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Quiz about A Variety of Early Television Variety Shows
Quiz about A Variety of Early Television Variety Shows

A Variety of Early Television Variety Shows Quiz


Between 1948 and 1965 a number of variety shows began, some of which lasted several years. How many of these shows, classified as "variety," do you remember?

A multiple-choice quiz by lowtechmaster. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
378,530
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
1056
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 66 (9/10), Guest 68 (8/10), Guest 174 (8/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. This popular show ran from 1965 to 1974, some 264 episodes. Its theme song was "Everybody Loves Somebody." Which show was it? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. The first late-night (not prime time) variety series aired weeknights, 11:00 pm until midnight, from May 1950 until August 1951. The prototype for such late-night shows as "The Tonight Show," it was hosted primarily by Jerry Lester. Which show was it? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. The first prime time variety series starred "Mr. Television", Uncle Miltie. Which one was it? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. On February 25, 1950, a 90 minute live variety show made its debut on NBC. It starred Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca. What was its name? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. This musical variety show featured an icon of American show business. It debuted in September, 1963, opposite "Bonanza", and never caught on with audiences. The star, who had battled substance abuse problems for years, also had severe financial problems. And, the show had significant production difficulties. Which show was it? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. This variety program ran from 1962-1967, and then from 1969-1971 on NBC. Its star host was an extremely popular American singer who had 27 Billboard Top 40 hits between 1956 and 1972, including his only number one hit "Butterfly" in 1957 and the popular "Can't Get Used To Losing You" (number two in 1963). Which show was it? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. This show, that began in 1952, featured such characters as The Poor Soul and Ralph Cramden. Which program was it? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. This show began in 1948 as "The Toast Of The Town." It was, arguably, the most recognized and watched variety show for over twenty years. It was a "really big show"! Which program was it? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. This very popular variety show ran from 1951-1971. It featured a comedian who usually ended the show with "Good night and God bless." Which program was it? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. An iconic variety show from 1967-1978, the program won 25 prime-time Emmy awards and included in the cast Tim Conway, Vicki Lawrence, and Lyle Waggoner. Which program was it? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 27 2024 : Guest 66: 9/10
Mar 26 2024 : Guest 68: 8/10
Mar 25 2024 : Guest 174: 8/10
Mar 25 2024 : Guest 174: 8/10
Mar 24 2024 : Guest 35: 8/10
Mar 23 2024 : Guest 24: 6/10
Mar 18 2024 : Guest 124: 4/10
Mar 17 2024 : Guest 15: 9/10
Mar 17 2024 : Guest 24: 9/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. This popular show ran from 1965 to 1974, some 264 episodes. Its theme song was "Everybody Loves Somebody." Which show was it?

Answer: The Dean Martin Variety Show

"Everybody Loves Somebody" was a Billboard Top 40 number one hit for Dean Martin in 1964 (who had 17 Top 40 Hits between 1955 and 1967, including "Memories Are Made of This," number one in 1955). Guests on his variety show included Frank Sinatra, Liberace, Dom DeLuise, Rodney Dangerfield, Les Brown, Kay Medford, and Tom Bosley.

After the show was cancelled, a series of "Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts" was produced from 1974 to 1984.
2. The first late-night (not prime time) variety series aired weeknights, 11:00 pm until midnight, from May 1950 until August 1951. The prototype for such late-night shows as "The Tonight Show," it was hosted primarily by Jerry Lester. Which show was it?

Answer: Broadway Open House

"Broadway Open House" featured Lester, Barbara Nichols, the vocal group The Meadowlarks, and Dagmar, who eventually took over as host from Lester, appeared on many other shows such as "Colgate Comedy Hour," had her own show "Dagmar's Canteen," and emerged as the first major female star on television. Guests on "Broadway Open House" included Lenny Bruce and Charlie Parker.
3. The first prime time variety series starred "Mr. Television", Uncle Miltie. Which one was it?

Answer: Texaco Star Theater

"Texaco Star Theater," the adaptation of a successful radio show under several names from 1938-1949, was telecast from 1948-1956. It was extremely successful, and is generally credited driving American sales of television sets and forming regular viewing habits of audiences.

Although Berle himself was undeniably the star and driving force, the show also had, at various times, Fatso Marc, Bobby Sherwood, Ruth Gilbert, Arnold Stang, Jackie Collins, and Milton Frome.
4. On February 25, 1950, a 90 minute live variety show made its debut on NBC. It starred Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca. What was its name?

Answer: Your Show of Shows

"Your Show Of Shows" ran through June 5, 1954. It also featured Carl Reiner, Howard Morris, Judy Johnson, The Hamilton Trio, Bill Hayes, and Marguerite Piazza. Jose Ferrer was a frequent guest. Sketches (such as Caesar portraying a befuddled person trying to cope with existence, Coca playing a passion-ridden torch singer, or both exploring the marital problems of Doris and Charles Hickenlooper), were written by such authors as Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, Mel Tolkin, and Carl Reiner.
5. This musical variety show featured an icon of American show business. It debuted in September, 1963, opposite "Bonanza", and never caught on with audiences. The star, who had battled substance abuse problems for years, also had severe financial problems. And, the show had significant production difficulties. Which show was it?

Answer: The Judy Garland Show

"The Judy Garland Show" managed to complete 26 episodes through March 29, 1964, and then was cancelled. During its run, the guests were top talent, including Mickey Rooney, Count Basie, Donald O'Connor, Barbra Streisand, Rich Little, Vic Damone, Liza Minnelli, and the Smothers Brothers. Apart from facing "Bonanza," the show failed far more because of the production problems and the format, than because of the star and guests.
6. This variety program ran from 1962-1967, and then from 1969-1971 on NBC. Its star host was an extremely popular American singer who had 27 Billboard Top 40 hits between 1956 and 1972, including his only number one hit "Butterfly" in 1957 and the popular "Can't Get Used To Losing You" (number two in 1963). Which show was it?

Answer: The Andy Williams Show

"The Andy Williams Show" was a true variety show. It not only had as guests Bobby Darin, The Osmond Brothers, The Lennon Sisters, and The New Christy Minstrels, it also offered such performers as Jack Benny, Wally Cox, Bette Davis, Bob Hope, Flip Wilson, Phyllis Diller, and Jonathan Winters.
7. This show, that began in 1952, featured such characters as The Poor Soul and Ralph Cramden. Which program was it?

Answer: The Jackie Gleason Show

"The Jackie Gleason Show" was aired from 1952 to 1957, first on DuMont, then on CBS. It featured the June Taylor Dancers, and other characters by Gleason including the playboy Reginald Van Gleason III, the braggart Charlie Bratten, and the bombastic Rudy the Repairman.

The show is primarily known for "The Honeymooners" that featured Gleason as Ralph Cramden, a bus driver, Audrey Meadows as his wife Alice, Art Carney, a sewer worker, as his neighbor Ed Norton, and Joyce Randolph as Norton's wife Trixie.
8. This show began in 1948 as "The Toast Of The Town." It was, arguably, the most recognized and watched variety show for over twenty years. It was a "really big show"! Which program was it?

Answer: The Ed Sullivan Show

"The Ed Sullivan Show" presented about every form of entertainment: opera singers, circus acts, comedians, ballet dancers, puppets, and vaudeville acts. It also broadcast the initial public television performances of Itzhak Perlman, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and The Supremes.
9. This very popular variety show ran from 1951-1971. It featured a comedian who usually ended the show with "Good night and God bless." Which program was it?

Answer: The Red Skelton Show

"The Red Skelton Show" centered on comedy sketches involving characters created by Skelton, including: Deadeye, an inept old west sheriff; Freddie the Freeloader, a bum who cared for others; Cauliflower McPugg, a punch drunk former boxer; and Clem Kadiddlehopper, a country bumpkin. Guests included Jack Benny, John Wayne, Amanda Blake, George Raft, Carol Channing, The Rolling Stones, and The Supremes.
10. An iconic variety show from 1967-1978, the program won 25 prime-time Emmy awards and included in the cast Tim Conway, Vicki Lawrence, and Lyle Waggoner. Which program was it?

Answer: The Carol Burnett Show

"The Carol Burnett Show" produced 287 episodes, and led to the spin-offs "Carol Burnett and Company," "Eunice," and "Mama's Family." It also featured Harvey Korman. The show parodied several famous shows such as: "As The Stomach Turns" ("As The World Turns"); and "Went With The Wind" ("Gone With The Wind").
Source: Author lowtechmaster

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Gamemaster1967 before going online.
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This quiz is part of series Radio & TV Mix:

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  3. Early Television Shows Hosted By Singers Average
  4. A Variety of Early Television Variety Shows Average
  5. TV Stars Alter-Egos Average

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