This Was Television On November 2
1959: Charles Van Doren comes clean
The Columbia University professor admitted before a congressional subcommittee that he had been given questions and answers in advance during his star-making run on the quiz show Twenty-One. The House Subcommittee on Legislative Oversight had been investigating allegations of impropriety on TV game shows, including Twenty-One and The $64,000 Challenge. Van Doren’s appearances on the former had made him a celebrity and landed him a recurring role on NBC’s Today. After confessing his involvement in what became known as the quiz show scandal, he lost both his television and teaching positions. The affair helped send the game show trend of the 1950s into decline, and led Congress the following year to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prevent future incidents. -A.D.
Also on November 2:
1936: Broadcasting from London’s Alexandra Palace, the BBC officially commences regular public television service. According to the Beeb’s official history, the first day of programming included the British Movietone News, variety pieces, and a documentary about the auspicious day itself.
Today’s Birthdays: Randy Harrison, queer folk (35); Marisol Nichols, CTU agent (39); Stefanie Powers, detective (70); David Schwimmer, friend (46); Warren Stevens, character actor (d. 2012).
This Was Television 
One Response to “This Was Television On November 2”
[…] she was in “doctor’s care” and could no longer compete. Now, this isn’t exactly the quiz show scandal or anything, but a government-operated entity essentially bribing contestants to leave the show […]