Action Comics #127 (December 1948), featuring Superman appearing on the show with Ralph Edwards

Truth or Consequences was an American quiz show, originally hosted on radio by Ralph Edwards from 1940 to 1957, and later on television by Edwards himself from 1950 to 1951, Jack Bailey from 1954 to 1955, Bob Barker from 1956 to 1975, Bob Hilton from 1977 to 1978 and Larry Anderson in 1987. Image File history File links Actioncomics127. ... Image File history File links Actioncomics127. ... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... Superman, aka the Man of Steel, is a fictional character and superhero who first appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938, and has for several decades been one of the most popular and well-known comic book icons. ... A game show is a radio or television program, involving members of the public or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, playing a game, perhaps involving answering quiz questions, for points or prizes. ... Ralph Livingstone Edwards (January 13, 1913 – November 16, 2005) was a television host and producer. ... 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Bob Barker Bob Barker (born Robert William Barker on December 12, 1923) is an American television game show host best known for The Price Is Right. ... 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1975 calendar). ... Bob Hilton with The Price Is Right announcer Rich Fields. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1978 calendar). ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The idea of the show was to mix the original quiz element of game shows with wacky stunts. On the show, people had to answer a trivia question correctly (usually an off-the-wall question that no one would be able to answer correctly) before "Beulah the Buzzer" was sounded. If the contestant could not complete the "Truth" portion, there would be "Consequences," usually a zany and embarrassing stunt.

In many broadcasts, the stunts on Truth or Consequences included a popular, but emotional, heart-renching surprise for a contestant, that being the reunion with a long-lost relative or with an enlisted son or daughter returning from military duty overseas, particularly Vietnam.

One of the theme songs used on the show was "Stop Gap" by Wilfred Burns (a.k.a. Robert Sharples).

Cultural references

• A late 1940s "Looney Tunes" cartoon featured Daffy Duck as the host of a radio game show called Truth or AAAAAHHHH!, with Porky Pig as the contestant.

• In Action Comics #127 (December 1948), Superman was a contestant on Truth or Consequences ([1]).

• The town of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico named itself after the game show in 1950 (its former name was Hot Springs, a reference to its main tourist attraction). Ralph Edwards announced that he would do the program from the first town that renamed itself after the show.

• Truth or Consequences, N.M. was a 1997 movie directed by and starring Kiefer Sutherland ([2]).

• Professional wrestler Cactus Jack (one of several persona of Mick Foley) allegedly hails from Truth or Consequences, New Mexico