Ralph Edwards Showed Up for 50 Years. Here’s Why.

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES—Radio and TV star Ralph Edwards was the hit of Truth or Consequences when he first started coming to T or C, previously known as Hot Springs, in 1950.  It was part of a promotion he dreamed up.  He said he would broadcast an episode of his hit radio show named Truth or Consequences from the first town that voted to change its name to that of his show.  Well Hot Springs, New Mexico in a vote that wasn’t even close (1294 to 295), changed its name overnight.

Starting in 1950, Ralph Edwards visited T or C the first week in May for the next 50 years.  He was the headliner of the Truth or Consequences Fiesta and its parade until the year 2000. He was 87 years old when he stopped coming.  Not only that, he brought other media stars with him.  I heard that Jayne Mansfield was in the parade one year.

The Geronimo Springs Museum in T or C has a 1953 picture of Milburn Stone and Amanda Blake riding in the parade in a horse-drawn buggy.  For those of you who are somewhat age-deficient, they starred in the TV show Gunsmoke as Doc and Kitty.

The town responded to Ralph Edwards in a big way.  They named both their auditorium and city park after him.  It really was kind of a love affair.  Ralph Edwards always had a love of the common people, and demonstrated it in his various radio and TV shows.

The show Truth or Consequences featured ordinary people who were asked tricky questions and if they couldn’t come up with the right answer, had to do silly things:  truth or consequences.  Another show of his was “This Is Your Life.”  It used celebrities as well as everyday people in sometimes tear-jerking vignettes as it followed the guests through the ups and downs of life.

Another TV show of the Ralph Edwards production company was one you probably do remember:  The People’s Court, featuring Judge Joseph A. Wapner.  Talk about featuring just ordinary people, what celebrity would want to have to defend their actions in front of that judge?

Well, I’m convinced that it was the ordinary people of Truth or Consequences that kept Ralph Edwards coming back every year.  The first week of May belonged to the citizens of T or C.  It was their fiesta, their rodeo, their parade, their shining and somewhat quirky personalities that kept T or C on his calendar.

And that part hasn’t changed a bit.  I know…I was there for the parade this year.  The friendliness of everybody brought huge smiles to our faces.  My wife and I stayed at the Ralph Edwards Park for most of the afternoon just enchanted by the people we met.

The faces shown in these photos are the faces of our people.  These aren’t advertisers’ models–these are the real thing.  There is a beauty and honesty in their eyes that will keep Truth or Consequences sweet in our memories, just like it did Ralph Edwards.  And just like that grand old man of radio and TV, we will forever think of T or C the first week of May.