Funny People Too Trivia Quiz

Answer: Red Skelton

Even sufferers of coulrophobia would find it difficult to fear Red Skelton. Red created many characters including the 'mean widdle kid' who dared himself to be naughty. Fans will remember Willie Lumplump, Clem Kadiddlehopper, Freddie the Freeloader, San Fernando Red and a host of others.

Answer: Minnie Pearl

Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon was known by her stage name Cousin Minnie Pearl and was a presence on radio, television, and the stage since 1939 when she first performed the character. This was followed by a fifty year gig on the "Grand Ole Opry" (1940-1991) and on the televised "Hee Haw" (1969-1991) both terminated by her stroke in 1991.

She always wore her flowery bonnet with the price tag still dangling and told stories about country life and the folks who lived there. Quoted is her greeting to the audience.

Answer: George Gobel

George Gobel had a long career beginning with singing on the "National Barn Dance" that was interrupted by World War Two as a flight instructor who made sure that no enemy planes got past Tulsa. Returning to civilian life he devoted his career to comedy,

The peak of his career was on television On the "George Gobel Show" (1954-1960) that won him an Emmy. His show was peppered with catch phases as 'spooky old Alice' (his wife), 'I'll be a dirty bird', and 'You don't hardly get those any more'.

Answer: Rodney Dangerfield

Born Jacob Cohen, he adopted his stage name from an old Jack Benny skit. His first career as a stand-up comedian was unsuccessful as he gave it up to become a salesman for several years. He returned to comedy in 1956 and found a slow rise in popularity, overcoming the lack of respect. He was sought after for talk shows and found his way late in his career for films.

One of my favorite scenes in "Back to School" (1986) was when he tried to date Sally Kellerman.

Kellerman: Actually, I'd like to join you, but I have class tonight.
Dangerfield: Oh. How 'bout tomorrow night?
Kellerman: I have class then, too.
Dangerfield: I'll tell you what, then. Why don't you call me some time when you have no class?

Answer: George Burns

George Burns lived to be a hundred years old and for most of those years played a straight man to his beloved wife Gracie Allen. After her death he started a new career as a stand-up comedian and actor and won an Academy Award for his performance in "The Sunshine Boys".

When evaluating George Burns you must remember that he wrote most of the funny things she said.

"They laughed at Joan of Arc, but she went right ahead and built it."

"Why spend two years writing a book when you can just borrow one from the library?"

"I'm a very lucky woman. I was courted by the youngest, handsomest, most charming, most sought-after star in show business - but I still married George because I loved him".

In Burns's solo act he would be puffing a cigar and making abortive attempts at singing obsure songs between the jokes.

Answer: Redd Foxx

Prior to becoming a television star, Foxx was most noted for his raunchy recordings. These 'blue' recordings, perhaps as many as fifty, made him a favorite among black audiences but he was little known otherwise. In "Sanford and Son" (1971-1977)he played a grouchy junk yard owner with his son Lamont (Demond Wilson).

In many ways it redefined Black comedy. In times of stress he would clutch his left chest and fake a heart attack, Elizabeth being his dead wife. This was ignored by the other characters.

Answer: Polly Holliday

As a veteran character actress, she is a familiar face in films and television but her name may not be as familiar. But her catch phase "Kiss my grits" became virile. Diane Ladd first played 'Flo' in the original film "Alice Doesn't Live There Anymore"(1974) but Holliday inherited the role on the TV sitcom "Alice" (1975-1983). A spin-off called "Flo" aired for two seasons (1980-1981)received good marks from critics, had Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, was in the top 20 in ratings but CBS cancelled it anyway.

Answer: Bea Arthur

"Maude"(1972-1978) was a spin-off of "All in the Family"(1971-1979). Bea Arthur's Maude was a cousin to Edith Bunker. Maude was an outspoken, middle-aged, politically liberal woman with her fourth husband. The opposite of Archie Bunker, she supported women's liberation, the Democratic Party, women's choice, civil rights, and equality. When someone disagreed with her, she would stare them down and say "God will get you for that".

Later Bea Arthur starred in "The Golden Girls" (1985-1992) as a woman with a similar persona.

Answer: George Carlin

Summerfest is an eleven day festival held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that celebrates music and culture on the shore of Lake Michigan. In 1972 on the comedy stage George Carlin was doing his monologue that included a segment called "Seven Dirty Words You Can't Say on Television". A Milwaukee police officer Elmer Linz called in and said the Carlin was making an obscene performance and more policemen were called to make an arrest. As soon as he left the stage he was taken into custody but not before he was able to dispose of some contraband. He was held for a couple of hours and paid 150 dollar bail.

The City of Milwaukee demanded a trial and although Carlin was not present, a recording made several months earlier of the seven dirty words routine was played. The judge was laughing so hard that he dismissed the case.

I can't tell what those seven words are but a few minutes on YouTube will inform you.

Answer: Sam Kinison

Sam Kinisin was a Pentecostal preacher gone rouge. At age 24 he gave up preaching and became a comedian, using some of the same techniques he used as fire and brimstone from the pulpit. As his comedy career grew so did his thirst for cocaine and alcohol. The quote is from one of his routines that we shouldn't send food to starving people but they should go where the food is, only Sam bugged his eyes and shouted it at the top of his voice.

Sam died in an auto accident at 38 on his way to a performance.