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Quiz about Australian TV in the 1960s and 70s
Quiz about Australian TV in the 1960s and 70s

Australian TV in the 1960s and 70s Quiz


In 1974, colour TV was introduced to Australia. Many of the shows in this quiz were filmed in black and white, as well as in colour. Hopefully you will enjoy my trip down Memory Lane.

A multiple-choice quiz by ozzz2002. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
ozzz2002
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
407,511
Updated
Mar 13 22
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
283
Awards
Editor's Choice
Last 3 plays: Guest 120 (9/10), pollucci19 (10/10), Guest 159 (10/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. "Countdown" was THE music show of the 70s and 80s, hosted by Ian 'Molly' Meldrum. It had a huge influence over the local music scene, as well as featuring many overseas acts. What was Molly's catchphrase when urging his audience to watch a particular band? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Which of these shows featured the raucous antics of comedians Graham Kennedy, Ugly Dave Grey, Stuart Wagstaff, Noel Ferrier, Noeline Brown and Carol Raye, amongst many others? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. All of these shows were part of the Crawford Productions company, but which one was NOT a cop show? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Travel documentaries are common these days, but one of the first to appear on Australian television was 'Ask the Leyland Brothers'. What were the brothers' names? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. 'The Paul Hogan Show' starred Paul Hogan (strangely enough), but who was his slightly dimwitted friend and housemate?
Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. 'The Sullivans' was a high-rating drama series that saw many an actor get a career kickstarted. Which major war served as a backdrop to this show? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Because of its VERY adult content, the first episode of which long-running series was labelled as 'the night Australian TV lost its virginity'? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Which of these shows, aimed at children, was set in a National Park, just north of Sydney? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. 'Hey, Hey, It's Saturday' was a madcap variety show that ran for 28 years. It was shown on the Nine network on Saturday night, with each episode lasting two hours. Who was the host of the show for the entire run? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Which of these quiz shows debuted first on Australian television? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. "Countdown" was THE music show of the 70s and 80s, hosted by Ian 'Molly' Meldrum. It had a huge influence over the local music scene, as well as featuring many overseas acts. What was Molly's catchphrase when urging his audience to watch a particular band?

Answer: Do yourself a favour!

Molly (he was NEVER called Ian) hosted the show from its opening in 1974 until it folded in 1987. He had friends in all areas of the music scene, both locally and internationally. He was instrumental in launching the careers of such acts as Russell Morris, Skyhooks, Sherbet, The Masters Apprentices, Colleen Hewitt, and was friends with superstars like Rod Stewart, Meat Loaf, Elton John, Boz Scaggs, Cyndi Lauper, and countless others.

His 'do yourself a favour' phrase has found its way into the Australian vernacular. 'A rickapoodie and a fandooglie' belonged to radio DJ, Ward 'Pally' Austin, who was on air from the 1960s to the 90s. 'That's gold' was popularised by Paul Harragon on the rugby league 'Footy Show', in 2007. 'Crikey' is the well-known exclamation of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, usually when he had hold of a crocodile's tail!
2. Which of these shows featured the raucous antics of comedians Graham Kennedy, Ugly Dave Grey, Stuart Wagstaff, Noel Ferrier, Noeline Brown and Carol Raye, amongst many others?

Answer: Blankety Blanks

The show was loaded with double entendres and innuendo, and the viewers loved it. It only lasted two seasons, but won Kennedy a Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television, in 1978. The repartee between some of Australia's best comedic talent was amazing.

'The Mavis Bramston Show' was a satirical sketch show that ran from 1964-68. It featured talent such as Noelene Brown, June Salter, Gordon Chater, Carol Raye, and Barry Creyton. The title is ironic, in that Mavis Bramston did not really exist!

'Kingswood Country' was another politically-incorrect show, that rated its little socks off. It starred Ross Higgins as Ted Bullpit ("No, everyone says that. Its Bull-PITT".). "Pickle me grandmother!" was just one of his catchphrases. I saw an episode of this being filmed, and left with sore sides, from laughing so hard.

'Bellbird' was a gentle soap opera, set in a small country town. It ran for ten years from 1967.
3. All of these shows were part of the Crawford Productions company, but which one was NOT a cop show?

Answer: The Box

'Homicide' ran for 12 years, setting a record for the longest-running drama. It was set in Melbourne, and could probably be considered the flagship of the Crawford empire.

Bluey was not your average cop- a drinker, smoker and womaniser, which may explain why the show only ran for one season, in 1976/77. It starred comedian Lucky Grills as the unconventional, but highly effective Det. Sgt. "Bluey" Hills.

'Solo One' was a short-lived Crawford Production. It was set in a rural police station and starred Paul Cronin as a motorbike cop.

'The Box' was not a cop show. It was set in a television station, and was quite saucy for its day. Its cast included George Mallaby, Belinda Giblin, Judy Nunn, Ken James and Graham Blundell.
4. Travel documentaries are common these days, but one of the first to appear on Australian television was 'Ask the Leyland Brothers'. What were the brothers' names?

Answer: Mike and Mal

The Leyland brothers' show consisted mainly of home video stories about places of interest in Australia and New Zealand. Many of the stories were suggested by viewers.

Bill and Ben were the stars of the British kid's show, 'Flower Pot Men', who spoke unintelligible English. B1 and B2 are the 'Bananas in Pyjamas', a kids show that started in 1992. Greg, Ian and Trevor are the names of the Chappell brothers, a family of outstanding cricketers in the 1970s and 80s.
5. 'The Paul Hogan Show' starred Paul Hogan (strangely enough), but who was his slightly dimwitted friend and housemate?

Answer: Strop

The show, which ran for twelve seasons, was a comedy sketch show that paved the way for his career as Crocodile Dundee, and several other big-name movies. Strop, played by Hoges' real-life manager, John Cornell, was a dumb but friendly mate to the star, and was married to Delvene Delaney, the sex-symbol of the show. Cornell was also instrumental in the establishment of World Series Cricket in 1977. Hogan also starred in the 1996 movie, 'Flipper', with a young Elijah Wood and a dolphin. Plucka Duck was a character on 'Hey Hey, It's Saturday'.

Matthew "Matty" Johns was a champion rugby league player for Newcastle, New South Wales and Australia, retiring in 2002. He launched 'The Matty Johns Show', which concentrated on Rugby League, in 2010.
6. 'The Sullivans' was a high-rating drama series that saw many an actor get a career kickstarted. Which major war served as a backdrop to this show?

Answer: World War II

Dave and Grace Sullivan were the parents of four children, who are all affected by the war. The principals were played by established actors, Paul Cronin and Lorraine Bayly, and there was quite a procession of other players in guest appearances. John Waters, Bud Tingwell, the Minogue sisters, Gary Sweet, Mel Gibson and Gus Mercurio head a long list of Australian talent.

The Great Emu War was fought in Western Australia in 1932. Emus were wreaking havoc on wheat crops and a small detachment of soldiers was despatched to eradicate the problem. Despite the Army using machine guns, the general consensus is that the emus won!
7. Because of its VERY adult content, the first episode of which long-running series was labelled as 'the night Australian TV lost its virginity'?

Answer: Number 96

It probably seems a bit tame now, but in 1971 it created a huge amount of controversy. Storylines included the world's first openly gay soapie character, Don Finlayson (played by Joe Hasham), marijuana use, devil worship ceremonies, abortions, full-frontal nudity, and even a phantom panty snatcher! The series was set in a block of units at 96 Lindsay Street, Paddington, a trendy, inner-city suburb of Sydney, and ended in 1977.

'The Naked Vicar Show' had nothing to do with nude religious figures- it was a comedy sketch show, and 'The Restless Years' was a soapie, mainly aimed at young adults.
8. Which of these shows, aimed at children, was set in a National Park, just north of Sydney?

Answer: Skippy, the Bush Kangaroo

'Skippy' was a kangaroo, probably the smartest marsupial in the world. He was good friends with Sonny, who lived in the fictional Waratah National Park. Much of the filming was done in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, in the far northern suburbs of Sydney.

'Alexander Bunyip's Billabong' was a show that ran from 1978 to 1988. A bunyip is a mythological Australian creature, and is unlikely to be found in ANY National Park. 'Wombat' was another kid's show, that oddly enough, was hosted by a bathmat named Agro, rather than a wombat. 'The Muddle-Headed Wombat' is a radio series that started in the 1940s, which spawned a collection of classic books, written by Ruth Park.
9. 'Hey, Hey, It's Saturday' was a madcap variety show that ran for 28 years. It was shown on the Nine network on Saturday night, with each episode lasting two hours. Who was the host of the show for the entire run?

Answer: Daryl Somers

The show ran from 1971-99, and featured many international guests. David Lee Roth, Mick Jagger, Sylvester Stallone, Elton John, KC & The Sunshine Band, Kamahl, André the Giant, Mel Gibson, Candice Bergen, Tina Turner, Sheena Easton, Mel Gibson, Meatloaf, Chevy Chase are just a few that risked their careers and reputations. Some of the many segments include Chook Lotto, Molly's Melodrama, Masterslime, The Great Aussie Joke, Celebrity Head, and the infamous Red Faces, a no-talent talent show.

George Negus was one of the original journalists on the Australian version of '60 Minutes'. Roger Climpson read the news on Channel 7, Sydney, for more than twenty years. Bert Newton (known as Moonface) was a staple of Australian television for many, many years. He won almost every award imaginable, and appeared on countless variety and light entertainment shows.
10. Which of these quiz shows debuted first on Australian television?

Answer: It's Academic

'It's Academic' (1968) was a school-versus-school format, with most contestants being about 15 years old. It ran, in slightly different variants and times, and different networks, from 1968 to 2016.

'Million Dollar Minute' was a standard Q & A quiz show that started in 2013.
'The Rich List' ran from 2007 to 2009, and involved two teams naming as many items as they could from a given topic. 'RocKwiz' was hosted by Julia Zemiro, and was a very gritty, no-frills music-based quiz format.
Source: Author ozzz2002

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