"Dr. I.Q." (1939-1950s): The Mental Banker and Audience Engagement

Concept:

"Dr. I.Q." was a radio quiz show that aired from 1939 to the early 1950s. The show's host, Dr. I.Q., was billed as the "Mental Banker" and would move around the audience with a microphone, asking questions. Audience members who answered correctly would win silver dollars, adding an element of surprise and engagement.

Popularity:

The show's live, interactive format made it extremely popular. It was one of the few shows where the audience played such a direct role, which helped to maintain a high level of engagement. Additionally, the show's host, Dr. I.Q., was a charismatic and engaging personality who helped to create a fun and exciting atmosphere.

Impact:

"Dr. I.Q." was a groundbreaking show that helped to popularize the quiz show format. The show's success also helped to pave the way for other audience participation shows, such as "Truth or Consequences" and "What's My Line?".

Legacy:

"Dr. I.Q." is still remembered today as one of the most popular and influential radio quiz shows of all time. The show's unique format and engaging host helped to make it a favorite among audiences of all ages.

Additional Details:

The show was broadcast live from New York City.

Audience members were selected at random from the studio audience.

The questions asked on the show were typically trivia questions about a variety of topics.

The show's theme song was "The Dr. I.Q. March."

"Dr. I.Q." was one of the first radio shows to use a live audience.

The show was sponsored by the Gruen Watch Company.

"Dr. I.Q." was hosted by several different people over the years, including Garry Moore and Bill Cullen.

The show was revived in the 1950s and 1960s, but it never achieved the same level of popularity as the original run.