In this March 27, 1942, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman leads a dynamic panel including regulars Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant, joined by special guest Wallace R. Deuel, the esteemed journalist and foreign correspondent. The evening features spirited exchanges across history, music, literature, and global affairs. Topics range from the mythic origins of Pandora’s box and the winds of Aeolus to the first presidents of nations such as Turkey, Colombia, and the Philippines. The panel dissects the musical tributes behind Beethoven’s Eroica and Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin, and recalls Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms and World War II communication lines. There's also a lively debate on wines for each course, romantic entanglements of Goethe and Mary Queen of Scots, and instrument-playing conductors like Toscanini. With sharp humor, quick recall, and lively disagreements, this wartime episode blends deep knowledge with entertainment, offering a fascinating glimpse into mid-century intellectual camaraderie on Information Please.

In this January 30, 1948, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes two of the most powerful voices in opera: Wagnerian greats Helen Traubel and Lauritz Melchior. Joining regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, the panel delivers a program brimming with musical insights, operatic humor, and classical knowledge. The evening’s highlights include identifying famous delusions in literature, distinguishing dog breeds by size, and recognizing dubbed opera recordings—including one clever pairing of Traubel and Melchior that never actually happened in the studio. The musical stars tackle flower-themed song lyrics, cultural appetizers like smörgåsbord and antipasto, and even a perilous onstage fall during a performance of Siegfried. From parody performances by Florence Foster Jenkins to Melchior’s tale of an operatic plunge, the show strikes a brilliant balance between high art and high comedy. A must-listen for opera lovers and trivia fans alike!

In this July 23, 1940, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes comedic radio genius Fred Allen and acclaimed playwright Howard Lindsay to the panel, alongside regulars John Kieran and Franklin P. Adams. The result is a fast-paced, hilariously unpredictable half-hour brimming with satire, sharp wit, and impressive trivia knowledge. Fred Allen's dry humor and Lindsay's theatrical flair shine through in rounds covering socially elite cities, peculiar birds in baseball, classic American songs, and verbal punchlines from vintage jokes. From dissecting Annie Oakley’s legacy to speculating whether a “million-dollar baby” is rich or just shopping at the five-and-dime, the conversation bounces between cleverness and chaos. Special highlights include a question sent in by Harpo Marx (ten years in the making!), and a baseball-themed bird quiz designed by Kieran himself. Whether you’re a fan of radio legends or trivia with a twist, this episode delivers a rich mix of entertainment and intellect.

In this June 20, 1939, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes a dynamic and delightfully contrasting duo—famed journalist and author John Gunther and comedienne Gracie Allen. Joining regular panelists Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, the panel dives into trivia with a unique blend of intellect and whimsy. Highlights include a comical exploration of mythical flying figures, political and historical insights into U.S.-Asian relations, poetic musings about babies, and a spirited round of musical and movie trivia. Gracie Allen’s surreal humor and quick wit keep the experts on their toes, while Gunther offers incisive commentary on Far Eastern diplomacy and global affairs. With questions ranging from the ridiculous to the scholarly, and answers delivered with equal parts clarity and chaos, this episode is a true showcase of Information Please’s brilliance. Tune in for an unforgettable hour where highbrow meets hilarity!

In this January 10, 1944, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts a dynamic panel featuring regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, alongside special guests Congressman John M. Coffey and celebrated author and essayist Christopher Morley. The show brims with erudition and wit as the panel tackles an eclectic mix of history, literature, language, and even cosmetics. Highlights include humorous political banter as Congressman Coffey lists edible surnames in Congress, a spirited quiz on famous treaties, and the origins of literary terms like "farce" and "satire." The panel also dives into Latin grammar via Shakespeare, recounts significant historical battles, and explores fictional banking institutions from Dickens to Conan Doyle. Morley’s deep literary knowledge shines, especially in discussions of Sherlock Holmes and poetic etymology. Laced with laughter, learning, and cultural insight, this episode showcases the lively camaraderie and intellectual depth that defines Information Please. Tune in for a charming blend of trivia and timeless banter.

In this January 3, 1944, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes a sharp-witted panel including Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, Oscar Levant, and special guest Louis Bromfield, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and conservationist. The discussion meanders through literary pairings, famous paintings, and even barnyard brawls in classic Information Please fashion. Listeners are treated to thoughtful (and sometimes hilarious) speculation on whether Betsy Trotwood and Sancho Panza would make a good match, debates about cows’ kicking styles, and references to Nietzsche, Dickens, Schubert, and Shakespeare. Bromfield adds a unique rural charm and literary insight, including forgetting his own character, Cassie Struthers, much to the panel's amusement. With banter as bright as ever, this episode delivers an illuminating blend of culture, trivia, and good-humored storytelling. Tune in for an engaging hour that captures the wit and intellectual fun of Information Please!

In this December 27, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman moderates a spirited session with panelists John Kieran, Franklin P. Adams, and special guests Leon Henderson, noted New Deal economist and former OPA head, and Jan Struther, poet and creator of “Mrs. Miniver.” The panel tackles a wide array of questions ranging from the etymology of peculiar phrases like “namby-pamby” and “hocus pocus” to discussions of mythological references, famous duos in history and literature, and seasonally themed musical and poetic quizzes. Henderson adds dry wit and unexpected musicality, while Struther charms with her literary knowledge and humor. Highlights include an amusing musical round requiring the panel to sing embedded songs from familiar lyrics, reflections on geopolitical time zones during FDR’s Christmas broadcast, and clever poetry references tied to turkey parts. This episode offers a delightful mix of intellect and entertainment with a wartime flair, providing both levity and learning to listeners across the globe.

In this December 20, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts the ever-engaging panel featuring Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, Oscar Levant, and special guest Jesse Stuart, celebrated author of Taps for Private Tussie. Hailing from Kentucky, Stuart brings homespun charm and literary insight to the witty exchanges. The panel fields a lively assortment of trivia, ranging from fictional characters and American poets to curious animals and funeral marches in music. Stuart delights with tales of cowbirds, Appalachian traditions, and his poetic influences, while the panel riffs on everything from Steinbeck’s characters to toolshed-worthy book titles. Brimming with humor, culture, and intellect, this episode offers a delightful holiday-season blend of down-home storytelling and erudite repartee. Don’t miss Jesse Stuart’s unique voice and the panel’s merry mischief on Information Please!

In this December 13, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman moderates regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran with two distinguished guests: news commentator Quincy Howe and diplomat-scholar T. F. Tsiang. The panel ricochets from literature to geopolitics—quoting Shakespeare and Confucius, revisiting wartime maps, and trading quips about clocks, conferences, and courtship—while Heinz’s sponsor spots keep the proceedings savory.   Highlights include: authors “about man” (Hamlet’s “What a piece of work,” Confucius via the Analects, and Gilbert & Sullivan’s Princess Ida); territories to be taken from Japan (Mandate islands; Manchuria, Formosa, Pescadores; Guam/Wake); and literary parenthood (Lady Macbeth, Madame Bovary, Peggotty). The crew recalls Lincoln refusing to sack Grant over whiskey, Perry at Nagasaki, and Columbus pressing on; then maps famed journeys (the 622 Hijra from Mecca to Medina; de Soto’s El Dorado; Sir John Franklin’s Northwest Passage). They trace exiles who lived in America—Dr. Sun Yat-sen, Garibaldi (Staten Island), and Trotsky—swap poetic timepieces and “by/to/from sea” lines, tick off wartime conferences (Mena House near Cairo; Quebec’s Château Frontenac; Moscow’s Spiridonovka House), and close with literary lovers who couldn’t quite propose (Cyrano, Sydney Carton, and Miles Standish/John Alden).  

In this December 6, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman presides over a lively panel featuring Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and special guests Lewis Browne and Nobel Prize–winning novelist Sinclair Lewis. Wit flies as the “friendly enemies” trade barbs and brainpower across literature, language, and legend. Highlights include melodrama in verse from “The Highwayman” to “The Shooting of Dan McGrew,” the origins of everyday words like “goodbye,” “amen,” and “vamoose,” and first names hiding in plain sight (Wilfred Ivanhoe and Dr. John Watson). The panel matches poets to melodies (“Excelsior,” “The Two Grenadiers,” and “Sweet and Low”), unpacks why groups like Rotary, Phi Beta Kappa, and the Masons are so named, and recalls famous figures’ dramatic arrivals in great cities—Lenin’s sealed train to Petrograd, Joseph’s sale into Egypt, and Shakespeare’s footsore London beginnings. Blending quick quips, cultural trivia, and spirited debate, this sparkling half hour delivers classic Information Please charm.

Journey back to the golden age of radio with this lively episode of Information Please, aired on May 17, 1938. Hosted by the witty Clifton Fadiman, this quiz show flips the traditional format by allowing the public to quiz a panel of renowned experts, each one ready to field questions on topics ranging from classical literature and science to history and humor. The esteemed panel for the evening includes Franklin P. Adams (FPA), beloved columnist and humorist; Bernard Jaffe, noted science educator; Marcus Duffield, day editor at the Herald Tribune; and Dr. Harry Overstreet, a philosopher with a knack for practical wisdom.With a $5 prize for each question they fail to answer, the experts must think quickly on their feet. Listeners from across the country send in their toughest questions, creating a delightful battle of wits as the panel faces tricky queries, lighthearted banter, and even a few surprise stumbles. This episode captures the charm and intellectual curiosity that made Information Please a household favorite. Will tonight’s experts come out on top, or will the listeners win the day? Tune in to find out, and enjoy a nostalgic trip to a time when trivia and laughter ruled the airwaves. Hosted on Acast. See <a target="_blank" href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noreferrer noopener">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

In this November 29, 1943 episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts the familiar panel of Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant, joined by the eminent guest Artur Rubinstein, the celebrated concert pianist. Together, they mix sharp wit with high culture in a lively wartime broadcast. Highlights include painterly trivia from Goya to Whistler, a dazzling test of musical paraphrases from Strauss and Verdi to Chopin, and Rubinstein’s insights into Brahms concertos and European royalty. The panel navigates literary fortunes from Dickens and Dumas to Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, recalls poets who died by brawl, duel, or battle, and plays with animal imagery in verse from “Pop! Goes the Weasel” to Emerson’s “The Mountain and the Squirrel.” Two-piano mashups of Chopin, Verdi, Gounod, Schumann, and Grieg showcase the evening’s musical flair, while historical puzzles trace the tangled bloodlines of World War I monarchs. Blending sparkling banter, Rubinstein’s virtuoso knowledge, and the panel’s trademark humor, this episode delivers a captivating mix of art, music, literature, and laughter on Information Please! 

In this November 22, 1943 episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman quizzes regulars John Kieran and Franklin P. Adams alongside special guests Russell Crouse and Moss Hart—fresh from Broadway hits and wartime stages—for a brisk, funny hour of brainy parlor sport. Highlights include year-matching puzzles spanning Washington’s inauguration to Dempsey–Willard, debates over Fulton’s steamboat lore, and a gangster suite from Blind Alley to Brother Orchid and The Earl of Chicago. The panel riffs on etymology (from “hussy” to “coquette”), psychiatry-by-song (“I Love Me,” “Sometimes I’m Happy,” “I Ain’t Got Nobody”), and billiards terms in verse. Wartime flavor runs through musical clues to aircraft (Zero, Corsair, Thunderbolt, Hurricane, and the Soviet Stormovik), color similes in poetry, and “last lines” lightning rounds touching Rain, The Show-Off, and Kaufman & Hart’s Once in a Lifetime. They even decode service slang—topside, upstairs, and “going over”—and nod to stage tunes from Lady in the Dark and Oklahoma, with timely Thanksgiving asides from the Heinz mic.

In this October 18, 1943, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes a distinguished panel featuring Franklin P. Adams, Oscar Levant, John Kieran, and special guest Marcia Davenport, acclaimed novelist and biographer. Broadcasting live from the Syria Mosque Theater in Pittsburgh, the episode celebrates the city’s cultural heritage while supporting the National War Fund campaign.<br />The lively discussion features Pittsburgh trivia, with Levant and the panel recalling the city’s musical geniuses and playwrights, and identifying famous natives such as George Kaufman and Adolph Mongeau. The conversation then turns to poetry, songs, and operatic characters who feign death, sparking playful debates and witty banter. Marcia Davenport shares her insights on the arts, hats in literature, and the origins of spices, drawing from her expertise and her novel set in Pittsburgh.<br />Other highlights include questions on historical events in Sicily and Italy, memorable song lyrics, pig Latin and jive talk, and the artistry of fictional characters. The program also features a special wartime message from Wendell Wilkie and an address by H.J. Heinz II, emphasizing the importance of humanitarian efforts during World War II.<br />With humor, cultural knowledge, and camaraderie, this episode delivers an engaging hour of trivia and intellectual entertainment, offering a unique snapshot of American life during wartime. Tune in for an informative and delightful evening on Information Please!<br />

In this June 7, 1943, episode of <i>Information Please</i>, host Clifton Fadiman leads an entertaining panel featuring regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, joined by special guests Marcia Davenport, author of <i>The Valley of Decision</i>, and renowned composer and commentator Deems Taylor.<br /><br />The episode offers an eclectic blend of literary, musical, and mythological trivia. Highlights include lively discussions about operatic scenes from <i>Tosca</i>, <i>The Valkyrie</i>, and <i>Porgy and Bess</i>, plus tales of legendary rides—from Mazepa’s wild flight to Europa’s journey on a bull. The panel also unpacks culinary curiosities like clambakes and planked fish, and navigates poetry, historical references, and peculiar hiding spots in literature.<br /><br />With sharp wit and cultural insight, Davenport and Taylor add charm and depth to this spirited hour of spontaneous fun. Don’t miss this vibrant blend of intellect and humor on <i>Information Please</i>!

In this May 10, 1943, episode of <i>Information Please</i>, Clifton Fadiman leads a thoughtful and wide-ranging discussion with regular panelists Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, Oscar Levant, and special guest George V. Denny Jr., moderator of <i>America’s Town Meeting of the Air</i>. The episode is rich with political insight, musical flair, and historical context. <br />Listeners are treated to a clever musical guessing game connecting famous songs to potential Allied invasion points, followed by debates inspired by imaginary matchups on Denny’s own Town Meeting program. The panel explores historical quotes, presidential speeches, and enduring myths—from Lafayette’s welcome in France to Parson Weems’ cherry tree tale. Denny’s political acumen shines in questions on cabinet appointments and wartime plans like the Rummel Plan. <br />Trivia ranges from poetic lines on loneliness to contests for spouses and valets in literature and opera. The panel’s humor and quick thinking bring levity to topics like wartime advertising, literary partnerships, and American geography. <br />This episode blends patriotic themes, intellectual play, and historical reflection. Tune in for another engaging hour with <i>Information Please</i>!

In this November 15, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman moderates a quick-witted and intellectually vibrant panel featuring Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, Oscar Levant, and returning guest Gregory Ratoff, the Russian-born Hollywood director and actor. Together, they tackle a rich assortment of listener-submitted questions with a blend of scholarly insight and comic flair.   The panel dives into geopolitical geography, identifying rivers like the Amur and Dniester as international borders, and deciphers musical punishments suitable for Adolf Hitler. Ratoff shines with personal anecdotes and lively participation in discussions about Russian language quirks, historical figures like Catherine the Great, and his own name’s pronunciation.   Highlights include a humorous fur coat substitution game, Shakespearean and poetic references to seasons and numbers, and a clever musical guessing segment interpreting Allied invasion routes through Europe. The episode ends with engaging trivia on literary pseudonyms and legendary city founders.   Full of laughter, learning, and lively banter, this episode of Information Please captures the charm of spontaneous intellect and timeless trivia.

In this November 8, 1943, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman is joined by regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, along with distinguished guests Senator Joseph H. Ball of Minnesota and Senator Lister Hill of Alabama. This unique session blends politics, poetry, and trivia as the senators join in the intellectual repartee.   Highlights include creative chemistry jokes involving senators and toddies, historical trivia about constitutional amendments, and literary sleuthing through Shakespeare, Poe, and Kipling. The panel also tackles questions about fictional impersonators, father-son political duos, and historic campaign managers.   With spirited exchanges and plenty of laughter, this episode offers a glimpse into wartime America’s wit, curiosity, and appreciation for knowledge. Tune in for a truly memorable hour on Information Please!

In this November 1, 1943, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman is joined by the regular panelists—Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant—and welcomes special guest Betty Smith, acclaimed author of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Together, they engage in a spirited exchange of trivia and tales spanning literature, history, music, and childhood rhymes.   Highlights include wordplay on city names like Chicago and New York, a whimsical jaunt through slogans such as “Wait till next year” and “Tomorrow the world,” and humorous dives into poetic recipes, hangover remedies, and fictional characters driven by revenge. Smith’s Brooklyn roots, sharp humor, and literary sensibility add a delightful dynamic, particularly in discussions of baseball, nursery rhymes, and British theater.   Tune in for an episode rich with laughter, literary nods, and the warm wit that defines Information Please!

In this October 25, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts a spirited panel featuring Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and special Navy Day guests—Lieutenants John Mason Brown and Richard Lockridge, both former New York drama critics now serving in the U.S. Navy. The episode celebrates Navy Day and highlights Brown and Lockridge’s forthcoming book, To All Hands.<br />The evening is filled with lively theatrical and literary challenges, including questions on famous stage props and the roles they signify, “alphabet days” from military history, and the most memorable kisses in fact and fiction. The panel also dives into musical moments from Broadway and identifies their significance in plays like Lady in the Dark, Private Lives, and The Male Animal.<br />Other highlights include witty explorations of poetic quotations about silence, the rationing changes in wartime fashion and toiletries, and a comical round matching fictional detectives with their favorite stimulants. The experts also tackle mental characteristic names, rewrites of Shakespeare, and soldiers quoting poetry in the face of battle. Throughout, the humor and camaraderie of the panel shine, with Brown and Lockridge’s theatrical expertise adding a special Navy twist to the proceedings.<br />Tune in for a brisk, engaging, and knowledge-packed hour that blends wartime realities with the magic of stage and page—only on Information Please!<br />