"Webster" (1983-1989) is a sitcom with a sad premise. It seems that preteen Webster Long's father dies, leaving him an orphan. Enter former football teammate of Webster's dad, George Papadopolis and his new wife, Katherine. They take Webster in which leads to both problems and humor. Webster was played by Emmanuel Lewis. Surrogate father George was played by former Detroit Lions football player Alex Karras.
2. Vanessa Huxtable
Answer: Tempestt Bledsoe
"The Cosby Show" (1984-1992) featured Dr. Cliff Huxtable, his wife Clair, and their four kids (which later turned into five). There was the oldest (originally) Denise, Theo (the only boy), and Rudy (the youngest). Notice anyone missing? That would be the 'forgotten middle child' Vanessa. Vanessa was played by Tempestt Bledsoe who went on to appear on TV shows including "The Replacements", "Guys with Kids" and, somewhat ironically, "South of Nowhere".
3. Ben Seaver
Answer: Jeremy Miller
"Growing Pains" (1985-1992) gave us the Seaver family, with psychologist Dr. Jason Seaver, his journalist wife Maggie, and their three kids (before the "Cousin Oliver" syndrome kicked in). It seems to me that oldest child Mike was featured in more of the episodes than his siblings, Carol and Ben. Ben, the youngest, before the birth of the fourth child, was played by Jeremy Miller. (Who?) Coincidentally, in 2015, Jeremy was in a TV show called "The Comeback Kids".
4. Jennifer Keaton
Answer: Tina Yothers
Who could forget the upscale liberal-minded family, the Keatons, on"Family Ties" (1982-1989)? Steven managed a public TV station, while his wife Elyse was an architect. There was conservative Republican Alex P. Keaton (the real star), his ditsy sister Mallory and, lastly, youngest sister Jennifer, played by Tina Yothers.
The Keatons also had a fourth child, a boy, later in the run of the show, making Jennifer even more invisible.
5. Wesley T. Owens
Answer: Brice Beckham
The sitcom "Mr. Belvedere" (1985-1990) was based on the 1947 novel "Belvedere" by Gwen Davenport. On the TV comedy, the focus of the show was mainly the interaction between Mr. Lynn Belvedere, the British housekeeper and George Owens, the head of the house.
In typical 1980s sitcom fashion, George and his wife Marsha had three kids, i.e., Kevin, Heather and Wesley T. Owens. Wesley, the youngest child, was played by Brice Beckham.
6. Lynn Tanner
Answer: Andrea Elson
"ALF" (1986-1990) was actually an acronym for Alien Life Form. The star of the show was actually a puppet voiced by Paul Fusco, one of the show's creators. ALF, whose real name was Gordon Shumway of Melmac, crashes into the garage of the Tanner family (like "My Favorite Martian").
The furry, arrogant, cat-loving alien takes up residence with the family, i.e., Willie, Kate and their two kids, Brian and Lynn. Lynn Tanner was played by Andrea Elson.
7. Willis Jackson
Answer: Todd Bridges
The recipient of the constantly asked question "What you talkin' bout Willis?" was Willis Jackson on "Diff'rent Strokes" (1978-1986). Willis Jackson was the older brother of the real star of the show, i.e., Arnold. The premise of the show was a Manhattan millionaire (Philip Drummond) and his daughter taking in the Harlem raised kids of his deceased housekeeper. Todd Bridges (who later had problems with the law) played the elder Jackson.
8. Nicole Bradford
Answer: Staci Keanan
"My Two Dads" (1987-1990) gave us a switch on the usual 1980s sitcom, i.e, one child with two fathers. It all begins when Marci Bradford dies and leaves her teenage daughter, Nicole, in the custody of her ex-boyfriends, Mike and Joey. Mike is a prosperous, straight-laced businessman, while Joey is a free-wheeling artist. I guess poor deceased Marci thought the two disparate personalities would provide a balance. Nicole (still in therapy?) was played by Staci Keanan.
9. Eddie Winslow
Answer: Darius McCrary
"Family Matters" (1989-1998) was a spinoff of "Perfect Strangers". Harriette Winslow, who had been the elevator operator at the Chicago Chronicle, got fired and wound up on the new show as the matriarch of the Winslow family. This included her policeman husband Carl and their three kids, Eddie, Laura and Judy (who, like Chuck on "Happy Days", just disappeared).
When the annoying Steve Urkel became the focus of the show, the roles of the rest of the family were diminished, including that of oldest child Eddie, played by Darius McCrary.
10. Katie Gatling
Answer: Missy Gold
Benson DuBois began his TV tenure by serving as the butler for the wealthy Tate family on "Soap". In the spinoff, "Benson" (1979-1986) moves up to the Connecticut Governor's Mansion to help the widowed (and bumbling) Governor Gene Gatling with the household chores and with his young daughter Katie.
The show seemed more focused on Benson's rise from butler to lieutenant governor than it did with the familial issues of young Katie, played by Missy Gold.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ladymacb29 before going online.
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