The Big Surprise

"The Big Surprise" was a television quiz show broadcast in the United States by NBC from 1955 to 1957.

"The Big Surprise" was hastily created by NBC in response to the overwhelming ratings success of "The $64,000 Question", which had premiered on CBS in the summer of 1955 and almost instantly become a smash hit. "The Big Surprise", envisioned as the answer to CBS' "Question", was initially hosted by game-show entrepreneur Jack Barry.

While there were some alterations in the format of "The Big Surprise" over its run, it was basically a straight quiz with a few gimmicks such as "insurance questions" which could be used, if answered correctly, to prevent the complete loss of winnings which otherwise occurred in the event of an incorrect answer to the regular questions. Unlike "The $64,000 Question", the contestant being queried stood not in an "isolation booth" but rather on a pedestal onstage. After five months Barry was replaced as host by Mike Wallace.

"The Big Surprise" never approached the popularity of "The $64,000 Question" and hence had already been cancelled prior to the disclosure of the quiz show scandal, which forced all big-money game shows off the air in the United States for several years.

References

Brooks, Tim and Marsh, Earle, "The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows"