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The 1950s television game show was a cultural touchstone, reflecting the zeitgeist of a flourishing modern nation. The author explores the iconography of the mid-20th century U.S. in the context of TV watching, game playing and prize winning. The scandals that marred the genre's reputation are revisited, highlighting American's propensity for both gullibility and winking cynicism.
List of contents
Table of ContentsIntroduction
¿1.¿Radio Daze
¿2.¿Transition
¿3.¿All the Little People
¿4.¿A Nation of Shopkeepers and Worm Farmers
¿5.¿It's News (or History) to Me
¿6.¿There Is Nothing Like a Dame
¿7.¿Sound No Trumpet When Giving Alms
¿8.¿Welcome to the Big Apple
¿9.¿Guess Who's Probably Not Coming to Dinner
10.¿A Beautiful Mosaic (Still Under Construction)
11.¿And Now a Mandate from Our Sponsor ...
12.¿Walpurgisnacht
13.¿Jackpot!
14.¿What's the Matter with Kids Today?
15.¿The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name
16.¿All Fall Down
17.¿They Were the Best of Times; They Were the Stupidest of Times
18.¿Future Dark, Future Bright
19.¿A Procession of Game Shows
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the author
Mark Dunn is a veteran playwright, novelist and nonfiction author, and the former public access librarian at the Museum of Television and Radio. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
