"Truth or Consequences" (1950) TV series 1950-1988

Directors:

Bill Chesnut
Jack Scott

Writers:

Milt Larsen (writer)
Mark Maxwell-Smith (writer)

Seasons:

24 | unknown

Release Date:

7 September 1950 (USA)

Genre:

Game-Show

Plot Keywords:

Quiz Show | Non Fiction

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Buster Keaton

...

Himself (2 episodes, 1963-1965)

Also Known As:

The All New Truth and Consequences (USA) (new title)
The New Truth and Consequences (USA) (new title)

Runtime:

USA:30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White (1950-1957) | Color (Technicolor) (1957-1965)

Filming Locations:

Hollywood Center Studios - 1040 N. Las Palmas Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

Trivia:

Originally a radio show, beginning in 1940. For the show's tenth anniversary in 1950 (the same year it began on TV), Ralph Edwards dared any town in the country to change its name to "Truth or Consequences". Hot Springs, New Mexico, took on the challenge, and is now and forever known as Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. The rural New Mexico town hosts a Fiesta every May to commemorate the event, Ralph Edwards still attends the town's annual festival.

Movie Connections:

Featured in A Celebration of Bob Barker's 50 Years in Television (2007) (TV)

Prize money was secondary to fun and laughter.

There was once a time on Television when game shows were not about average people winning tons of money but about entertaining the viewing audience and just plain fun. TorC was one of those shows. Contestants never knew what was really in store for them on this show. At times they would be held back stage awaiting their turn and what appeared to be a caged Gorilla (actually an actor in an Ape suit) would escape and the reactions of the contestants was caught by a hidden camera which the studio audience and the Television viewer would watch. Surprise family reunions were held. Strange tests of skill and endurance were undertaken by contestants some time lasting several weeks and the progress of the contestant was monitored and followed each episode. In addition the Stunts and Gags sometimes didn't go according to plan which often times made things more zany. TorC is long gone from the airwaves which is too bad because it like Candid Camera caught people in the act of being themselves.