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Quiz about The Show Within A Show
Quiz about The Show Within A Show

The Show Within A Show Trivia Quiz


Television has been an ubiquitous means of entertainment since its earliest days. What could be more entertaining than a television show (or, episode) about the entertainment industry? Here are some questions about the shows within the shows.

A multiple-choice quiz by cowboybluedog. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
399,341
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Easy
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
584
Last 3 plays: Guest 174 (8/10), Guest 174 (9/10), Guest 73 (3/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. During the first season of "I Love Lucy" (1951-1957) the show's main character Lucy Ricardo hoped to make her way into show business by doing a taste-test (demonstration) of a product that sponsored her own husband's variety show. What was the product that Lucy attempted to sell - as only Lucy could do - in the episode titled, "Lucy Does a TV Commercial"? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. "The Dick Van Dyke Show" (1961-1966) was about the personal and professional life of a man who made his living as a head writer of a television show. Within the premise of that hilarious comedy, what was the name of comedy/variety show that employed the main character? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (1970-1977) was about the lives of those who worked for a (fictitious) television station, WJM. One show broadcast by WJM was "The Happy Homemaker" starring Sue Ann Nivens. Who was the amazing comedienne - who appeared on television for more than 80 years - who played the part of Sue Ann Nivens? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. "Full House" (1987-1995) featured Bob Saget as Danny Tanner. Initially, Tanner was a sports broadcaster at a California based television station but by season two he joined Becky Donaldson as co-host of a local morning show. What was the name of Danny and Becky's show? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. The television show "Murphy Brown" (1988-1998, 2018) featured Candice Bergen as the title character, Murphy Brown, who was a seasoned journalist/reporter not afraid to ruffle some feathers. In the initial run of the show, that is, the first ten seasons, for what television newsmagazine did Murphy Brown work? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. The entertainment industry and humanities that enrich our lives have often shared their origin - wonderful movies have come from novels, delightful plays have come from movies, classic television shows have spun-off from other shows, etc. What medium was the inspiration for the TV comedy "MADtv" (1995-2009, 2016)? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. On the TV show "Friends" (1994-2004) Joey Tribbiani finally got his chance to star in a day-time soap opera - all thanks to a necessary brain transplant of one of the soap's lead characters. What long-time-staple of daytime TV was mentioned as Joey's vehicle to stardom - or, so he thought? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. "The Girlie Show" and, later, "TGS with Tracy Jordan" were two fictitious shows within the very popular, satirical sitcom series, "30 Rock" (2006-2013). "30 Rock" was created by one of the stars of that show. Who was the super-talented woman playing the part of Liz Lemon on "30 Rock"? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. As home entertainment moved into the 21st a new medium began to flourish - the vodcast. "Fun With Flags" was a recurring video podcast (vodcast) within a popular television sitcom; it was the brainchild of one of the lead characters of that show, Sheldon Cooper. What show? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. The American premium network, Showtime, and the United Kingdom's television channel, BBC Two, broadcast a series titled, "Episodes" (2011-2017) about a (fictional) British sitcom titled, "Lyman's Boys". What former star of the television's "Friends" (1994-2004) had a lead role in "Episodes"? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 25 2024 : Guest 174: 8/10
Mar 25 2024 : Guest 174: 9/10
Mar 22 2024 : Guest 73: 3/10
Mar 21 2024 : Guest 104: 9/10
Mar 21 2024 : Guest 209: 8/10
Mar 05 2024 : Guest 208: 9/10
Mar 01 2024 : Guest 206: 6/10
Feb 21 2024 : LibrarianMan: 9/10
Feb 19 2024 : Guest 24: 10/10

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. During the first season of "I Love Lucy" (1951-1957) the show's main character Lucy Ricardo hoped to make her way into show business by doing a taste-test (demonstration) of a product that sponsored her own husband's variety show. What was the product that Lucy attempted to sell - as only Lucy could do - in the episode titled, "Lucy Does a TV Commercial"?

Answer: Vitameatavegamin

Anyone who watched (almost) any episode of "I Love Lucy" saw a zany red-headed house wife who really wanted to be in "show business". The series was filled with endless (hilarious!) situations that exemplified Lucy's determination to be a part of that industry; being "just a housewife" was never glamorous and exciting enough for Lucy.

In the episode, "Lucy Does a TV Commercial", Lucy, of course, used a bit of treachery and deceit to be cast as the model who did the taste-test and it all went crazy from there.

Many fans of the series have reviewed the Vitameatavegamin scene as one the best moments - if not THE best - of the series. It certainly show cases Lucille Ball (as Lucy Ricardo) in her comedic best!
2. "The Dick Van Dyke Show" (1961-1966) was about the personal and professional life of a man who made his living as a head writer of a television show. Within the premise of that hilarious comedy, what was the name of comedy/variety show that employed the main character?

Answer: "The Alan Brady Show"

"The Dick Van Dyke Show" ran for five seasons and TV Guide described it as: "often copied, rarely duplicated classic" (TV) that was "sharply written, warmly acted by a brilliant ensemble cast". "The Alan Brady Show" was a fictitious show within that show. Carl Reiner, who could occasionally be seen in the series playing the part of Alan Brady, was the creator and lead writer "The Dick Van Dyke Show". (Confused yet?) Carl Reiner often told that his inspiration for "The Dick Van Dyke Show" came from his own work as a writer for Sid Caesar's "Your Show Of Shows", basing its lead character (Rob Petrie) on himself and basing the Alan Brady character on Sid Caesar. (Now are you confused?)
3. "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (1970-1977) was about the lives of those who worked for a (fictitious) television station, WJM. One show broadcast by WJM was "The Happy Homemaker" starring Sue Ann Nivens. Who was the amazing comedienne - who appeared on television for more than 80 years - who played the part of Sue Ann Nivens?

Answer: Betty White

Betty White was regarded was a true pioneer of television; her achievements were numerous and various - particularly regarding the roles that were available to women both in front of and behind the camera. As producer of the show, "Life with Elizabeth" (a television comedy broadcast in the mid-1950s) Betty White was recognized as the first woman to have that occupation/responsibility.

In addition to "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", Betty White starred in "The Golden Girls" and "Hot Cleveland". "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" was often ranked among the best written television shows - even decades after it was initially broadcast.

The show featured an amazing cast. In addition to Mary Tyler Moore, cast members were: Ed Asner, Valerie Harper, Ted Knight, Cloris Leachman, Gavin MacLeod, Georgia Engel - and, as mentioned, the incredible Betty White.

In 2013 newswoman, Katie Couric, interviewed the five women featured in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (Moore, White, Harper, Leachman and Engel) for her own show, "Katie" (2012-2014); it would be the last on-screen appearance of the group together.
4. "Full House" (1987-1995) featured Bob Saget as Danny Tanner. Initially, Tanner was a sports broadcaster at a California based television station but by season two he joined Becky Donaldson as co-host of a local morning show. What was the name of Danny and Becky's show?

Answer: "Wake Up, San Francisco"

"Wake Up, San Francisco" allowed the show, "Full House", to incorporation a female persona, i.e., Rebecca "Becky" Donaldson. Predictably, she and Danny Tanner were very different yet determined to make their show work. The "show within the show" was hilarious but realistic - much like Danny's life at home with his "full house". "Full House" was first broadcast in the late 1980s, when the idea of men - and, only men - raising their family(ies) was pure comedy material.

Although, TV critics were frequently uncomplimentary of "Full House" the show was very popular; its ratings were very good, particularly after its first season.

As expected, many of the situations were about the perils of single-parenting as a working father but the show never failed to maintain high moral standards as the zany cast of characters demonstrated shows with "PG" ratings can be funny.
5. The television show "Murphy Brown" (1988-1998, 2018) featured Candice Bergen as the title character, Murphy Brown, who was a seasoned journalist/reporter not afraid to ruffle some feathers. In the initial run of the show, that is, the first ten seasons, for what television newsmagazine did Murphy Brown work?

Answer: "FYI"

"Murphy Brown" was based in Washington, D.C. "FYI" was a fictitious program presented as a show that was a part of the actual parent company of "Murphy Brown", CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System). Occasionally, within the run of "Murphy Brown" (then) current politicians, celebrities, news people and CBS executives were mentioned - or, more likely ridiculed - which only gave the show more appeal.

As the title character, Murphy's job title was political correspondent. The character reflected the attitude of the show itself in that current topics were to be treated with realistic respect - no matter how controversial some people may have thought the issues were.

The show had a brief revival during 2018; it was canceled after only one season. Yet, we simply must love a character who can say (as Murphy Brown did): "I was waiting for the universe to dispense some justice but sometimes the universe is just too damn slow.

The effects of putting Nair in someone's styling gel, however, only take a few minutes."
6. The entertainment industry and humanities that enrich our lives have often shared their origin - wonderful movies have come from novels, delightful plays have come from movies, classic television shows have spun-off from other shows, etc. What medium was the inspiration for the TV comedy "MADtv" (1995-2009, 2016)?

Answer: Magazine

"MADtv" first aired in October of 1995 as a late-night cartoon comedy on the FOX Network. The show was inspired by (some sources even use "spun-off from", rather than "inspired by") the American humor magazine, "MAD". "MAD" magazine was first sold in the early 1950s and maintained its popularity and distribution well into the 21st century. "MADtv" was presented in comedy sketch form - much like the ever popular "Saturday Night Live" (which began broadcasting in the USA in 1975).

The sketches for "MADtv" were often found within the pages of the magazine from which it sprang.

The show within the show on "MADtv" was a long-running animated feature taken directly from the magazine called "Spy vs. Spy". Although the warring animated characters (one drawn as black, the other drawn as white) were often compared to such simplistic sparring partners as Tom and Jerry, Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner or Krazy and Ignatz, the spies dealt with much more solemn issues since their parodies were spoofs of political ideologies.
7. On the TV show "Friends" (1994-2004) Joey Tribbiani finally got his chance to star in a day-time soap opera - all thanks to a necessary brain transplant of one of the soap's lead characters. What long-time-staple of daytime TV was mentioned as Joey's vehicle to stardom - or, so he thought?

Answer: "Days of Our Lives"

Although the TV shows "Days of Our Lives" (first broadcast in 1965) and "Friends" (1994-2004) were vastly different they shared one very important common element - they were both broadcast (in the USA) by the same parent company - NBC (or, National Broadcasting Company). With a continuous run that began late in the year of 1965 and lasted well into the 21st century, "Days of Our Lives" became one of the longest-running scripted programs in the history of television. No wonder the show "Friends" was so proud to include it in its own script. For many fans of "Friends" the episode titled, "The One With Joey's New Brain", often makes the "must-see" list.

The combination of shows is fetching!
8. "The Girlie Show" and, later, "TGS with Tracy Jordan" were two fictitious shows within the very popular, satirical sitcom series, "30 Rock" (2006-2013). "30 Rock" was created by one of the stars of that show. Who was the super-talented woman playing the part of Liz Lemon on "30 Rock"?

Answer: Tina Fey

Fans of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" may have gotten a feeling of déjà vu if they watched "30 Rock" and thought of the similarities of the back-stories of the two shows. As Carl Reiner (who had written for Sid Caesar's "Your Show of Shows") claimed to have used his experiences with that show as influence and material for his show, "The Dick Van Dyke Show", Tina Fey has said she used her own experience as head writer for "Saturday Night Live" (which began broadcasting in the USA in 1975) to create "30 Rock". Tina Fey starred in "30 Rock" during its entire seven seasons.

She was recipient of numerous prestigious awards including: Primetime Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Writers Guild of America Awards. In 2010 she became youngest-ever recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Even considering all of those awards who would fail to mention her uncanny impersonation of Sarah Palin on "SNL" as their favorite Tina Fey gig?
9. As home entertainment moved into the 21st a new medium began to flourish - the vodcast. "Fun With Flags" was a recurring video podcast (vodcast) within a popular television sitcom; it was the brainchild of one of the lead characters of that show, Sheldon Cooper. What show?

Answer: "The Big Bang Theory"

Who would have ever thought vexillology could be so entertaining? As anyone who ever watched an episode of "The Big Bang Theory" (2007-2019) that featured that vodcast learned you can, indeed, have "Fun With Flags". "The Big Bang Theory" did relatively well in the ratings during the course of its entire run but its peak was its eleventh year (2017-2018) when it became the USA's most watched TV series for that season. During the course of its (initial) broadcast the show was nominated for the Emmy Award for "Outstanding Comedy Series" four times; and, Jim Parsons won the Emmy Award for "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series" four times for his portrayal of Sheldon Cooper.
10. The American premium network, Showtime, and the United Kingdom's television channel, BBC Two, broadcast a series titled, "Episodes" (2011-2017) about a (fictional) British sitcom titled, "Lyman's Boys". What former star of the television's "Friends" (1994-2004) had a lead role in "Episodes"?

Answer: Matt LeBlanc

Proving, perhaps, there was more to life than "Friends", Matt LeBlanc won a Golden Globe Award for "Best Actor - Television Series Musical or Comedy" and was nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards for his role - believe it or not - portraying "Matt LeBlanc" within the series "Episodes". Also proving there was good, really good, television on premium channels, "Episodes" did very well on Showtime and BBC Two.

It was well written, uniquely presented and hilariously funny. Kudos to the writing team of David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik.

After the initial run of "Episodes" ended, Matt LeBlanc was seen on television as a presenter for the BBC's show, "Top Gear" and in American sitcom, "Man with a Plan".
Source: Author cowboybluedog

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