MovieChat Forums > Quiz Show (1994) Discussion > Why didn't Stempel just take the money a...

Why didn't Stempel just take the money and run?

posted 11 years ago by d_henderson1810
2 replies | jump to latest

If Herb Stempel knew that they would make him take a dive, why didn't he just retire from the show instead the next episode?

This way, he would have kept his winnings, and wouldn't have to humiliate himself. The money he made was a lot more than he had seen, and he would have still had his pride and integrity.

Also, the producers win, because they would have got Stempel off the show anyway, and then could work to have Van Doren on, without having to worry about Stempel.

[–] IMDB_Vits 11 years ago

There's a scene where STEMPEL and ENRIGHT are talking, and the former mentions that he "Already has spent all the money". Because of his economic status, he had a lot of bills to pay and didn't have anything left for himself. And money can go away quicker than it seems.

Also (and this is just speculation), while VAN DOREN playing gave the show publicity, I think the producers knew there would be even more publicity thanks to him defeating the current champion.

[–] Hoffman31 10 years ago

Stempel trusted the wrong person who took the money and ran.

It is the conversation where Enright says, "You gave your money to a bookie..."