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Quiz about Life As Viewed Through A 10inch TV Screen

Life As Viewed Through A 10-inch TV Screen Quiz

Ahhhh...television. What would we do without it? In its early days, TV presented some truly memorable programs. Let's see how many you remember...

A multiple-choice quiz by lompocjoe. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
lompocjoe

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
259,986

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1173

Last 3 plays: Guest 12 (6/10), Guest 68 (2/10), Guest 172 (6/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. One of the most popular shows of the 1950's was "Your Show Of Shows" with Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca. But when it first aired in October of 1949, what was it called? Hint

Central Park West

Toast Of The Town

Admiral Broadway Review

Knickerbocker Square

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Question 2 of 10

2. Clarabell the Clown on "Howdy Doody" never spoke...only honked a horn.

True

False

3. One of the most popular shows of the '50's (and one of the tackiest in TV history) had four women come before host Jack Bailey and tell tales of woe, usually accompanied by a flood of tears. The winner, chosen by audience applause, received several gifts and a moment of happiness in her otherwise miserable life. What was the name of this program? Hint

Kate Smith's 'God Bless America' Hour

Portia Knows Best

Queen For A Day

At Home With Arlene Francis

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Question 4 of 10

4. "This is the city...Los Angeles, California. I work here. I carry a badge." Who spoke these immortal words? Hint

Broderick Crawford on "Highway Patrol"

Jack Webb on "Dragnet"

Howard Duff on "Southside 700"

Gordon MacRae on "Sunset Beat"

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Question 5 of 10

5. Ben Cartwright was father to three rambunctious sons on the popular show "Bonanza." How many wives did Ben outlive? Hint

Two. One was a Native American. She was 'Hoss's' mother.

I hate to say this, but Ben was never married...all of his brides died before the ceremonies could take place

Three, and each of them gave him a son.

One, and she was the mother of his three sons

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Question 6 of 10

6. Perry Como was one of the most relaxed, easy-going singers in American pop culture. He hosted an eponymous show in the 1950's, but what was his first television show called? Hint

The Chesterfield Supper Club

Drifting and Dreaming with Perry Como

Sounds For A Summer Afternoon

Your Hit Parade

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Question 7 of 10

7. Another popular singer of the 1950's was Dinah Shore. Her program was sponsored by Chevrolet and she made the song "See The U.S.A. In Your Chevrolet" a top-ten hit for many years. What was her signature 'sign-off' gesture? Hint

She tugged on her left ear, a gesture that was later copied by Carol Burnett

A hand-to-mouth "M-wah!" kiss

On a darkened stage, she would walk from one spotlight to another, a gesture later used by Jimmy Durante

A big wave and a "See you next week, everyone!"

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Question 8 of 10

8. David Brinkley and Chet Huntley were the first TV news 'superstars. Their sign-off, "Goodnight, David...Goodnight, Chet", became one of the most popular phrases in TV history. Chet Huntley broadcast from New York, while David Brinkley was in this city ________. Hint

Baltimore

Trick question...he was sitting right next to Huntley.

Washington, D.C.

Brinkley broadcast from a different location every week, setting the stage for "Where in the world is Matt Lauer?"

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Question 9 of 10

9. Jack Paar, one of the early hosts of "The Tonight Show" was reprimanded by NBC censors. What was the subject of the joke that caused so many problems? Hint

A brassiere worn by Mamie Van Doren

A water closet, otherwise known as a 'toilet'

A rather graphic story about a priest and a rabbi walking into a bar

A remark about a friend of President Eisenhower's who was caught with a 'lady of the night'

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Question 10 of 10

10. What recognition was given to Gene Roddenberry, the creator of "Star Trek"? Hint

Receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was the first television writer to be so honored.

He was seriously considered to be a space shuttle astronaut.

He was inducted into the Science Fiction Writers Association.

He was the first to visit the top-secret Russian missile launching site at Baikoner.

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 01 2024 : Guest 12: 6/10
Mar 30 2024 : Guest 68: 2/10
Mar 28 2024 : Guest 172: 6/10
Mar 08 2024 : Guest 209: 5/10
Mar 03 2024 : Guest 172: 6/10
Feb 25 2024 : Guest 98: 10/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. One of the most popular shows of the 1950's was "Your Show Of Shows" with Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca. But when it first aired in October of 1949, what was it called?

Answer: Admiral Broadway Review

The idea for "Your Show Of Shows" came from the success of a vaudeville act performed at a resort in the Catskills. Caesar and Coca were the stars of this program and TV executive Pat Weaver thought it would look good on TV. It did. Some of the greatest comedy writers in the entertainment industry wrote sketches for this 90-minute live program, including Mel Brooks and Neil Simon.

2. Clarabell the Clown on "Howdy Doody" never spoke...only honked a horn.

Answer: False

The first 'Clarabell' was Bob Keeshan, later to become 'Captain Kangaroo.' "Howdy Doody" ran from 1947 to 1960 and was one of the first TV shows to be broadcast in color. On the last show, Clarabell spoke for the first time, saying "Goodbye, kids."

Answer: Queen For A Day

"Queen For A Day" was highly successful both as a radio program and later as a television show. In many way, it set the stage for what we now call 'reality TV.' Host Jack Bailey would use the 'applause meter' to gauge audience reactions to the hard-luck stories and the winner would receive a number of gifts. Bailey would sign off with "Make every woman a queen every single day!"

4. "This is the city...Los Angeles, California. I work here. I carry a badge." Who spoke these immortal words?

Answer: Jack Webb on "Dragnet"

Yes, it was Sgt. Joe Friday, memorably portrayed by stoic Jack Webb. Other phrases on "Dragnet" that have become part of our vocabulary are "Just the facts, Ma'am" and "The story you are about to see is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent."

5. Ben Cartwright was father to three rambunctious sons on the popular show "Bonanza." How many wives did Ben outlive?

Answer: Three, and each of them gave him a son.

It must have been tough being married to Ben, since he out-lived all three of his wives. Hoss's real name, by the way, was Eric. The show ran from 1959 to 1973. In syndicated reruns, "Bonzana" was often called "Ponderosa."

6. Perry Como was one of the most relaxed, easy-going singers in American pop culture. He hosted an eponymous show in the 1950's, but what was his first television show called?

Answer: The Chesterfield Supper Club

"The Perry Como Show" aired from 1955 to 1963 and was always opened with Perry's trademark theme song, "Dream along with me, I'm on my way to a star."
Perry was one of 13 children (perhaps that's what made him so mellow!) and originally wanted to be a barber.

Answer: A hand-to-mouth "M-wah!" kiss

Dinah was one of the few women to headline her own show. Her 'girl-next-door' image resonated with viewers and she ruled the 9 p.m. Sunday slot until "Bonanza" came along and bumped her into second place.

Answer: Washington, D.C.

When Huntley retired in 1970, his "Goodnight, David" was answered with a "Goodbye, Chet." Their news broadcast partnership lasted for 14 years.

9. Jack Paar, one of the early hosts of "The Tonight Show" was reprimanded by NBC censors. What was the subject of the joke that caused so many problems?

Answer: A water closet, otherwise known as a 'toilet'

In 1960, Paar stunned the country by tearfully saying "I am leaving the Tonight Show" and left a bewildered Hugh Downs to host the rest of the 90-minute show. Although he returned after a month's absence, he finally left the "Tonight Show" for good in 1972.

10. What recognition was given to Gene Roddenberry, the creator of "Star Trek"?

Answer: Receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was the first television writer to be so honored.

Roddenberry began writing for TV with scripts for "Have Gun, Will Travel" and "Bat Masterson." Reflecting his love of Westerns, he referred to "Star Trek" as "Wagon Train to the stars." In 1986, he received the Hollywood Walk of Fame star. A crater on the planet Mars and an asteroid were also named after him.

Source: Author lompocjoe

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