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Created By Stephen J. Cannell Trivia Quiz

Stephen J. Cannell created and produced several well-known TV shows from the 1970s to the 1990s, along with quite a few duds. Can you remember any of them?

A multiple-choice quiz by AlexT781. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
AlexT781

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
392,769

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
311

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. "The A-Team", arguably Cannell's best known series, first aired in 1983 and starred which actor known for playing the title role in the television series "Banacek"? Hint

Jack Klugman

Lee Marvin

Ernest Borgnine

George Peppard

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Question 2 of 10

2. After writing scripts for television shows such as "Columbo" and "Adam-12", Cannell became the co-creator of which series, starring James Garner as a private detective? Hint

Dark Shadows

Quincey, M. E.

The Rockford Files

Maverick

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Question 3 of 10

3. Not all of Stephen J. Cannell's ideas garnered high ratings. Which widely panned series featured a substitute teacher who got superhero powers from a suit given to him by aliens? Hint

Last Action Hero

T. J. Hooker

Alien Nation

The Greatest American Hero

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Question 4 of 10

4. "Hardcastle and McCormick" featured an ex-judge and car thief teaming up to fight crime while driving a racecar named the ____. Hint

McLaren F1

Noble M12

Ascari A10

Coyote X

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Question 5 of 10

5. Richard Grieco and Johnny Depp starred in what crime drama airing from 1987 to 1991? Hint

21 Jump Street

Police Squad

Crime Story

Miami Vice

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Question 6 of 10

6. Continuing with the crime drama genre, the 1979 miniseries "The Duke" starred which actor, whose first starring role was in the television series "The Wild Wild West"? Hint

Buddy Ebsen

Charlton Heston

Jack Klugman

Robert Conrad

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Question 7 of 10

7. Stephen J. Cannell seemed to love crime drama. ABC's "Baretta" starred which actor who later was accused of murdering his wife? Hint

Robert Blake

Oscar Pistorius

O. J. Simpson

Roman Polanski

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is the name of the television series, that ran from 1991 until 1999, that focused on two detectives who tried to solve sex crimes in Palm Beach, Florida? Hint

Snapped

Law & Order: SVU

Silk Stalkings

Renegade

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Question 9 of 10

9. "Hunter" ran from 1984 to 1991, and was produced by Cannell's own production company. The first season aired at the same time as the hugely popular "Dallas", and therefore had abysmal ratings.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. "The Last Precinct" was Cannell's only foray into sitcoms. Cancelled after only eight episodes, the series starred which well-known 1960s television actor? Hint

George Reeves

Andy Griffith

Adam West

Don Knotts

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "The A-Team", arguably Cannell's best known series, first aired in 1983 and starred which actor known for playing the title role in the television series "Banacek"?

Answer: George Peppard

George Peppard appeared in many movies, starring in "Breakfast at Tiffany's", "How the West Was Won" and "The Blue Max". His television career was marked by being typecast in high action roles such as "The A-Team".

2. After writing scripts for television shows such as "Columbo" and "Adam-12", Cannell became the co-creator of which series, starring James Garner as a private detective?

Answer: The Rockford Files

The show had a few minor, but occasionally recurring, roles. Some of the actors playing those roles were Tom Selleck, a fan of James Garner, and Lou Gossett, Jr. and Isaac Hayes.

3. Not all of Stephen J. Cannell's ideas garnered high ratings. Which widely panned series featured a substitute teacher who got superhero powers from a suit given to him by aliens?

Answer: The Greatest American Hero

Running from 1981 to 1983, the show's theme song was released as a single and reached number two on the Billboard charts in 1982.

4. "Hardcastle and McCormick" featured an ex-judge and car thief teaming up to fight crime while driving a racecar named the ____.

Answer: Coyote X

The Coyote X was initially based on the McLaren M6GT. It was reconstructed based on the DeLorean DMC-12 for the second and third seasons. Story-wise, the car was stolen by McCormick, and Hardcastle makes McCormick work for him to avoid going to jail.

5. Richard Grieco and Johnny Depp starred in what crime drama airing from 1987 to 1991?

Answer: 21 Jump Street

Richard Grieco's character, Officer Booker, became the star of a spin-off called "Booker". Johnny Depp actually turned down the role of Officer Tom Hanson. Depp wanted movie roles, not television, but took the role when asked a second time, supposedly only because he didn't think the show would last a season.

6. Continuing with the crime drama genre, the 1979 miniseries "The Duke" starred which actor, whose first starring role was in the television series "The Wild Wild West"?

Answer: Robert Conrad

Robert Conrad also starred Stephen J. Cannell's "Black Sheep Squadron", dramatizing the experiences of Major Greg "Pappy" Boyington and his Marine Corps pilots during World War II.

7. Stephen J. Cannell seemed to love crime drama. ABC's "Baretta" starred which actor who later was accused of murdering his wife?

Answer: Robert Blake

Robert Blake's trial for the murder of his wife, Bonnie Bakley, eclipsed his acting career, which started at the age of five with "Our Gang". He was also considered for the lead role in Cannell's "The Rockford Files".

8. What is the name of the television series, that ran from 1991 until 1999, that focused on two detectives who tried to solve sex crimes in Palm Beach, Florida?

Answer: Silk Stalkings

As some may remember, the show was originally part of CBS's "Crimetime After Primetime" programming beginning in 1991, airing on Thursday nights. When CBS cancelled "Crimetime", USA Network picked up the show where it ran for six more seasons.

9. "Hunter" ran from 1984 to 1991, and was produced by Cannell's own production company. The first season aired at the same time as the hugely popular "Dallas", and therefore had abysmal ratings.

Answer: True

The show was doing so bad that it was actually put on hold for several months before a more appropriate time slot was found. Eventually, Saturday nights had an opening and the show was again aired, this time with better ratings.

10. "The Last Precinct" was Cannell's only foray into sitcoms. Cancelled after only eight episodes, the series starred which well-known 1960s television actor?

Answer: Adam West

Stephen J. Cannell loved crime dramas, so it makes sense his only sitcom would focus on the police. The 80s weren't kind to Cannell, who created or produced a string of shows that barely lasted even one season.

Source: Author AlexT781

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