Quizzing America : television game shows and popular culture in the 1950s / Mark Dunn.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Dunn, Mark, 1956- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Television quiz shows--United States--History--20th century.

Television quiz shows.

Television game shows--United States--History--20th century.

Television game shows.

History.

United States.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

viii, 207 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Jefferson, North Carolina : McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, [2018]

Summary:

"The author explores the iconography of the mid-century U.S. in the context of TV watching, game playing and prize winning--and collective self-examination. The scandals that marred the genre's reputation are revisited, highlighting American's propensity for both gullibility and winking cynicism"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

1 Radio Daze 9

2 Transition 23

3 All the Little People 29

4 A Nation of Shopkeepers and Worm Farmers 35

5 It's News (or History) to Me 44

6 There Is Nothing Like a Dame 58

7 Sound No Trumpet When Giving Alms 71

8 Welcome to the Big Apple 82

9 Guess Who's Probably Not Coming to Dinner 92

10 A Beautiful Mosaic (Still Under Construction) 105

11 And Now a Mandate from Our Sponsor ... 109

12 Walpurgisnacht 124

13 Jackpot! 138

14 What's the Matter with Kids Today? 145

15 The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name 151

16 All Fall Down 155

17 They Were the Best of Times; They Were the Stupidest of Times 165

18 Future Dark, Future Bright 173

19 A Procession of Game Shows 181.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781476665504

1476665508

OCLC:

1012676636