Ruth Duskin Feldman

Quiz Show Panelist

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In her two-hour Archive interview, Ruth Duskin Feldman (1934-2015) speaks in great detail about her long-running association with television's legendary Quiz Kids. S he talks about the show's early years on radio when she was one of the only female regulars. She discusses the children's interaction with the producers and host Joe Kelly, working with her "co-stars," and the show's transition from radio to television. She recalls the impact of child stardom on the genius-level youngsters who appeared on the series. She describes her "graduation" from Quiz Kids, at the mandatory age of 16, and her subsequent retirement to private life. Feldman outlines writing a chronology of the show entitled "Whatever Happened to the Quiz Kids?: Perils and Profits of Growing Up Gifted" published in 1982. B-roll consists of photos and memorabilia from Quiz Kids. Karen Herman conducted the interview on October 12, 2004 in Highland Park, IL.

"There are dangers inherent in a child being in the public eye, so I would say that a parent should be especially careful to examine the motives and figure out who's really the one who wants this."

People Talking About ...

Ruth Duskin Feldman

Highlights

Ruth Duskin Feldman on her first appearance on Quiz Kids

Ruth Duskin Feldman on Jack Benny appearing on Quiz Kids

Ruth Duskin Feldman on what she found when she interviewed former Quiz Kids panelists for "Whatever Happened to the Quiz Kids?: Perils and Profits of Growing Up Gifted"

Ruth Duskin Feldman on being a gifted child

Ruth Duskin Feldman on her advice to parents with children in the public eye

Full Interview

Chapter 1

On her early life and influences; on auditioning for Quiz Kids; on being accepted for Quiz Kids and how the show worked

On the scoring system of Quiz Kids; on her first appearance on Quiz Kids and the prizes awarded; on the sponsors and producers of Quiz Kids

Chapter 2

On the questions on Quiz Kids; on becoming a regular on Quiz Kids and its effect on her home and school life; on how she was viewed by the public on Quiz Kids

On preparing to be on Quiz Kids and her on-air persona; on the staff of Quiz Kids; on celebrities appearing on Quiz Kids and writing a book at 12 years old

Chapter 3

On writing a book at age 12 and her relationship with her mother; on various fellow Quiz Kids panelists including Pat Conlon and Joel Kupperman

On hanging out with her fellow Quiz Kids panelists; on the first time she saw television; on Quiz Kids' transition from radio to television

Chapter 4

On the proliferation of children's television shows in the '50s and retiring from Quiz Kids; on her life after retiring from Quiz Kids; on deciding to write the book "Whatever Happened to the Quiz Kids?: Perils and Profits of Growing Up Gifted"

On what she found when she interviewed former Quiz Kids panelists for "Whatever Happened to the Quiz Kids?: Perils and Profits of Growing Up Gifted"; on how her experiences on Quiz Kids affected her as a parent; on her advice to parents with children in the public eye

Chapter 5

On B-Roll pictures and memorabilia from her career as a Quiz Kids panelist- Quiz Kids postcard showing host and panel; another Quiz Kids postcard showing host and panel; Quiz Kids panelists with Eddie Cantor; Quiz Kids panelists with Chico Marx; sitting on a pile of fan mail; with Quiz Kids panelists on a war bond tour; Quiz Kids paper doll book; Quiz Kids connect the dots book; first edition copy of "Whatever Happened to the Quiz Kids?: Perils and Profits of Growing Up Gifted"

Shows

Quiz Kids

View Show Page

Ruth Duskin Feldman on auditioning for Quiz Kids

Ruth Duskin Feldman on being accepted for Quiz Kids

Ruth Duskin Feldman on how Quiz Kids worked

Ruth Duskin Feldman on the scoring system of Quiz Kids

Ruth Duskin Feldman on her first appearance on Quiz Kids

Ruth Duskin Feldman on the prizes awarded on Quiz Kids and the aim of the show

Ruth Duskin Feldman on the sponsors of Quiz Kids

Ruth Duskin Feldman on Quiz Kids producer John Lewellen

Ruth Duskin Feldman on the questions on Quiz Kids

Ruth Duskin Feldman on being a gifted child

Ruth Duskin Feldman on becoming a regular on Quiz Kids

Ruth Duskin Feldman on the effect of Quiz Kids on her family and school life

Ruth Duskin Feldman on how she was viewed by the public on Quiz Kids

Ruth Duskin Feldman on preparing to be on Quiz Kids and her on-air persona

Ruth Duskin Feldman on Quiz Kids assistant director Rachel Stevenson and other staff members of the show

Ruth Duskin Feldman on Jack Benny appearing on Quiz Kids

Ruth Duskin Feldman on how fame affected her and writing a book when she was 12 years old

Ruth Duskin Feldman on fellow Quiz Kids panelist Pat Conlon

Ruth Duskin Feldman on fellow Quiz Kids panelist Joel Kupperman

Ruth Duskin Feldman on various fellow Quiz Kids panelists

Ruth Duskin Feldman on hanging out with her fellow Quiz Kids panelists

Ruth Duskin Feldman on Quiz Kids' transition from radio to television

Ruth Duskin Feldman on the proliferation of children's television shows in the '50s and retiring from Quiz Kids

Ruth Duskin Feldman on deciding to write the book "Whatever Happened to the Quiz Kids?: Perils and Profits of Growing Up Gifted"

Ruth Duskin Feldman on what she found when she interviewed former Quiz Kids panelists for "Whatever Happened to the Quiz Kids?: Perils and Profits of Growing Up Gifted"

Ruth Duskin Feldman on the response to her book "Whatever Happened to the Quiz Kids?: Perils and Profits of Growing Up Gifted"

Ruth Duskin Feldman on the short-lived revival of Quiz Kids

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