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Twenty-One

American television program

Quick Summary

Twenty-One was a popular American television quiz show in the 1950s. Two contestants competed in isolation booths, answering questions to reach a score of 21. The show gained notoriety in 1958 when a contestant revealed it was rigged, leading to investigations and a congressional hearing. This scandal, involving figures like Charles Van Doren, exposed the practice of producers secretly feeding answers to contestants to ensure dramatic outcomes. The scandal ultimately led to the show's demise and contributed to the end of the "Golden Age" of television, as public trust in the medium was significantly damaged.123

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