Queen for a Day
| Queen for a Day | |
|---|---|
Host Jack Bailey poses for a promotional photo. | |
| Created by | John Masterson |
| Presented by | Ken Murray (1945) Jack Bailey (1945–1964) Dick Curtis (1969–1970) Mo'Nique (2004) |
| Narrated by | Gene Baker John Harlan |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | John Masterson |
| Running time | 30 minutes, later 45 |
| Production companies | John Masterson Productions (1945–64) The Raymond R. Morgan Company (1956–58) Queen for a Day, Inc. (1958–64) Metromedia (1969–70) The Gurin Company (2004) |
| Original release | |
| Network | Mutual (radio) NBC (1956–60) ABC (1960–64) Syndicated (1969–70) Lifetime (2004 Special) |
| Release | April 30, 1945 – May 27, 2004 |
Queen for a Day is an American radio and television game show that helped to usher in American listeners' and viewers' fascination with big-prize giveaway shows. Queen for a Day originated on the Mutual Radio Network on April 30, 1945, in New York City before moving to Los Angeles a few months later and ran until 1957. The show then ran on NBC Television from 1956 to 1960 and on ABC Television from 1960 to 1964.
The show became popular enough that NBC increased its running time from 30 to 45 minutes to sell more commercials, at a then-premium rate of $4,000 per minute.