I was reading the November 1945 issue of Television magazine and came across this brief writeup about a new quiz show on WRGB Schenectady on Pages 38=39:
https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Television-Magazine/Television-1945-11.pdfNothing earth-shaking, but I can't find any other mentions of this show, so here it is. (Alas, there was no photo with the article.) Other than the fleeting reference to "first show," no word on how long this show ran or whether it was networked to New York and/or Philadelphia.
WRGB gave a new twist to the quiz show format with its presentation of "Behind the Eight Ball." Before the show went on the air, members of the audience were selected to participate and asked to prepare three questions each. In order to fill 30 minutes of quizzing, about 15 to 20 people were selected, and seated on bleachers within the camera range. A huge eight ball, covered with one dollar bills fastened on with pins is the focal point of interest. One contestant stands -- behind the eight ball -- while another contestant asks him his three questions. For each one which he answers correctly, the man "on the spot" can help himself to a dollar bill. If he answers all three correctly, he remains behind the eight ball and a second quizzer from the audience puts his three questions. The answer man stays there until he fails, when the quizzer takes over behind the eight ball and another member of the audience asks his questions.
The first show gave promise of being a very entertaining and telegenic program. However the success of audience participation shows depends to a great degree on the contestants and the master of ceremonies. And obviously the questions, too, must be of such nature that the average person stands a chance of answering them.
