Strike It Rich (radio-TV)
Encyclopedia
Strike It Rich was a controversial game show
that aired on American radio and television from 1947-1958 on CBS
and NBC
. People in need of money (such as for medical treatment or a destitute family) appeared and told their tale of woe, then tried to win money by answering some relatively easy questions. If the contestant didn't win any money, the emcee opened the "Heart Line", which was a phone line to viewers who wished to donate to the contestant's family.
Sponsored by Luden's Cough Drops
, the radio series aired on CBS from June 29, 1947 to April 30, 1950. Todd Russell was the host from 1947-1948, followed by Warren Hull
. On May 1, 1950 the show moved to NBC where it aired on weekdays, sponsored by Colgate
, until December 27, 1957.
The television series premiered May 7, 1951 on CBS' daytime lineup and ran until January 3, 1958. Its popularity caused CBS to air a prime time
version from July 4, 1951 to January 12, 1955.
Two attempts to revive the series were made in 1973 and 1978, although neither was successful. Another quiz show in 1986
used the same name but was otherwise unrelated.
Part of the criticism was it promised more than it could deliver. Though the show received between 3,000 and 5,000 letters per week from needy people wishing to win what would be (to them) life-changing sums of money, only a small fraction of those could be selected; although this was partly due to the limits of television production (that the series, although ambitious in its goals, could not reasonably assist every person needing help at the same time), critics stated that the show picked mostly those thought to have the most interesting tales of woe.
to help them return home. This led to complaints from charities and local government agencies similar to those that were leveled formerly at Major Bowes' Original Amateur Hour:
– all of which were destroyed by the quiz show scandals
.
Strike It Rich ended on January 3, 1958 – long before the scandals became known to the general public – and as such it never came under that sort of official scrutiny.
, partly due to network standards of the era and partly due to its controversial nature. Four episodes are held at the UCLA Film and Television Archive
, and a few are held by the Paley Center for Media.
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
that aired on American radio and television from 1947-1958 on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
and NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
. People in need of money (such as for medical treatment or a destitute family) appeared and told their tale of woe, then tried to win money by answering some relatively easy questions. If the contestant didn't win any money, the emcee opened the "Heart Line", which was a phone line to viewers who wished to donate to the contestant's family.
Sponsored by Luden's Cough Drops
Luden's
-History:The Luden's brand was originally created by William H. Luden in 1879, and included several products such as candy and throat drops.Luden's was acquired in 1928 by Food Industries of Philadelphia, a holding company owned by the Dietrich family. In 1980 the company acquired Queen Anne Candy...
, the radio series aired on CBS from June 29, 1947 to April 30, 1950. Todd Russell was the host from 1947-1948, followed by Warren Hull
Warren Hull
John Warren Hull was an actor and TV personality, active from the 1930s through the 1960s. He was one of the most popular serial actors in the action-adventure field....
. On May 1, 1950 the show moved to NBC where it aired on weekdays, sponsored by Colgate
Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive Company is an American diversified multinational corporation focused on the production, distribution and provision of household, health care and personal products, such as soaps, detergents, and oral hygiene products . Under its "Hill's" brand, it is also a manufacturer of...
, until December 27, 1957.
The television series premiered May 7, 1951 on CBS' daytime lineup and ran until January 3, 1958. Its popularity caused CBS to air a prime time
Prime time
Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast programming during the middle of the evening for television programing.The term prime time is often defined in terms of a fixed time period—for example, from 19:00 to 22:00 or 20:00 to 23:00 Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast...
version from July 4, 1951 to January 12, 1955.
Two attempts to revive the series were made in 1973 and 1978, although neither was successful. Another quiz show in 1986
Strike It Rich (1986 game show)
Strike it Rich is an American game show that aired in syndication during the 1986–87 television season. It was hosted by Joe Garagiola with Theresa Ring as prize model and Bob Hilton as announcer....
used the same name but was otherwise unrelated.
Controversy
While a simple format, the show was controversial during the 11 years it aired. While some applauded Strike It Rich for helping out some less-fortunate people (as well as showcasing the sincere charity and good-will of viewers who donated through the Heart Line), others found it a sickening spectacle that exploited the less-fortunate contestants for the vicarious thrills of the viewers and the selfish gain of the sponsors.Part of the criticism was it promised more than it could deliver. Though the show received between 3,000 and 5,000 letters per week from needy people wishing to win what would be (to them) life-changing sums of money, only a small fraction of those could be selected; although this was partly due to the limits of television production (that the series, although ambitious in its goals, could not reasonably assist every person needing help at the same time), critics stated that the show picked mostly those thought to have the most interesting tales of woe.
Complaints
Despite warning by the show's producers, a number of people hoping to be contestants exhausted their money to travel to New York, only to be rejected and end up relying on charities such as the Salvation ArmySalvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
to help them return home. This led to complaints from charities and local government agencies similar to those that were leveled formerly at Major Bowes' Original Amateur Hour:
- The New York City commissioner of welfare called Strike It Rich "A disgusting spectacle and a national disgrace." Radio historian Gerald Nachman (in Raised on Radio; New York: Pantheon, 1998) said the welfare commissioner brought the show to court on charges of unlicensed fund-raising and actually won a conviction.
- The supervisor of the Travelers Aid SocietyTravelers Aid InternationalThe Travelers Aid movement began in St. Louis, Missouri, under the leadership of Mayor Bryan Mullanphy. Its purpose was to provide assistance to American pioneers and new immigrants who became stranded on their journeys...
said that "Putting human misery on display can hardly be called right." - The general director of the Family Service Association of America said flatly, "Victims of poverty, illness, and everyday misfortune should not be made a public spectacle or seemingly to be put in the position of begging for charity."
- The New York legislature looked into the controversy, but later washed itself of it – claiming it "lacked jurisdiction".
- TV GuideTV GuideTV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
called it "A despicable travesty on the very nature of charity."
Networks' response
CBS and NBC remained unconcerned over the controversy, going on record as stating "We don't want to do anything that would antagonize the sponsor." Statements such as this allowed companies such as Geritol and Revlon to literally control every last aspect of what happened during the shows they sponsored; the most notable "controlled" shows were Twenty One, The $64,000 Question, and DottoDotto
Dotto is an American television quiz show which aired on CBS from January 6 to August 15, 1958 and was hosted by Jack Narz. Although it quickly became the highest-rated daytime game show on television, its end came when it became the unexpected first casualty – and ignition – of the...
– all of which were destroyed by the quiz show scandals
Quiz show scandals
The American quiz show scandals of the 1950s were a series of revelations that contestants of several popular television quiz shows were secretly given assistance by the show's producers to arrange the outcome of a supposedly fair competition....
.
Strike It Rich ended on January 3, 1958 – long before the scandals became known to the general public – and as such it never came under that sort of official scrutiny.
Episode status
The series was destroyedWiping
Wiping or junking is a colloquial term for action taken by radio and television production and broadcasting companies, in which old audiotapes, videotapes, and telerecordings , are erased, reused, or destroyed after several uses...
, partly due to network standards of the era and partly due to its controversial nature. Four episodes are held at the UCLA Film and Television Archive
UCLA Film and Television Archive
The UCLA Film and Television Archive is an internationally renowned visual arts organization focused on the preservation, study, and appreciation of film and television, based at the University of California, Los Angeles. It holds more than 220,000 film and television titles and 27 million feet of...
, and a few are held by the Paley Center for Media.