TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES: The Quiz Program That Became a National Phenomenon

Popularly known today as a radio and television quiz program designed to humiliate their contestants through practical jokes, Truth or Consequences, raised the bar for audience participation and inspired imitation. If visitors from outer space were to listen and watch these programs, they might think we were a nutty bunch. Over the last few decades, aficionados of game shows have faced a major disenchantment with the rising decline of quiz programs. The decline stems from an era where soap operas and quiz programs make way for reality-themed programs which can be produced on the cheap, and satisfy potential sponsors. This book will document the history of the quiz program, the major carry-over consequences that made headlines across the country, and stories that have remained untold — and undocumented — that reveal the charitable nature of Ralph Edwards, who attained accomplishments that can be considered unequaled in the history of mass entertainment, raising millions of dollars for v