Definition of quiz show

The term "quiz show" originated in the United States in the late 1940s as a type of game show where contestants answered a series of questions in order to win prizes. The word "quiz" comes from the Old English "cwisan," meaning "poetic composition" or "riddle," and was originally used to describe a type of poem that posed a series of questions. In the context of game shows, the use of the term "quiz" to describe a program where contestants are questioned and answer answers came into vogue in the 1940s. The earliest quiz show, "Spill the Beans," was broadcast in 1940, but the genre really took off a few years later with the introduction of "Information Please" in 1950. Quiz shows became incredibly popular in the 1950s, with programs like "Bet Your Life" and "Twenty-One" drawing large audiences. However, the genre was also the subject of controversy in the 1950s, as some shows were accused of fixing questions and providing contestants with answers in order to rig the outcomes. This scandal, known as the "Quiz Show Scandal," rocked the game show world in the mid-1950s and led to a ban on certain types of quiz shows. The controversy surrounding quiz shows ultimately led to a significant shift in the way that game shows were produced, with new rules and guidelines designed to prevent any further instances of rigging. Today, quiz shows continue to be a popular form of entertainment around the world, with shows like "Jeopardy!" and "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" remaining staples of many television schedules.