The Original Game Shows

In the 1950’s, a lot of Americans didn’t like game shows because they didn’t trust them. To many citizens, it seemed too much like the sin of gambling. However, once the Supreme Court decided this type of programming was legal, America’s obsession with quiz shows began.

The $64,000 Question and Twenty-One were two competition shows that became immediate hits. The $64,000 Question had one contestant compete against a panel of experts. In Twenty-One, two opponents would square off. They’d wear headphones and sit in isolation booths, where their knowledge was tested.