US TV Show Anagrams #2 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Family Matters

The lives of the Winslow family of Chicago were grist for the mill in 'Family Matters'. There was dad, Carl, his wife Harriette, and their children Eddie, Laura, and Judy. To make life in the Winslow household more comical, there lived next door an interesting character in the form of Steve Urkel. Steven Quincy Urkel was meant to be on the show once and once only.

His appearance drew such a response that he was written into the show as a regular character. The Winslows and Urkel lasted for 215 episodes from 1989 to 1998.

Answer: Modern Family

'Modern Family' is a departure from the nuclear families seen in 'Leave it to Beaver' and similar shows. It depicts a family with multi-cultural, multi-racial, gay, divorced, remarried and adopted members all surviving happily in this wacky, modern world. Characters speak directly to the camera occasionally as the show is made as though a documentary.

The show has gained excellent ratings, critical acclaim and many awards including a Golden Globe.

Answer: Perry Mason

The character of defence attorney Perry Mason first appeared in books by Erle Stanley Gardner, then radio broadcasts and finally television. Raymond Burr played the title character in 271 episodes spread over nine seasons between 1957 and 1966. The first half of each episode let the viewer meet the murder victim and the accused murderer. After the murder, a trial would be held with Perry Mason, of course, securing an acquittal for his client by uncovering the real murderer. He was always ably assisted by his private investigator Paul Drake and Della Street, his secretary.

Answer: Roseanne

The Connor family of Lanford, Illinois, were the characters of 'Roseanne'. The show was about the ordinary, every day trials and tribulations of suburban family life on a budget. There was nothing glossy or glamourous about it, and that's probably why the show lasted from 1988 to 1997. It was far closer to reality than 'Leave it to Beaver' ever was. Comedienne Roseanne Barr was a driving force of the show, and its executive producer. Many of the characters and situations in the show were based on people in her life.

Answer: The Six Million Dollar Man

Lee Majors played Steve Austin, television's most expensive cyborg up until then. Steve was an astronaut who suffered horrendous injuries in a crash and was rebuilt with bionic parts costing over six million dollars. This was in 1973 and if the figure was adjusted for inflation over the next forty years, the figure would be over thirty million dollars. Steve's legs were replaced with bionic parts, giving him the capacity to run at 60 mph (97 kph). His left eye was replaced with a bionic part allowing his eye to zoom in on objects far away giving him incredible distance vision. His right arm was also replaced with bionic parts. The three replaced limbs all had the strength of a bulldozer! But what to do with all that power? Austin became an agent of the OSI, the Office of Scientific Intelligence.

Martin Caidin's novel 'Cyborg', first published in 1972, was the inspiration for 'The Six Million Dollar Man'. The TV show ran for five seasons in the 1970s giving us 99 episodes and six TV movies.

Answer: Homeland

'Homeland' stars Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison, a CIA agent whose goal is to prevent terrorism and to catch one terrorist, Abu Nazir, in particular. Nicholas Brody, played by Damian Lewis, is a former US marine who was missing, presumed killed in the Middle East. On his arrival back in the USA, he tried to resume his normal life while not revealing that he has been 'turned' by Nazir.

His new goal was to inflict terrorism upon his own nation. The story became more complicated as Carrie becomes infatuated with him despite her hunch that he has been turned. 'Homeland' premiered in 2011 to high critical acclaim.

Answer: General Hospital

'General Hospital' is one of the world's longest running soap operas having commenced on air in 1963. Several of the soap's characters such as RN Jessie Brewer and Dr Steve Hardy were with the show for decades. The show didn't have a setting until the 1970s when the location was set at Port Charles, a fictitious town in New York.

Answer: Everybody Loves Raymond

'Everybody Loves Raymond' was the brainchild of Ray Romano who based it largely on his own life. Ray plays Ray Barone who is married to Debra. Living across the street were his parents and older brother. Parents Frank and Marie continually annoyed Ray and especially Debra, visiting frequently and interfering with daily life. It all made for a vehicle for Ray Romano's comedy with few situations being taken too seriously.

For 210 episodes over nine years ending in 2005, the Barones fought with each other all the way to a happy ending.

Answer: Ghost Whisperer

Jennifer Love Hewitt was the eponymous 'Ghost Whisperer' in the show's title. Melinda Gordon, Jennifer's character, could communicate with the spirits of people whose journey into the afterlife couldn't be completed until unfinished business on Earth had been concluded. The show started its life in 2005, but left unfinished business behind when it ended in 2010.

Answer: The Big Bang Theory

'The Big Bang Theory' revolves around the socially inept Sheldon and his friends Leonard, Howard and Rajesh, all scientists working at Caltech in some capacity. Penny, their incredibly normal and gregarious friend, lives across the hall from Sheldon and Leonard. Premiering in 2007, the show became extremely popular, especially with viewers in the 18-49 years age bracket. Jim Parsons' depiction of the socially awkward and fussy genius Sheldon Cooper won him Golden Globe awards for performances in a comedy or musical.

Perhaps they should make a musical version of 'The Big Bang Theory' and call it.. wait for it.. 'The Big Band Theory'. Or perhaps not ;-)