Information, Please

Information Please was a pioneering American radio quiz show that captivated audiences with its blend of intellect, wit, and spontaneous humor. Debuting on May 17, 1938, and running until April 22, 1951, this NBC Radio program set the standard for panel game shows and left an indelible mark on the Golden Age of Radio.

Created by Dan Golenpaul, Information Please featured a panel of experts attempting to answer questions submitted by listeners.

The show’s title cleverly played on the contemporary phrase used to request information from telephone operators. Hosted by the erudite Clifton Fadiman, the program quickly became known for its high-brow content and quick-witted banter among panelists.

The format was simple yet engaging: listeners would send in questions, and if used on the show, they would receive a small monetary reward. If the expert panel failed to answer correctly, the prize increased. This interactive element, combined with the intellectual challenge and humorous exchanges, made Information Please a unique and beloved fixture in American households.

The Stars

At the heart of Information Please was its regular panel of experts, each bringing their own area of expertise and distinctive personality to the show.

Oscar Levant, the acerbic writer, actor, and pianist, was a mainstay of the program. Known for his quick wit and vast knowledge of music and film, Levant’s sardonic humor often stole the show.

Franklin P. Adams, better known by his initials FPA, was another regular panelist. A newspaper columnist and renowned wit, Adams was particularly adept at questions related to poetry, popular culture, and Gilbert and Sullivan.

John Kieran, a sports writer and natural historian, rounded out the core panel. His encyclopedic knowledge of literature, sports, and natural history made him an invaluable asset to the team.

The show’s success was largely due to the chemistry between these regulars and the masterful moderation of Clifton Fadiman.

Fadiman’s urbane demeanor and ability to guide the conversation while adding his own insights made him the perfect ringmaster for this intellectual circus.

Key Dates

• May 17, 1938: Information Please debuts on NBC Radio.
• 1939: The show’s popularity leads to the creation of a series of theatrical shorts by RKO Pictures, bringing the radio program to the big screen.
• 1940: Canada Dry becomes the show’s first sponsor, increasing the prize money for questions.
• 1947: The Information Please Almanac is first published, extending the brand beyond radio.
• April 22, 1951: The final episode of Information Please airs on NBC Radio.
• June 29, 1952: A television version of Information Please premieres on CBS, running until September 21, 1952.

Other Information

Information Please was more than just a quiz show; it was a cultural phenomenon that reflected and influenced American intellectual life during its run. The program’s success spawned numerous spin-offs and adaptations.

Sponsorship: Over the years, the show had various sponsors, including Canada Dry and Lucky Strike. The changing sponsors often brought adjustments to the prize structure, with later iterations offering more substantial rewards such as savings bonds and complete sets of the Encyclopædia Britannica.

War Effort: During World War II, Information Please frequently went on tour to promote the sale of war bonds, demonstrating the show’s patriotic commitment and widespread appeal.

Guest Panelists: While the core panel was a draw in itself, Information Please regularly featured guest panelists who added extra flair to the proceedings. Notable guests included Fred Allen, Leonard Bernstein, Boris Karloff, Groucho Marx, Dorothy Parker, and even a young Mike Wallace.

Cultural Impact: The show’s influence extended beyond radio. It was mentioned in films like A Letter to Three Wives (1949) and Woman of the Year (1942), cementing its place in popular culture.

International Versions: The success of Information Please led to international adaptations. An Australian version, first broadcast from Melbourne in 1939, ran into the early 1960s, featuring its own set of local intellectual luminaries.

Television Adaptation: Though short-lived, the 1952 television adaptation on CBS demonstrated the enduring appeal of the Information Please format, even as radio’s dominance began to wane in the face of TV’s rising popularity.

Legacy: Information Please is credited with pioneering the panel game genre, influencing countless quiz and game shows that followed. Its blend of education and entertainment set a high standard for intellectual programming in broadcast media.

The Information Please Almanac, first published in 1947, became a respected reference work that continued long after the show ended, evolving with the times to include digital formats.

Information Please remains a shining example of radio’s power to inform, entertain, and bring together diverse minds in the pursuit of knowledge and wit. Its legacy lives on in the annals of broadcasting history and in the memories of those who tuned in to hear some of the sharpest minds of the day tackle questions with humor and insight.