Question 1

True or false: Louis Rukeyser was the original host of the TV show "Wall Street Week."

Accepted Answer

True. He hosted the show from its debut in 1970 until 2002, becoming a beloved figure in financial journalism.

Question 2

True or false: His last name is pronounced "ROOK-ee-zur."

Accepted Answer

False. The correct pronunciation is "ROOK-eye-zur," with a long 'i' sound, as he often clarified on air.

Question 3

True or false: He was a Rhodes Scholar who studied at Oxford University.

Accepted Answer

True. Rukeyser earned a Rhodes Scholarship and studied philosophy, politics, and economics at Oxford.

Question 4

True or false: Louis Rukeyser was forced off his own show due to declining ratings.

Accepted Answer

False. He was fired by PBS in 2002 after a ratings dispute, but the show had strong viewership; his dismissal sparked public outcry.

Question 5

True or false: He began his career as a stockbroker on Wall Street.

Accepted Answer

False. Rukeyser was a journalist and writer, not a stockbroker. He started as a reporter for the Baltimore Sun.

Question 6

True or false: Rukeyser famously predicted the 1987 stock market crash on live television.

Accepted Answer

True. He warned viewers two weeks before Black Monday in October 1987, citing overvaluation and technical signals.

Question 7

True or false: Rukeyser never appeared on any other TV network besides PBS.

Accepted Answer

False. He hosted a syndicated radio show and appeared on CNBC, ABC, and other networks after leaving PBS.

Question 8

True or false: Rukeyser once interviewed Warren Buffett in costume as a chicken.

Accepted Answer

True. On a 1976 episode, Rukeyser donned a chicken suit to humorously question Buffett about market volatility.

Louis Rukeyser Trivia Questions