| The Big Surprise | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Game show |
| Presented by | Jack Barry (1955-1956) Mike Wallace (1956-1957) |
| Narrated by | Jack Clark |
| Country of origin | USA |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | NBC |
| Original run | October 8, 1955 – April 2, 1957 |
The Big Surprise is a television quiz show broadcast in the United States by NBC from October 8, 1955 to June 9, 1956 and from September 18, 1956 to April 2, 1957. It was hastily created by NBC in response to the overwhelming ratings success of The $64,000 Question, which had premiered on CBS in Summer 1955 and almost instantly became a smash hit. The Big Surprise offered a grand prize of $100,000.
The series was originally hosted by game-show entrepreneur Jack Barry through March 3, 1956, after which he was replaced by journalist Mike Wallace for the rest of the run.
Contents |
While there were some alterations in the show's format over its run, it was basically a straight quiz with a few gimmicks such as "insurance questions" which could be used, if answered correctly, to prevent the complete loss of winnings which otherwise occurred in the event of an incorrect answer to the regular questions.
Unlike The $64,000 Question, the contestant being queried stood not in an "isolation booth" but at a pedestal onstage.
At least three people won the $100,000 grand prize:
The Big Surprise never approached the popularity of The $64,000 Question and had ended prior to the disclosure of the quiz show scandal, which forced all big-money game shows off the air in the United States for several years.
The series is believed to have been destroyed as per network practices of the era. Only the April 7, 1956 show is known to exist, which begins with guest contestant Errol Flynn going for $30,000.