You Bet Your Life | Quiz | Old Time Radio Downloads

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You Bet Your Life was a comedy quiz show that aired from 1947 to 1956, with Groucho Marx as the host and George Fenneman as his assistant. It was first heard on ABC Radio in 1947, then on CBS Radio in 1949, before it made its way to the television in 1950. In 1960, the show changed its name to The Groucho Show.

The contestants for the show were chosen from the live audience or sometimes well-known or interesting celebrities. The chosen contestants will then play in pairs-- one male, one female. The pairs were made in such as way that each one is a complete opposite of the other, which makes it interesting. After introducing themselves, each pair will then be required to choose a category (from the 20 available) and answer the questions under it. The show had different format through its run, but basically, the more correct answers the pair gives, the higher their pot money becomes; on the opposite, if they give the wrong answer, their money will be reduced. The pair with the highest earnings/score will proceed to the jackpot round, where they will risk half of their winnings to answer the final question. They win the jackpot if the final question is answered correctly.

The radio version of the show had its final air date in 1956, while its counterpart on television was terminated by NBC in 1961. Click here to read more about You Bet Your Life

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Please enjoy these 177 old time radio episodes:

Air Date	Title	Synopsis
10.05.1949	you bet your life secret word 'chair'	+ Long-running comedy quiz show hosted by Groucho Marx. The show was the idea of a young producer, J...
10.12.1949	you bet your life secret word 'smile'	+ Long-running comedy quiz show hosted by Groucho Marx. The show was the idea of a young producer, J...
10.19.1949	you bet your life secret word 'clock'	+ Long-running comedy quiz show hosted by Groucho Marx. The show was the idea of a young producer, ...
10.26.1949	you bet your life secret word 'radio'	+ Long-running comedy quiz show hosted by Groucho Marx. The show was the idea of a young producer, ...
11.02.1949	you bet your life secret word 'shoe'	+ The first contestant is, "Frank Sullivan." Groucho says the secret word! The system cue is added ...
11.09.1949	you bet your life secret word 'ink'	+ Elgin-American. The first contestant is "Mary Cool." The system cue is added live + Long-runnin...
11.16.1949	you bet your life secret word 'grass'	+ Hosted by the quick witted Groucho Marx this is a fun quiz show game in which three couples each h...
11.23.1949	you bet your life secret word 'sky'	+ Hosted by the quick witted Groucho Marx this is a fun quiz show game in which three couples each h...
11.30.1949	you bet your life secret word 'window'	+ The first contestant is Henrietta Adair (a spinster). One of the contestants is the godson of the...
12.07.1949	you bet your life secret word 'dust'	+ The first contestant is Frank Martuccio, a bacteriologist. The system cue is added live. Hosted b...
12.14.1949	you bet your life secret word 'hair'
12.21.1949	you bet your life secret word 'chair'	+ Hosted by Groucho Marx this is a fun quiz show game in which three couples each have $20 and they ...
12.28.1949	you bet your life secret word 'name'	+ Long-running comedy quiz show hosted by Groucho Marx. The show was the idea of a young producer, ...
01.04.1950	you bet your life secret word 'tree'	+Hosted by Groucho Marx this is a fun quiz show game in which three couples each have $20 and they c...
01.11.1950	you bet your life secret word 'milk'	+Hosted by the fabulously funny Groucho Marx this is a fun quiz show game in which three couples eac...
01.18.1950	you bet your life secret word 'spoon'	+Hosted by the quick witted Groucho Marx this is a fun quiz show game in which three couples each ha...
01.25.1950	you bet your life secret word 'sky'	+ Hosted by the quick witted Groucho Marx this is a fun quiz show game in which three couples each h...
02.01.1950	you bet your life secret word 'air'	+ , AFRS rebroadcast. Air. The secret word is "air" and is said twice on the show. Hosted by the q...
02.08.1950	you bet your life secret word 'bread'	+ Long-running comedy quiz show hosted by Groucho Marx. The show was the idea of a young producer, J...
02.15.1950	you bet your life secret word 'sugar'	+ Hosted by the quick witted Groucho Marx this is a fun quiz show game in which three couples each h...
02.22.1950	you bet your life secret word 'table'	+Chosen from the audience for the chance to win $3500 are two high school students, a deputy distric...
03.01.1950	you bet your life secret word 'door'	+Hosted by the quick witted Groucho Marx this is a fun quiz show game in which three couples each ha...
03.08.1950	you bet your life secret word 'heart'	+Hosted by the quick witted Groucho Marx this is a fun quiz show game in which three couples each ha...
03.15.1950	you bet your life secret word 'water'	+ Long-running comedy quiz show hosted by Groucho Marx. The show was the idea of a young producer, J...
03.22.1950	you bet your life secret word 'money'	+Hosted by the quick witted Groucho Marx this is a fun quiz show game in which three couples each ha...

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You bet your life is my favorite

Ramona

Garpo's show was the best.

Chris

55 years ago today, the final episode of You Bet Your Life was taped. The original and best-known version was hosted by Groucho Marx of the Marx Brothers, with announcer and assistant George Fenneman. The show debuted on ABC Radio on October 27, 1947, then moved to CBS Radio debuting October 5, 1949 before making the transition to NBC-TV and NBC Radio on October 4, 1950. Because of its simple format, it was possible to broadcast the show simultaneously on radio and television. June 10, 1960 was the last episode aired in its radio broadcast format. For its final season debuting September 22, 1960, the TV show was renamed The Groucho Show and ran a further year. The play of the game, however, was secondary to the interplay between Groucho, the contestants, and occasionally Fenneman. The program was rerun into the 1970s, and later in syndication as The Best of Groucho. As such, it was the first game show to have its reruns syndicated.

Mike

Radio quiz show starring Groucho Marx is the host of the show that was broadcast by ABC from 1947 to 1949, then CBS from 1949 to 1950, NBC from 1950 to 1956. George Fenneman is the announcer and assistant to Groucho. The show was taped for an hour, then edited down to a half hour which was broadcast. The program became a popular television show telecast by NBC from 1950 to 1960, and the television version was changed very little from the radio version. It was filmed before a studio audience, then slightly edited for television broadcast. In 1960 it was renamed The Groucho Show and ran a further year. The TV series appears in reruns to this day, often on stations and networks aimed at a "family" audience.

YOU BET YOUR LIFE

"You Bet Your Life," the whip-smart comedic panel show hosted by the one and only Groucho Marx with George Fenneman as his announcer and sidekick, began on ABC Radio on this date in 1947. By 1950, the series moved to NBC Radio as well as premiering on NBC television The radio version continued until 1960 while the TV version ended in 1961.

Jeff