Just curious. with respect to shows that involved “punking” people what was the first TV show to do this? Was there anyone before Candid Camera that did this?
Other than the occasional dramatic series like Welles “War of the Worlds” did any radio shows do this?
“Candid Microphone” was on the radio a few years before they added the camera.
But I can’t think of any previous prank shows right now.
A couple of “Burns and Allen” radio shows from the very late 30s spoofed similar things. So it had to be on radio in the 30s if “Burns and Allen” were making light of it.
I recall Gracie, “She’s been a good sport now George, give the lady a box of Mars Bars” 
The radio version of “Truth or Consequences” came before “Candid Microphone (Camera)” in terms of shows that fooled people for amusement. I’m fairly sure the Gracie Allen line Markxxx mentions is a TOC reference.