Broadcast from 1942 to 1951 on Mutual, then CBS, and finally, NBC, “It Pays to Be Ignorant” was a parody of quiz shows that featured panelists of experts - it’s a natural followup to our posts in recent weeks of the “Quiz Kids” and “Twenty Questions”.  In this case, our “experts” are a group of regulars always ready for a quick one-liner or really bad pun.

transcription label

In this post, program 88 in the series as broadcast on AFRS, originally heard on CBS on December 21, 1945.  The first question during opening is “Why does the subway have to raise the fare?” and the first question during the main body of the show is “What is the color of the Little Red Schoolhouse?”.  The show features host Tom Howard, George Shelton, Lulu McConnell, Harry McNaughton, and announcer Ken Roberts.  I think this particular episode might not be in common circulation among collectors.

Frank, a listener to the blog who has had a long  career in radio, remembered seeing “It Pays to Be Ignorant” and other shows live when he worked in the mailroom at Mutual.  Now that was an employee perk!

The show was transferred from original AFRS vinyl transcription.  Date is from the transcription matrix.

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