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The Multi-Talented Ben Elton Trivia Quiz

As well as being an alternative comedian, Ben Elton has written, directed and produced. His work can be seen via books, musicals, films and television! Is there anything this man can't do? How much you know about 'The Man From Auntie?'

A multiple-choice quiz by crazycat1974. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
crazycat1974

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
100,615

Updated
Jun 18 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
365

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which television series did Ben Elton write that was classed as the 'first UK alternative comedy sitcom' which showed four students sharing a house in North London? Hint

Bottom

Happy Families

Alfresco

The Young Ones

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Question 2 of 10

2. Was Ben Elton involved in the writing of all four series of 'Blackadder?'

Yes

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which television comedy did Ben Elton write with Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson that starred Rowan Atkinson in the lead role and was later made into a film?

Answer: ( Two Words ... nothing to do with Blackadder!)

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which of these books has several people living in a house being recorded by cameras 24 hours a day, and has a lot of similarities to the reality television show 'Big Brother?' Hint

Blast from the Past

This Other Eden

Gridlock

Dead Famous

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Question 5 of 10

5. There is a book that was adapted into a stage play which deals with violence in movies. Two of the main characters are Wayne and Scout. What is the name of the book? Hint

Inconceivable

Stark

This Other Eden

Popcorn

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Question 6 of 10

6. Ben Elton directed a film called 'Maybe Baby.' Which of his books was this film based on?

Answer: ( One Word ... watch your spelling!)

7. Ben Elton produced an English comedy, again starring Rowan Atkinson, who was joined by Mark Addy ('The Full Monty') and James Dreyfuss ('Gimme Gimme Gimme'). The comedy was set in a police station. What is its name? Hint

The Thin Blue Line

Coppers

The Bill

Heartbeat

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. What is the name of the television series Ben Elton wrote for that was a satirical, topical, comedy puppet show that ran from 1984 to 1996?

Answer: ( Two Words)

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Question 9 of 10

9. What is the name of a musical that Ben Elton wrote with Andrew Lloyd Webber? Hint

The Heartbreaking Game

The Emotional Game

The Beautiful Game

The Crying Game

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of these is not a quote from one of Ben Elton's stand up tours? Hint

"I'd like a pot of tea please, and some Savlon, and a Bandaid."

"Lovely plastic shiny seats, shaped like ski slopes.. Burp once, whallop! You're under the table.."

"Her sheets must have been so soggy, Mrs Thatcher could have privatised them."

"BSE found in alphabet soup!"

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which television series did Ben Elton write that was classed as the 'first UK alternative comedy sitcom' which showed four students sharing a house in North London?

Answer: The Young Ones

Other writers of the program were Alexei Sayle, Rik Mayall and Lise Mayer. There were just twelve episodes of 'The Young Ones' made where the lives of Neil (the hippy), Mike (the cool one), Rick (a would be anarchist) and Vyvyan (a punk medical student) were followed in Thatcher's Britain.

2. Was Ben Elton involved in the writing of all four series of 'Blackadder?'

Answer: No

It was Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson that wrote series one 'The Black Adder.' Ben Elton began to write with Richard Curtis for the comedy from series two. The other series were called 'Blackadder II, Blackadder the Third' and 'Blackadder Goes Forth.'

3. Which television comedy did Ben Elton write with Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson that starred Rowan Atkinson in the lead role and was later made into a film?

Answer: Mr Bean

The character of Mr Bean generally didn't say much and we saw him go about his day to day life in his own unique and extroadinary way. The film 'Bean' was released in 1997.

4. Which of these books has several people living in a house being recorded by cameras 24 hours a day, and has a lot of similarities to the reality television show 'Big Brother?'

Answer: Dead Famous

The TV programme is called 'House Arrest' and it's slogan is 'One house. Ten contestants. Thirty cameras. Forty microphones. One survivor.' One of the contestants is killed in the house, but the cameras don't see who did it! How can that be? Now the whole nation is gripped! An excellent book with so many twists in the plot your head will spin!

5. There is a book that was adapted into a stage play which deals with violence in movies. Two of the main characters are Wayne and Scout. What is the name of the book?

Answer: Popcorn

'Bruce Delamitri makes films about killing. Wayne and Scout are actual killers. On Oscar night, as Bruce receives an Oscar and becomes the toast of Hollywood, Wayne and Scout are on the run.' This book makes you think about how responsible violent films are for our society's behaviour.

6. Ben Elton directed a film called 'Maybe Baby.' Which of his books was this film based on?

Answer: Inconceivable

The 2000 film starred Hugh Laurie and Joely Richardson. It is about the ups and downs of a couple desparatly trying to start a family of their own. Although the topic is serious and touching, as with everything Mr Elton touches, you do get to see the funny side too!

Answer: The Thin Blue Line

Mark Addy went on to star as 'the fat guy' in 'The Full Monty' of course!

8. What is the name of the television series Ben Elton wrote for that was a satirical, topical, comedy puppet show that ran from 1984 to 1996?

Answer: Spitting Image

'Spitting Image' gave the UK some of its best comedians of the 1990s. The show comprised of caricature puppets of politicians and stars with impressionists providing the voices. All the shows were based around current events and had a tongue in cheek feel about it.

Some of the impressionists are still around in the early 2000s were: Chris Barrie ('Red Dwarf'), Harry Enfield ('Kevin and Perry go large') and Steve Coogan ('Alan Partridge').

9. What is the name of a musical that Ben Elton wrote with Andrew Lloyd Webber?

Answer: The Beautiful Game

It is a football inspired love story set against the troubles in Northern Ireland. Although early reviews thought it would be a flop, the press soon changed their minds when it was released!

10. Which of these is not a quote from one of Ben Elton's stand up tours?

Answer: "BSE found in alphabet soup!"

The funny, straight forward comment is not his. You can generally tell if it is a Ben Elton quote from the level of sarcasm! :-) Hope you enjoyed this quiz and maybe found out there really is more to the man than you originally thought!

Source: Author crazycat1974

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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