In the 1950s, a "21-minute question and answer" puzzle program was popular in the United States, and thousands of viewers were attracted by it. Staple is a winning general in the "21-point quiz" and has won the first prize many times in a row, but the TV boss felt that he had lost his freshness and ordered the show producer Dan Ai to find a new replacement. Columbia University honor student Charles was selected by Dan Ai. He bluntly told Charles that the reason why Stanpur was undefeated was because he had known the answer in advance, and that it was nothing new for TV executives to cheat on programs in order to consolidate ratings. Charles repeatedly considered and decided to agree to Dan Ai's request. So Dan Ai ordered Staple to lose in the next match. As a result, in the match against Charles, Staple answered the simplest question incorrectly. Charles became the new favorite of the public immediately after winning, which made Congressman Dick suspect in the show. There is fraud. After detailed investigation and evidence collection, both Staple and Charles appeared in court to testify. Charles' confession was understood by everyone, but the hearing did not achieve the purpose of exposing the TV station scandal. Dan Ai took the need of mass entertainment as an understanding of the TV station to make another statement. A publicity. Charles was expelled from Columbia University for this, and later he became a columnist. A few years later, Dan Ai created a show called "Wild Match", which is still warmly welcomed by everyone
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Quiz Show movie plot
2022-01-02 08:01
Extended Reading
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Mark Van Doren: Your name is mine!
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Announcer: Geritol. America's #1 tonic. Geritol, the fast-acting, high-potentcy tonic, that helps you feel... stronger... fast... presents the exciting quiz program..."Twenty-One." Brought to you by NBC, The National Broadcasting Company, broadcasting nationally coast to coast, from New York to Los Angeles, from Seattle to St. Petersburg... via a vast network of affiliates crisscrossing the country. Coming up next, "Twenty-One," starring master of ceremonies Jack Barry!
[music cues build dramatically]
Announcer: Two players racing to score 21 points... each in a soundproof television studio, not knowing the other one's score... with $500 riding on each point... as they both play..."Twenty-One!"
[lively theme music plays]
Announcer: And here's your host... Jack Barry!
[the audience applauds as Jack runs on to the stage and stands behind his podium]
Jack Barry: [looking at us] Good evening. I'm Jack Barry. Due to a series of ties, Herbert Stempel, our 29-year-old ex-G.I. college student, must play at $3,000 a point, which means that in a few brief minutes, he can either win as much as $100,000 - the most money won on television to date - or lose everything he's won in the last eight weeks.
[as Jack continues to speak, Herbert and his opponent wait to be introduced]
Stempel's opponent: You nervous?
Herbie Stemple: [chuckles as he clean's his glasses] It's only money.
Jack Barry: Isolated in their soundproof studios, neither player is aware of the other's score. I've been assured by our friends at the encyclopedia... that they've concocted some real brain-breakers this week, so we'll find out in the next 30 minutes... if the unstumpable Herbert Stempel can be stumped. Could I have the questions, please?
[a drumroll plays as the questions are handed to Jack by a stagehand]
Jack Barry: Thank you, gentlemen. Remember the questions on "Twenty-One" are secured each week in a Manhattan bank vault 'til just before show time. So right now, let's meet Herbert Stempel and his challenger as Geritol, America's #1 tonic, presents "Twenty-One."
[a fanfare plays and the audience applauds as Herbert and his opponent make their entrances]