A quiz show displaced the top sitcom within weeks through suspenseful human drama

Evidence

Within weeks of its debut, the show knocked I Love Lucy out of first place. Such a sudden and staggering seizure of the public mind warrants closer examination. The opening shot panned the audience of ordinary-looking people, and then zoomed in on one face. Over a drum roll, the announcer said, “Our brush salesman from the Bronx, Wilton Jay Singer, who answered his 8,000 question. He's back to tell us whether he'll take his 8,000 or try for 16,000. On his march to the 64,000 question!” — Tim Wu, The Attention Merchants, 481