The quiz show Truth or Consequences, was originally hosted on NBC radio by Ralph 
Edwards (above) from 1940 to 1957. It was an instant hit with listeners. The shows
contestants had to answer a trivia question correctly (usually an off-the-wall question
that no one would be able to answer correctly, or a bad joke) and had about two 
seconds to do so before "Beulah the Buzzer" was sounded. If the contestant could  
not complete the "Truth" portion, there would be "Consequences," usually a zany
and embarrassing stunt. Edwards created the show which was based on a game 
he played on his family’s farm as a boy. The program would become a landmark 
in broadcast history as radio’s No. 1 audience participation show.

Ralph Edwards (holding microphone ) introducing contestants

Contestants singing  a “Consequence” stunt