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Quiz about The 1960s Most Popular Television Shows
Quiz about The 1960s Most Popular Television Shows

The 1960s Most Popular Television Shows Quiz


As American TV entered a new decade, westerns remained solidly atop the top ten list, but situation comedies and variety shows were gaining in popularity.

A multiple-choice quiz by rblayer. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
rblayer
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
208,949
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
4581
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 216 (8/10), Guest 173 (7/10), Guest 97 (6/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. In 1960, standard westerns like "Gunsmoke", "Wagon Train" and "Have Gun Will Travel" topped the list of America's favorite television shows. What new comedy show finished fourth, and would go on to finish in the top ten for the next seven years? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. It was in 1961 that a television medical show first finished in the top ten. What show was it? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. CBS premiered a new television show in 1962 that became the most popular show of the season. What was the name of the show's main character? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. The first "Jiggle TV" show, "Petticoat Junction", premiered on CBS in 1963 and featured three beautiful girls helping their mother run the Shady Rest Hotel. Which of the following was not one of the girls? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. "Peyton Place" premiered in 1964 on ABC and was America's first primetime soap opera. Which of the following actors was not a member of the cast? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. By 1965, number one rated "Bonanza" was the only western in the top ten. What show, which was television's first successful spin-off from a spin-off, finished number two? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. "Bonanza" finished as the number one most popular television show for the last time in 1966. What corny spin-off made its only top ten appearance the same year? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Which "Rat Pack" member had a top ten rated variety show in 1967? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" premiered in 1968 and shot to the top of the popularity list. What future Oscar winner was a member of the original cast? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. The 1960s ended with westerns again in the spotlight, as "Gunsmoke" and "Bonanza" finished the 1969 season in second and third place behind "Laugh In". What new medical show finished at number eight? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 27 2024 : Guest 216: 8/10
Mar 27 2024 : Guest 173: 7/10
Mar 26 2024 : Guest 97: 6/10
Mar 23 2024 : Guest 91: 8/10
Mar 20 2024 : Guest 73: 7/10
Mar 20 2024 : Guest 99: 7/10
Mar 20 2024 : Guest 12: 8/10
Mar 20 2024 : nightingale330: 7/10
Mar 19 2024 : Guest 65: 9/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. In 1960, standard westerns like "Gunsmoke", "Wagon Train" and "Have Gun Will Travel" topped the list of America's favorite television shows. What new comedy show finished fourth, and would go on to finish in the top ten for the next seven years?

Answer: The Andy Griffith Show

The homespun adventures of Sheriff Andy Taylor, his son Opie and his deputy Barney Fife were a huge television success. "The Andy Griffith Show" actually finished number one for the 1967 season.
2. It was in 1961 that a television medical show first finished in the top ten. What show was it?

Answer: Dr. Kildare

The success of NBC's "Dr. Kildare" prompted ABC to premier the medical drama "Ben Casey" the following season. The handsome series stars, Richard Chamberlain as Dr. Kildare and Vince Edwards as Ben Casey, became instant tabloid celebrities.
3. CBS premiered a new television show in 1962 that became the most popular show of the season. What was the name of the show's main character?

Answer: Jed Clampett

The story of a "poor mountaineer" who struck oil while "shooting at some food" took American television by storm, and the antics of the "Beverly Hillbillies" was the most popular television show for two seasons.
4. The first "Jiggle TV" show, "Petticoat Junction", premiered on CBS in 1963 and featured three beautiful girls helping their mother run the Shady Rest Hotel. Which of the following was not one of the girls?

Answer: Bonnie Jo

Paul Henning, the creator of the "Beverly Hillbillies", introduced America to the concept of beautiful young women wearing revealing clothing. The introduction to each episode featured the young women skinny-dipping in a water tower, their clothing draped over the side.
5. "Peyton Place" premiered in 1964 on ABC and was America's first primetime soap opera. Which of the following actors was not a member of the cast?

Answer: Linda Crystal

The popular saga of life in a small New England town, was initially broadcast two nights a week, and later three times a week. The nineteen-year old Mia Farrow and twenty-three year old Parkins lit up the screen, and Farrow's real-life courtship and marriage to Frank Sinatra certainly did not hurt the show's ratings.
6. By 1965, number one rated "Bonanza" was the only western in the top ten. What show, which was television's first successful spin-off from a spin-off, finished number two?

Answer: Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.

Gomer Pyle had been the gas station attendant on "The Andy Griffith Show". He joined the U.S. Marines and a new series was created. Gomer actually finished higher in the ratings than Andy for 1965, as well as the previous year. "The Andy Griffith Show" was a spin-off of the "Danny Thomas Show".
7. "Bonanza" finished as the number one most popular television show for the last time in 1966. What corny spin-off made its only top ten appearance the same year?

Answer: Green Acres

The "Green Acres" characters of Oliver and Lisa Douglas first appeared on "Petticoat Junction" as a Manhattan attorney and his wife, who had been swindled into buying a rundown farm. Oliver, played by actor Eddie Albert, decided to become a farmer and move to Hooterville with Lisa, played by Eva Gabor. Arnold the pig, who Fred Ziffel treated as a son, was a frequent scene-stealer.
8. Which "Rat Pack" member had a top ten rated variety show in 1967?

Answer: Dean Martin

Martin's refusal to rehearse helped to insure the casual and spontaneous nature of the popular show. An added attraction was a troupe of beautiful women singers and dancers called the "Golddiggers".
9. "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" premiered in 1968 and shot to the top of the popularity list. What future Oscar winner was a member of the original cast?

Answer: Goldie Hawn

Hawn won the Best Supporting Actress 'Oscar' for her role as Toni Simmons in "Cactus Flower", starring Walter Matthau as dentist Julian Winston. Toni believed that she was a married dentist's lover, but Julian only told Toni he was married to avoid a commitment.
10. The 1960s ended with westerns again in the spotlight, as "Gunsmoke" and "Bonanza" finished the 1969 season in second and third place behind "Laugh In". What new medical show finished at number eight?

Answer: Marcus Welby, M.D.

Veteran actor Robert Young starred as the kindly and caring Dr. Welby and James Brolin appeared as his assistant, Dr. Steven Kiley. 1940s band singer and movie starlet, Elena Verdugo played Consuelo Lopez.
Source: Author rblayer

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