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Quiz about African American Stars Of 60s and 70s TV
Quiz about African American Stars Of 60s and 70s TV

African American Stars Of '60s and '70s TV Quiz


Growing up in an interracial family, I was always keenly aware of the presence of African American actors on TV. This quiz recognizes some of the African American actors whose appearances on television inspired me during my youth.

A multiple-choice quiz by gretas. Estimated time: 6 mins.
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Author
gretas
Time
6 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
185,138
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
4695
Awards
Top 5% quiz!
Last 3 plays: Guest 216 (9/10), Guest 97 (9/10), Guest 68 (7/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. "Uhura", the comely communications officer on the original "Star Trek" series, was played by Nichelle Nichols, a former singer and dancer who once performed with Duke Ellington. Apart from the fact that she was one of the few African American actresses then being featured in a regular role on prime time television, what else did Ms. Nichols do while on "Star Trek" that earned her a place in TV history? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. In the 1960s, television was far from a progressive medium. However, there were a few shows that sought to portray African American characters in a positive light. One such show was "Julia", which starred Diahann Carrol as the self-supporting widowed mother of a young son. What was Julia's profession on the show that bore her name? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Most diehard fans of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" know that the show's longest audience laugh occured during the episode in which Rob becomes convinced that his and Laura's new baby was accidentally switched with another couple's baby at the hospital. The punchline comes when the other couple, who Rob has telephoned and informed of the "mistake", show up at the Petries' home and turn out to be African American. What future star of the classic TV suspense series, "Mission Impossible" played the father of the "switched baby"? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. "Get Christie Love" was a much-hyped police drama that appeared briefly on prime time TV in the early 1970's. Unfortunately, the show's star and its producers had a major falling out that could not be reconciled. Who played tough African American cop, Christie Love in this short-lived TV series? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. In the late 1960s, comedian Flip Wilson was a stand-out as the sole male African American host of a weekly prime time variety show. Among Mr. Wilson's most popular recurring characters was a big-mouthed, mini-skirted diva whose catch phrase was a falsetto-voiced "The devil made me do it!" What was the name of Mr. Wilson's female alter ego? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. In the late 1960s, Clarence Williams III played undercover hippie cop, Linc, on the "Mod Squad." In the 80s, he played the violent father of one of that decade's most successful pop stars in the hit film, "Purple Rain". Whose father did Clarence Williams III portray in the film?

Answer: (One word--the artist formerly known as having an actual name)
Question 7 of 10
7. Actor Morgan Freeman has appeared in such critically acclaimed films as "Driving Miss Daisy" and "The Shawshank Redemption." But back in the 70s, Mr. Freeman's main role was as a literacy-promoting character on the PBS children's show, "The Electric Company". What was the name of his stretch suit-wearing character? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. John Amos is perhaps best known for his roles as the elder "Kunta Kinte"on "Roots" and Esther Rolle's husband on the 70s' sitcom, "Good Times". However, before he played either of those roles, Mr. Amos made a name for himself as "Gordy, The Weatherman" on one of the 70s' most popular sitcoms. What was the name of the show in which John Amos played a weatherman at a local TV station? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Among the many talented actors who populated the 1970s' TV show, "Fame" was Debbie Allen, who played the school's dance instructor. Which female star of a popular 80s' TV show also happened to be Ms. Allen's sister? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Isabelle Sanford is best known for playing Louise Jefferson on the 1970s' sitcom, "The Jeffersons". But prior to her role as the outspoken "Wheezy", she appeared in one of the greatest film classics of all time, playing a similarly outspoken maid opposite a married couple portrayed by Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. What was the name of the film? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. "Uhura", the comely communications officer on the original "Star Trek" series, was played by Nichelle Nichols, a former singer and dancer who once performed with Duke Ellington. Apart from the fact that she was one of the few African American actresses then being featured in a regular role on prime time television, what else did Ms. Nichols do while on "Star Trek" that earned her a place in TV history?

Answer: she took part in the first televised interracial kiss

The kiss that took place between Uhura and Capt. Kirk was the first interracial kiss ever shown on TV. It occurred while both characters were under the mental and physical control of the bored, sensation-seeking inhabitants of an unknown planet. In Ms. Nichols' autobiography, "Beyond Uhura", she said that, to ensure that the network would air the kiss between her and Kirk, "Star Trek"'s creator, Gene Roddenberry purposely destroyed the alternate "non-kissing" take of the same scene that had been shot at the request of worried network execs.
2. In the 1960s, television was far from a progressive medium. However, there were a few shows that sought to portray African American characters in a positive light. One such show was "Julia", which starred Diahann Carrol as the self-supporting widowed mother of a young son. What was Julia's profession on the show that bore her name?

Answer: nurse

As good a nurse as she was, Julia's professionalism in her chosen field was secondary to her commitment to her role as the mother of a young, fatherless son. A personal note: I remember, on the night that "Julia" first debuted in 1968, my grandfather calling my grandmother and me into the living room by saying, "Hey, look! They put a show about a colored girl on TV!" As politically incorrect as it may seem now, my grandfather's comment merely reflected the surprise of an African American man who had grown up in a society in which people who shared his skin color were not seen very often on the TV screen.
3. Most diehard fans of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" know that the show's longest audience laugh occured during the episode in which Rob becomes convinced that his and Laura's new baby was accidentally switched with another couple's baby at the hospital. The punchline comes when the other couple, who Rob has telephoned and informed of the "mistake", show up at the Petries' home and turn out to be African American. What future star of the classic TV suspense series, "Mission Impossible" played the father of the "switched baby"?

Answer: Greg Morris

In subsequent interviews, various behind-the-scenes people associated with "The Dick Van Dyke Show" have commented on how concerned they were at the time that the show's plotline would be offensive to African American viewers. Carl Reiner, the show's socially savvy creator, was especially worried about this possibility until he realized that, ultimately, Rob was the one who came out looking like the buffoon--as evidenced by the audience's glee when Rob asks Greg Morris' character why he didn't explain the truth of the situation over the phone, to which Morris replies, "I'm sorry, but I just couldn't resist seeing the look on your face when I showed up."
4. "Get Christie Love" was a much-hyped police drama that appeared briefly on prime time TV in the early 1970's. Unfortunately, the show's star and its producers had a major falling out that could not be reconciled. Who played tough African American cop, Christie Love in this short-lived TV series?

Answer: Teresa Graves

Although Teresa Graves was, unquestionably, a fine actress poised to enjoy well-deserved success as a major TV star, she was apparently more interested in honoring the tenents of her religious faith. A recent convert to Jehovah's Witness, Ms. Graves insisted that her show's producers eliminate any and all references that clashed with her personal beliefs.

She even went so far as to refuse to allow any footage of churches to appear in the opening frames of the show, citing her new faith's stance against such imagery. Sadly, Ms. Grave's commitment to her religion resulted in the premature demise of a potentially successful TV show.
5. In the late 1960s, comedian Flip Wilson was a stand-out as the sole male African American host of a weekly prime time variety show. Among Mr. Wilson's most popular recurring characters was a big-mouthed, mini-skirted diva whose catch phrase was a falsetto-voiced "The devil made me do it!" What was the name of Mr. Wilson's female alter ego?

Answer: Geraldine

During the run of the "Flip Wilson Show", Geraldine's black page boy wig, short skirts, and sassy demeanor reached icon status. Another of the show's popular characters was "The Judge' who always announced his appearances by chanting, "Here comes Da Judge, here comes Da Judge..." Mr. Wilson's show was not only an outlet for his own comedic talent, it was a venue for many B-list black performers who might otherwise have never appeared on prime time TV.
6. In the late 1960s, Clarence Williams III played undercover hippie cop, Linc, on the "Mod Squad." In the 80s, he played the violent father of one of that decade's most successful pop stars in the hit film, "Purple Rain". Whose father did Clarence Williams III portray in the film?

Answer: Prince

Touted as a semi-autobiographical film, "Purple Rain" was a huge success for Prince, as was its soundtrack, which included "When Doves Cry" and -- not surprisingly -- the title track, "Purple Rain". None of the songs were sung by Mr. Williams.
7. Actor Morgan Freeman has appeared in such critically acclaimed films as "Driving Miss Daisy" and "The Shawshank Redemption." But back in the 70s, Mr. Freeman's main role was as a literacy-promoting character on the PBS children's show, "The Electric Company". What was the name of his stretch suit-wearing character?

Answer: Easy Reader

In a 1980s' 'TV Guide' interview , Mr. Freeman stated that he was somewhat embarrassed by his former role as "Easy Reader" on "The Electric Company". As a longtime fan of the incomparable Mr. Freeman, I can only say that, whatever the nature of the role he happens to be playing at any given time, he is a top notch talent whose acting is always a privilege to watch.
8. John Amos is perhaps best known for his roles as the elder "Kunta Kinte"on "Roots" and Esther Rolle's husband on the 70s' sitcom, "Good Times". However, before he played either of those roles, Mr. Amos made a name for himself as "Gordy, The Weatherman" on one of the 70s' most popular sitcoms. What was the name of the show in which John Amos played a weatherman at a local TV station?

Answer: The Mary Tyler Moore Show

"Gordy" appeared sporadically on the show, usually breezing through the WJM office only long enough to crack a joke at Ted's expense. Finally, the character was written out of the show completely, transferred by a flick of a writer's pen to a major news market in another city. That wasn't the end of Gordy, however; John Amos reprised the role in a later episode in which Gordy returned to visit his old cohorts at WJM, inadvertantly causing resentment among them because of his more successful standing in the television news business.
9. Among the many talented actors who populated the 1970s' TV show, "Fame" was Debbie Allen, who played the school's dance instructor. Which female star of a popular 80s' TV show also happened to be Ms. Allen's sister?

Answer: Phylicia Rashaad

Yup, it's true -- Phylicia Rashaad (aka Clair Huxtable) is the sister of dancing diva, Debbie Allen. But, although both women are definitely beautiful and talented, the only time I have ever seen Ms. Rashaad dance was on a "Cosby" episode in which Cliff encouraged Clair to "table-dance" at a local nigthclub performance they attended while Clair was suffering from a sprained foot.
10. Isabelle Sanford is best known for playing Louise Jefferson on the 1970s' sitcom, "The Jeffersons". But prior to her role as the outspoken "Wheezy", she appeared in one of the greatest film classics of all time, playing a similarly outspoken maid opposite a married couple portrayed by Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. What was the name of the film?

Answer: Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?

Of course it was "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner"! And aside from the distinction of being a film in which the very talented Ms. Sanford appeared, it is a film notable as well for its courage in addressing the then-taboo subject of interacial marriage. Sadly, it also happens to be the last film in which Spencer Tracy appeared, his poignant performance opposite real life love, Kate Hepburn capping an extraordinary career that ended with his death a few weeks after the film was completed.
Source: Author gretas

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