Single-Contestant Shows

[nate80s]

Was Who Wants To Be A Millionaire the first single-contestant game show?  If it wasn't, then what was?

[clemon79]

[quote name=\'nate80s\' post=\'179502\' date=\'Mar 1 2008, 02:23 PM\']
Was Who Wants To Be A Millionaire the first single-contestant game show?  If it wasn't, then what was?
[/quote]
Not even remotely close. Probably something in the '40s or '50s.

[chad1m]

One that's popping out at me right now is The $64,000 Question, which premiered on TV in '55. There may have been something earlier than that, but that's probably the most famous early example.

[Matt Ottinger]

Most of the earliest game shows, going back to radio, were single-contestant programs.  Very few had contestants pitted against one another.  On television, Truth or Consequences is often pointed to as the first game show, so yeah, let's say that one.

[Master Shake]

One of my perennial favourites from the 50s and 60s I'd also consider a single-contestant game - What's My Line?

[DrBear]

[quote name=\'chad1m\' post=\'179509\' date=\'Mar 1 2008, 05:02 PM\'] One that's popping out at me right now is The $64,000 Question, which premiered on TV in '55. There may have been something earlier than that, but that's probably the most famous early example. [/quote]
Wouldn't that be based on the original $64 Question?

[joker316]

That would be, I believe, Take It Or Leave It, which debuted in 1942. Since TorC debuted in 1940, I would agree with Matt on this one

[Kevin Prather]

When did Truth or AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!! debut?

[Jimmy Owen]

Was "Uncle Jim's Question Bee" a single player game?

[DoorNumberFour]

[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'179608\' date=\'Mar 2 2008, 02:52 PM\']
Was "Uncle Jim's Question Bee" a single player game?
[/quote]
If I'm not mistaken, Uncle Jim's Question Bee was audience-participation.

So it was single-player in a way.

[tvrandywest]

Let's phrase it this way:

"Winner Take All" in 1946 (later, on TV in 1948) is credited as being the first show to feature TWO contestants playing against each other. Therefore, the first SINGLE player game show on commercial television would have been on July 1, 1941, and played either "T or C" or "Uncle Jim's Question Bee" depending upon your criteria for what constitutes a game or quiz show.

Randy
tvrandywest.com

[joker316]

[quote name=\'whoserman\' post=\'179600\' date=\'Mar 2 2008, 01:57 PM\']
When did Truth or AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!! debut?
[/quote]
According to the EOTVGS: TorC debuted on radio March 23, 1940.

[DoorNumberFour]

[quote name=\'joker316\' post=\'179634\' date=\'Mar 2 2008, 04:57 PM\']
[quote name=\'whoserman\' post=\'179600\' date=\'Mar 2 2008, 01:57 PM\']
When did Truth or AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!! debut?
[/quote]
According to the EOTVGS: TorC debuted on radio March 23, 1940.
[/quote]
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/164/whooshzq0.jpg

[uncamark]

[quote name=\'DoorNumberFour\' post=\'179649\' date=\'Mar 2 2008, 05:59 PM\']
[quote name=\'joker316\' post=\'179634\' date=\'Mar 2 2008, 04:57 PM\']
[quote name=\'whoserman\' post=\'179600\' date=\'Mar 2 2008, 01:57 PM\']
When did Truth or AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!! debut?
[/quote]
According to the EOTVGS: TorC debuted on radio March 23, 1940.
[/quote]
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/164/whooshzq0.jpg
[/quote]

This whoosh comes to you through the courtesy of the Eagle Hand Laundry.

[joker316]

[quote name=\'uncamark\' post=\'179878\' date=\'Mar 4 2008, 01:13 PM\']
[quote name=\'DoorNumberFour\' post=\'179649\' date=\'Mar 2 2008, 05:59 PM\']
[quote name=\'joker316\' post=\'179634\' date=\'Mar 2 2008, 04:57 PM\']
[quote name=\'whoserman\' post=\'179600\' date=\'Mar 2 2008, 01:57 PM\']
When did Truth or AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!! debut?
[/quote]
According to the EOTVGS: TorC debuted on radio March 23, 1940.
[/quote]
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/164/whooshzq0.jpg
[/quote]

This whoosh comes to you through the courtesy of the Eagle Hand Laundry.
[/quote]
Silly me , when will I learn. And God Bless the Eagle Hand Laundry!