“Face the Nation” by the numbers
On the inaugural episode of “Face the Nation”, 65 years ago, the first guest to join the round table was then-Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy, who was embroiled in his own national controversy — facing censure by the U.S. Senate for his controversial behavior in leading the charge in exposing alleged Communist sympathizers and espionage among the highest ranks of Washington leadership.
Ted Koop, Washington news director for CBS, was the program’s first host of the program that broadcast.
Well over 5,000 “Face the Nation” broadcasts have followed since that monumental show, featuring more than 8,000 guests and counting
Here’s a closer look at the historic show by the numbers:
10: Moderators
- Number of moderators that have served in the host’s chair: Bill Shadel, Stuart Novins, Howard K. Smith, Paul Niven, Martin Agronsky, George Herman, Lesley Stahl, Bob Schieffer, John Dickerson, and Margaret Brennan
112: Record number of appearances
- Number of the most appearances by a single guest on the show, a record held by Former Senator John McCain
1954: Premiere year
- The year “Face the Nation” premiered with its first guest: Former Senator Joseph McCarthy
8: Longest running show rank
- “Face the Nation” ranks as the 8th-longest running show in television history
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