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Quiz about Classic Television Trivia
Quiz about Classic Television Trivia

Classic Television Trivia Trivia Quiz


Whether you watch the latest from the networks or the lineup of Nick At Nite or TV Land, some classic moments just stand out. Here are a few.

A multiple-choice quiz by Oddball. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
Oddball
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
57,915
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
20
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
12 / 20
Plays
15007
Awards
Top 5% quiz!
Last 3 plays: mcpoorboy (18/20), Guest 99 (6/20), Guest 208 (16/20).
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Question 1 of 20
1. Which of the following did NOT host a Rankin-Bass Christmas Special? Hint


Question 2 of 20
2. In what classic episode of 'Star Trek' does William Shatner, against his will, kisses an equally unwilling Nichelle Nichols? Hint


Question 3 of 20
3. In what comedy series did a shopping mall get 'bombed' by falling live turkeys? Hint


Question 4 of 20
4. In a rare outing, President Richard Nixon appeared in an episode of what variety show? Hint


Question 5 of 20
5. In the series finale of 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show', everyone at station WJM is fired except for who? Hint


Question 6 of 20
6. One of the first reality based police shows, LSD was introduced in one classic episode in the form of a strung out hippie named 'Blue Boy': Hint


Question 7 of 20
7. In what anthology series did farsighted bookworm Burgess Meredith survive a nuclear holocaust, only to drop and break his reading glasses: Hint


Question 8 of 20
8. 'Pam' wakes from a dream and finds 'Bobby' in a shower, thereby negating the entire 1985-86 season of this drama: Hint


Question 9 of 20
9. Who won an Emmy award on the comedy series 'M*A*S*H'...BEFORE he joined the regular cast? Hint


Question 10 of 20
10. Which of the following shows was NOT created by Paul Henning? Hint


Question 11 of 20
11. What was the name of the older brother of Richie and Joanie Cunningham, who dissappeared after the first season of 'Happy Days'? Hint


Question 12 of 20
12. 'The Simpsons' is the longest running prime time animated series in television history. What show did it beat for that honor? Hint


Question 13 of 20
13. Which of the following TV occupations has NOT been used by Bob Newhart in a TV show with his name in the title? Hint


Question 14 of 20
14. Who hosted a short-lived show called 'Saturday Night Live' at least a year before NBC's late night staple premiered? Hint


Question 15 of 20
15. What was the real name of 'The Virginian'? Hint


Question 16 of 20
16. What movie star introduced the first episode of 'Gunsmoke'? Hint


Question 17 of 20
17. Which of the following went from movie-to-television, instead of television-to-movie? Hint


Question 18 of 20
18. To date, including stints on radio, what is the longest running daytime serial (soap opera) on network television? Hint


Question 19 of 20
19. In 1950, the residents of Hot Springs, NM voted to rename their community after this game show: Hint


Question 20 of 20
20. This should be simple...'Who shot J.R.?' Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 17 2024 : mcpoorboy: 18/20
Mar 16 2024 : Guest 99: 6/20
Mar 15 2024 : Guest 208: 16/20
Mar 08 2024 : Guest 172: 6/20
Mar 05 2024 : Guest 24: 20/20
Mar 02 2024 : Guest 73: 12/20
Feb 29 2024 : Guest 209: 17/20
Feb 29 2024 : Guest 172: 10/20
Feb 27 2024 : Guest 72: 13/20

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Which of the following did NOT host a Rankin-Bass Christmas Special?

Answer: Bob Hope

Durante narrated 'Frosty The Snowman', Ives played a snowman in 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' and Astaire played a mailman in 'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town'. Other narrators for Rankin-Bass included Shirley Booth, Danny Kaye, Red Skelton and Roger Miller.
2. In what classic episode of 'Star Trek' does William Shatner, against his will, kisses an equally unwilling Nichelle Nichols?

Answer: Plato's Stepchildren

Despite the notoriety, it was not televisions's first foray into interracial kissing, nor was it Shatner's. He also locked lips with Vietnamese actress France Nuyen in 'Elaan of Troyus', an earlier ST episode. The first real interracial kiss on U.S. television was between Sammy Davis Jr. and Nancy Sinatra on her variety show in 1967. Davis, of course, would also plant one on the cheek of Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor) on an episode of 'All In The Family'.
3. In what comedy series did a shopping mall get 'bombed' by falling live turkeys?

Answer: WKRP In Cincinnati

Richard Sanders (as Les Nessman) reports on his own station's idea of a Thanksgiving promotion, the brainchild of manager Arthur Carlson (Gordon Jump). Carlson's defense was, 'As God is my witness...I thought turkeys could fly'.
4. In a rare outing, President Richard Nixon appeared in an episode of what variety show?

Answer: Rowan and Martin's Laugh In

Nixon actually appeared Sept.16, 1968, before his election to his first term as president.
5. In the series finale of 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show', everyone at station WJM is fired except for who?

Answer: Ted Baxter

From 1970 to 1977, this show remained one of the top rated programs on television and spawned three spinoffs, 'Rhoda', 'Phyllis' and 'Lou Grant'.
6. One of the first reality based police shows, LSD was introduced in one classic episode in the form of a strung out hippie named 'Blue Boy':

Answer: Dragnet

Aired in January, 1967, Michael Burns as Benji 'Blue Boy' Carver presented a dilemma to stars Jack Webb and Harry Morgan.
7. In what anthology series did farsighted bookworm Burgess Meredith survive a nuclear holocaust, only to drop and break his reading glasses:

Answer: The Twilight Zone

The episode, 'Time Enough At Last' stands out from one of the most original series ever on television from the mind of Rod Serling.
8. 'Pam' wakes from a dream and finds 'Bobby' in a shower, thereby negating the entire 1985-86 season of this drama:

Answer: Dallas

The 'resurrection' of Patrick Duffy as Bobby Ewing, following a seemingly inescapable death from a car crash, was only one of many traits that endeared fans to this prime time soap.
9. Who won an Emmy award on the comedy series 'M*A*S*H'...BEFORE he joined the regular cast?

Answer: Harry Morgan

In the third season episode 'The General Flipped At Dawn', Morgan, as Gen. Bartford Hamilton Steele, drove the members of the 4077th crazy with his rules. Along with the Emmy, this role also earned Morgan his more permanent role as Sherman Potter the following season.
10. Which of the following shows was NOT created by Paul Henning?

Answer: Mayberry RFD

Henning's world consisted Bugtussel (where the Clampetts hailed from), near Hooterville (where the Shady Rest Hotel is located), outside which Oliver and Lisa Douglass live on the old Haney farm.
11. What was the name of the older brother of Richie and Joanie Cunningham, who dissappeared after the first season of 'Happy Days'?

Answer: Chuck

Chuck was actually played by two actors, Gavin O'Herlihy and Randolph Roberts, respectively. First seen on the anthology series 'Love American Style', 'Happy Days' spawned shows of its own, including 'Laverne and Shirley', 'Joanie Loves Chachi' and 'Mork And Mindy'.
12. 'The Simpsons' is the longest running prime time animated series in television history. What show did it beat for that honor?

Answer: The Flintstones

'The Flintstones' was an ABC prime time program from 1960-66.
13. Which of the following TV occupations has NOT been used by Bob Newhart in a TV show with his name in the title?

Answer: Government Employee

Newhart portrayed a psychologist in 'The Bob Newhart Show', managed the Stratford Inn in 'Newhart' and the created the superhero Mad-Dog in 'Bob'.
14. Who hosted a short-lived show called 'Saturday Night Live' at least a year before NBC's late night staple premiered?

Answer: Howard Cosell

ABC gave this late night variety program as a reward to Cosell for his work on 'Monday Night Football'. It didn't last the season.
15. What was the real name of 'The Virginian'?

Answer: It was never revealed

This classic western with Lee J. Cobb, Doug McClure and James Drury in the never-named title role, was the first network program to run for 90 minutes from 1962-71.
16. What movie star introduced the first episode of 'Gunsmoke'?

Answer: John Wayne

Despite rumors, Wayne was never offered the role of Sheriff Matt Dillon, which eventually went to James Arness. He considered TV below his stature as an actor.
17. Which of the following went from movie-to-television, instead of television-to-movie?

Answer: The Odd Couple

The movie with Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon premiered in 1968, two years before the TV series with Tony Randall and Jack Klugman.
18. To date, including stints on radio, what is the longest running daytime serial (soap opera) on network television?

Answer: The Guiding Light

Beginning on radio in 1937, 'The Guiding Light' introduced the inhabitants of Springfield to the small screen in 1952.
19. In 1950, the residents of Hot Springs, NM voted to rename their community after this game show:

Answer: Truth Or Consequences

At the request of 'ToC' host Ralph Edwards as a publicity stunt, the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce held a special election that renamed the city. Subsequent elections to return to the original name have been defeated on several occasions.
20. This should be simple...'Who shot J.R.?'

Answer: Kristin Shepard

Certainly one of the big topics of this long running show was the shooting of this nasty villain (Larry Hagman) by Kristin (Mary Crosby, daughter of crooner Bing Crosby).
Source: Author Oddball

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Gamemaster1967 before going online.
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