Information Please
Rediscover the wit and wisdom of Information Please!—the classic American radio quiz show that captivated audiences from 1938 to 1951. Hosted by the brilliant Clifton Fadiman, a former literary editor, this iconic show brought together an esteemed panel of experts, including Oscar Levant, Franklin P. Adams, and John Kieran, each known for their intellect and humor. Listeners submitted questions in hopes of stumping the quick-witted panel, and with celebrity guests like Groucho Marx and Orson Welles, each episode delivered a unique blend of knowledge and laughter. From poetry and sports to music and history, Information Please! entertained with lively debates, clever puns, and spontaneous humor. Now re-broadcasted for a new generation, this show is perfect for trivia lovers, history buffs, and fans of vintage radio. Tune in and enjoy a true gem from radio’s golden age! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Episodes

Aug 23, 2020
Aug 23, 2020
29 min
On August 23, 1938, Information Please returns with another entertaining round of intellectual sparring, led by host Clifton Fadiman. Joining him is a panel of knowledgeable newspapermen, including Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, Marcus Duffield, and guest Percy Waxman, associate editor of Cosmopolitan magazine. Together, they tackle questions that range from classic limericks and historical feuds to mixed drinks and nursery rhymes.This episode takes listeners on a unique journey through trivia, with Waxman adding humor and insight. The panel faces challenges identifying poetic stanzas, naming villains from classic novels, and recalling famous American political movements. With $5 on the line for each question they can’t answer, the experts strive to outwit the listeners. Tune in for a delightful mix of humor, history, and the occasional stumble, as the panelists keep things lively with quick wit and clever comebacks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 9, 2020
Aug 9, 2020
28 min
In this August 9, 1938, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman is back and brings his signature charm and intellect to a lively evening of trivia. Joined by columnist Franklin P. Adams, sports expert John Kieran, radio editor Alton Cook, and special guest, writer Alice Duer Miller, the panel tackles an array of clever and unusual questions. From poetry recitations to the history of American political groups, the experts are tested on everything from fictional characters’ hair to famous birdsongs.With Miller’s sharp wit and knowledge of astronomy and literature, this episode is a delightful blend of humor, intellect, and spirited debate. The panel faces questions about quirky food slang, Little Willie limericks, and iconic literary characters, revealing fascinating tidbits about American history and folklore. Join in for a charming slice of 1930s radio and see if you can match wits with the experts in this classic trivia showdown! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 2, 2020
Aug 2, 2020
28 min
In this special August 2, 1938, episode of Information Please, acclaimed playwright George S. Kaufman steps in as host while Clifton Fadiman is away, bringing his sharp humor and wit to the quiz show. Kaufman introduces a lively panel featuring columnist Franklin P. Adams, international affairs expert Quincy Howe, sports columnist John Kieran, and special guest Moss Hart, famed for his theatrical work. Together, the panel navigates an entertaining range of questions, from classic literary quotes and well-known movie songs to identifying famous liars in plays and stories.Kaufman’s unique comedic style shines as the experts tackle challenges involving automobiles named after rivers and cities, decipher tricky ballads, and even sing a few lines from popular tunes of the day. With Moss Hart’s theatrical flair and Kieran’s extensive knowledge, the panel engages in clever banter, keeping listeners laughing and guessing along with them. Don’t miss this standout episode where humor meets intellect, and see if you can match wits with the experts as they take on America’s toughest trivia! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 26, 2020
Jul 26, 2020
30 min
In this engaging July 26, 1938, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts a lively panel featuring science educator Bernard Jaffe, pianist and composer Oscar Levant, and special guest John Gunther, the renowned foreign correspondent and author of Inside Europe. The experts face a variety of questions that range from astronomy to global politics and even tackle musical trivia along the way.This episode kicks off with mind-bending queries about aging on different planets, requiring the panel to imagine May Robson’s age if she lived on Neptune and Shirley Temple’s hypothetical years on Mercury. The panel navigates through questions about world leaders, from the Shah of Persia to Japanese ministers, and identifies animals in literature and favorite songs from the silver screen. With Gunther’s insight into international affairs and Levant’s musical expertise, this episode offers an entertaining blend of knowledge and quick wit.Tune in for a fascinating mix of science, politics, and pop culture as listeners challenge the experts, aiming to win the $5 prize for each unanswered question! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 19, 2020
Jul 19, 2020
30 min
In this July 19, 1938, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman moderates a lively quiz featuring regulars Marcus Duffield and John Kieran, alongside special guests Ben Hecht, celebrated writer and wit, and Thomas Craven, noted art critic and author. This all-star panel faces a range of questions designed to test their knowledge and wit, from completing classic limericks to identifying cartoon characters and answering art-inspired riddles.This episode delves into eclectic trivia, such as the democratic countries where women can’t vote, famous literary servants, and historical stops on Howard Hughes’ round-the-world flight. The experts’ knowledge of art is put to the test with questions on famous artists known for painting ballet dancers, street urchins, and even “melting pocket watches.” With Hecht’s humor and Craven’s expertise, this show brings laughter and intellectual challenge to all.Tune in to see if the panel can identify the names behind famous art pieces, recall memorable quotes, and meet the challenge posed by listeners’ questions. A unique and engaging episode for all trivia and classic radio fans! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 12, 2020
Jul 12, 2020
28 min
In this July 12, 1938, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman guides an exciting trivia session with a panel featuring returning experts John Kieran and Bernard Jaffe, along with special guests Quincy Howe, an authority on international affairs, and George S. Kaufman, celebrated Broadway playwright and wit. This lively panel is challenged by listeners’ questions on everything from Shakespearean characters and Greek mythology to surprising scientific facts about everyday materials.The questions take the panel through a whirlwind of topics, including famous bonehead plays in baseball, the origins of classic nursery rhymes, and memorable apples in literature and mythology. Kaufman’s sharp humor adds flair to the show, while the panel wrestles with tricky questions like identifying political phrases, folklore birds, and even a New Zealand parrot. Will they remember why Little Boy Blue couldn’t be woken up, or will the listeners win the $5 prize?Dive into this vintage episode and enjoy a mix of quick wit, intellectual sparring, and entertaining banter as the experts strive to keep up with the listeners’ toughest challenges! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 5, 2020
Jul 5, 2020
28 min
Join us for the July 5, 1938, episode of Information Please, where host Clifton Fadiman guides another round of brilliant trivia. This week, the panel features columnist Franklin P. Adams, sports writer John Kieran, editor Marcus Duffield, and special guest Oscar Levant, celebrated composer and wit. Together, they tackle a wide range of challenging questions from listeners, with topics covering everything from symphonic music and baseball slang to famous literary quotes and folklore characters.The panel must identify the famous performers of classic songs, explain unique political phrases, and even quote verses from Omar Khayyam. In one segment, the experts dig into fictional characters known for specific traits, while another has them guessing which “silver” items belong in a group. With Levant’s sharp wit and the panel’s lively banter, this episode brims with humor and surprises. Tune in to see how many questions the experts can answer and if the listeners manage to stump them for the $5 prize. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 28, 2020
Jun 28, 2020
29 min
Tune in to the June 28, 1938, episode of Information Please, where Clifton Fadiman moderates another captivating night of trivia. This week, the show welcomes its first female panelist, Carmel Snow, editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar. She joins the regulars: Franklin P. Adams, sports expert John Kieran, and Herald Tribune editor Marcus Duffield. Together, they tackle questions sent in from across the country, covering topics ranging from nursery rhymes to the titles of obscure detective novels.This episode is packed with wit and challenges as the panel tries to recall famous detectives, identify flowers named after people, and answer historical trivia about global leaders. With each question they miss, $5 is awarded to the listener who submitted it, making the stakes high and the humor endless. Whether it’s identifying articles of women’s clothing inspired by other cultures or recalling well-known nursery rhymes tied to themes of fright and starvation, this episode delivers a delightful mix of laughter and intellectual sparring. Join us to see if the experts can avoid being stumped, or if the listeners claim victory! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 21, 2020
Jun 21, 2020
25 min
Step into the world of highbrow humor and intellectual fun with this June 21, 1938, episode of Information Please. Hosted by the ever-charming Clifton Fadiman, this quiz show once again brings together a panel of experts ready to be stumped by listeners’ toughest questions. Tonight’s panel includes Franklin P. Adams, science teacher Bernard Jaffe, and special guest Howard Dietz, known for his work as a lyricist and MGM publicity director.The questions are as varied as they are challenging: from science riddles about sound waves and famous dogs in literature to historical trivia on American figures and brain-teasers about unusual words. This episode features quick-witted banter as the panel grapples with identifying sports nicknames, discussing iconic literary locations, and even analyzing poetic verses. Will they decipher every riddle, or will the listeners outsmart them and claim the $5 prize?Join in on the laughter, learning, and lively exchanges as this classic quiz show blends trivia with timeless humor. Tune in and see if you can keep up with the experts on this classic broadcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
