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Classic TV Signoffs Trivia Quiz

I recently heard again the phrase "Smile, you're on Candid Camera!" and I got the idea to write a quiz on TV sign-offs. All are American TV shows.

A multiple-choice quiz by matho_77. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
matho_77

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
314,888

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
2748

Awards
Top 10% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 150 (9/10), Guest 209 (7/10), Guest 97 (7/10).

This quiz has 2 formats: you can play it as a or as shown below.
Scroll down to the bottom for the answer key.

1. "And that's the way it is" was heard whenever which CBS news anchor, known as "the most trusted man in America", would sign-off his evening show? Hint

Walter Cronkite

Peter Jennings

Dan Rather

Edward R. Murrow

NEXT>

2. What 1950's show ended "Say goodnight, Gracie"? Hint

"The Beverly Hillbillies"

"The I Love Gracie Show"

"The Alan Young Show"

"The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show"

NEXT>

3. From 1951 to 1957, what show ended by wishing the audience "Happy Trails"? Hint

"The Gene Autry Show"

"Death Valley Days"

"The Roy Rogers Show"

"Gunsmoke"

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4. Who said "Bless your little pea-pickin' hearts" for his sign-off phrase? Hint

Bob Newhart

Ned Clampett

Arthur Godfrey

Tennessee Ernie Ford

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5. Who concluded his radio and television shows with the unusual sign-off "Good night Mrs Calabash, wherever you are!"? Hint

Larry King

Jimmy Durante

Jack Benny

Ed Sullivan

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6. "Good night to all you boys and girls, my nephews and nieces..." Hint

Jackie Gleason

Bishop Fulton Sheen

Milton Berle

Walter Winchell

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7. Who closed her show with "Mmmm-Wah!" (Kiss)? Hint

Tracey Ullman

Ann Sothern

Sheri Lewis

Dinah Shore

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8. Who ended his comedy variety show with "Good night and may God bless"? Hint

Red Skelton

Milton Berle

Jackie Gleason

Chris Rock

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9. "Ya'll comeback now, hear!" was the Clampett family's weekly goodbye from what TV show? Hint

"Petticoat Junction"

"The Beverly Hillbillies"

"Boston Legal"

"Twin Peaks"

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10. "The Tracey Ullman Show" (1987-1990) was a weekly variety show hosted by singer and comedienne Tracey Ullman. What was her sign-off catchphrase? Hint

"Ta ta"

"Come back next week, please"

"Go Home! Go Home!"

"I'm British and you're not"

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "And that's the way it is" was heard whenever which CBS news anchor, known as "the most trusted man in America", would sign-off his evening show?

Answer: Walter Cronkite

Walter Cronkite died July 17, 2009. He anchored the "CBS Evening News" for 19 years. He is particularly remembered for his coverage of the John F. Kennedy assassination in 1963 when he showed emotion something news reporter did not do.

2. What 1950's show ended "Say goodnight, Gracie"?

Answer: "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show"

George Burns and Gracie Allen played themselves in this series that first aired on October 12, 1950. At first the series was aired live every two weeks but soon moved to Hollywood when it was filmed and shown weekly.

3. From 1951 to 1957, what show ended by wishing the audience "Happy Trails"?

Answer: "The Roy Rogers Show"

Roy Rogers and his wife Dale Evans would end their show singing "Happy Trails" while the credits rolled. This western also featured Roy's horse Trigger and his dog Bullet.

4. Who said "Bless your little pea-pickin' hearts" for his sign-off phrase?

Answer: Tennessee Ernie Ford

Ernie Ford or Tennessee Ernie Ford was a country singer, composer, and author.
On "The Ford Show" (1956-61) he usually concluded his show singing a hymn or spiritual song. One of his biggest hits was "Sixteen Tons" and his album "Hymns" achieved Gold Record status.

5. Who concluded his radio and television shows with the unusual sign-off "Good night Mrs Calabash, wherever you are!"?

Answer: Jimmy Durante

Jimmy Durante was nicknamed The Schnoz. Although he never explained his strange sign-off according to the book, "Hollywood Trivia" (Greenwich House, 1984), by David P. Strauss, Jimmy Durante's famous "Mrs. Calabash" sign-off referred to his first wife, Jeanne Olson. Jimmy Durante died in 1980 but his "Frosty The Snowman" song is heard each Christmas season.

6. "Good night to all you boys and girls, my nephews and nieces..."

Answer: Milton Berle

An ad-libbed reference to himself as Uncle Miltie caught on and thereafter, every show sign-off contained the closing phrase, "Good night to all you boys and girls, my nephews and nieces, this is Uncle Miltie saying Good Night." Known as "Mr. Television", Milton Berle died in March, 2002.

7. Who closed her show with "Mmmm-Wah!" (Kiss)?

Answer: Dinah Shore

Dinah Shore's trademark song was "See the USA (in your Chevrolet)". She was the first female star to have her own prime-time TV variety show. Dinah earned the USO Medallion Award as the first entertainer to visit GIs on the front lines of WWII.

8. Who ended his comedy variety show with "Good night and may God bless"?

Answer: Red Skelton

Freddie the Freeloader, Clem Kadiddlehopper and Cauliflower McPugg are only some of the recurring characters Red Skelton created. He was inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame in 1989. His TV show aired 1951-1971.

9. "Ya'll comeback now, hear!" was the Clampett family's weekly goodbye from what TV show?

Answer: "The Beverly Hillbillies"

Starring Buddy Ebsen and Irene Ryan "The Beverly Hillbillies" was a sitcom that aired 1962-1971. Because of its surprising high ratings two spinoffs were created "Green Acres" and "Petticoat Junction". I suppose the thinking is you can't get enough of a good thing.

10. "The Tracey Ullman Show" (1987-1990) was a weekly variety show hosted by singer and comedienne Tracey Ullman. What was her sign-off catchphrase?

Answer: "Go Home! Go Home!"

"The Tracey Ullman Show" was FOX network's first weekly series. This variety show included musical numbers, choreography by Paula Abdul and numerous comedy skits that showcased Ullman's talent. This show won the first Emmy for FOX and is where 'the Simpsons' made their debut as between-the-acts animated shorts.

Source: Author matho_77

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ladymacb29 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

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