Mon, 11/02/2009

Charles Van Doren Admitted the Truth about "21"— 50 Years Ago Today


Charles Van Doren, the Columbia professor who was at the center of the quiz show scandal of the 1950s, appeared before a congressional committee on November 2, 1959 to admit he'd been given questions and answers in advance when he appeared on the quiz show 21. In a story for the New Yorker last year, Van Doren broke a long silence and wrote about the experience ("All the Answers").

The Archive of American Television interviewed Herbert Stempel (who was "beat" by Van Doren on 21), as well as 21 producer Albert Freedman.