TV Game Show Contestant
The Resume
(February 12, 1926-April 9, 2019)
Contestant on the game show 'Twenty One'
Was given answers so he could win
Son of Pulitzer Prize winning Columbia University professor, Mark Van Doren
Movie, 'Quiz Show,' was based on him and the quiz show fix (1994)
Wrote 'The Idea of Progress,' 'The Joy of Reading' and 'A History of Knowledge'
Why he might be annoying
He was fed answers and told how to act on the game show, 'Twenty One.'
Due to his popularity and charm, the producers and sponsors of 'Twenty One' wanted him to beat other contestants, so he would remain champion.
He won $129,000 by cheating during his 14th consecutive week of winning.
Word leaked out that the T.V. game shows were fixed and it created a scandal that rocked the nation (1958).
Van Doren admitted that the game show was fixed in front of a congressional hearing (1959).
He was fired from his teaching job, and his position with 'Today.'
Why he might not be annoying
He was charismatic and popular.
He was the prototypical all-American boy that appealed both to women and men.
He was so likeable that NBC gave him a position of 'The Today Show.'
His warm personality and community status probably lead more to his downfall, as he became the poster boy for the Quiz Show scandal, despite being just a pawn in a much larger scheme.
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Year In Review:
For 2019, as of last week, Out of 72 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 19 Votes: 57.89% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 20 Votes: 55.00% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 18 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 14 Votes: 85.71% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 58 Votes: 65.52% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 32 Votes: 68.75% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 31 Votes: 70.97% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 59 Votes: 71.19% Annoying
In 2006, Out of 109 Votes: 71.56% Annoying
In 2005, Out of 230 Votes: 69.57% Annoying
In 2004, Out of 315 Votes: 65.71% Annoying
In 2003, Out of 562 Votes: 68.33% Annoying
In 2002, Out of 1681 Votes: 70.79% Annoying
In 2001, Out of 3118 Votes: 71.04% Annoying
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