TV Catchphrases 2 Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Joy of Painting

A soft-spoken painter with an Afro hair style, Bob Ross hosted "The Joy of Painting" for 11 years (1983-94) on the PBS network. His "wet-on-wet" method of applying oil paint to canvas drew a loyal audience of would-be artists and other viewers who simply enjoyed watching him paint and narrate as he worked.

When he cleaned his brushes in paint thinner, he'd bang them rapidly against the leg of his easel to dry them while saying that phrase, especially in the later shows.

Answer: The Jack Benny Program

Jack brought his radio show to TV in 1950 including the whole cast (Mary Livingstone, Dennis Day, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, Phil Harris and Don Wilson). Jack played a caricature of himself, a man constantly flustered by his friends and circumstances. He would often reprimand someone who got on his nerves with his catchphrase.

Answer: The Ed Sullivan Show

Ed hosted a variety show and would open the program with that phrase followed by announcing the entertainment line-up for that episode. Poor Ed was often lampooned for the way he pronounced "show" in a drawn-out fashion and his stiff body movements. It was said of Sullivan that he had no talent himself, but recognized it in others.

It is also alleged that he was very controlling on the content of the acts presented and would not allow what he thought inappropriate and frequently requested that performers modify their acts to conform to his standards.

Answer: The Flip Wilson Show

Stand-up comic Flip Wilson had a comedy/variety show that ran from 1970-74 and was #2 in the ratings for its first three years on air. This was due largely in part to Flip's appearance in drag as the outspoken, sassy character of Geraldine Jones. Geraldine had several catchphrases that also included "When you're hot, your hot; when you're not, your not", "Watch out, sucka!", and "The devil made me do it."

Answer: See It Now

Most often hosted by news journalist, Edward R.Murrow, "See It Now" (1951-58) presented melange of news and current events of that time, foreshadowing other news anthologies like "60 Minutes". Some of the more memorable episodes were "Christmas in Korea" and coverage of the Senator Joe McCarthy hearings. "See It Now" won may awards including four Emmy awards and a Peabody. Murrow ended the broadcasts in his sonorous baritone voice with this sign-off.

Answer: Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour

Tom and Dick Smothers hosted this Emmy-winning variety show (1967-69). Tom played the guitar and Dick played a pizzicato bass violin. When they performed together, their banter usually led to a mild, put-on verbal altercation. When Dick, the younger brother, got the upper hand in the exchange, Tom would whine this phrase.

Answer: M*A*S*H

"M*A*S*H", a dramedy set during the Korean War, ran an astounding 11 seasons (1972-83). During its run, it endured several cast changes. When McLean Stevenson left after the third season, his character was replaced by Henry Morgan as Col. Sherman Potter. Potter was much older and an experienced army soldier, but had a short temper.

When circumstances riled him enough, he would frequently utter an alliterative phrase having to do with an animal and their excrement. For example: "Pigeon pellets!", "Mule muffins!", "Pony pucks!" and "Beaver biscuits!" but his favorite was "Horse hockey!"

Answer: Happy Days

Set in the 1950s and focusing on the teen culture of that time, "Happy Days" (1974-84) was meant to be a vehicle for Ron Howard. However, it had break-out role for Henry Winkler who played the hip, leather jacket-wearing, motorcycle-riding, ducktail-haired swinger, Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli, who became a popular character.

When Fonzie saw a situation upsetting one of his friends, his advice to them was "sit on it"; in other words advising them to slow down and cool off before acting on something.

Answer: ABC's Wide World of Sports

Hosted for most of its run (1961 - 98) by Jim McKay, this sports anthology show brought viewers coverage of various athletic events from all over the world. It also introduced the "Athlete of the Year" award beginning in 1963. In the opening credits, McKay would dramatically intone over clips of sporting events, "Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport; the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat; the human drama of athletic competition.

This is ABC's 'Wide World of Sports'."

Answer: Sanford and Son

"Sanford and Son" (1972-77) was a sitcom which focused on widower Fred Sanford (Redd Foxx), a junkyard and salvage operator living in east Los Angeles with his adult son, Lamont (Demond Wilson). There always seemed to be a conflict between the two men on how to run the business, or about something in their personal lives.

When Fred perceived that Lamont might be getting the upper hand, he'd grab at his chest, and stagger around mimicking a heart attack while calling this phrase like he was speaking to his deceased wife.

However, Lamont was never fooled by Fred's histrionics.