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Quiz about 1980s TV Potpourri
Quiz about 1980s TV Potpourri

1980s TV Potpourri Trivia Quiz


Here's a quiz on some of the memorable shows of the 1980s. (Unless otherwise mentioned, all shows are United States versions.) Thanks, and I hope you enjoy.

A multiple-choice quiz by neon000. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
neon000
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
300,615
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
1808
Last 3 plays: Guest 8 (7/10), Guest 71 (6/10), Guest 62 (4/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. A kids' game show which began in the late 1980s was hosted by Mario Cantone. He would ask players trivia questions and watch them run a maze. He would also yell and throw things over the course while they ran. What show was this? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. What host of a variety show wore a checkered black and white suit, sometimes with a flowerpot on his head, and was known to walk off the set during skits? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. In the mid-1980s, an independent video channel based in New Jersey had an open-ended playlist which endeared it to fans and musicians alike. It played songs like "Do Fries Go with That Shake?" and "Go For a Soda." What was it? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. This show debuted on NBC in 1979 and ran until 1984. It featured interviews with people who had unusual jobs or talents. Among its hosts were Sarah Purcell and Fred Willard. What was the name of this show? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. A news magazine in a 30-minute format challenged the popularity of hour-long news shows. It aired in syndication across the country. Its original name was "Evening: the MTWTF Show," but this later changed. What was the new title? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. What daytime news magazine in the late 1970s and early 1980s featured Oprah Winfrey as a co-host? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. This show premiered on the U.S. network PBS in 1980. It was the vehicle for the rebroadcast of many BBC series, as well as original productions. Among its features were "Rumpole of the Bailey" and "Sherlock Holmes." What was it? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. On September 14, 1981, this show debuted on the U.S. network NBC. Its reporters and anchors have included John Tesh, Mary Hart and Leeza Gibbons. What is it? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. This series began with a special in 1979. It ran in syndication in the U.S. from 1980 to 1988. Among the hosts were Dionne Warwick, Andy Gibb and Marilyn McCoo. The show was also well-know for its backing dancers, who performed to the pop hits of the day. What was the show's title? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. This series aired on the ABC network from 1980 to 1984. Its hosts included Fran Tarkenton, Cathy Lee Crosby and John Davidson. Topics ranged from demonstrations of stunts, to features on the unusual and eerie. What was it called? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 27 2024 : Guest 8: 7/10
Mar 20 2024 : Guest 71: 6/10
Mar 18 2024 : Guest 62: 4/10
Mar 17 2024 : Guest 104: 7/10
Mar 15 2024 : Guest 68: 7/10
Mar 15 2024 : Guest 205: 8/10
Mar 14 2024 : Guest 107: 9/10
Mar 13 2024 : Guest 174: 9/10
Mar 12 2024 : Guest 68: 7/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. A kids' game show which began in the late 1980s was hosted by Mario Cantone. He would ask players trivia questions and watch them run a maze. He would also yell and throw things over the course while they ran. What show was this?

Answer: Steampipe Alley

The show aired on WWOR, a network based in Secaucus, New Jersey. "Steampipe Alley" ran from 1987 to 1993 and has become a cult classic. Cantone went on to star in several television shows, and continued a successful stand-up comedy career.
2. What host of a variety show wore a checkered black and white suit, sometimes with a flowerpot on his head, and was known to walk off the set during skits?

Answer: Uncle Floyd

"The Uncle Floyd Show" was legendary for its weird atmosphere and many technical difficulties. The credits would sometimes roll while Floyd was still talking to a guest, and Floyd might leave during filming if he felt like it. The host's full name is Floyd Vivino.

He was born in 1951 in Paterson, New Jersey. After the television show ended its run, Vivino continued to perform as a comedian. In 2008, he began a radio show based in New Rochelle, New York.
3. In the mid-1980s, an independent video channel based in New Jersey had an open-ended playlist which endeared it to fans and musicians alike. It played songs like "Do Fries Go with That Shake?" and "Go For a Soda." What was it?

Answer: U68

The station could be seen in the New York and New Jersey areas. U68's stock of songs tended to be much more varied than larger networks like MTV. It featured many guest spots by local and national artists.
4. This show debuted on NBC in 1979 and ran until 1984. It featured interviews with people who had unusual jobs or talents. Among its hosts were Sarah Purcell and Fred Willard. What was the name of this show?

Answer: Real People

Hosts also included Byron Allen and Mark Russell, among others. In syndication, it was sometimes known as "More Real People."
5. A news magazine in a 30-minute format challenged the popularity of hour-long news shows. It aired in syndication across the country. Its original name was "Evening: the MTWTF Show," but this later changed. What was the new title?

Answer: PM Magazine

The program ran from 1976 to 1991. It was released by Westinghouse's Group W Productions.
6. What daytime news magazine in the late 1970s and early 1980s featured Oprah Winfrey as a co-host?

Answer: People are Talking

The show aired from 1977 to 1983. (It is not to be confused with other shows that had similar titles.) Winfrey worked on several other programs before she founded "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in 1985. This went on to syndication across the U.S. in 1986. Oprah went on to greater success when her show garnered millions of viewers and she established a variety of business interests.
7. This show premiered on the U.S. network PBS in 1980. It was the vehicle for the rebroadcast of many BBC series, as well as original productions. Among its features were "Rumpole of the Bailey" and "Sherlock Holmes." What was it?

Answer: Mystery!

The show's opening animation on PBS, by artist Edward Gorey, included images of ravens, cobwebs and gravestones. In 2008, "Mystery!" was merged into the series "Masterpiece," which itself had been known as "Masterpiece Theater."
8. On September 14, 1981, this show debuted on the U.S. network NBC. Its reporters and anchors have included John Tesh, Mary Hart and Leeza Gibbons. What is it?

Answer: Entertainment Tonight

The cast of "Entertainment Tonight" has over the years included many notable individuals in film, music and fashion. Film critic Leonard Maltin became the show's movie reviewer in 1982. Steven Cojocaru became the fashion correspondent for the show in 2003.

In one memorable incident, Maltin's entire review of the 1985 film "Transylvania 6-5000" consisted of the word, "Stinks." (The 1985 movie was a remake of a 1963 original.)
9. This series began with a special in 1979. It ran in syndication in the U.S. from 1980 to 1988. Among the hosts were Dionne Warwick, Andy Gibb and Marilyn McCoo. The show was also well-know for its backing dancers, who performed to the pop hits of the day. What was the show's title?

Answer: Solid Gold

The show's cast of backing dancers changed frequently from year to year. The series also featured in-house performances by artists who had popular singles at the time. A half-hour version of the show, "Sold Gold Hits," was released in syndication in 1984. It aired on weekdays.
10. This series aired on the ABC network from 1980 to 1984. Its hosts included Fran Tarkenton, Cathy Lee Crosby and John Davidson. Topics ranged from demonstrations of stunts, to features on the unusual and eerie. What was it called?

Answer: That's Incredible!

A new version called "Incredible Sunday" aired from 1988 to 1989. John Davidson, Cristina Ferrare and Tracey Gold were the hosts.
Source: Author neon000

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