"Twenty-One" contestant Herb Stempel, 93

[Ccook55]

Herb Stempel, the Twenty-One contestant who blew the whistle two years after he was instructed to lose so Charles Van Doren could become the new champ, has passed on at age 93. No cause given.

Everyone knows he was asked what the 1954 Oscar winner was, to which he said "Marty" when it was "On The Waterfront." That's not when Stempel's fate was sealed as the game had ended in a tie. In the ensuing game (where the money in the pot was $2500 per point difference), two questions had been asked and at that point, neither contestant knew what the other's score was. Whoever decided (if at all) to end the game at that point could and whoever was ahead was the winner. Van Doren, who was leading, chose to end the game, making him the champ.

 

[CTListener]

Herb Stempel, the Twenty-One contestant who blew the whistle two years after he was instructed to lose so Charles Van Doren could become the new champ, has passed on at age 93. No cause given.

Everyone knows he was asked what the 1954 Oscar winner was, to which he said "Marty" when it was "On The Waterfront."

Other way around. He knew the answer was "Marty," but had been ordered to give a wrong answer, which was "On the Waterfront."

 

[Ccook55]

Other way around. He knew the answer was "Marty," but had been ordered to give a wrong answer, which was "On the Waterfront."

Correct, his error was indeed planned and I did get the responses transposed. Thanks for the correction.

 

[radioman148]

I believe this started the investigations into what was later known as "The Quiz Show Scandals"

 

[Oldie919]

IIRC, hosts from several game shows of that era (Treasure Hunt, Do-Re-Mi, etc) were required to publicly announce - on camera - that their show was "rigged".....
Despite the criminal element, a lot of these shows WERE entertaining.....Watching jan Murray dance around the stage, doing primal screams when the "chest" was opened....
Trying to make "Sgt. Garcia" (the straight-faced "guard" of the Treasure Chests.....) crack a smile......You HAD to laugh!!!
Today's game shows are, IMHO, sorely lacking as "entertainment".....to each his own....I choose NOT to watch!!

 

[davideduardo]

Today's game shows are, IMHO, sorely lacking as "entertainment".....to each his own....I choose NOT to watch!!

I think the very successful game shows of today are entertaining mostly via "playing along". My wife and I occasionally put on Jeopardy and play against each other as the show proceeds, and it's kind of fun... as I said... occasionally. But any too often is a bit much.

Things like The Price is Right are intolerably stupid, but I can see how people enjoy the pure exaggeration and get wrapped up in playing their part (as, of course, they are coached to do in the pre-show warm-up).

Obviously, to each his/her own is in play here. I take pleasure of taking electronic pictures of mildewed old magazines, so I am not going to cast the first stone in this arena...

 

[anotherguyTN]

I think the very successful game shows of today are entertaining mostly via "playing along". My wife and I occasionally put on Jeopardy and play against each other as the show proceeds, and it's kind of fun... as I said... occasionally. But any too often is a bit much.

I guess that's a factor in why the networks have gone to using game shows as filler in prime time rather than as a regular series like was being done when Millionaire first became a hit.

I don't believe that game shows are rigged in favor of any one contestant now, but some do add features that will increase the possibility of a bigger winner, like when Deal or No Deal would increase the chances of winning a million dollars or more.

 

[radioman148]

IIRC, hosts from several game shows of that era (Treasure Hunt, Do-Re-Mi, etc) were required to publicly announce - on camera - that their show was "rigged".....
Despite the criminal element, a lot of these shows WERE entertaining.....Watching jan Murray dance around the stage, doing primal screams when the "chest" was opened....
Trying to make "Sgt. Garcia" (the straight-faced "guard" of the Treasure Chests.....) crack a smile......You HAD to laugh!!!
Today's game shows are, IMHO, sorely lacking as "entertainment".....to each his own....I choose NOT to watch!!

I agree I don't watch todays game shows, but to each his/her own.