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Quiz about Curmudgeon at Large
Quiz about Curmudgeon at Large

Curmudgeon at Large Trivia Quiz


Some of our favorite classic TV characters were grumpy, difficult or just plain mean, but we loved them anyway. Test your knowledge on ten of classic TV's best known curmudgeons and the shows that brought them to us. Good luck!

A multiple-choice quiz by Coonielady. Estimated time: 3 mins.
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Author
Coonielady
Time
3 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
364,896
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Easy
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
1112
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 174 (10/10), Guest 174 (9/10), Guest 209 (10/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Which 1970's blue collar grouch was known for his bigoted attitudes toward his "meathead" son-in-law, women, minorities, and nearly everyone else who crossed his path? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Gus Witherspoon was a wise but somewhat gruff grandfather who opened his home to his grandchildren and widowed daughter-in-law in what 1980's series? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. What was the name of Ethel Mae Potter's penny pinching husband? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. What series, originating in 1974, featured a haughty, mean-spirited shopkeeper named Harriet, along with her long-suffering husband and three spoiled children? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Dennis Franz played hard-boiled and cynical detective Andy Sipowicz on what controversial police drama? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Military service during World War II and a career in the television news field may have contributed to this quick tempered and world weary man's outlook, who was first introduced in 1970 on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show". What was this malcontent's name? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Loud and stingy Mel Sharples blustered his way through an award winning movie and nine television seasons as the owner of what type of business? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. The classic TV sitcom "The Golden Girls" followed the lives of four distinctly different women sharing a home in Miami. What feisty Sicilian was known for her argumentative, insulting and often rude behavior? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. One of the greatest curmudgeons of all time was an obnoxious widower who delighted in harassing his sister-in-law, referring to his son as "Dummy", and faking heart failure anytime his harebrained schemes backfired. What 1970's sitcom featured Redd Foxx as this disagreeable, crotchety icon? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. What self-centered, greedy eight-year-old bully, whose deeds included terrorizing her blanket-toting younger brother, once confessed that what she really wanted for Christmas was real estate? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 25 2024 : Guest 174: 10/10
Mar 24 2024 : Guest 174: 9/10
Mar 21 2024 : Guest 209: 10/10
Mar 20 2024 : sally0malley: 9/10
Mar 18 2024 : Chavs: 9/10
Mar 08 2024 : Montgomery1: 8/10
Mar 05 2024 : Guest 208: 8/10
Mar 01 2024 : Guest 206: 8/10
Feb 29 2024 : bgjd: 7/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Which 1970's blue collar grouch was known for his bigoted attitudes toward his "meathead" son-in-law, women, minorities, and nearly everyone else who crossed his path?

Answer: Archie Bunker

Carroll O'Connor's wonderful portrayal of the loud, opinionated and often obnoxious Archie opened a new world in television when "All in the Family" debuted in 1971. Controversial topics such as racism, gay rights and religion were the focus of many altercations between Archie and his liberal son-in-law, Mike (a.k.a. "Meathead").

The talented Mr. O'Connor won countless awards, including five Emmys for Outstanding Actor (four for "All in the Family" and one for "In the Heat of the Night") before his death in 2001.
2. Gus Witherspoon was a wise but somewhat gruff grandfather who opened his home to his grandchildren and widowed daughter-in-law in what 1980's series?

Answer: "Our House"

After the death of his son, Gus (portrayed by Wilford Brimley) opened his home to Jessie (Deidre Hall) and her three children. Despite the challenges of adjusting to their new home and lifestyle, the children and Jessie soon learned that Gus's bark was much worse than his bite, and that his cantankerous ways were merely a very thin veil for his soft heart and genuine love for his family.

"Our House" aired from 1986 through 1988.
3. What was the name of Ethel Mae Potter's penny pinching husband?

Answer: Fred Mertz

Often irritable and sarcastic, Fred Mertz was the husband of Ethel Potter Mertz and the landlord of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo. Notoriously tight with money, Fred was frequently the subject of Ethel's wisecracks and was occasionally drawn into his wife's and Lucy's hilarious schemes.

"I Love Lucy" debuted in 1951 on CBS and starred William Frawley and Vivian Vance as the Mertzes, along with real-life husband and wife team Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball. The series spawned several sequels and remains one of the most loved shows in television history.
4. What series, originating in 1974, featured a haughty, mean-spirited shopkeeper named Harriet, along with her long-suffering husband and three spoiled children?

Answer: "Little House on the Prairie"

Harriet and Nels Oleson were the owners of Oleson's Mercantile in the town of Walnut Grove, Minnesota. Prone to gossip and selfishness, Harriet was a role model to her children, especially daughter Nellie and her adopted sister Nancy. Katherine MacGregor's brilliant portrayal allowed audiences to see past the villain and even sympathize with the complicated and brooding character.

Based on Laura Ingalls Wilder's series of novels, the show won multiple awards and launched the careers of several actors, including Melissa Gilbert and Melissa Sue Anderson.
5. Dennis Franz played hard-boiled and cynical detective Andy Sipowicz on what controversial police drama?

Answer: "NYPD Blue"

As the series progressed, Andy's negativity and bigotry were explained by revelations about his alcoholism, failed marriage and troubled childhood. Despite his crude and often insensitive persona, his loyalty to his job and coworkers made the character a favorite with both viewers and critics.

After twelve seasons, the final episode of "NYPD Blue" aired on March 1, 2005.
6. Military service during World War II and a career in the television news field may have contributed to this quick tempered and world weary man's outlook, who was first introduced in 1970 on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show". What was this malcontent's name?

Answer: Lou Grant

Ed Asner's Emmy winning performance as the somewhat volatile Lou Grant began on the comedy "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and continued into the drama series "Lou Grant", which was created after the first show's cancellation in 1977. Prone to outbursts and general crankiness, those who knew him saw a lonely, vulnerable man who had been hardened by years in the journalism business.

Stanley Zbornak, Felix Unger and Blake Carrington were characters on "The Golden Girls", "The Odd Couple", and "Dynasty", respectively.
7. Loud and stingy Mel Sharples blustered his way through an award winning movie and nine television seasons as the owner of what type of business?

Answer: Diner

Mel Sharples, played flawlessly by the late Vic Tayback. was the grouchy owner of Mel's Diner in the 1974 film "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore". He reprised the role two years later in the series "Alice", which was based on the movie.

Mel's habit of banging on a bell with his spatula and trading insults with his customers and employees became a focal point of the show. Despite his miserly and overbearing ways, those who knew him realized there was a soft spot buried beneath his gruffness.

"Alice"'s nine season run ended on March 19, 1985.
8. The classic TV sitcom "The Golden Girls" followed the lives of four distinctly different women sharing a home in Miami. What feisty Sicilian was known for her argumentative, insulting and often rude behavior?

Answer: Sophia Petrillo

Often using her age as an excuse for her crankiness and outrageous behavior, Sophia's constant whining and fault-finding led to many hilarious retorts by her daughter Dorothy. Despite her nagging and grumbling, Sophia loved "her girls" unconditionally and would have gone to any lengths to protect and defend them.

Estelle Getty won an Emmy for her role in the series, as did costars Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan and Betty White. The show had two spin-offs after it ended in 1992 and remains one of the most popular in syndication.
9. One of the greatest curmudgeons of all time was an obnoxious widower who delighted in harassing his sister-in-law, referring to his son as "Dummy", and faking heart failure anytime his harebrained schemes backfired. What 1970's sitcom featured Redd Foxx as this disagreeable, crotchety icon?

Answer: "Sanford and Son"

Based on the British comedy "Steptoe and Son", the series debuted in 1972 and centered around junk dealer Fred Sanford and his son Lamont. Frequent visitors included the Bible toting Esther (Fred's sister-in-law and nemesis), pals Grady and Bubba, and several of Lamont's friends who continually endured verbal abuse from Fred. When faced with repercussions from his trouble-making, the elder Sanford would dramatically clutch his chest, look upward and scream to his deceased wife Elizabeth that he was "comin' to join ya, 'Lizabeth".

The ground-breaking series ended in 1977 when Redd Foxx left to pursue another venture.
10. What self-centered, greedy eight-year-old bully, whose deeds included terrorizing her blanket-toting younger brother, once confessed that what she really wanted for Christmas was real estate?

Answer: Lucy Van Pelt

The self-appointed "Queen" of the Peanuts Gang has been called "the world's greatest fussbudget" by her comic strip mother. Crabby and ill-tempered, Lucy was only happy when she was pushing around the other children or playing mean pranks (most notably pulling away the football the last second before Charlie Brown's attempts to kick it). An insufferable know-it-all, she continually pointed out the faults of others and was always available to offer advice (for the mere sum of a nickel).

Lucy, Linus, Charlie Brown and the rest of this beloved group were the creation of cartoonist Charles Schulz, who wrote the strip from 1950 until his death in 2000. The holiday television specials and movies continue to draw millions of viewers annually, and in 2013, TV Guide listed "Peanuts" among its top five cartoons of all time.
Source: Author Coonielady

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