PODCAST · leisure
Information Please
by OTR.FM
Rediscover the wit and wisdom of Information Please!—the classic American radio quiz show that captivated audiences from 1938 to 1951. Hosted by the brilliant Clifton Fadiman, a former literary editor, this iconic show brought together an esteemed panel of experts, including Oscar Levant, Franklin P. Adams, and John Kieran, each known for their intellect and humor. Listeners submitted questions in hopes of stumping the quick-witted panel, and with celebrity guests like Groucho Marx and Orson Welles, each episode delivered a unique blend of knowledge and laughter. From poetry and sports to music and history, Information Please! entertained with lively debates, clever puns, and spontaneous humor. Now re-broadcasted for a new generation, this show is perfect for trivia lovers, history buffs, and fans of vintage radio. Tune in and enjoy a true gem from radio’s golden age! Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;
Episodes
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June 21, 1938: Literary Laughs and Brain Teasers with Clifton Fadiman
Step into the world of highbrow humor and intellectual fun with this June 21, 1938, episode of Information Please. Hosted by the ever-charming Clifton Fadiman, this quiz show once again brings together a panel of experts ready to be stumped by listeners’ toughest questions. Tonight’s panel…
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June 14, 1938: Quiz Night with Clifton Fadiman and Marc Connelly
In this June 14, 1938, episode of Information Please, moderator Clifton Fadiman returns with another spirited round of trivia, challenging a panel of experts to answer quirky, thought-provoking questions from the listening public. This week’s guest of honor is playwright Marc Connelly, known for...
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June 7, 1938: Quick Wit and Trivia with Clifton Fadiman and Guests
Join us for the June 7, 1938, episode of Information Please, where moderator Clifton Fadiman orchestrates another delightful battle of wits between the listening public and a panel of esteemed experts. This week’s lineup includes humorist Franklin P. Adams, science educator Bernard Jaffe, Herald...
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December 25, 1944: Christmas at St. Albans with Fred Allen and Judge James Wallace
In this Christmas Day 1944 broadcast of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman leads the panel from the Naval Hospital in St. Albans, New York, bringing holiday cheer to service members and listeners alike. Regular experts Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran are joined by special guests Fred…
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February 5, 1945: Clifton Webb and Moss Hart Join the Panel
In this February 5, 1945, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman welcomes regular panelists Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, joined by special guests Clifton Webb and Moss Hart, both prominent figures of the stage and screen. The evening blends literary wit, theatrical insight, music…
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October 23, 1944: Musical Monarchies and Judicial Jesters with Artur Rubinstein and Lewis Browne
In this October 23, 1944, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes a uniquely cultured panel featuring virtuoso pianist Artur Rubinstein and celebrated author and lecturer Lewis Browne, alongside series regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran. Together, they dive into a…
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September 11, 1944: Musical Titles and Political Tales with Jan Struther and Alexander Knox
In this September 11, 1944, season premiere of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes poet and Mrs. Miniver creator Jan Struther and actor Alexander Knox—acclaimed for his role as Woodrow Wilson—alongside beloved regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran. Originally slated to appear,...
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March 20, 1944: Senators, Sonnets, and Campaign Songs with Alben Barkley and Theodore Green
In this March 20, 1944, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman brings a unique political twist to the panel, welcoming Senate Majority Leader Alben W. Barkley of Kentucky and Senator Theodore Green of Rhode Island, alongside regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran. The blend of...
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February 28, 1944: Leap Year Proposals and Literary Meals with Franchot Tone
In this February 28, 1944, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman moderates a witty and illuminating panel featuring Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, Oscar Levant, and special guest Franchot Tone, the accomplished screen actor known for his recent role in Phantom Lady. Together, they…
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January 24, 1944: Love Triangles and Musical Tactics with Elizabeth Janeway and Deems Taylor
In this January 24, 1944, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes novelist Elizabeth Janeway and composer and music critic Deems Taylor to join regulars John Kieran and Franklin P. Adams. The panel dives into a rich mix of literature, music, history, and natural science,...
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June 21, 1943: Combined Operations and British Wit with Hilary St. George Saunders
In this June 21, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts a spirited panel including Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, Oscar Levant, and special guest Hilary St. George Saunders, the British author and co-writer of Combined Operations. The panel engages in a lively transatlantic...
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February 12, 1945: Ghosts, Games, and Gags with Faith Baldwin and Fred Allen
In this February 12, 1945, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts regulars John Kieran and Franklin P. Adams, alongside two notable guests: best-selling novelist Faith Baldwin and beloved radio humorist Fred Allen. With Allen temporarily taking over as emcee mid-show, the episode...
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February 19, 1945: Masquerades and Mare’s Milk with Gregory Ratoff and John Gunther
In this February 19, 1945, episode of Information Please, quizmaster Clifton Fadiman leads the panel with regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, joined by two fascinating guests: foreign correspondent and author John Gunther, and Hollywood director-actor Gregory Ratoff. The conversation…
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December 24, 1945: Tides, Skulls, and Stage Murders with Boris Karloff
In this December 24, 1945, episode of Information Please, quizmaster Clifton Fadiman leads a spirited panel featuring regulars John Kieran and Franklin P. Adams, joined by distinguished editor and critic John Mason Brown and special guest Boris Karloff, the legendary actor known for his horror...
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March 27, 1942: Musical Muses and Presidential Firsts with Wallace R. Deuel
In this March 27, 1942, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman leads a dynamic panel including regulars Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant, joined by special guest Wallace R. Deuel, the esteemed journalist and foreign correspondent. The evening features spirited…
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January 30, 1948: Operatic Antics and Vocal Virtuosity with Lauritz Melchior and Helen Traubel
In this January 30, 1948, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes two of the most powerful voices in opera: Wagnerian greats Helen Traubel and Lauritz Melchior. Joining regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, the panel delivers a program brimming with musical insights,...
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July 23, 1940: Laughter and Lore with Fred Allen and Howard Lindsay
In this July 23, 1940, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes comedic radio genius Fred Allen and acclaimed playwright Howard Lindsay to the panel, alongside regulars John Kieran and Franklin P. Adams. The result is a fast-paced, hilariously unpredictable half-hour brimming...
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June 20, 1939: Political Insight and Comic Chaos with Gracie Allen and John Gunther
In this June 20, 1939, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes a dynamic and delightfully contrasting duo—famed journalist and author John Gunther and comedienne Gracie Allen. Joining regular panelists Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, the panel dives into trivia with a…
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January 10, 1944: Latin Lessons and Literary Allusions with John M. Coffey and Christopher Morley
In this January 10, 1944, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts a dynamic panel featuring regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, alongside special guests Congressman John M. Coffey and celebrated author and essayist Christopher Morley. The show brims with erudition and wit as...
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January 3rd, 1944: Literary Matchmaking and Animal Attacks with Louis Bromfield
In this January 3, 1944, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes a sharp-witted panel including Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, Oscar Levant, and special guest Louis Bromfield, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and conservationist. The discussion meanders through literary...
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December 27, 1943: Word Origins and Political Rivalries with Leon Henderson and Jan Struther
In this December 27, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman moderates a spirited session with panelists John Kieran, Franklin P. Adams, and special guests Leon Henderson, noted New Deal economist and former OPA head, and Jan Struther, poet and creator of “Mrs. Miniver.” The panel...
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December 20, 1943: Kentucky Wit and Literary Toolsheds with Jesse Stuart
In this December 20, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts the ever-engaging panel featuring Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, Oscar Levant, and special guest Jesse Stuart, celebrated author of Taps for Private Tussie. Hailing from Kentucky, Stuart brings homespun charm and...
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December 13, 1943: Exiles, Clocks, and Conferences with Quincy Howe & T. F. Tsiang
In this December 13, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman moderates regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran with two distinguished guests: news commentator Quincy Howe and diplomat-scholar T. F. Tsiang. The panel ricochets from literature to geopolitics—quoting Shakespeare and...
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December 6, 1943: Poets, Phrases, and Panel Sparks with Lewis Browne and Sinclair Lewis
In this December 6, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman presides over a lively panel featuring Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and special guests Lewis Browne and Nobel Prize–winning novelist Sinclair Lewis. Wit flies as the “friendly enemies” trade barbs and brainpower across...
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May 17, 1938: Stumping the Experts with Clifton Fadiman and Panel
Journey back to the golden age of radio with this lively episode of Information Please, aired on May 17, 1938. Hosted by the witty Clifton Fadiman, this quiz show flips the traditional format by allowing the public to quiz a panel of renowned experts, each one ready to field questions on topics...
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November 29, 1943: Pianistic Paraphrases and Poetic Duels with Arthur Rubinstein
In this November 29, 1943 episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts the familiar panel of Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant, joined by the eminent guest Artur Rubinstein, the celebrated concert pianist. Together, they mix sharp wit with high culture in a lively wartime...
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November 22, 1943: Broadway Wit and Wartime Trivia with Russell Crouse & Moss Hart
In this November 22, 1943 episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman quizzes regulars John Kieran and Franklin P. Adams alongside special guests Russell Crouse and Moss Hart—fresh from Broadway hits and wartime stages—for a brisk, funny hour of brainy parlor sport. Highlights include...
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October 18, 1943: Pittsburgh Pride and Literary Artists with Marcia Davenport
In this October 18, 1943, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes a distinguished panel featuring Franklin P. Adams, Oscar Levant, John Kieran, and special guest Marcia Davenport, acclaimed novelist and biographer. Broadcasting live from the Syria Mosque Theater in…
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June 7, 1943: Operatic Adventures and Epic Rides with Marcia Davenport and Deems Taylor
In this June 7, 1943, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman leads an entertaining panel featuring regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, joined by special guests Marcia Davenport, author of The Valley of Decision, and renowned composer and commentator Deems Taylor. The episode...
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May 10, 1943: Military Tunes and Myths with George Denny Jr.
In this May 10, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman leads a thoughtful and wide-ranging discussion with regular panelists Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, Oscar Levant, and special guest George V. Denny Jr., moderator of America’s Town Meeting of the Air. The episode is rich with...
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November 15, 1943: Rivers, Furs, and Literary Lovers with Gregory Ratoff
In this November 15, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman moderates a quick-witted and intellectually vibrant panel featuring Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, Oscar Levant, and returning guest Gregory Ratoff, the Russian-born Hollywood director and actor. Together, they tackle a…
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November 8, 1943: Senators and Symbolism with Joseph H. Ball and Lister Hill
In this November 8, 1943, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman is joined by regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, along with distinguished guests Senator Joseph H. Ball of Minnesota and Senator Lister Hill of Alabama. This unique session blends politics, poetry, and trivia as...
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November 1, 1943: From Brooklyn to Beanstalks with Betty Smith
In this November 1, 1943, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman is joined by the regular panelists—Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant—and welcomes special guest Betty Smith, acclaimed author of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Together, they engage in a spirited exchange of...
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October 25, 1943: Drama Critics Go Naval with John Mason Brown and Richard Lockridge
In this October 25, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts a spirited panel featuring Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and special Navy Day guests—Lieutenants John Mason Brown and Richard Lockridge, both former New York drama critics now serving in the U.S. Navy. The episode...
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October 11, 1943: Nature and Knowledge with Donald Culross Peattie and William Beebe
In this October 11, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman welcomes naturalist and author Donald Culross Peattie, alongside famed explorer and scientist Dr. William Beebe, as special guests. Joining regular panelists John Kieran and Franklin P. Adams, the experts tackle a wide range...
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October 4, 1943: World Series and Wordplay with Red Barber and Bill Stern
In this October 4, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman returns to New York after the bond tour and welcomes two legendary sports broadcasters—Red Barber, announcer of the World Series for Gillette, and Bill Stern, famed radio commentator—just in time for the Fall Classic. Regular...
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September 27, 1943: The Common Man and World Peace with James Fulbright and Henry Wallace
In this September 27, 1943, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman broadcasts from the stage of the Mosque Theatre in Newark, New Jersey, in the midst of a record-breaking war bond drive. The panel features Oscar Levant, Franklin P. Adams, and John Kieran, with distinguished guest...
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September 20, 1943: War Bonds and Wordplay with Clare Boothe Luce
In this September 20, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman leads the panel from the stage of Baltimore’s Lyric Theatre during a special war bond drive. The experts—John Kieran, Oscar Levant, and Franklin P. Adams—are joined by special guest Clare Boothe Luce, the renowned…
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September 13, 1943: Marcia Davenport and Deems Taylor
In this September 13, 1943, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman returns after the summer break with regular panelists John Kieran and Franklin P. Adams. Oscar Levant is away in Hollywood, but the panel is joined by special guests Marcia Davenport, acclaimed author of “The Valley…
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July 12, 1943: Colorful Quotations and Musical Cues with Jan Struther
In this July 12, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts the show from San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House, capping off a season of patriotic war bond tours. The panel includes regulars Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant, joined by the charming guest Jan...
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June 28, 1943: War Bonds and Literary Trivia with Walter Yust
In this June 28, 1943, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes an enthusiastic audience at the Civic Opera House in Chicago, where every attendee purchased a war bond for admission. The expert panel—Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant—is joined by special guest...
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June 21, 1943: Diplomatic Debates and Poetic Comparisons with Christopher Morley and C. Mildred Thompson
In this June 21, 1943, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes a dynamic panel including John Kieran, Franklin P. Adams, and guest experts Christopher Morley, the celebrated author, and Dr. C. Mildred Thompson, esteemed dean of Vassar College. Together, they tackle a broad...
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June 14, 1943: Combined Operations and Literary Laughs with Hilary St. George Saunders
In this June 14, 1943, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman welcomes Hilary St. George Saunders, the noted British author and co-creator of the pen names Francis Beeding and David Pilgrim. Saunders joins regular panelists Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant for a rich...
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May 31, 1943: Musical Mischief and Literary Journeys with Sir Thomas Beecham
In this May 31, 1943, episode of Information Please, host Clifton Fadiman leads a brilliant panel featuring Oscar Levant, Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and their distinguished guest, Sir Thomas Beecham—the celebrated conductor and author of A Mingled Chime. This lively session brims with...
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May 24, 1943: Stage and Shadows with Ethel Barrymore and Richard Maney
In this May 24, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman welcomes the distinguished Ethel Barrymore, star of The Corn Is Green, and theatrical publicist Richard Maney to join regulars John Kieran and Franklin P. Adams. The panel serves up literary wit, historical savvy, and theatrical...
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May 17, 1943: Monsters and Myths with Boris Karloff and Jan Struther
In this May 17, 1943, fifth-anniversary episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman leads a cross-continental session featuring panelists John Kieran and Franklin P. Adams in New York, while Jan Struther, author of Mrs. Miniver, and Boris Karloff, the master of movie monsters, join from a...
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April 26, 1943: Presidential Math and Peacock Alley with Leon Henderson
In this April 26, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman moderates from Cleveland, the fourth stop on the show’s war bond tour, where over $250 million in bonds have been raised. Regular panelists Franklin P. Adams, John Kieran, and Oscar Levant welcome back returning guest Leon...
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April 19, 1943: Ballparks and Battlefields with Ford Frick and Grantland Rice
In this April 19, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman hosts a sporty and spirited panel featuring regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, alongside two titans of the athletic world: Ford Frick, president of the National League, and Grantland Rice, legendary sportswriter and...
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April 12, 1943: Global Insights and American Wit with Wendell Willkie
In this April 12, 1943, episode of Information Please, the program broadcasts live from Bushnell Memorial Hall in Hartford, Connecticut, during a remarkable war bond drive that raised over $200 million. Clifton Fadiman presides over an enthusiastic panel featuring regulars John Kieran, Franklin…
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April 5, 1943: Courtships and Corsets with Cornelia Otis Skinner and Jan Struther
In this April 5, 1943, episode of Information Please, Clifton Fadiman returns to host a witty and vibrant panel with regulars Franklin P. Adams and John Kieran, joined by two sharp and entertaining guests: Cornelia Otis Skinner, actress and co-author of Our Hearts Were Young and Gay, and Jan...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Rediscover the wit and wisdom of Information Please!—the classic American radio quiz show that captivated audiences from 1938 to 1951. Hosted by the brilliant Clifton Fadiman, a former literary editor, this iconic show brought together an esteemed panel of experts, including Oscar Levant, Franklin P. Adams, and John Kieran, each known for their intellect and humor. Listeners submitted questions in hopes of stumping the quick-witted panel, and with celebrity guests like Groucho Marx and Orson Welles, each episode delivered a unique blend of knowledge and laughter.
From poetry and sports to music and history, Information Please! entertained with lively debates, clever puns, and spontaneous humor. Now re-broadcasted for a new generation, this show is perfect for trivia lovers, history buffs, and fans of vintage radio. Tune in and enjoy a true gem from radio’s golden age!
Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;
HOSTED BY
OTR.FM
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Information Please have?
Information Please currently has 181 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Information Please about?
Rediscover the wit and wisdom of Information Please!—the classic American radio quiz show that captivated audiences from 1938 to 1951. Hosted by the brilliant Clifton Fadiman, a former literary editor, this iconic show brought together an esteemed panel of experts, including Oscar Levant, Franklin...
How often does Information Please release new episodes?
Information Please publishes regularly with 181 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Information Please?
You can listen to Information Please on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Information Please?
Information Please is created and hosted by OTR.FM.
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