The $64,000 Question is an American game show broadcast from 1955 to 1958, which became embroiled in the 1950s quiz show scandals. The $64,000 Challenge (1956–1958) was its popular spin-off show. A British version, produced for ITV ran from 1956 to 1958 and again from 1990 to 1994.
In January 1991, Four Point Entertainment (producers of American Gladiators) was tapped on to revive The $64,000 Question by taking place on the British Bob Monkhouse set. Jonathan Prince (fresh off from The Quiz Kids Challenge) was tapped on to host the show. Hollywood Center Studios was signed on to tape the show. Johnny Gilbert (who also announced Jeopardy!, Supermarket Sweep and the John Davidson run of The $100,000 Pyramid) meanwhile however tapped on to announce the show.
Months later, Samuel Goldwyn Television (distributors of American Gladiators) was signed on to distribute the show. Samuel Goldwyn let many stations (which included the Chris-Craft stations and WWOR-TV) to pick up the show and let Goldwyn for a September 9, 1991 start date.
Johnny Gilbert's opening spiel for the September 9, 1991 premeire was like this:
"This is the game where players for knowledge for who won over $64,000. This is our challengers, and our returning champions, with TV's biggest cash prize, it's The $64,000 Question! And now, here is the host of The $64,000 Question, Jonathan Prince!"
To offset comparisons to the host introductions, the UK version introduced Bob Monkhouse as "the Master of the Quiz", while the US revival introduced Jonathan Prince as "the host of The $64,000 Question".
The show earned the #2 rating spot for the 1991-92 season, holding the distinction of knocking Jeopardy! out of the #2 spot, and finishing #11 for the 1992-93 season, before Goldwyn cancelled the show, making it one of Steve Carlin's last game show as producer.