graham]

Enright says there's something else he wants to discuss.

[Herbert Stempel]

As Stemple sits back down on the couch, he can feel the mood shift in the room. Enright begins by explaining that the show's sponsor, Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, has a weekly budget for the show, and in that budget there's a cap on prize money that can be paid out to contestants. It's standard procedure for any game show, he says. But Stempel's eyes narrow. He doesn't like the sound of this. So he leans forward and asks Enright exactly what all this means. Enright lets out a sigh and replies that unfortunately, he's not going to be able to pay Stemple the full amount he's won on the show so far or in future episodes. Stemple jumps to his feet. He reminds Enright that for the last.

[Lindsey Graham]

Month they've been working hand in hand as partners.

[Herbert Stempel]

Enright has been to his home, met his wife.

[Lindsey Graham]

Stempel considered them to be friends.

[Herbert Stempel]

He can't believe Enright never brought this issue up before. Enright gives what feels to Stempel like a half hearted apology and says there's nothing he can do. His hands are tied by the sponsor's budget, which is limited to $10,000 a week for contestant winnings. Anything over that would have to come directly out of the producer's pocket. Stempel feels his chest tighten in anger. But rather than lash out, he takes a breath to calm himself and tries to reason with Enright. He points out that his appearances have been a boost to ratings, but perhaps a sponsor will make an exception for their payout policy. But Enright just shakes his head. The sponsor is in this to make a profit, and they'll never change a contract to give away more money if they don't have to. Then Enright pulls a document from his desk drawer and hands it to Stempel, telling him he needs to sign it. In the document, Stempel sees exactly how the reduced payment scheme is laid out. There are tiers. If he wins between 40 and 60 thousand dollars, Stempel will be paid only 40,000. For sums between 60 and 80, he'll receive 50,000. And for anything over 80, he'll just receive 60. Stemple rubs his temples as he thinks it over.

[Lindsey Graham]

There are no witnesses here to see.

[Herbert Stempel]

Him sign the paper. It's not even on official company letterhead. This whole contract feels shady and possibly illegal, but Stempel isn't sure what he can really do about it. He could tell Enright he wants to bring the document to a lawyer to look it over. That's what would happen in any normal business arrangement, but this one has been anything but normal from the start. Stempel knows that if he angers Enright, the producer could just manipulate the outcome of the next episode, ensuring that Stempel loses. Or he could cut Stempel from the show entirely right here and now. Enright holds all the cards, and Stemple needs the show much more than the show needs him. So Stempel begrudgingly signs the paper. But as he slides it back across the desk, he takes a fresh look at Enright's face. And for the first time, he starts.

[Lindsey Graham]

To wonder if this man, one he.

[Herbert Stempel]

Considered a partner and friend, can ever really be trusted. The night after this meeting, Herbert Stemple appears on 21 again and wins the game with ease, having already been given all the answers. But even with Stempel having agreed to take a reduced payout, the show's lead producer, Dan Enright, and his assistant, Albert Friedman, soon began discussing when and how.

[Lindsey Graham]

To remove Stempel from the show.

[Herbert Stempel]

After Stempel provided an initial spike in ratings, viewership plateaued over the subsequent weeks.

[Lindsey Graham]

And by the first week of November.

[Herbert Stempel]

1956, 21 has fallen out of the top 10, lagging well behind rival quiz show the $64,000 Question. So the producers comb through contestant applications again looking for a replacement, but they don't find anyone that has the combination of wits and star quality they're looking for. Enright tells Friedman that he needs to be more proactive about recruiting a new star contestant and makes it clear that Friedman's job may depend on it. Friedman hears the message loud and clear, and soon after, he meets an intriguing young man at an upscale cocktail party in Greenwich Village. That night in November 1956, Friedman mingles.

[Lindsey Graham]

With a dozen other guests in the.

[Herbert Stempel]

Fancy living room of one of his friends apartment. He stands in the corner, sipping A Tom Collins as he surveys the room every time he's left home. For the past week, he's kept an.

[Lindsey Graham]

Eye out for anyone who could make.

[Herbert Stempel]

For a potential star on 21. But he's not entirely sure what he's looking for.

[Lindsey Graham]

A man, a woman.

[Herbert Stempel]

Young, old, upper class, blue collar. But he's hoping he'll know it when he sees it. When he finishes his drink, Freedman heads.

[Lindsey Graham]

To the kitchen to make another one.

[Herbert Stempel]

And as he gets closer to the ice bucket, Friedman spots a tall, handsome man about 30 years old with pouring a pair of drinks for himself and the young woman on his arm. At first glance, Friedman thinks this gentleman may be television worthy. So he puts out his hand and introduces himself. Hey there. I don't think we've met. I'm Albert Friedman. Pleasure to meet you. Charles Van Doren. Nice party, isn't it? Yeah, really is. Van Doren, you say? I've heard that name before. You related to the writers Mark and Dorothy Van Doren? I am. In fact, they're my parents. Well, with those genes, you must be quite the writer yourself. Well, I don't know about that. I haven't been able to finish a novel yet, so for now I'm a lowly English instructor at Columbia. Freedman can sense Van Doren's slight insecurity about not living up to the family's name. And perhaps this is something he can use to his advantage. We can't all be Pulitzer Prize winners, you know. I'm just a lowly TV producer myself. I work on one of those silly quiz shows. 21. I'm sorry, I've never seen it. Or any quiz show for that matter. I don't even own a television. Well, you know, it's not a bad way to make a living. And I'll tell you my favorite part of the job. It's that moment at the end when the host adds up how much the contestant has won. Just a look on their face when they realize they've made life changing money. We have a fellow on a winning streak right now who's made about 50 grand. Oh, my goodness, that really is a lot of money. Yeah, I'm sure it's pocket change to a Van Doren, right? No, no, no, not to me it wouldn't be. That's much more than I make at Columbia. I'm barely making do with a small apartment right up the street from here. Well, then let's get you on the show. I mean, I bet you'd be great on tv. And when you win, then you'll be the most famous Van Doren of all. Oh, I don't know. I'm sure the other players are plenty smart. Don't sell yourself short. You're obviously very well read. Why don't you come by my office this week and we'll. We'll give you a test. I bet you'll ace it. Well, it couldn't hurt to take the test. I mean, worst case, I guess I'll have a fun story to talk about at the next cocktail party, right? Right. Here, take my card. Give me a call. Okay? We'll set up a time for you to come in.

[Lindsey Graham]

All right, thanks.

[Herbert Stempel]

Oh, goodness, I forgotten your name already. Albert Friedman. Albert, I'll give you a call. As Friedman watches Van Doren and his date return to the party, he can barely contain his excitement.

[Lindsey Graham]

At long last, he may have just.

[Herbert Stempel]

Found the perfect contestant. A bright, handsome young man from a famous family. One looking to make a name for himself. So he can't wait to get Van Doren into the office so he can meet Dan Enright. And once they convince Van Doren to play along, they can finally replace Herbert stempel and make 21 the hit it deserves to be. American Scandal is sponsored by Squarespace, the.

[Lindsey Graham]

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[Albert Friedman]

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[Herbert Stempel]

Knee pads. Check. And helmet.

[Albert Friedman]

Done. See you, dad. New Instagram Teen Accounts. Automatic protections for who can contact your teen and the content they can.

[Herbert Stempel]

In November 1956, Charles Van Doren finds himself with an opportunity he never considered. Despite never having seen a TV quiz show or even owning a television, he.

[Lindsey Graham]

Performs well on the trivia test. And the producers are impressed with his.

[Herbert Stempel]

Family pedigree, handsome looks, and smooth demeanor.

[Lindsey Graham]

But what Van Doren does not know.

[Herbert Stempel]

Is that 21 is a rigged game, with the outcome of each episode tightly controlled by producers Dan Enright and Albert Friedman.

[Lindsey Graham]

So later that month, when Friedman invites.

[Herbert Stempel]

Van Doren to his apartment to discuss his debut appearance on 21, Van Doren arrives feeling excited and nervous. He hopes that if he is, in fact going to be a contestant, he'll get enough questions right to do his family proud. Friedman answers the door, but Van Doren is immediately puzzled to see a worried look on Friedman's face. Charles, thanks for coming. I needed to talk to you about something, and I didn't want to do it on the phone. Oh, goodness. Is everything all right? Yeah, just. Just come in. The two men take a seat on Friedman's couch as they talk. Here's the thing. Our current champion, this guy Herbert Stemple, we just got a call from the sponsor, and they want him off the show as soon as possible. We thought we'd have more time, but they're really pushing hard. I don't understand. Well, you know Stemple, he's made for a great villain. You know, he's an arrogant know it all, and people tuned in to see if anyone could beat him. But now he's outworn. His welcome, ratings have dipped, and the sponsors anxious for someone to take him out. That's where you come in. Well, I'm. I'm willing to give it a try, and I'm flattered you think I could do it, but if he's been on the show for a month, he must be very sharp. Well, that's what I want to discuss with you. I want to make sure you win.

[Lindsey Graham]

So you and I will go through.

[Herbert Stempel]

The answers before the show.

[Lindsey Graham]

Mandoran is stunned.

[Herbert Stempel]

He feels his body fill with tension. Oh, goodness. I wasn't expecting this. I don't think I'm comfortable with being given the answers. Is that even legal? Well, it doesn't matter. Nobody's gonna find out because this will be just between you and me, right? The sponsor won't know. The audience sure as heck won't. The host won't even know. Yes, but I will. And I'm not sure I want to live with that. Well, you know, it's just a TV show.

[Lindsey Graham]

There's no victim here.

[Herbert Stempel]

Stemples played his part. He's made a bundle. Now it's your turn.

[Lindsey Graham]

All you have to do is answer.

[Herbert Stempel]

The questions, throw in a few dramatic pauses for effect. Well, I'm sure I could give the performance, but I don't know if I want to. Charles, here's the deal. I can promise you eight grand, minimum. And if the ratings jump like I suspect they will, then we'll have you back to make a lot more. $8,000 minimum. And even more important, I want to help you make a name for yourself. No man should have to live in the shadow of his parents, right? Play ball with me and you'll be the biggest star in your family. Van Doren leans forward, holding his head in his hands as he thinks over Friedman's offer. He knows that Friedman is trying to manipulate him by bringing up his family. But the producer isn't wrong.

[Lindsey Graham]

It would be nice to be in.

[Herbert Stempel]

The spotlight for once.

[Lindsey Graham]

The money wouldn't hurt either.

[Herbert Stempel]

A few days after meeting with Albert Friedman, Charles Van Doren agrees to play his role in the rigging of 21. And with contestant Herbert Stempel also being supplied with the answers beforehand, their impending matchup will mark the first time that.

[Lindsey Graham]

Both players are on board with a fully scripted episode.

[Herbert Stempel]

When the contestants face off on the night of November 28, 1956, it goes just how Friedman and his boss, Dan Enright, planned it.

[Lindsey Graham]

Both contestants perform their roles to perfection.

[Herbert Stempel]

And play to three consecutive ties. And as the prize money rolls over and escalates with each subsequent tied game, the suspense only grows, with Van Doren and Stempel now set to return the following week. The morning after this episode airs, Enright calls Friedman into his Manhattan office to celebrate and plot the next steps for the show. Enright is at his desk looking over.

[Lindsey Graham]

Printouts of last night's ratings when Friedman.

[Herbert Stempel]

Enters the room, Enright holds up the.

[Lindsey Graham]

Papers and shares the good news.

[Herbert Stempel]

Last night's episode produced the highest ratings in the history of the show, and.

[Lindsey Graham]

The number of viewers steadily increased as.

[Herbert Stempel]

The episode went on, the sponsors ecstatic. And according to the studio manager, people.

[Lindsey Graham]

Have been lined up since dawn trying to get tickets to see next week's rematch.

[Herbert Stempel]

Enright goes on to gush over Van.

[Lindsey Graham]

Doren's performance, in particular congratulating Friedman on finding the perfect contestant.

[Herbert Stempel]

He explained that it's now obvious that Van Doren should be the ultimate victor, but he wants to talk through how to script it. Enright suggests that since the three straight ties were such a smashing success, they.

[Lindsey Graham]

Should have the two men tie three.

[Herbert Stempel]

Times again next week send the ratings even higher. But Friedman pushes back, arguing that six consecutive ties could arouse suspicions. He wonders aloud what the statistical likelihood of that would be. All it would take is for one.

[Lindsey Graham]

Mathematically inclined viewer to run the numbers.

[Herbert Stempel]

And people might start punching, poking around into what's really going on behind the scenes. Enright argues that ties may now have.

[Lindsey Graham]

Been proven to be the secret to.

[Herbert Stempel]

The show's success, and they'd be foolish not to milk them for all they're worth. The room goes silent for a moment as both men think it through. Then Friedman speaks up, offering a compromise. Perhaps they could have just one more tie game at the top of the next episode, and then Van Doren could win in the second game. Enright mulls it over, then finally with a nod, agrees. Then he moves on to the topic of how to get Stempel off the show in the most entertaining fashion. He compares it to professional wrestling in that in every staged match there's a moment near the end where it looks like the villain is seconds away from pinning the hero. But then the villain makes a foolish mistake, allowing the hero to score a dramatic come from behind win. The crowds just eat it up. Freedman likes the idea, so Enright suggests that in their final game, Stemple should run up a seemingly insurmountable SC score, 15 to 0 or even more.

[Lindsey Graham]

Then he'll have Stempel miss an easy.

[Herbert Stempel]

Question, something most people watching at home would get. The audience will finally get the satisfaction of seeing that Stemple, the so called human computer, is mortal after all.

[Lindsey Graham]

Friedman loves the idea and with the.

[Herbert Stempel]

Basic scripting settled, he heads down to his own office to call Van Doren.

[Lindsey Graham]

With the good news.

[Herbert Stempel]

But that leaves Enright to begin thinking of how best to break news to Stempel. He's expressed that his time on the show has been one of the greatest experiences of his life.

[Lindsey Graham]

So if he learns that he's being.

[Herbert Stempel]

Replaced by a new star contestant, Enright knows there's a chance that Stemple will not go quietly.

[Charles Van Doren]

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[Jack Barry]

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[Lindsey Graham]

By the.

[Herbert Stempel]

First week of December 1956, Herbert Stempel.

[Lindsey Graham]

Has reigned as 21's champion and breakout.

[Herbert Stempel]

Star for more than a month. In that time, he's won a life.

[Lindsey Graham]

Changing amount of money and come to.

[Herbert Stempel]

Enjoy being treated as a celebrity by the public.

[Lindsey Graham]

And he's done it with the help of the show's lead producer, Dan Enright.

[Herbert Stempel]

Stempel has received the answers to trivia questions before each episode. And in exchange, Stempel has done everything Enright has asked. He stuck to a tightly controlled script.

[Lindsey Graham]

Altered his appearance and mannerisms to portray.

[Herbert Stempel]

Himself as a charmless nerd, and even signed a secret agreement to accept a reduced payout of prize money. But on the most recent episode, Enright introduced a new wrinkle to the show that has Stempel worried. Stempel has become accustomed to winning every game handily, but this time the episode ended in three consecutive ties between himself and a charismatic new contestant, Charles Van Doren. With each tie, the money rolled over to the next game. And now the two contestants are set to square off once again, with an enormous amount of money going to the victor. And Stempel is praying it'll be him. So on December 4, when Stempel heads into Enright's office to rehearse the following night's episode, he's eager to hear what Enright has planned. But immediately Stemple notices something odd.

[Lindsey Graham]

A pile of vinyl records stacked on the couch.

[Herbert Stempel]

Dan, what's all this? Oh, it's something I thought you'd like to have audio recordings from all of your appearances on the show. Token of my appreciation, since this might be the last time you're here in the office.

[Lindsey Graham]

Last time?

[Herbert Stempel]

What do you mean? I'll be rehearsing with a different producer going forward. Let me show you something. Close the door, please. Stempel watches as Enright walks to a chalkboard board on the Wall and begin sketching. See, these are the ratings for 21. You can see we started out quite.

[Lindsey Graham]

Low, way down here.

[Herbert Stempel]

Then we brought you on and there was an immediate spike, which was great. But over the weeks, this line plateaued and then began to dip. But then last week, as soon as we introduced Charles Van Doren, we shot up to a new all time high. I hope you can see where I'm going with this. You're saying I'm off the show. You're going to replace me with Van Doren? Look, try not to take this too personally. You have had a very good run, and we both knew it wouldn't last forever. You agreed from the beginning to do everything I asked, and, well, now I'm asking you to lose. Stempo begins pacing anxiously, panic rising in his chest. He feels like his newfound identity as a quiz show champion is being stripped away from him. There's got to be another way. Let's Make a deal. Don't give me the answers this time. Let me just play Van Dorn straight up. We both know I can beat him. You said I had the highest score ever on that application test. Nah, I'm sorry, Herb. You've been a great contestant, but 21 is a business like any other, and I have to make a business decision here. Well, I guess now I have my own decision to make. Once we're live on air, I can do or say anything I want, right? Maybe I'll decide to answer all the questions correctly. Blow up your little plan with Van Dorn. Well, I think that would be a bad idea. Why is that? Because I've got nothing to lose now. Well, because I was hoping this would be just the start of our partnership. My company has several quiz shows on the air now and more in the works. So I'd like to put your talents to work as a full time research consultant. You could make a real career out of it. And the money for a TV producer can be quite good. Are you being serious? Of course I'm being serious. Come back and see me as soon as you graduate in June. And in the meantime, I want you to be something of an ambassador for 21, keeping you in the public eye. I'm talking to NBC right now about booking you as a guest on the Tonight Show. It all depends on you playing your role tomorrow night. Stempel takes a moment to consider this offer. He despises the idea of intentionally losing.

[Lindsey Graham]

To a man he knows he can beat.

[Herbert Stempel]

But what Enright said is true.

[Lindsey Graham]

Stempel did agree to bow out whenever asked.

[Herbert Stempel]

He Just hoped it wouldn't be so abrupt. So now he imagines himself making a good living working behind the scenes, perhaps even working directly with Enright.

[Lindsey Graham]

And sitting on the guest couch of.

[Herbert Stempel]

The Tonight show wouldn't be bad either.

[Lindsey Graham]

All of this would have been unimaginable.

[Herbert Stempel]

Just six weeks ago, and he'd be a fool to throw it away now. So Stempel swallows his pride and agrees that he'll follow Enright's script and bow out gracefully. But he says he's not happy about it. In the hours after Herbert Stempel agrees.

[Lindsey Graham]

To intentionally lose on the next episode.

[Herbert Stempel]

Of 21, his excitement over a potential.

[Lindsey Graham]

Career in television gives way to resentment.

[Herbert Stempel]

Over being pushed off the show. NBC promotes the episode as a showdown between humble college student Stempel and the upper crust Ivy League professor Charles Van Doren. But Stempel knows he's the smarter man and and finds the framing deeply insulting. So to soften the embarrassment of his impending loss, Stempel reveals to a half dozen people that he's been instructed to take a dive. He tells his wife, a family friend, his maid, even his barber and pharmacist.

[Lindsey Graham]

And on the day of the show.

[Herbert Stempel]

December 5, Stemple shows up to the studio looking much different than previous episodes. Rather than the old ill fitting suits of his disheveled, unlikable character on the show now, Stempel dons his nicest suit, determined to look his best for what will be his quiz show funeral. But when the cameras roll, Stempel sticks to Enright's script, which calls for him to tie the first game and then lose the second. But he's mortified when he's forced to.

[Lindsey Graham]

Intentionally miss one particular question. With Stempel leading the first game, 160.

[Herbert Stempel]

And one question away from victory, he's.

[Lindsey Graham]

Asked who won the 1955 Academy Award for Best picture.

[Herbert Stempel]

Stempel knows the answer is the Ernest Borgnine film Marty. Not only is this an incredibly easy question, but it also happens to be Stempel's favorite movie.

[Lindsey Graham]

Being forced to pretend he doesn't know.

[Herbert Stempel]

The answer is humiliating. Still, Stempel keeps his promise and incorrectly answers on the Waterfront, allowing Van Doren to stay alive and eventually tie the game in dramatic fashion. Then in the next game, Stempel once again deliberately fails to answer a question correctly, and host Jack Barry declares Van Doren the winner. In a daze, Stemple leaves his soundproof isolation booth and begrudgingly shakes Van Doren's hand. The crowd explodes in applause for the new champion as the show's triumphant theme music plays. And then, just moments later, it's all over. The music stops and the house lights come on. The audience begins to file out. Stempel watches as Enright springs onto stage, brushes past him, and greets Van Doren with a big slap on the back. This gesture couldn't be any more clear. Van Doren is now 21's chosen son.

[Lindsey Graham]

And Stempel is old news.

[Herbert Stempel]

So he hangs his head and walks backstage alone to have his makeup removed. But as Stempel takes a seat in the chair, he can hear a pair of stagehands talking nearby.

[Lindsey Graham]

They're discussing the episode, and one of.

[Herbert Stempel]

Them remarks that he's happy to finally have a clean cut. Intellectual as a champion, saying Van Doren is much more likable than Stempel, who's just some freak with a good memory. Stempel feels like he's had a knife shoved in his heart. His instinct is to confront the man, grab him by the lapels, and scream that the show is rigged. He could have beat Van Doren. He wants to to tell him that he's not a freak. He was just playing a character that Dan Enright invented. Stemple doesn't do any of that. He just takes a deep breath as he thinks better of it. Enright has promised him a job with his production company, along with an appearance on the Tonight Show. It would be foolish to throw these opportunities away by running around backstage telling the people the show's a hoax. But as Stempel swallows his anger, he wonders if he can really trust Enright to come through with with everything he's promised. This is the same man who set him up to unwittingly play the role of 21's villain, made him sign away a sizable chunk of his rightful winnings. But this time, if Enright betrays him again, Stempel has leverage. He knows firsthand what goes on behind the scenes of 21. And if he needs to, that's a card he's going to play. From Wondery. This this is episode two of Quiz Show Rigging for American Scam. In our next episode, Charles Van Doren becomes the biggest quiz show star in television history.

[Lindsey Graham]

But soon the industry's dark secrets are.

[Herbert Stempel]

Going to come out, and the public will demand answers. If you're enjoying American scandal, you can.

[Lindsey Graham]

Unlock exclusive seasons on Wonder Binge new season first and listen completely ad free when you join Wondery in the Wondery.

[Herbert Stempel]

App, Apple podcasts, or Spotify. And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a [e-mail] survey.

[Lindsey Graham]

If you'd like to learn more about.

[Herbert Stempel]

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 Graham for Airship. Audio editing by Christian Peraga 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 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 wondering.

[Simon Jack]

I'm Zing Singh.

[Zing Singh]

And I'm Simon Jack.

[Simon Jack]

And together we host Good Bad Billionaire.

[Zing Singh]

The podcast exploring the lives of some of the world's richest people.

[Simon Jack]

In the new season, we're setting our sights on some big names.

[Zing Singh]

Yep, LeBron James and Martha Stewart, to name just a few.

[Simon Jack]

And as always, Simon and I are trying to decide whether we think they're good, bad or just another billionaire.

[Zing Singh]

That's Good Bad billionaire from the BBC World Service.

[Simon Jack]

Find it on BBC.com or wherever you get your BBC podcasts.