Queen for a Day

The premise was that women would come out and explain the trials and tribulations of their lives, hoping to be judged the most pathetic of that day's contestants and therefore the winner of the prizes.

Judging was done by an "Applause Meter" which registered the amount of noise the audience made. Host Jack Bailey would hold his hand over the head of the wretched soul and the Applause Meter would pick a winner.

The show just may have been the very first "Reality Show". Each show the less-than-worthy were voted off by the audience.

The prizes ranged anywhere from a new stove to a mink stole. The two women who were deemed not to be the worst of the group would go home either empty handed or with a box of Creamettes macaroni (which may actually have been a more practical prize than the mink!)

The winner was also given a crown and a bouquet of roses.

The show's popularity can be attributed to the good feeling some people get when we find out someone is worse off then us. However, they also felt like they were helping the woman "better herself" so there was no need to feel guilty about reveling in her misery.

The show aired live at a theater/restaurant on Sunset and Vine in Hollywood. In addition to crowning a Queen, Jeanne Cagney (sister of the famed actor James Cagney) provided fashion commentary.

Most likely, today's woman would not want to be the winner of the then coveted title. We would rather compete in shows like Survivor or The Apprentice and show people how strong and savvy we are rather than how helpless/hopeless.

We really have come a long way.