Quotes

Others

Mark Van Doren: For $64,000, I hope they ask you the meaning of life. Martin Rittenhome: You see, the audience didn't tune in to watch some amazing display of intellectual ability. They just wanted to watch the money. Rep. Derounian: Mr Van Doren, I'm also from New York, a different part of New York. I'm happy that you made the statement, but I cannot agree with most of my colleagues. You see, I don't think an adult of your intelligence ought to be commended for simply, at long last, telling the truth.

Dialogue

Dick Goodwin: He told me this whole story about when a Jew is on the show, he always loses to a Gentile, and then the Gentile wins more money. I mean, who could dream up a scheme like that? [laughs] Dan Enright: [laughs] A symptom of his Van Doren fixation! Dick Goodwin: The thing of it is, I looked it up: it's true.

Dialogue

Dick Goodwin: I have Enright cold — and sir, that means I have you. Robert Kintner: Really? Dick Goodwin: Really. Robert Kintner: Then why are you the one that's sweating?

Dialogue

Dick Goodwin: Don't treat me like I'm a member of your goddamn fan club. Are you telling me everybody got the answers but you? Charles Van Doren: You're so persistent, Dick. You know, I really envy you that. Dick Goodwin: Was it just the money, Charlie? Charles Van Doren: You'll forgive me, but anyone who thinks money is ever just money couldn't have much of it. Dick Goodwin: Charlie, you want to insult me, fine; but you can't envy me at the same time. Charles Van Doren: Jesus, Dick, if someone offered you all this money to be on some rigged quiz show, instant fame, the works, would you do it? Dick Goodwin: No. 'Course not. Charles Van Doren: No? Throw the whole thing in, the cover of Time, Dave Garroway, $50,000 a year to read poetry on television — would you do it? Dick Goodwin: No. Charles Van Doren: And I would?

Dialogue

Herb Stempel: Don't do this to me, it's humiliating. Dan Enright: For seventy grand, Herb, you can afford to be humiliated.

Dialogue

Toby Stempel: My mother want to know why you only went for eight on the movies. Herb Stempel: Because my real expertise is pain-in-the-ass in-laws, all right?

Dialogue

Dick Goodwin: [Dick Goodwin questions Dan Enright about evidence of Twenty One being fixed] Dan, I have it on the kinescope, it's clear as day. The man literally did a double-take. Dan Enright: [laughing] He did a double-take? And who told you this? Is this Herb again? Or is this the Greenwich Village Beatnik? Dick Goodwin: That's interesting, why is he a beatnik? Because he's not Charlie Van Doren? Dan Enright: Yeah, you're damn right he's not Charlie Van Doren. You know, you got these crackpots coming out of the woodwork, you're snooping around asking questions. You don't have a shred of concrete evidence. Dick Goodwin: Dan, let me tell you something. In this envelope are all the questions that James Snodgrass was asked on Twenty One. The odd thing about this envelope is that he appeared on the show January 13th, if you recall. Yet, he somehow mailed this to himself on January 11th via registered mail. I'd say that's pretty damn concrete, wouldn't you?