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Quiz about Early US Television SitcomsMasculine Gender
Quiz about Early US Television SitcomsMasculine Gender

Early US Television Sitcoms--Masculine Gender Quiz


A quiz about US television sitcoms with a male lead character. First episode shown before 1980.

A multiple-choice quiz by Rehaberpro. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
Rehaberpro
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
351,967
Updated
Feb 25 23
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
1568
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 76 (6/10), Guest 69 (7/10), Guest 204 (4/10).
Question 1 of 10
1. Like several early sitcoms, "The Life of Riley" emerged from its radio sitcom predecessor. William Bendix starred as the clumsy, sometimes gullible but likeable Chester Riley from 1953-1958. He also starred in the 1949 film. But he was not the first Riley on TV. What comedian played Riley during the initial 1949-1950 season? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. On "The Honeymooners", Ralph Kramden (Jackie Gleason) frequently threaten Alice (Audrey Meadows) to send her where? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. What sitcom which ran from 1928 to 1950 on the radio but became a civil rights issue resulting in cancelling out the program after two seasons? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis" ran for four years (1959-1963) and introduced a number of actors to audiences. What actor had a recurring role as Milton Armitage, a rich, snooty, and pompous playboy? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. "Mr. Peepers" was televised live from 1952-1955. Fortunately, kinescope preserved many of the episodes. Peepers is a high school science teacher who seems to get into unusual situations. Who played Mr. Peepers? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. In "The People's Choice" an ex-marine begins to dabble in politics in this 1955-1958 sitcom. Who was the former child actor who starred? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Norman Lear was one of the most successful sitcom producers. It seemed unlikely at the time that a show could be built around a hard core bigot but "All in the Family"(1971-1979), based on an English sitcom "Til Death Do Us Part" was a success at once. For the real fan, what defunct car is mentioned in the theme song? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. "The Andy Griffith Show" about the mythical town of Mayberry was a sentimental favorite of many fans. Andy Griffith came to the show as a comedian but he retreated to straight man role as his support player stole the spotlight. Don Knotts (Barney Fife), Frances Bavier (Aunt Bee), and Jim Nabors (Gomer Pyle)lead the way with Opie (Ron Howard). Floyd the barber,(Howard McNear) and many others. The show was actually a spin-off of what other popular sitcom? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. The "Dick Van Dyke Show" ran from 1961-1965. It won 15 Emmy Awards. The sitcom divided its team between Rob Petrie (Van Dyke) work as a comedy writer for a network series and his home life with Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) What was the name of the producer, writer, and actor of the program? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. "Sanford and Son" (1972-1977) was a break through of sorts since it had a predominantly black cast and was more palatable than the controversial "Amos and Andy". Redd Foxx, a stand-up comedian was tagged for the lead role of Fred Sanford and newcomer Demond Wilson as the son. Lamont. Norman Lear adapted the program from a British program "Steptoe and Son" Most of the action takes place in a junkyard owned by Sanford in South Los Angeles.
During the 1973-1974 season Foxx walked off in a salary dispute. An actor named Whitman Mayo replaced until Foxx returned. What was Mayo's name on the show?
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Most Recent Scores
Mar 26 2024 : Guest 76: 6/10
Mar 26 2024 : Guest 69: 7/10
Mar 25 2024 : Guest 204: 4/10
Mar 23 2024 : Guest 65: 9/10
Mar 21 2024 : Cmdube: 7/10
Mar 21 2024 : Guest 207: 10/10
Mar 20 2024 : Guest 62: 3/10
Mar 18 2024 : Guest 162: 9/10
Mar 18 2024 : Guest 207: 8/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Like several early sitcoms, "The Life of Riley" emerged from its radio sitcom predecessor. William Bendix starred as the clumsy, sometimes gullible but likeable Chester Riley from 1953-1958. He also starred in the 1949 film. But he was not the first Riley on TV. What comedian played Riley during the initial 1949-1950 season?

Answer: Jackie Gleason

In those early days, there was reluctance to allow film stars under contract to appear on television as it was felt it would dilute the popularity of the actor for films if the actor could be seen 'for free' on television. This was the dilemma that Bendix faced. But he was back in 1953.

Bendix is most strongly identified with the role as he played Riley on the radio show. Missing from the television show was actor John Brown who played 'Digger' O'Dell, Riley's friend and local undertaker. He had to most quoted lines sch as "I'd better be... shoveling off" or "Business is a little dead tonight". Riley said Digger "helped him out of a hole" Although he made some appearances on the Gleason version, he was on the 'blacklist' and could not hired. He died in 1957. "The Life of Riley" earned an Emmy in 1953 as best comedy show.
2. On "The Honeymooners", Ralph Kramden (Jackie Gleason) frequently threaten Alice (Audrey Meadows) to send her where?

Answer: To the moon

Ralph Kramden was a blustering loudmouth but never hit Alice but he would shake his fist in her calm face and and say "Next time, Alice, to the moon"

Gleason introduced "The Honeymooners" in 1951 when he was hosting a variety show called "Cavalcade of Stars". "The Honeymooners" was a recurring skit within the show. When Gleason got his own show, he continued with the skits. Finally during the 1955-56 season, thirty-nine half hour episodes were aired. Although it was ranked as high as second in the ratings, it fell sharply due to competition from other networks. However, wherever Gleason went the Honeymooners came too. He was still producing specials for "The Honeymooners as late as 1978. Audrey Meadows as Alice Kramden, Art Carney and Joyce Randolph as the Nortons were pretty much the cast as guest stars were seldom used.
3. What sitcom which ran from 1928 to 1950 on the radio but became a civil rights issue resulting in cancelling out the program after two seasons?

Answer: Amos and Andy

Two white men, Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll, created "Amos and Andy". Not only that but they did the voices as well. There was mild criticism through the years regarding the stereotyping of the black characters but the program had a wide audience and substantial ratings.

When it was taken to the tube in 1951, Gosden and Correll realized that they could not portray the black characters so black actors were hired but were told to speak as much like the characters did on radio. The show premiered on television during the 1951 NAACP convention and immediately the NAACP and other affiliated liberal groups protested the images of black people.

The program was cancelled after two years after 78 episodes. It drifted into syndication and could occasionally be seen up to about 1966.
4. "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis" ran for four years (1959-1963) and introduced a number of actors to audiences. What actor had a recurring role as Milton Armitage, a rich, snooty, and pompous playboy?

Answer: Warren Beatty

Warren Beatty did not complete the full run of the show as he went on to other projects. Beatty has been nominated for a remarkable 15 Academy awards as actor, director, producer, and writer. For two films ("Reds" and "Heaven Can Wait") he was nominated in all four categories.

Dwayne Hickman was the title character. Dobie had a girl friend, Thalia Menninger, played by Tuesday Weld, a rather shallow and spoiled girl. Zelda, played by Sheila James Kuehl, loves Dobie and is determined to make him hers. Bob Denver was his best friend Maynard G. Krebs, who later became a TV icon for his role as Gilligan on "Gilligan's island".

The plot was often Dobie lusting for the latest female to enter his life. Here are a few of the actresses who played that role: Cheryl Holdridge, Michele Lee, Susan Watson, Marlo Thomas, Sally Kellerman, Ellen Burstyn, Barbara Babcock, Sherry Jackson, Diana Millay and Barbara Bain.
5. "Mr. Peepers" was televised live from 1952-1955. Fortunately, kinescope preserved many of the episodes. Peepers is a high school science teacher who seems to get into unusual situations. Who played Mr. Peepers?

Answer: Wally Cox

In 1953 "Mr. Peepers" won a Peabody Award for having a positive image of public school teachers. Tony Randall played a history teacher and Marian Lorne played a somewhat addled English teacher.

In one episode Mr. Peepers is playing basketball by himself. He accidentally stuffs himself in the basket and can't get out. He is supposed to give a talk on gardening to the Ladies Garden Club this afternoon. He also has promised to be at the chess club in the evening. The ladies and the chess club come to the gym and Mr. Peepers keeps his promise to them--still stuffed in the basket.
6. In "The People's Choice" an ex-marine begins to dabble in politics in this 1955-1958 sitcom. Who was the former child actor who starred?

Answer: Jackie Cooper

As a city council member, he must deal with his girl friend's father the mayor. even to the extent of keeping their marriage a secret. The show was never a rating leading but was pleasant and survived three years.
7. Norman Lear was one of the most successful sitcom producers. It seemed unlikely at the time that a show could be built around a hard core bigot but "All in the Family"(1971-1979), based on an English sitcom "Til Death Do Us Part" was a success at once. For the real fan, what defunct car is mentioned in the theme song?

Answer: LaSalle

"Those Were the Days" was the name of the theme of "All in the Family". For those racking their minds for the lyrics:

"Boy the way Glenn Miller played
Songs that made the hit parade.
Guys like us we had it made,
Those were the days.

And you knew who you were then,
Girls were girls and men were men,
Mister we could use a man
Like Herbert Hoover again.

Didn't need no welfare state,
Everybody pulled his weight.
Gee our old LaSalle ran great.
Those were the days."

"All in the Family" was number one in the ratings from 1971-1976. When Jean Stapleton left the show, it was renamed "Archie Bunker's Place' and lasted another three years. Spin-offs include "Maude" and "The Jeffersons". The program was not afraid to deal with controversial issues such as racism, homosexuality, women's liberation, rape, miscarriage, abortion, breast cancer, the Vietnam War, menopause, and impotence. On the subject of hijacking airplanes, Archie had the solution. "Give every passenger a gun"!
8. "The Andy Griffith Show" about the mythical town of Mayberry was a sentimental favorite of many fans. Andy Griffith came to the show as a comedian but he retreated to straight man role as his support player stole the spotlight. Don Knotts (Barney Fife), Frances Bavier (Aunt Bee), and Jim Nabors (Gomer Pyle)lead the way with Opie (Ron Howard). Floyd the barber,(Howard McNear) and many others. The show was actually a spin-off of what other popular sitcom?

Answer: The Danny Thomas Show

In the Danny Thomas episode, Thomas runs afoul of the law and has to spend time in the Mayberry jail presided over by Sheriff Andy Taylor. Later "Gomer Pyle, USMC" and "Mayberry. R.F.D." were spin-offs of "Andy Griffith". Don Knotts won five Emmys as supporting comedy actor. Ironically, the final season 1968 was its best year in ratings.
9. The "Dick Van Dyke Show" ran from 1961-1965. It won 15 Emmy Awards. The sitcom divided its team between Rob Petrie (Van Dyke) work as a comedy writer for a network series and his home life with Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) What was the name of the producer, writer, and actor of the program?

Answer: Carl Reiner

Carl Reiner learned much about developing a comedy program as he had worked with Sid Ceasar. The Alan Brady on the show was a composite of comedians he knew including Caesar. Jackie Gleason, and Milton Berle.

Morey Amsterdam and Rose Marie played writers who worked for Petrie. Reiner made occasional appearances as Alan Brady but was more talked about than seen.
Richard Deacon, who was Brady's assistant, was the victim of Amsterdam's sardonic humor. Deacon's role was partly derived from Reiner's friend Mel Brooks. Van Dyke won over Johnny Carson for the lead.
10. "Sanford and Son" (1972-1977) was a break through of sorts since it had a predominantly black cast and was more palatable than the controversial "Amos and Andy". Redd Foxx, a stand-up comedian was tagged for the lead role of Fred Sanford and newcomer Demond Wilson as the son. Lamont. Norman Lear adapted the program from a British program "Steptoe and Son" Most of the action takes place in a junkyard owned by Sanford in South Los Angeles. During the 1973-1974 season Foxx walked off in a salary dispute. An actor named Whitman Mayo replaced until Foxx returned. What was Mayo's name on the show?

Answer: Grady

Until the salary dispute Grady Wilson had a secondary role as a friend of Fred Sanford. He became 'manager' of the junkyard as Fred was in Saint Louis on the death of a family member. Names were interesting on this show. Redd Foxx's birth name was John Elroy Sanford. Grady Wilson was derived from Demond Wilson's birth name Grady Demond Wilson.

A touch of irony was attached to Redd Foxx's death. As a ploy for sympathy, Fred Sanford would fake a heart attack saying "I'm coming Elizabeth!" the name of his dead wife. In 1991 while performing he died of a heart attack while other actors thought he was just doing his Fred Sanford routine.
Source: Author Rehaberpro

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