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General Electric Theater Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: General Electric Theater: History and Broadcasts

Cheat Sheet:
General Electric Theater: History and Broadcasts Study Guide

Program Overview and Format

The program 'General Electric Theater' was exclusively a television broadcast.

Answer: False

Explanation: The program 'General Electric Theater' was broadcast on both radio and television, not exclusively television.

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The radio iteration of 'General Electric Theater' had a significantly shorter broadcast duration, commencing in July 1953 and concluding in October 1953.

Answer: True

Explanation: The radio series of 'General Electric Theater' debuted on July 9, 1953, and concluded on October 1, 1953, functioning primarily as a summer replacement program.

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Typical episodes of 'General Electric Theater' had an approximate running time of 30 minutes.

Answer: True

Explanation: Each episode of 'General Electric Theater' generally ran for approximately 30 minutes.

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The radio program 'G.E. Stereo Theater' achieved the distinction of being the first network radio series broadcast in stereo utilizing FM frequencies.

Answer: True

Explanation: 'G.E. Stereo Theater' was notable as the first network radio series to be broadcast in stereo using FM frequencies, marking an early innovation in audio broadcasting.

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What was the principal format and objective of 'General Electric Theater'?

Answer: An American anthology series broadcast on radio and TV, featuring dramas and serving corporate PR.

Explanation: 'General Electric Theater' functioned as an American anthology series presented across both radio and television platforms, featuring dramatic narratives and fulfilling a role in corporate public relations and advertising for General Electric.

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What was the approximate running time of a standard television episode of 'General Electric Theater'?

Answer: 30 minutes

Explanation: A typical television episode of 'General Electric Theater' had an approximate duration of 30 minutes.

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What specific distinction is attributed to the radio series 'G.E. Stereo Theater'?

Answer: It was the first network radio series broadcast in stereo using FM frequencies.

Explanation: The radio series 'G.E. Stereo Theater' held the distinction of being the first network radio program broadcast in stereo utilizing FM frequencies, marking a significant technical innovation for its era.

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What was the approximate total episode count for the television iteration of 'General Electric Theater'?

Answer: Approximately 302 episodes

Explanation: The television iteration of 'General Electric Theater' spanned 10 seasons and consisted of approximately 302 episodes.

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Broadcast Details and Production

The television series 'General Electric Theater' was primarily broadcast on the NBC network.

Answer: False

Explanation: The television series 'General Electric Theater' primarily aired on the CBS network.

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'General Electric Theater' commenced its television broadcast in the early 1960s.

Answer: False

Explanation: The television series 'General Electric Theater' began its broadcast on February 1, 1953, concluding on June 3, 1962.

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MCA-TV, also identified as Revue Studios, was the producer of the television iteration of 'General Electric Theater'.

Answer: True

Explanation: The television version of 'General Electric Theater' was produced by MCA-TV, which was also known as Revue Studios.

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On which primary major television network was 'General Electric Theater' broadcast?

Answer: CBS

Explanation: The television version of 'General Electric Theater' primarily aired on the CBS network.

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Who was the producer of the television version of 'General Electric Theater'?

Answer: MCA-TV (Revue Studios)

Explanation: The television version of 'General Electric Theater' was produced by MCA-TV, also known as Revue Studios.

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What program succeeded 'General Electric Theater' in its broadcast time slot?

Answer: GE True

Explanation: Following the conclusion of 'General Electric Theater,' the program 'GE True,' hosted by Jack Webb, replaced it in its time slot, although 'GE True' had a brief run.

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Key Figures and Performances

Lee Marvin holds the record for the highest number of guest appearances on 'General Electric Theater'.

Answer: True

Explanation: Lee Marvin appeared as a guest star in seven episodes, holding the record for the most guest appearances on 'General Electric Theater'.

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Harpo and Chico Marx presented a dramatic scene from Shakespeare on the program.

Answer: False

Explanation: Harpo and Chico Marx performed a pantomime piece titled 'The Incredible Jewelry Robbery' on 'General Electric Theater' in 1959, not a dramatic scene from Shakespeare.

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Which individual is most prominently associated with hosting the television iteration of 'General Electric Theater'?

Answer: Ronald Reagan

Explanation: Ronald Reagan served as the prominent host of 'General Electric Theater,' particularly during its television broadcast, providing essential continuity by introducing and concluding the anthology's diverse episodes.

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Which actor holds the record for the greatest number of guest appearances on 'General Electric Theater'?

Answer: Lee Marvin

Explanation: Lee Marvin holds the record for the highest number of guest appearances on 'General Electric Theater,' having starred in seven distinct episodes.

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What specific role did Don Herbert fulfill within the context of 'General Electric Theater'?

Answer: He served as the "General Electric Progress Reporter," adding scientific segments.

Explanation: Don Herbert, recognized for hosting the program 'Watch Mr. Wizard,' fulfilled the role of the 'General Electric Progress Reporter,' incorporating scientific segments into the show's institutional advertising.

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What specific performance did Harpo and Chico Marx present on 'General Electric Theater'?

Answer: A pantomime piece titled "The Incredible Jewelry Robbery"

Explanation: Harpo and Chico Marx presented a pantomime piece entitled 'The Incredible Jewelry Robbery' on 'General Electric Theater' in 1959.

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Who was Ken Carpenter in relation to 'General Electric Theater'?

Answer: The host and announcer for the radio series.

Explanation: Ken Carpenter functioned as the host and announcer for the radio iteration of 'General Electric Theater'.

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Ronald Reagan's Tenure and Influence

Ronald Reagan served as the host for both the radio and television iterations of 'General Electric Theater'.

Answer: False

Explanation: While Ronald Reagan was the prominent host of the television version, Ken Carpenter served as the host and announcer for the radio series.

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Ronald Reagan assumed the role of sole host for the television program in 1954.

Answer: True

Explanation: Ronald Reagan debuted as the sole host of the television program on September 26, 1954, providing continuity for the anthology series.

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The Nielsen ratings for 'General Electric Theater' experienced a significant decline subsequent to Ronald Reagan assuming the role of host.

Answer: False

Explanation: Following Ronald Reagan's assumption of the host role, the Nielsen ratings for 'General Electric Theater' improved substantially, rising from #27 to #17 in its first season and reaching as high as #3 in subsequent seasons.

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Ronald Reagan's engagement with General Electric was confined exclusively to hosting the television program.

Answer: False

Explanation: Ronald Reagan's responsibilities with General Electric extended beyond hosting; he also served as a motivational speaker for the company, engaging with employees and presenting views on economic progress.

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Michael Reagan asserted that Robert F. Kennedy exerted pressure on General Electric, advocating for the cancellation of the program or the dismissal of Ronald Reagan as its host.

Answer: True

Explanation: Michael Reagan contended that U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy pressured General Electric to either cancel 'The General Electric Theater' or remove Ronald Reagan from his hosting duties.

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Michael Reagan alleged that Robert Kennedy threatened General Electric with the potential loss of state contracts should Reagan continue as host.

Answer: False

Explanation: Michael Reagan claimed Robert Kennedy threatened General Electric with the loss of federal contracts, not state contracts, if Ronald Reagan remained the host.

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Michael Reagan observed the irony that his father's departure from the program ultimately facilitated his ascent to the U.S. Presidency.

Answer: True

Explanation: Michael Reagan highlighted the irony that his father's exit from 'The General Electric Theater' served as a catalyst for his political career, leading to his eventual inauguration as President of the United States eighteen years later.

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Ronald Reagan frequently voiced criticism of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in his speeches delivered on behalf of General Electric.

Answer: True

Explanation: Ronald Reagan often criticized the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in his speeches sponsored by General Electric, viewing it as an example of excessive government power.

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General Electric presented Ronald Reagan with an alternative proposal: to transition into a role as a salesman promoting commercial products.

Answer: True

Explanation: General Electric proposed that Ronald Reagan continue his association with the company by becoming a salesman pitching commercial products, rather than hosting the show.

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Ronald Reagan readily accepted General Electric's proposal to become a product pitchman, perceiving it as a logical career advancement.

Answer: False

Explanation: Ronald Reagan declined General Electric's offer to become solely a product pitchman, believing it would diminish the platform he had established by speaking on significant issues.

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According to Michael Reagan's account, what specific threat did Robert F. Kennedy allegedly direct towards General Electric?

Answer: The cancellation of all GE government contracts if Reagan remained host.

Explanation: Michael Reagan asserted that Robert F. Kennedy threatened General Electric with the cancellation of all federal contracts awarded to the company if Ronald Reagan persisted in his role as host.

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What was the rationale behind Ronald Reagan's refusal of General Electric's proposal to exclusively serve as a product pitchman?

Answer: He believed selling products was beneath the platform he had built speaking on issues.

Explanation: Ronald Reagan declined the offer to function solely as a product pitchman, reasoning that having cultivated an audience through advocacy on issues he deemed important, he could not credibly transition to merely selling products such as toasters. He perceived the 'reduced stage' of exclusive product promotion as insufficient for his platform.

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Which specific governmental entity did Ronald Reagan frequently criticize in his speeches delivered under the auspices of General Electric?

Answer: The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

Explanation: Ronald Reagan frequently criticized the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in his speeches for General Electric, often citing it as an example of governmental overreach.

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What was the trajectory of the Nielsen ratings following Ronald Reagan's assumption of the hosting duties?

Answer: They rose significantly, reaching as high as #3 in one season.

Explanation: After Ronald Reagan became host, the Nielsen ratings for 'General Electric Theater' experienced a substantial increase, climbing from #27 to #17 in the 1954-1955 season and reaching a peak of #3 in the 1956-1957 season.

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What specific irony did Michael Reagan identify concerning his father's departure from 'General Electric Theater'?

Answer: His father's departure from hosting propelled him into the US Presidency.

Explanation: Michael Reagan noted the irony that his father's departure from hosting 'General Electric Theater' ultimately paved the way for his political career, culminating in his election as President of the United States eighteen years later.

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Corporate Context and Sponsorship

General Electric executive Ralph Cordiner initially declared that he would not censor Ronald Reagan's political discourse.

Answer: True

Explanation: GE's chief executive, Ralph Cordiner, initially indicated that he would not impose censorship on Ronald Reagan's political speeches.

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In 1961, the Justice Department initiated an investigation into General Electric concerning allegations of price-fixing within the electrical equipment sector.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Justice Department conducted an investigation in 1961 targeting price-fixing practices within the electrical equipment industry, with General Electric being a principal entity under scrutiny.

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A transition in General Electric's management in 1962 precipitated the conclusion of Ronald Reagan's association with the company.

Answer: True

Explanation: The end of Ronald Reagan's eight-year tenure with General Electric in 1962 was attributed to a change in company management, which introduced new demands that Reagan declined.

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What was the reaction of General Electric's executive, Ralph Cordiner, to Ronald Reagan's criticisms concerning the TVA?

Answer: He stated he would not censor Reagan.

Explanation: GE's chief executive, Ralph Cordiner, initially affirmed that he would not censor Reagan. Nevertheless, upon learning that TVA executives were monitoring the situation and contemplating diverting business from GE due to Reagan's critiques, Cordiner suggested that it would be more convenient if Reagan could convey his message without referencing the TVA.

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What specific industry was the focus of the 1961 Justice Department investigation that involved General Electric?

Answer: Electrical equipment

Explanation: The 1961 Justice Department investigation that impacted General Electric centered on allegations of price-fixing within the electrical equipment industry.

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What primary factor is cited for the cessation of Ronald Reagan's eight-year association with General Electric in 1962?

Answer: A change in GE management led to new demands Reagan refused.

Explanation: The primary reason cited for the termination of Ronald Reagan's eight-year relationship with General Electric in 1962 was a change in company management, which imposed new requirements that Reagan declined to accept.

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Who were identified as founders of General Electric within the provided source material?

Answer: Charles A. Coffin, Thomas Edison, and J. P. Morgan

Explanation: The source material identifies Charles A. Coffin, Thomas Edison, and J. P. Morgan among the founders of General Electric.

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Content and Specific Episodes

All episodes of the television series 'General Electric Theater' comprised original dramatic works created exclusively for the program.

Answer: False

Explanation: The television episodes of 'General Electric Theater' were typically adaptations of existing literary works such as novels, short stories, plays, or films, rather than exclusively original creations.

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The episode titled 'Adam's Apples,' broadcast in 1960, functioned as the pilot for the situation comedy series 'Ichabod and Me'.

Answer: True

Explanation: The episode 'Adam's Apples,' which aired on April 24, 1960, served as the television pilot for the situation comedy series 'Ichabod and Me'.

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Which of the following options best characterizes the typical content presented in a television episode of 'General Electric Theater'?

Answer: Adaptations of novels, short stories, plays, or films.

Explanation: The typical content of a 'General Electric Theater' television episode consisted of adaptations drawn from novels, short stories, plays, or films, offering diverse narratives.

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Which of the following acting pairs featured in the rediscovered live episode titled 'The Dark, Dark Hours'?

Answer: Ronald Reagan and James Dean

Explanation: The rediscovered live episode 'The Dark, Dark Hours,' originally broadcast on December 12, 1954, was notable for featuring a rare on-screen pairing of Ronald Reagan and James Dean. Highlights from this episode were subsequently featured on major news programs.

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What was the primary significance of the episode titled 'Adam's Apples'?

Answer: It served as the television pilot for the situation comedy "Ichabod and Me."

Explanation: The episode 'Adam's Apples,' aired in 1960, is significant because it functioned as the television pilot for the subsequent situation comedy series 'Ichabod and Me'.

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Which of the following categories of work was NOT adapted for episodes of 'General Electric Theater'?

Answer: Television commercials

Explanation: Episodes of 'General Electric Theater' were adapted from novels, magazine fiction, and plays; television commercials were not a source material for the show's narrative content.

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