Quiz Show Responses

What was the reason that Dan Enright gave to Herb Stemple to make him lose? What was the real reason behind this decision?

The ratings "plateaued"

Predictability

Keep audience interested, give them something they wouldn't expect

Why do you think Host Jack Barry told the audience that the questions for the quiz show were kept in a bank vault before the show. Was that a true statement?

Barry said this to add drama to the show. It made everything seem confidential and probably also helped to cover-up any possibilities that the show might be rigged.

The questions may have actually been in a bank vault so that that the producers could claim their statements were true, but in reality, it was not entirely true since the questions were not kept confidential like the "bake vault" statement implied.

The plots of most films turn on one or more ethical choices which must be made by the characters in the movie. Describe the choices made by Stemple and Van Doren in the question booth in the last scene when Van Doren defeated Stemple.
Tell us whether the ethical decision made by each character can be justified and do you consider it to be a good or bad choice. Fully explain your opinion.

Stemple could have answered correctly, especially since he actually knew the answer this time. His choice was between saying the answer and risking no more television opportunities in the future, or sticking with his agreement with the producers, and continuing with the lie.

Van Doren was surprised in that he had not expected to have to make this choice. I think the pressure of being on television and the possibility of fame, recognition, and money was too great an appeal for Van Doren to refuse. If he had had more time to think about future consequences and had not been under so much pressure, the outcome may have been different.

I think the ethical decision that Stemple had to make is difficult to say whether it was good or bad. He kept his word to the producers by doing what he said he would do. However, he could have answered correctly and that would have been telling the truth. It is hard to say which "truth" is more important in this case.

Van Doren did not make a good choice in this situation. Even though he knew the answer, I think he could have refused to give in, especially since he had already told the producers that he wouldn't play it their way.

How did the people in Herb Stemple’s neighborhood greet him on his way home after winning on the quiz show? Why do you think this scene is important?

They were proud of him and it also unified their community. They were probably proud to know him as well. This scene shows Stemple's reasons behind justifying his cheating. It is an appreciation and fame that he never would have received for the knowledge he possess, but instead for his winning a well-liked television show.

What are the differences between Herb Stemple and Charles Van Doren as illustrated in the movie? What are the filmmakers telling us by emphasizing these differences?
Stemple comes from a family that must work hard to earn a living. He also gets no recognition or positive feedback from his peers, neighborhood, or even family.

Van Doren is the complete opposite. He has a good reputation and the reputations of his family. He gets admiration and recognition from everyone, including people he has never met.

The filmmakers make this distinction in order to show the desire for television producers and audiences to root for an attractive, well-liked man. I think it also shows how despite these great differences between the two men, they still had one thing in common: a desire to sacrifice honesty in order to gain fame and respect.

What was the point of the “quotations game” that Charlie and his father played at the outdoor luncheon at their estate?

I think they like to prove and show off their knowledge to each other and everyone else. However, in this particular game, his father brings up quotes about honesty which obviously prods Charlie into uncomfortable thoughts about his actions that he has been trying to push away.

What is the implication in Albert Freedman’s words to Charlie Van Doren:
“What did you do wrong? Everybody knows the magician don’t saw the lady in half.”

Freedman is trying to justify Van Doren's actions by saying that people would on some level know that the Quiz Show wasn't entirely truthful in its claims, but for entertainment purposes it was permissible.

What did NBC do when Charlie Van Doren was defeated on the quiz show? Why did they do this?

NBC offered Van Doren $50,000 to be on another television show. I think they showed it publicly to entice viewers to watch another NBC show, as well as to help the viewers not feel too disappointed that Van Doren had lost.

Charlie Van Doren asked Dick Goodwin, “If someone offered you all this money to be on some rigged quiz show, instant fame, the works… would you do it?

It is one of those things that is understandably appealing. There are many benefits and the risks of getting caught are pretty low. Plus, some can justify that it is okay to have a rigged show because it is entertainment. However, I would not do it. I think it is dishonest and the guilt that would come along with receiving the fame and money would not be worth it. I would hate to contribute to a scam that was fooling thousands of people, and then have to live with the lie the rest of my life.

Having said that, I think that if in different situations throughout my life, I will choose to be dishonest about something without difficulty if I don't think I will get caught (sneaking food into movie theaters, speeding, etc.) Although Van Doren's dishonesty seems "bigger" or "worse" compared to other things, a lie is a lie.

What were the filmmakers saying in the scene when Dick Goodwin’s wife told Goodwin, “You are like the Uncle Tom of the Jews”?

Goodwin's wife was frustrated with the time and effort that he was spending in his investigation and more specifically, his relationship with Van Doren. At one point, she said he was "bending over backwards" for Van Doren and she couldn't understand why. She used the "Uncle Tom" reference in order to demonstrate her belief that Goodwin was spending time with Van Doren in order to be associated with a well-liked famous person, and be on his good side. I think that in a most situations, the majority of people would have a similar reaction when someone had faith that all people will eventually doing the right thing. However, Goodwin's faith in Van Doren, not his condemnation, is what I believe helped Van Doren realize that he could make the good (but difficult) decision.

The president of Geritol told Dick Goodwin that the public has a very short memory but the corporations (NBC) never forget. What did he mean by this?

The president was explaining to Goodwin that in general, the public's main desire for watching television was to be entertained. Even if they learned of the deceit, it would not permanently effect their choice to turn on the TV.

However, for NBC, Goodwin's efforts damaged their credibility and took away time and money from important executives of the corporation. Also, NBC would now have to keep in mind creating a scam did have greater risks than they had originally anticipated.

What did Dick Goodwin mean when he said, “I thought we were gonna get television. The truth is, television is gonna get us.” ?

Goodwin was sure that revealing the truth would have serious consequences for NBC. Instead, the idea that television is a source of entertainment seemed to precede over all else, including truth.