Failing to complete this "truth" portion meant that the contestant had to face "consequences", typically by performing a zany and embarrassing stunt.

"[4] A popular segment on many episodes was an emotional surprise for a contestant, such as being reunited with a long-lost relative or with an enlisted son or daughter returning from military duty overseas, particularly Vietnam.

Three years later, it returned on NBC with Jack Bailey (of Queen for a Day) as host, this time running from May 18, 1954, to September 28, 1956.

NBC launched a new daytime version on December 31 of that year, with radio personality Bob Barker at the helm.

This run not only marked the start of a hugely successful television career for Barker, but also became the longest-running incarnation of Truth or Consequences yet, airing until September 24, 1965.

During Barker's run, another prime time version was attempted, this one with actor Steve Dunne emceeing, which ran on NBC from December 13, 1957, to June 6, 1958.

[10] In 1966, Truth or Consequences became the first successful daily game show in first-run syndication (as opposed to reruns) to not air on a network, having ended its NBC run one year earlier.

A decade later, Truth or Consequences returned in syndication for the 1987–1988 season, this time with actor Larry Anderson as host, assisted by Murray Langston (better known as "The Unknown Comic" on The Gong Show).

According to the Inter-Office Memorandum published by Pat Gleason on June 25, 1987, the status of believed existing episodes breaks down as follows:[1] The show has been rarely broadcast outside of its initial presentations.

A previously unseen, unsold pilot pitched to Fox, produced around 2003 or 2004, was uploaded by veteran game show host Wink Martindale on his YouTube page.

The broadcast launched The Jimmy Fund and its long-standing relationship with the Boston Red Sox as their official charity beginning in 1953.