We The People was an American radio talk show that aired on CBS from 1936 to 1949 and then on NBC from 1949 to 1952. The show featured interviews with a wide range of guests, including politicians, celebrities, and everyday people with interesting stories to tell. The format of the show was described as “up close and personal,” with the host delving into the personal lives and struggles of the guests. The show often highlighted people who had overcome difficulties or participated in charitable work.
The Stars
The show was hosted by Dan Seymour and Dwight Weist, with Lee Vines serving as the announcer. While the guests were the main focus of the program, these hosts played a crucial role in guiding the interviews and drawing out the stories of the participants.
Key Dates
- Blue Network October 4th, 1936 - May 16th, 1937
- We The People debuted on CBS on October 7th, 1937
- In October 1948, the show was rated #3 on the Hooper ratings, a precursor to the Nielsen ratings.
- In October 1949, the show moved to NBC and aired on Fridays at 8:30pm ET.
- The program continued on NBC until January 1, 1952, when Gulf Oil ended its sponsorship of the show.
Other Information
One notable episode of We The People featured the American ex-Soviet spy Elizabeth Bentley, who appeared on the show on August 17, 1948 to urge other former Communists to come forward and provide information to the U.S. government. The show also featured stories from ordinary people with extraordinary experiences.
We The People provided a platform for a wide range of guests to share their personal stories and experiences with the listening audience. The show’s focus on human interest stories and its “up close and personal” approach made it a popular and long-running program during the golden age of radio.
