American Scandal - Quiz Show Rigging | Deception | 4

Episode Date: April 8, 2025

Twenty-One producer Dan Enright takes drastic action to keep the rigging scandal under wraps by discrediting his accuser, Herbert Stempel. But investigators with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office uncover undeniable proof that soon sparks a Congressional hearing, and puts celebrity champion Charles Van Doren in the hot seat.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/american-scandal/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hi, this is Lindsey Graham, host of American Scandal. Our back catalog has moved behind a paywall. Recent episodes remain free, but older ones will require a Wondery Plus subscription. With Wondery Plus, you get access to the full American Scandal archive, ad-free, plus early access to new seasons and more. Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. podcasts. It's September 2, 1958. Dan Enright, producer of the hit TV quiz show 21, steps out of a taxi in front of the Biltmore Hotel in Manhattan.

He straightens his lapels as he climbs the front steps, making his way toward a conference room inside. It's been two weeks since rumors of a scandal began to shake the entire quiz show industry. When the wildly popular show Dotto was abruptly canceled with no explanation from the network, news outlets began digging into the case and before long they discovered that the show was being investigated by the FCC for allegedly being rigged in favor of certain contestants. Now the Manhattan District Attorney's Office is looking into other quiz shows facing similar allegations including those made by former 21 champion Herbert Stempel.

Stempel is publicly accusing Enright of supplying answers to both himself and another Champion, Charles Van Doren. But as Enright waits for the DA's investigation to play out, he's well prepared to battle Stempel in the court of public opinion. Enright has two pieces of evidence up his sleeve. A signed letter from Stempel stating that he never received any quiz question answers, and a secret recording from a meeting between Stempel and Enright where a seemingly unhinged Stempel admits to multiple crimes. Enright hoped he would never have to use these, but Stempel has forced his hand, and now he's going to reveal them publicly for the first time.

Enright swings open the doors of the conference room and walks past the gaggle of reporters to a table at the front of the room where his business partner, 21 host Jack Barry, is seated with a reel-to-reel tape machine ready to begin. Enright takes a seat next to Barry and begins reading Stempel's signed letter. He doesn't reveal that the statement is completely false, that he forced Stempel into writing it with promises of future work in TV. Then, when Enright is finished with the letter, he switches on the tape machine. As it plays, he watches the stunned faces of the reporters in the room as they listen

to Stempel's voice describing how he's been consumed by jealousy of Van Doren, his tale of squandering his prize money by investing in an illegal gambling operation and even his previous attempts to blackmail Enright. Enright hits stop on the reel to reel and turns to the reporters. Well, I believe this letter and tape speak for themselves, but I'm happy to take any questions. Yeah, Mr. Enright, why did you wait 18 months to report Herb Stempel's apparent blackmail attempt? My intention was to report it immediately,

but I was advised against doing so by my press agent. He was afraid that even the mere accusation of collusion would cause the show to be canceled. Well, Mr. Enright, whether or not there was any funny business behind the scenes, there's now a cloud of suspicion over you and Mr. Berry. Will you step down from your roles on the show, at least temporarily, to ensure the public's trust in the program?

I feel comfortable speaking for myself and Jack when I say that that's never going to happen. Frankly, if anyone's going to step down, it should be the reporters who've been blindly repeating Stempel's claims without a shred of evidence. Did you have any ethical qualms about secretly recording Mr. Stempel? About playing it publicly? He appears to be speaking openly with you, talking about seeing a psychiatrist, issues with his marriage.

This will be embarrassing for him. Taping people is not something I go around doing normally, no, but he put me in a terrible spot with this scheme. I felt my back was against the wall and I never would have played it publicly for sure, but Mr. Stempel is the one who decided to attack me in the press. I have no choice but to defend myself.

You should ask him about the ethics of trying to blackmail someone who was really only trying to help him. These psychological issues Stempel talks about on the tape, did you ever sense they were present during his time on the show? Well, you know, I certainly didn't ever think he was a criminal. No, but if I'm being honest, he was a bit of an odd duck.

Frankly, I found his eccentricities endearing, and I hope the audience would as well. And I got to know Herb and his wife, and I really came to see him as a friend. That's what's so heartbreaking about this mess. I guess I was just naive. I overlooked the darker elements of his soul. That's my only regret in this whole situation. As Enright concludes the press conference,

he glances over at Barry, who shakes his head. Right from the start, Barry had expressed doubts about Enright's whole reading scheme and asked to be kept out of it. He had warned Enright's whole rigging scheme and asked to be kept out of it. He had warned Enright of this exact scenario eventually playing out, a disgruntled contestant trying to expose the show. But as far as Enright is concerned, they've just dodged a bullet.

As long as the other contestants remain quiet, he's optimistic he'll be able to salvage his career and his hit show. salvage his career and his hit show. When Luigi Mangione was arrested for allegedly shooting the CEO of United Health Care, he didn't just spark outrage, he ignited a cultural firestorm. Is the system working or is it time for a reckoning? I'm Jesse Weber. Listen to Law and Crime's Luigi exclusively on Wondery+. From Wondery, I'm Lindsey Graham, and this is American Scandal. By the summer of 1958, the TV quiz show craze had reached its peak, with dozens of shows appearing on the air,

many of them among the most watched on television. But even as it dominated the airwaves, the entire quiz show genre was facing an existential threat. Allegations that some shows were rigged were making headlines as the public and the press became fixated on the growing scandal. And while the show's producers scrambled to protect themselves, investigators inside the Manhattan District Attorney's office tried to separate fact from fiction until one contestant came forward with proof that could not be ignored, forcing TV quiz shows' most famous champion to make an agonizing choice. This is episode four, Deception. This is episode four, Deception. It's September 3rd, 1958 in Manhattan. Assistant District Attorney Joseph Stone is seated at the desk of his office looking over

a handful of documents in preparation for a meeting with quiz show whistleblower Herbert Stempel. In the past week, Stone has interviewed Stempel several times. And on every one of these occasions, Stone has found him sober and credible. But then just yesterday, 21 producer Dan Enright held a press conference where he not only vigorously denied Stempel's allegations, but presented hard evidence to make his case. Stone has heard the tape, and it's left him with doubts about whether Stempel can be trusted. If he can't, then Stone will have to decide whether his investigation into 21 is worth

pursuing any further. But before that happens, he wants to give Stempel the opportunity to explain himself. Stone's secretary buzzes him over the intercom, announcing that Stempel has arrived. Stone instructs her to show Stempel in. As soon as Stempel takes his seat, Stone presses play on the reel-to-reel tape machine sitting on his desk. The room fills with a grainy sound of the now infamous Enright recording, on which Stempel admits to attempting to blackmail the producer and also says he invested a large chunk of

his prize money into a Florida gambling scheme. When the tape finishes, Stone asks for Stempel's response, and immediately Stempel goes on the defensive. He says the tape is highly edited, and that Enright cut out the parts with the producer admitted to scripting the outcomes of matches on 21. He reminds Stone that Enright was a long-time radio producer and certainly knows his way around a tape machine well enough to cut and splice portions together. Stone concedes this point, and says he already suspected the tape was manipulated. But even so, Stempel has questions to answer about his extortion scheme. Then, to Stone's surprise, Stempel admits to everything. He explains that he was feeling

desperate. He was bitter about being eclipsed by Charles Van Doren and he made a terrible mistake. But Stempel insists that his story about Enright rigging 21 is still 100% true. Stone sits back in his chair and puts his hands on his head. He wasn't expecting a confession from Stempel today, but he seems genuine. Stone then leans forward and tells Stempel he has no idea who to believe at this point. While he's inclined to accept Stempel's account of what went on behind the scenes, right now it's just Stempel's word against Enright's, and Enright is the only one who's come forward with corroborating evidence.

Unless Stempel can do the same, Stone's investigation doesn't have enough to go on. Then, as if waiting for the opportunity, Stempel explains that he might be able to produce some evidence. He says that on 21 the returning champion is forced to risk a portion of their winnings when facing a new challenger. So when the contestant finally loses, a good chunk of their winnings is handed over to the player who defeated them. For that reason, it's impossible to say how much a champion will be paid out until

they're off the show. However, in Stempel's case, he was paid out several times while he was still competing on the show. He says there's no way Enright would pay him tens of thousands of dollars in advance if the producer had no idea what the final tally would be. The only explanation is that Enright was sure that Stempel would win. The only way Enright could be so confident is if he were giving Stempel the answers. Stone's eyes grow wide as he listens. This is certainly something worth exploring. And Stempel goes on, reasoning that he wasn't likely the only player being paid in advance.

Enright almost certainly did the same with other contestants. In fact, Stempel says, if Stone can get his hands on all of 21's payroll records and compare the dates to when each champion was eliminated from the show, he might be able to prove Stempel's claim. Stone smiles and tells Stempel he might be on to something. For now, he'll keep the investigation open. And once he gets his hands on those payroll documents, who knows how big this investigation could get.

Shortly after his meeting with Herbert Stempel, prosecutor Joseph Stone reaches out to Dan Enright's lawyer, asking for 21's payroll records. But Enright's lawyer is slow to hand them over, offering a series of excuses that further arouse Stone's suspicions. Then, just days later, yet another quiz show comes under fire. On September 6, 1958, a former contestant on the $64,000 Challenge, spin-off show to the $64,000 question, publicly accuses the show's producers of colluding with contestants. With mounting evidence of widespread fraud across several quiz shows and public interest growing by the day, Stone and his boss, District Attorney Frank Hogan, decide to press forward with full force. On September 12, 1958, Hogan announces he's forming a grand jury to look into the matter.

That same day, the $64,000 challenge is pulled from the air. Still, Dan Enright's 21 stubbornly presses forward. Host Jack Barry even opens one episode with a message to the audience denying all allegations. But behind the scenes, the show's biggest champion of all, Charles Van Doren, is starting to get nervous. He left 21 18 months ago and since, his star has only continued to rise. He's dated celebrities and taken a job co-hosting the Today Show while continuing to teach at Columbia. But for the past few weeks, as stories about collusion spread,

Vandoren has felt like he's under a cloud of suspicion. And he's fearful that if the truth comes to light, he'll lose both of his careers and embarrass his family. So when 21 producer Albert Friedman calls and invites him to lunch one September morning, truth comes to light, he'll lose both of his careers and embarrass his family. So when 21 producer Albert Friedman calls and invites him to lunch one September morning, Vandoren is eager to hear what he has to say. Around noon that day, Vandoren arrives at an upscale Manhattan restaurant. He scans the patrons and sees Friedman sitting at a table near the back. Then he makes his way over. table near the back. Then he makes his way over. Albert, good to see you.

You too. I just wish you were under better circumstances. Yes, Stempel seems to have a real axe to grind. He's taken a lot of shots at me personally, and I've been tempted to defend myself, but I didn't want to bring any further attention to this story. Well, you're a smart man. I do have to ask though, how bad do you think it'll get? Well, we're winning so far. The press thinks Stempel is a nut and NBC is still in our corner. But we're not exactly out of the woods yet. I just heard from the district attorney this morning. He wants me to come in for a talk. A talk? Well, that's a bit concerning. What are you going to

say? I'm going to tell him that Stempel is a con man. His story is pure baloney They've got nothing on us But the only people who know what happened are me and Dan Enright and we're not talking well and me of course Yeah, and that's why I called you you think the DA will bring me in well It wouldn't shock me, but like I said they have no evidence You just need to stick to the story you won the games fair and square and you have no idea What Stempel is talking about. You played the role of trivia genius perfectly for three months on the show.

Now all you have to do is play the role one more time. Well, playing a part on TV is one thing, but the DA is a bit different, don't you think? I don't want to go to jail. Look, nobody's gonna lock you up over a silly quiz show. That's bananas, but here's the real danger. If you tell the DA about what happened behind the scenes, it's bound to leak. Our careers would be finished.

Not just mine and Dan's, but probably yours too. I can't imagine your bosses at NBC or Columbia would be too pleased, for example. Yes, I imagine you're right about that. So Charles, look, I need you to be a team player. Stick to the story. I swear this will all blow over." Vandoran nods, trying to maintain his composure. But inside he's panicking.

He's not sure what to do. When he first agreed to appear on 21, he never imagined it would lead to this, being pressured to lie to a state prosecutor. If he somehow folds under pressure, his entire life as he knows it would be over. But what Friedman said is right. There are only a few people in the world who know the truth, and if the others are sticking to their story, then maybe the easiest way out of this mess is to do the same. As Albert Friedman continues working to keep Van Doren and other contestants quiet, the

District Attorney's investigation pushes forward. And on September 18, 1958, they begin presenting evidence to the grand jury in the case against quiz show Dotto and announce they'll also be looking into a growing number of other quiz shows including 21, the $64,000 question, and the $64,000 challenge. Outside the courtroom, Assistant DA Joseph Stone continues building each case by calling in a steady stream of contestants and producers from each of these shows. And then on September 23, 1958, he makes a pivotal breakthrough. That day, Stone calls Friedman into his office for an interview.

Friedman arrives with his lawyer, Myron Green. Stone invites the men to have a seat and then he opens the interview by asking the producer about his role on 21. Friedman explains that he's responsible for screening contestants and preparing them for their appearance on air, but he unequivocally denies ever supplying Charles Van Doren or any other contestant with answers. As Stone listens, he studies Friedman's words and demeanor closely. He finds the producer to be polite and articulate and not coming across as a man who's hiding

something. But just as Stone prepares to drill down with more specific questions, there's a knock at the door and he's pulled from the room by a colleague. When he steps into the hallway, the contestant explains that James Snodgrass, a former contestant on 21, has just arrived and is promising a juicy story of his own. So Stone peeks his head back into the room with Friedman, excusing himself for a moment, and heads down the hall to meet with Snodgrass. Stone finds Snodgrass sitting with his lawyer in a vacant office,

and the lawyer wastes no time spelling out why his client is here today. He gestures to three envelopes on the desk. All three are unopened, certified mail sent from Snodgrass to himself. Intrigued, Stone asks what's inside. The lawyer explains that before each of Snodgrass's appearance on 21, he was given the answers to that episode's questions by Albert Friedman. Snodgrass thought that seemed odd and decided to collect proof of what was happening. So for three straight weeks, he wrote out all of the questions and answers, and mailed them in letters addressed to himself sent via certified mail, they're clearly postmarked with the date sent, and in in each case several days prior to that week's taping. He even saved carbon copies

of every letter so Stone can review the questions and answers before opening the envelopes in court. Stone's eyes grow wide as he grabs one of the envelopes off the table. If what the lawyer is saying is true, then Stone will have irrefutable physical evidence that 21 was rigged. And there's yet another bombshell revelation. The lawyer goes on to say that just days ago, Friedman approached Snodgrass and instructed him to deny the collusion when interviewed by authorities. Stone knows that in the room down the hall, Friedman is still sitting there waiting.

He's blissfully unaware that his denials about this scheme have been proven to be lies, or that he's just been implicated in the crime of witness tampering. This is a situation Stone can take advantage of. So Stone thanks Snodgrass for the information and instructs a colleague to quietly usher Snodgrass and his lawyer out the back door, careful not to walk past Friedman's room. When the coast is clear, Stone heads back down the hall to continue his meeting with Friedman. He tries to stifle a grin as he thinks about what will come next, because he's going to let Friedman keep lying and seal his own fate when he testifies under oath to the grand jury. In the early hours of December 4th, 2024, CEO Brian Thompson stepped out onto the streets

of Midtown Manhattan. This assailant starts firing at him. And the suspect, He has been identified as Luigi Nicholas Mangione, became one of the most divisive figures in modern criminal history. I was meant to sow terror. He's awoking the people to a true issue listen to law and crimes Luigi exclusively on one degree

plus enjoying one degree plus the one degree app Spotify or Apple podcasts. In the early hours of December 4th 2024 CEO Brian Thompson stepped out onto the streets of Midtown Manhattan. This a silent starts firing at him and the suspect has been identified as Luigi Nicholas man, Johnny became one of the most divisive figures in modern criminal history was meant to sow terror is walking the people to a true issue.

Listen to law and crimes Luigi exclusively on one degree plus enjoying one degree plus one degree app spotify or Apple podcasts. On October 16th, 1958, with the New York District Attorney's investigation garnering daily headlines, NBC pulls 21 from the air. Just a few weeks later, the show that kicked off the quiz show craze, The $64,000 Question, is also canceled. The grand jury hearings stretch on for another eight months. Over 200 witnesses are called,

including Herbert Stempel and James Snodgrass, the whistleblowing contestants from 21. But producer Dan Enright and host Jack Berry refused to sign waivers of immunity, a move comparable to pleading the fifth, and so cannot be forced to testify. Still, dozens of other contestants and producers do choose to testify and proceed to lie on the stand, including Albert Friedman and Charles Van Dorn, completely unaware of the evidence that James Snodgrass presented to prosecutor Joseph Stone. So, in late October 1958, Friedman is indicted for perjury. Then several months later, he has a change of heart and asks to testify again. This time, he comes clean about supplying answers to contestants on 21.

And when the grand jury finally wraps up in June of 1959, there is hope among the public that they'll finally learn the truth behind the quiz show scandals. But when the grand jury presents its report to Judge Mitchell Schweitzer, he shocks the country by sealing it, shielding the findings from public view. The judge cites an obscure legal technicality, but otherwise offers no explanation for his decision. It's a devastating result for prosecutor Joseph Stone, who's devoted nine months of his life building and presenting the case. But soon after, Congress takes an interest in the scandal, and in July of 1959, an ambitious young staffer named Richard Goodwin travels to New York in hopes of securing the sealed grand jury report. That day, the 28-year-old Goodwin is greeted at the courthouse by an assistant from the

district attorney's office and then quickly ushered toward a courtroom. Walking down the hall, Goodwin is feeling way out of his depth. Although he's a graduate of Harvard Law School, he has yet to pass the bar exam. But he volunteered to spearhead this effort to retrieve the sealed grand jury report, thinking it would be a good way to distinguish himself. Upon reaching the courtroom, the doors are thrown open and Goodwin is directed to the front of the room, just as Judge Schweitzer takes his seat on the bench. The judge bangs his gavel and then begins reading through formal legalese to begin the hearing.

Goodwin begins to wonder if he's bitten off more than he can chew. Then Schweitzer looks up and asks the room if there are any motions. Goodwin isn't sure what to do, but a moment later he feels the elbow of the DA's assistant poking him in the ribs. So Goodwin clears his throat and begins to speak, trying to cobble together an official sounding motion as best he can. He declares that on behalf of the House Committee on Interstate Commerce, he requests the release of the grand jury records in question.

Schweitzer quickly replies that the motion is granted, bangs his gavel, and adjourns the hearing. As Goodwin stands frozen in silence, he feels the assistant's arm around his shoulder congratulating him. Then, as the shock fades, Goodwin realizes he'll be heading back to Washington with the now unsealed report. And just like that, the quiz show investigation will continue, this time led by the U.S. Congress. Within days of this hearing, Goodwin receives the massive 12,000 page grand jury report and begins reading. What he finds leaves him convinced that there was rampant fraud across a half dozen quiz shows,

but he doesn't see much that would meet the high legal bar for criminal convictions. Still tens of millions of Americans tuned in each night to watch these shows, and they have a right to know if they were being deceived. So Goodwin decides it would be worth it for the U.S US House Committee on Interstate Commerce, which oversees the television industry, to investigate the issue for themselves. Goodwin spends the next few weeks interviewing a variety of people involved, including both Herbert Stempel and Charles Van Doren. Stempel repeats the same story he's been telling to the press and prosecutors for the

past two years. Van Doren sticks to his story too, denying any involvement in the collusion. And in their initial meetings, Goodwin finds Van Doren believable, even grows fond of him. But as Goodwin continues making his way through the details of the massive grand jury report, he discovers sworn testimony from Albert Friedman, admitting that he personally provided Van Doren with answers on more than a dozen occasions. Now Goodwin is forced to conclude that Van Doren has been lying. But despite all this, Goodwin still sympathizes with Van Doren. He finds him to be an otherwise decent man

who's trying to save his public reputation. So just days before the public congressional hearings are set to begin, Goodwin invites Van Doren to meet one more time to offer some advice. That night in September 1959, Goodwin is at his home in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington when he hears the front doorbell ring. Opening the door, Goodwin finds Van Doren on the doorstep and steps outside to greet him. He explains that it's important that they talk but that they should do it somewhere private. His house is small and he doesn't want his family overhearing their conversation. Van Doren says he rented a car and offers to take Goodwin on a drive while they talk. Goodwin nods. Van Doren starts the car and begins driving aimlessly through the

upscale residential streets of Georgetown, while Goodwin in the passenger seat explains the situation. So, here's the thing, Charles. I know you've been lying to me about what happened on 21. I wanted to believe you, I really did, but all the evidence says otherwise. There's just no reason Friedman would testify that he gave you questions if he didn't do it. Well, that's unfortunate. Because I promise you it never happened. Perhaps Friedman was bullied into telling the prosecutor what he wanted to hear.

Is that what you're trying to do with me now? No, far from it. That's not even my job. And maybe I'm crazy, but I don't even take the line personally. Because I know you're in a tough spot. You've got a plum job on the Today Show, a promising academic career. I'm sure you've got your family's reputation to worry about as well. Well, all of that is true, but I must insist that I am innocent. That's fine, but I need to give you a warning at least.

The Congressional Committee has decided to make all testimony voluntary. You won't be forced to tell them anything, and that's good news, but it comes with some bad news. If you make any statement from this day forward that contradicts other witness testimony you're gonna force their hand. You're gonna have no choice but to subpoena you. So you're telling me just to stay quiet? I guess so, yeah. Even if you feel you can't because when Stempel gets up there he's gonna try to tear you apart, call you a phony, the whole nine yards. You'll be tempted to respond but if you do you will be forced, the whole nine yards. You'll be tempted to respond, but if you do, you will be forced to testify publicly under oath.

I won't be able to help you. I'm just a junior staffer. They won't listen to me. I probably shouldn't be talking to you right now. Well, I appreciate you looking out for me. If you really wanna show your appreciation, take my advice and have the good sense to stay quiet." Two men drive in silence for a moment before Van Doren pulls the car to a stop outside

Goodwin's house. And Van Doren finally speaks up. You know, Dick, I consider you a friend. And someday, when all this is over, I'll be able to tell you why everyone else has been lying to you. Goodwin shakes Van Doren's hand and then steps out of the car. But as he turns back toward his home, Van Doren's cryptic statement rings in his ears. He wonders if Van Doren has been deceiving the public for so long now that he's actually

come to believe his own lies. If that's true, Goodwin just hopes Van Doren can find the wisdom to keep that delusion to himself. In the early hours of December 4th, 2024, CEO Brian Thompson stepped out onto the streets of Midtown Manhattan. This assailant pulls out a weapon and starts firing at him. We're talking about the CEO of the biggest private health insurance corporation in the world. And the suspect he has been identified as Luigi Nicholas Mangione became one of the most divisive figures in modern criminal history was targeted premeditated and meant to sow

terror. I'm Jesse Weber host of Luigi produced by law and crime and twist this is more than a true crime investigation we explore a uniquely American moment that could change the country forever. He's awoking the people to a true issue. I mean maybe this would be rich and powerful people to acknowledge the barbaric nature of our health care system. Listen to law and crimes Luigi exclusively on one 3 plus

enjoying one 3 plus the one, Spotify, or Apple podcasts. By early October 1959, the Congressional Committee looking into the quiz show scandal is ready to begin public hearings. It's been more than two years since former 21 Champion Herbert Stempel began reaching out to reporters saying the show was rigged, and nearly one year since he testified to the Manhattan Grand Jury. And in that time, Stempel's claims have been contradicted by both the show's lead producer Dan Enright and the man who defeated him, Charles Van Doren. Time and again, Stempel's name has been dragged through the mud. He's been called a liar, a criminal, and psychologically unwell. But now, for the first time, Stempel will get the opportunity to tell his story under oath to the entire country. So he volunteers to testify on

the very first day of the hearings. And on the morning of October 6, 1959, Stempel sits down at a table near the front of the hearing room on Capitol Hill. As he looks around, he takes in the intimidating scene. Behind him, the gallery is packed with reporters and members of the public here to see the spectacle. And in front of him sit nine members of Congress, along with various U.S. attorneys and their staff. Stempel's heart begins to race. He chose to appear without his lawyer at his side, hoping to send

the message that he has nothing to hide. Now he's beginning to wonder if that was a mistake, but it's too late now. The hearing begins with a brief introduction from the chairman, and then the lights in the room are dimmed, and a clip from Stempel's final episode with Van Doren plays on a large projector screen at the front of the room. Stempel squirms in his chair, watching himself on the big screen and reliving that humiliating experience. When the film concludes, the committee's chief counsel, Robert Lishman, begins the questioning. Mr. Stempel, I have a question about what we just saw here. I noticed you were sweating quite a bit in that isolation booth. Was that intentional on part of the producers?

Yes. It was explained to me that they turned off the air conditioning in the booth in order to make me perspire. They even wanted me to dab my brow for a dramatic effect as if I was sweating over the questions, when in reality, of course, I already knew the answers. And you knew the answers because they were provided to you beforehand. Yeah, that's right. Before each episode I would meet with Dan Enright and he would show them to me. He would then instruct me on which questions to get right or wrong. How many points to go for with each. Let's back up, Mr. Stemple. When did you first meet Mr. Enright?

A few days before my first appearance he asked to meet at my home and in that meeting he explained how the show really worked. I would be receiving the answers beforehand and I was guaranteed to win at least one game and possibly more he said. I was taking it back but he said I would make a minimum of $25,000 so I agreed to it. I see. And you went on to win a number of games on the program, due for a big payout. But I understand you did not get all the money that was promised. That's also correct. Yes. After I had already been on the show for a month, Mr. Enright explained that he had a limited weekly budget for prize money and forced me to

sign a letter agreeing to accept a significantly reduced payout. I wasn't happy with that, but there wasn't much I could do. I knew he would just get rid of me if I didn't sign it. But then, even though you'd done everything Mr. Enright asked, including taking less money, he removed you from the show anyway. Yes. I knew I couldn't be on the show forever, but the way they went about it greatly upset me.

They wanted me to lose to Charles Van Doren and they played it up in the press as me being a nobody from City College versus Van Doren, a fancy Ivy League professor. They also had me throw the game on an exceedingly easy question. And that question was about which film won the 1955 Academy Award for Best Picture. Yes, and I knew it was Marty. I saw that movie three times. But I had to pretend I didn't know. The whole thing, sir, was humiliating.

I knew I could easily beat Van Doren if it was a real game. And then Van Doren just kept winning for about three months with the press fawning over him. But I knew the whole thing was phony. They were feeding him the answers just like they had with me. And to make sure you left the show quietly. Did Enright offer you anything in return for your cooperation?

Yes, he promised me various jobs on the quiz shows his company produced. But nothing ever came of it. It was just another deception. At that point, I had nothing to lose and that's why I contacted the press. I wanted people to know I wasn't just some schlump. I could have been the greatest champion the show ever had. If only they'd let me play the game straight. If only indeed. Thank you Mr. Stempel.

When Stempel finishes testifying, he feels a weight lifted from his shoulders. Maybe now that he's told his story, under oath before Congress, people will see the truth about how he was manipulated and then cast aside by Dan Enright. He just hopes that now Van Doren will have the courage to finally admit his role in the scheme. After Herbert Stempel wraps his testimony, fellow 21 contestant James Snodgrad also testifies. In a dramatic moment, he unseals one of the dated, certified letters he mailed to himself with the correct answers, offering up definitive physical proof that he was given the answers before taping. The following day, NBC begins pressuring Charles Van Doren to answer Stempel's

accusations publicly. At the time, Van Doren to answer Stempel's accusations publicly. At the time, Van Doren is still co-hosting the Today Show, and the network wants him to distance himself from this scandal. But Van Doren doesn't issue any public statement. Instead, he sends a private telegram to the committee, in which he once again denies any role in the collusion. He even offers to tell the committee as much in person, the very thing congressional staffer Richard Goodwin had advised him against.

Later that same day, producers Dan Enright and Albert Friedman testified to the committee in a closed-door session, admitting their roles in engineering the hoax. Friedman's testimony is immediately leaked to the New York Mirror tabloid, and the paper runs a front-page story accusing Van Doren of being a fraud. Van Doren now decides he can't possibly testify. If he continues to deny that 21 was rigged, everyone will know he's lying. Feeling overwhelmed and humiliated, he takes a leave of absence from the Today Show and goes into hiding in rural New England while the press have a field day with the story, painting Van Doren as a fugitive on the run. And when he finally returns to New York a week later, he's

handed a subpoena, forcing him to testify. So on November 2, 1959, Van Doren takes his seat at the witness table before the House Committee on Interstate Commerce. The room is packed with reporters waiting to see the final climax to the quiz show scandal. Even his old rival Herbert Stempel is standing off to one side, with arms folded and sporting a devious grin. Van Doren hates the idea of giving Stempel the satisfaction of admitting he's a fraud, and for a moment he considers backing out.

But then Van Doren catches the eye of his father, Mark, who gives him a solemn nod. The previous night, Van Doren promised his father he his father, Mark, who gives him a solemn nod. The previous night, Van Doren promised his father he would do the right thing today and finally tell the truth. He's already let his family down so much and he can't bear the thought of doing so again. So, Van Doren begins his testimony by reading from a prepared statement. The pages flutter slightly in his hands as he reads the words aloud, My responsibility now is to tell the truth. I was deeply involved in a deception, and I allowed myself to become the public face of that deception.

Vandoren then admits that what he told the grand jury in Manhattan was not in accord with the facts, but today he promises to finally tell the whole truth. Vandoren takes a deep breath and then begins laying out the whole timeline. He explains how he was recruited by Albert Friedman and pulled into the collusion with a promise that his performance would shed a positive light on the teaching profession. But as Van Doren stayed on the show for several months and became one of the most famous faces in America, the situation grew out of control.

When Stempel and the other contestants began revealing the truth about the fraud that had taken place behind the scenes, Van Doren found himself caught in an impossible situation. Not wanting to betray the teachers and school children around the country who looked up to him, he chose to deny everything. But as the scandal grew, Van Doren admits he could no longer escape from it, saying there was one way out and that was simply to tell the truth. When Van Doren admits he could no longer escape from it, saying there was one way out and that was simply to tell the truth. When Van Doren finishes his statement, he looks around the room.

Herbert Stempel is absolutely beaming, having finally gotten exactly what he wanted, but Van Doren's father looks ashen as tears form in his eyes. Van Doren knows admitting the fraud will likely cost him a great deal, his position with NBC and Columbia. But what was always most important to him was living up to his family's prestigious name and making them proud. He knows he's brought them shame with his actions over the past three years, but he hopes that by finally telling the truth, he's taken the first small step toward earning

back their respect. Following Van Doren's statement, the committee's response is mixed. Some Congress members praise him for finally coming forward with the truth, but others castigate Van Doren for engaging in fraud in the first place, suggesting that he was motivated by money, not lofty notions about elevating the profile of the teaching profession. In the following weeks, a stream of contestants, producers, network executives, and sponsors all also testified. And desperate to repair the public's trust, the networks quickly moved to fire nearly everyone associated in the scandal, whether guilty or not.

They also wrest away control of the remaining shows from the sponsors, ensuring that producers will no longer be intimidated into manipulating outcomes under pressure from their corporate benefactors. Then, as hearings conclude, President Dwight Eisenhower directs U.S. Attorney General William Rogers to prepare a report on the scandal. In it, Rogers recommends new legislation giving the FCC more power in their oversight of quiz shows to ensure they are fair and honest. And in September of 1960, Eisenhower signs a bill making it illegal for the networks to present game shows that are intended to deceive the audience.

A month later, 18 quiz show contestants and producers are indicted for perjuring themselves to the grand jury, Charles Van Doren among them. And by the end of 1962, all 18 are convicted, with many already having pled guilty. All receive suspended sentences and avoid serving jail time. But many, including Charles Van Doren, never work in television again. From Wanderick, this is episode 4 of Quiz Show Wigging from American Scandal. In our next episode, I speak with Howard Blumenthal and Bob Bowden about the 1950s quiz show era. Blumenthal's father was a producer on 21, and between the two of them, they've known, worked for, or interviewed many of the people that were part of the scandal. podcasts, or Spotify. And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a survey at Wondry.com slash survey.

If you'd like to learn more about this story, we recommend the books Television Fraud by Kent Anderson, Prime Time and Misdemeanors by Joseph Stone and Tim Young, and the PBS American Experience documentary The Quiz Show Scandals. This episode contains reenactments and dramatized details. And while in most cases we can't know exactly what was said, all our dramatizations are based on historical research. American Scandal is hosted, edited, and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham for Airship. Audio editing by Christian Peraga. Sound design by Gabriel Gould.

Music by Thrum. This episode is written by Corey Metcalf. Edited by Emma Courtland. Fact checking by Alyssa Jung Perry, produced by John Reed, managing producer Joe Florentino, senior producers Andy Beckerman and Andy Herman, development by Stephanie Jens, and executive producers Marjanie Lauer Beckman, Marshall Louie, and Erin O'Flaherty for Wondering.