Think Fast (1949 game show)

For the unrelated American game show of the same name which aired on Nickelodeon, see Think Fast (1989 game show).
Think Fast
GenreGame show
StarringMason Gross
Gypsy Rose Lee
Leon Janney
Eloise McElhone
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Running time30 minutes
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseMarch 26, 1949 (1949-03-26) –
October 8, 1950 (1950-10-08)
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

Think Fast is an American television quiz show that ran on ABC from March 26, 1949 to October 8, 1950.[1]

Media critic John Crosby described the program as "an adult's version of the old child's game, 'King of the Hill'".[2] The quiz show revolved around a group of five panelists (three regulars and two weekly guest panelists) who would compete to see who had the most to say about a particular subject. They sat at a large table, each getting a chance to sit at the "King's" throne by out talking the others on subjects decided by the host. The regular panelists were Leon Janney, David Broekman, who was also the show's musical director, and Eloise McElhone. The first moderator was Mason Gross, who was succeeded by Gypsy Rose Lee.[1] Rex Stout was host for the September 3, 1950, episode.[3]

The program originally aired on Saturdays from 8:30 to 9 p.m. Eastern Time. In April 1949 it was moved to Fridays from 8 to 8:30 p.m. E. T. In September 1949 it was moved to Sundays from 8 to 8:30 p.m. E. T.[1] In July 1950 it was moved to its final time slot, Sundays from 7 to 7:30 p.m. E. T.[3]

The show's producer was Robert Kennings.[4]

  1. ^ a b c Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (1999). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present (7th ed.). New York: The Ballentine Publishing Group. p. 1019. ISBN 0-345-42923-0.
  2. ^ Crosby, John (November 13, 1949). "Quizmaster Cantor Carries On and On". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 22. Retrieved January 30, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b "Sunday, September 3". Ross Reports on Television including The Television Index. September 3, 1950. p. 4. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  4. ^ McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television (4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 830. ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8.