The Big Surprise

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.

Gameplay

Contestants who had performed an act of heroism or generosity were accompanied by "reporters" who explained why that contestant should be chosen. The contestant then answered questions about his or her family, friends, hometown, hobbies, and other special interests. Questions started in value at $1 and increased up to $100,000. An incorrect answer on any of the easy questions lost all winnings, while an incorrect answer on any of the hard questions lost half of the winnings.

If a contestant missed a question, another contestant could answer a question correctly and receive 10% of the original contestant's winnings, with the original contestant keeping the other 90%. While there were some alterations in the show's format over the next six months, it was basically a straight quiz with a few gimmicks such as two "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. The questions were valued at $100, $200, $300, $1,000, $2,000, $3,000, $10,000, $20,000, $30,000, and $100,000.

Unlike The $64,000 Question, the contestant being queried did not stand in an isolation booth.

Grand Prize Winners

At least three people won the $100,000 grand prize:

• 14-year-old George L. Wright III after correctly identifying a song of the 1920s
• Rear Admiral Redfield Mason with his knowledge of Greek and Roman fables
• 11-year-old Leonard Ross II with his knowledge of the stock market

^[1]

Broadcast history

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.

Episode status

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. ^[2]

References

• Brooks, Tim and Marsh, Earle, The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows
• "The $100,000 Question". Time Magazine, February 13, 1956.
• "The Moneymakers". Time Magazine, March 19, 1956.
• "The Big Money". Time Magazine, September 3, 1956.
• "Leonard Ross: The Mike Wallace Interview"