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Quiz about AZ of Classic British Childrens TV
Quiz about AZ of Classic British Childrens TV

A-Z of Classic British Children's T.V. Quiz


An alphabetical trip down memory lane to the classic children's British t.v. from the 1950s to 1990s. Identify the show in each instance.

A multiple-choice quiz by simon_templar. Estimated time: 6 mins.
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Time
6 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
260,473
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
25
Difficulty
Easy
Avg Score
20 / 25
Plays
3394
Awards
Top 5% quiz!
Last 3 plays: Hayes1953 (20/25), Guest 86 (6/25), Guest 77 (18/25).
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Question 1 of 25
1. Name the children's programme first broadcast in Britain in 1950.
The star of this show, from which it took its name, lived in a picnic basket and would play with Loobyloo and Teddy.
Hint


Question 2 of 25
2. A 1972 drama series featuring a horse. It was not an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Anne Sewell, but rather a continuation of that novel featuring some new characters. Doctor James Gordon is one example of such a character.
Hint


Question 3 of 25
3. A children's comedy/variety show first broadcast in 1955 and hosted by many "big" names of the day. These included Eamonn Andrews, Leslie Crowther, Stu Francis and Michael Aspel. A standard prize for game participants was a pencil. Hint


Question 4 of 25
4. A series, first broadcast in 1970, about seven children whose "den" was an abandoned red London bus in a scrap yard. Hint


Question 5 of 25
5. A five series programme, first broadcast in 1976, about a puppet bird and its master operating their own television company. Hint


Question 6 of 25
6. Set in the year 2062, Colonel Steve Zodiac piloted a space craft on behalf of the "World Space Patrol". The programme used the technique of "supermarionation" and was first broadcast in 1962. Hint


Question 7 of 25
7. Zany themed comedy series, first broadcast in 1970 and featuring three men who travelled by a 3-seater bicycle known as a "trandem" who also lived together. The team also put 5 novelty singles into the British charts which included "The Funky Gibbon" and "The Inbetweenies". Hint


Question 8 of 25
8. This set of five cartoon series, first broadcast in 1982, is about the adventures of a laid back, daydreaming yellow cat that lives in a cottage in the countryside. He numbers amongst his friends Chris Rabbit, Pansy Pig, Denise Duck and Ted Tortoise. Enemies include Farmer Giles and Constable Bulldog. Hint


Question 9 of 25
9. An animated series, first broadcast in 1959, about a green locomotive owned by the Merioneth and LLantisilly Rail Traction Company in Wales whose dream was to sing with the Grumbley and District choral Society. Hint


Question 10 of 25
10. Children were read a story from a famous children's novel by well known celebrities who were sat comfortably in an arm chair. This long running series was first broadcast in 1965. Hint


Question 11 of 25
11. Children would go motor cycle racing over obstacle courses, hurdles and barriers. Peter Purves was the genial host of this programme which was first broadcast in 1980. Hint


Question 12 of 25
12. Ventriloquist Terry Hall presented his animal dummy made from fox fur and papier-mâché with a golf ball for a nose. His first appearance on British t.v. was in 1957. Hint


Question 13 of 25
13. Animated programme, first broadcast in 1971, featuring a business gentleman in pin striped suit and bowler hat. He would enter a fancy dress shop in each episode and leave via a magic door at the back of the changing room to enjoy an adventure appropriate to his costume. Hint


Question 14 of 25
14. The star of this early animated serial, first broadcast in 1959 but re-created in 1982, was a Norse King who is married to Nooka. They have a son, Prince Knut.
Set in a land called "Northlands" a wicked uncle will stop at nothing to capture the crown.
Hint


Question 15 of 25
15. This studio jungle based show, first broadcast in 1982, would pit parent and child teams against one another to battle through swamps and gunge to win golden bananas. Hint


Question 16 of 25
16. The presenter of this zany puppet show, first broadcast in 1972, was former "Goon" Michael Bentine. He wrote the scripts, did the puppet voices and designed the myriad of little puppets that were the stars of the show. Hint


Question 17 of 25
17. Harmony is given a coin by her mysterious Uncle Ginger. When she rubs the coin she is granted ten wishes which inevitably lead to chaos from which only Uncle Ginger can save her. This programme was first broadcast in 1995. Hint


Question 18 of 25
18. This show, first broadcast in 1972, was a bi-weekly children's show intended to develop children's language and numeracy skills. It was conceived as a British equivalent of the American show "Sesame Street". Geoffrey was the main presenter supported especially by Zippy, George and Bungle. Hint


Question 19 of 25
19. A teenage caveman is found by children at the bottom of a quarry close to Barney's grandmother's house. Barney finds him when he falls through the roof of his den and they become friends. The first episode was broadcast in 1981. Hint


Question 20 of 25
20. This children's series, first aired in 1984, told the tale of alien 'Masters' who travel the Earth in giant metal machines enslaving the human race by 'capping' them. Hint


Question 21 of 25
21. Science fiction series, first broadcast in 1970, about the Supreme Headquarters Alien Defence Organisation (S.H.A.D.O.) headed by Ed Straker. S.H.A.D.O. operates under the cover of a movie studio to battle aliens intent on capturing humans for involuntary organ donation for the benefit of their own species? Hint


Question 22 of 25
22. This animated series, first aired in 1991, featured two bungling French criminals and their English based business, "Naughtiness International". They could be hired by other villains to steal anything. Victor would come up with a meticulous plan which would be botched by Hugo.
Hint


Question 23 of 25
23. The stars of this show, first broadcast in 1955, was a puppet farming family that included Daddy, Mummy, Jenny, Willy and Baby and not forgetting Spotty Dog and Mrs. Scrubbitt. Hint


Question 24 of 25
24. This semi-educational pre-school programme first aired in 1974 and ran for 21 years. It was presented by several celebrities such as Jeni Barnett, Harry Towb, Gary Wilmott and Liz Smith. They were assisted initially by Crow and Alice the dormouse until they were fired in favour of Duncan the Dragon, and later Cosmo and Dibs. Hint


Question 25 of 25
25. This series was first broadcast in 1974 and was about four World War II resistance fighters who reunite 30 years later to scam con-artists and use the money to help good causes. A modern day Robin Hood if you like. Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 19 2024 : Hayes1953: 20/25
Mar 11 2024 : Guest 86: 6/25
Mar 06 2024 : Guest 77: 18/25
Mar 05 2024 : Guest 109: 9/25
Feb 29 2024 : Guest 82: 22/25
Feb 27 2024 : Guest 1: 16/25
Feb 22 2024 : Guest 2: 17/25
Feb 22 2024 : Guest 35: 20/25
Feb 21 2024 : jogreen: 23/25

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Name the children's programme first broadcast in Britain in 1950. The star of this show, from which it took its name, lived in a picnic basket and would play with Loobyloo and Teddy.

Answer: "Andy Pandy"

In 1950, twenty six episodes of "Andy Pandy" were made and repeated time and time again. In 1970, thirteen fresh episodes were made, this time in colour. They formed part of the "Watch with Mother" series of children's programmes.
2. A 1972 drama series featuring a horse. It was not an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Anne Sewell, but rather a continuation of that novel featuring some new characters. Doctor James Gordon is one example of such a character.

Answer: "Black Beauty"

Two series of "Black Beauty" were made between 1972 and 1974 based on the novel of the same name by Anne Sewell. The theme tune "Galloping Home" was released in 1974 and reached number 34 in the British charts.
3. A children's comedy/variety show first broadcast in 1955 and hosted by many "big" names of the day. These included Eamonn Andrews, Leslie Crowther, Stu Francis and Michael Aspel. A standard prize for game participants was a pencil.

Answer: "Crackerjack"

"Crackerjack" ran from 1955 to 1984.It would begin by the announcement; "It's Friday, it's five o'clock ...it's Crackerjack!"
Whenever the word "Crackerjack" was mentioned in the show the whole audience would shout "Crackerjack!" loudly.
The format was a sequence of competitive games for teams of children drawn from the audience, a music spot, a comedy routine and finally a short comedy play which would incorporate adapted popular tunes of the day.
4. A series, first broadcast in 1970, about seven children whose "den" was an abandoned red London bus in a scrap yard.

Answer: "Double Deckers"

The Double-Deckers was a then rare collaboration between the B.B.C. and 20th Century Fox between 1970-1971.
At the time the only known artiste was Melvyn Hayes playing Albert the Street Cleaner.
A very young Peter Firth played the role of the gang's leader, "Scooper". Peter went on to a very successful film career; "The Hunt for Red October", "Pearl Harbour", "Spooks" etc.
5. A five series programme, first broadcast in 1976, about a puppet bird and its master operating their own television company.

Answer: "Emu's Broadcasting Company"

Rod Hull and the anarchic puppet Emu were a notorious ventriloquist double act during the 1970s and made five series of "Emu's Broadcasting Company" between 1976 and 1980.
Perhaps their most famous t.v. appearance was on the Michael Parkinson chat show when Emu attacked Parkinson repeatedly causing fellow guest star Billy Connolly to threaten, "If that bird comes near me I'll break its neck and your arm".
Emu also ate the Queen Mother's bouquet of flowers at a Royal Variety performance in 1972.
Rod Hull died in 1999 when he fell off his roof whilst trying to fix his t.v. aerial so that he could watch an Inter Milan versus Manchester United football match.
6. Set in the year 2062, Colonel Steve Zodiac piloted a space craft on behalf of the "World Space Patrol". The programme used the technique of "supermarionation" and was first broadcast in 1962.

Answer: "Fireball XL5"

Thirty-nine episodes of "Fireball XL5" were produced between 1962 and 1963 by the Gerry and Sylvia Anderson stable. The craft would take off from "Space City" along a mile long track. Aboard would be Colonel Steve Zodiac, co-pilot Robert the Robot, the glamorous Dr. Venus and Professor Matthew Matic. Dr. Venus would often bring along her pet, Zoonie the Lazoon, a lazy monkey like creature with telepathic powers who came from the planet Colevio.
7. Zany themed comedy series, first broadcast in 1970 and featuring three men who travelled by a 3-seater bicycle known as a "trandem" who also lived together. The team also put 5 novelty singles into the British charts which included "The Funky Gibbon" and "The Inbetweenies".

Answer: "Goodies"

Seventy episodes of "The Goodies" were made between 1970 and 1982. They featured Bill Oddie, Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor all of which met at the Cambridge University Footlights Club. Whilst there they met with fellow students John Cleese, Graham Chapman and Eric Idle who went on to form "Monty Python."
Indeed John Cleese worked with the three "Goodies" between 1964 and 1973 on the hit radio comedy series for the B.B.C. "I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again."
8. This set of five cartoon series, first broadcast in 1982, is about the adventures of a laid back, daydreaming yellow cat that lives in a cottage in the countryside. He numbers amongst his friends Chris Rabbit, Pansy Pig, Denise Duck and Ted Tortoise. Enemies include Farmer Giles and Constable Bulldog.

Answer: "Henry's Cat"

Fifty one episodes of "Henry's Cat" were made between 1982 and 1993. Each episode would cover one of his daydreams in which he would fulfil ambitions and fantasies. Henry himself is never seen in any episode.
9. An animated series, first broadcast in 1959, about a green locomotive owned by the Merioneth and LLantisilly Rail Traction Company in Wales whose dream was to sing with the Grumbley and District choral Society.

Answer: "Ivor the Engine"

"Ivor the Engine" was an animated programme using water coloured painted cardboard cut-outs. Originally made in black and white in 1959 it was revamped in colour in 1975. The sound effects were equally low calibre with human puffing noises and three notes from a bassoon for his whistle.
Edwin Jones was his driver and Dai Station the fussy station master at Llaniog.
10. Children were read a story from a famous children's novel by well known celebrities who were sat comfortably in an arm chair. This long running series was first broadcast in 1965.

Answer: "Jackanory"

Between 1965 and 1996 "Jackanory" delivered over 3,500 episodes. Designed to stimulate reading by young children, this B.B.C. classic featured readings by some very big stars of the day. These included Peter Sellers, Joanna Lumley, Bernard Cribbins and even Prince Charles who read his own composition "The Old Man of Lochnagar".
11. Children would go motor cycle racing over obstacle courses, hurdles and barriers. Peter Purves was the genial host of this programme which was first broadcast in 1980.

Answer: "Junior Kick Start"

The more adult version of "Kick Start" ran from 1979 to 1988. The junior version I refer to was from 1980 to 1992. The original host Dave Lee Travis was replaced by the more permanent Peter Purves of "Blue Peter" fame.
I shall never forget the sight of an entire St. John's Ambulance team falling en masse down a hill to reach an injured competitor.
12. Ventriloquist Terry Hall presented his animal dummy made from fox fur and papier-mâché with a golf ball for a nose. His first appearance on British t.v. was in 1957.

Answer: "Lenny the Lion Show"

Created by ventriloquist Terry Hall "Lenny the Lion" appeared in three versions of his own show;
1957 - 1960 "Lenny the Lion" show
1959 - 1961 "Lenny's Den"
1962 - 1962 "Pops and Lenny"
A sign of just how big Terry Hall was is demonstrated by the fact that he had "The Beatles" appear on his show in 1963 and he himself appeared on the influential "Ed Sullivan" show in America in 1958.
13. Animated programme, first broadcast in 1971, featuring a business gentleman in pin striped suit and bowler hat. He would enter a fancy dress shop in each episode and leave via a magic door at the back of the changing room to enjoy an adventure appropriate to his costume.

Answer: "Mister Benn"

There were thirteen episodes of Mr. "Benn" released between 1971 and 1972. Created by David Mc'Kee and narrated by Ray Brookes these shows became cult viewing in Britain.
Each adventure ended with Mr. Benn returning to his business life but with a small souvenir of his adventure in his pocket. Invariably there was a moral to each story.
14. The star of this early animated serial, first broadcast in 1959 but re-created in 1982, was a Norse King who is married to Nooka. They have a son, Prince Knut. Set in a land called "Northlands" a wicked uncle will stop at nothing to capture the crown.

Answer: "Noggin the Nog"

"Noggin the Nog" was an animated cartoon featuring the good king of the title. His wicked uncle "Nogbad", who lives in the dilapidated Black Castle across the valley, wanted the crown of Northlands for himself.
Thirty episodes were shown between 1959 and 1965 and five fresh ones were created in 1982. All were just 5 minutes long.
15. This studio jungle based show, first broadcast in 1982, would pit parent and child teams against one another to battle through swamps and gunge to win golden bananas.

Answer: "On Safari"

The children would be spurred on by professional pantomime dame Christopher Biggins and Gillian Taylforth who was later to be better known as Kathy from "Eastenders".
The excitement was increased to near fever pitch when Mr. Biggins would shout "on safari!" to which the audience would reply by shouting "so goody!"
Game rounds would include a trail of stepping stones across a gunge pool. There would be four routes and three of the final stones would be wobbly so dumping parent and child into the gunge.
Another round included four giant venus fly trap plants. Three of these would not release a jewel inside it and would instead gobble up the child contestant.
16. The presenter of this zany puppet show, first broadcast in 1972, was former "Goon" Michael Bentine. He wrote the scripts, did the puppet voices and designed the myriad of little puppets that were the stars of the show.

Answer: "Potty Time"

"Potty Time" ran from 1972 to 1980 and was a bizarre and zany puppet based show created and hosted by former Goon, Michael Bentine. He brought much of the 1950s B.B.C. Radio "Goon Show" humour to these productions.
Mr. Bentine died from prostate cancer in 1995.
17. Harmony is given a coin by her mysterious Uncle Ginger. When she rubs the coin she is granted ten wishes which inevitably lead to chaos from which only Uncle Ginger can save her. This programme was first broadcast in 1995.

Answer: "Queen's Nose"

Harmony Parker, played by Victoria Shalet, was given a 50p coin and it was the "Queen's Nose" that she rubbed to allow her ten wishes. Nerys Hughes ("Liver Birds") and Paula Wilcox ("Man About The House") featured. The five series spanned 1995 to 2000.
18. This show, first broadcast in 1972, was a bi-weekly children's show intended to develop children's language and numeracy skills. It was conceived as a British equivalent of the American show "Sesame Street". Geoffrey was the main presenter supported especially by Zippy, George and Bungle.

Answer: "Rainbow"

Produced on I.T.V. between 1972 and 1992, each episode of "Rainbow" revolved around a particular activity or situation in the Rainbow House, where all the characters lived. It would usually involve a squabble between the show characters with Geoffrey resolving the dispute by explaining the solutions.
Rod, Jane and Freddy were generally the musical trio that would introduce and perform the songs.
19. A teenage caveman is found by children at the bottom of a quarry close to Barney's grandmother's house. Barney finds him when he falls through the roof of his den and they become friends. The first episode was broadcast in 1981.

Answer: "Stig of the Dump"

"Stig of the Dump" was based on a novel by Clive King, published in 1963. It was a set of 10 episodes. It was re-made by the B.B.C. in 2002.
20. This children's series, first aired in 1984, told the tale of alien 'Masters' who travel the Earth in giant metal machines enslaving the human race by 'capping' them.

Answer: "Tripods"

Shown in 1984 - 1985, "Tripods" centred on a young man called Will and his battle against marauding alien tripods. Unfortunately, despite a lavish budget and electronic wizardry for the day actual tripods rarely featured in the production which was shelved after the second of three intended series. Amazingly it was intended as a replacement for the "Doctor Who" series.
21. Science fiction series, first broadcast in 1970, about the Supreme Headquarters Alien Defence Organisation (S.H.A.D.O.) headed by Ed Straker. S.H.A.D.O. operates under the cover of a movie studio to battle aliens intent on capturing humans for involuntary organ donation for the benefit of their own species?

Answer: "U.F.O."

1970 - 1971. Ed Bishop played the lead role of Ed Straker in "U.F.O." The studios that the storyline used for the cover headquarters of S.H.A.D.O. was in fact the M.G.M. British studios at which the series was made. Unusual for such series there were few happy endings to episodes.
22. This animated series, first aired in 1991, featured two bungling French criminals and their English based business, "Naughtiness International". They could be hired by other villains to steal anything. Victor would come up with a meticulous plan which would be botched by Hugo.

Answer: "Victor and Hugo, Bunglers in Crime"

This show ran for 30 episodes in 1991-1992. Victor and Hugo had a parrot with attitude called "Interpoll" who lived in their van and spoke the voice of reason in a broad cockney accent. This parrot was voiced by none other than David Jason.
23. The stars of this show, first broadcast in 1955, was a puppet farming family that included Daddy, Mummy, Jenny, Willy and Baby and not forgetting Spotty Dog and Mrs. Scrubbitt.

Answer: "Woodentops"

1955-1957. "The Woodentops" was another from the "Watch with Mother" stable. Other stars of this cult show were Sam the handyman and Buttercup the cow.
Spotty dog was allegedly "the biggest spottiest dog you ever did see".
The puppets were stolen in 1983 along with "Bill and Ben" but were recovered a year later when a member of the "Blue Peter" production team spotted them on a shelf at Phillip's Auction Rooms, London.
24. This semi-educational pre-school programme first aired in 1974 and ran for 21 years. It was presented by several celebrities such as Jeni Barnett, Harry Towb, Gary Wilmott and Liz Smith. They were assisted initially by Crow and Alice the dormouse until they were fired in favour of Duncan the Dragon, and later Cosmo and Dibs.

Answer: "You and Me"

"You and Me" was a semi-educational programme for pre-school children and ran from 1974 to 1995. Originally a 15 minute show it was reduced to just five minutes before closing down altogether for no apparent reason.
25. This series was first broadcast in 1974 and was about four World War II resistance fighters who reunite 30 years later to scam con-artists and use the money to help good causes. A modern day Robin Hood if you like.

Answer: "Zoo Gang"

Six one hour episodes of "Zoo Gang" were made in 1974. Our four heroes were played by Barry Morse, Lilli Palmer, Brian Keith and Sir John Mills no less. Sir John's sister Annette was the star of the classic "Muffin the Mule".
Source: Author simon_templar

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ladymacb29 before going online.
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