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Quiz about The Corridors of Power
Quiz about The Corridors of Power

The Corridors of Power Trivia Quiz


Politicians and their use (and abuse) of power have provided television with some memorable shows. This quiz covers a mixture of political dramas from both sides of the Atlantic.

A multiple-choice quiz by rossian. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
rossian
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
362,447
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
1940
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 90 (6/10), Guest 67 (2/10), Guest 73 (6/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. The small screen version of 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington' appeared on American television in the early 1960s. It starred which actor, known for portraying Davy Crockett, in the role of Eugene Smith? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. This political thriller originally appeared on British television in 2003, when it starred David Morrissey and John Simm. It was remade in America as a film with Russell Crowe, under the same name. Which show was it? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. The television series 'Borgen', about the first woman to become Prime Minister of her nation, was set in which country? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. 'House of Cards' was a British television show which starred Ian Richardson as Francis Urquart, the government's chief whip. The show was remade under the same title for American television, when it starred which actor as Frank Underwood? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Shown on British television in 2003, 'The Deal' was a fictional version of the arrangement over leadership of the Labour Party made between Tony Blair and which other politician? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. 'Spin City' starred Michael J. Fox as Mike Flaherty, the Deputy Mayor of which large city in the USA? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. 'Yes, Prime Minister' starred Paul Eddington as the hapless Jim Hacker. The real power lay with his Permanent Secretary, who was Sir Humphrey ___? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. 'Commander in Chief' appeared in the mid 2000s and featured a President of the USA who was which of these? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Appearing on the HBO channel in the USA, the political drama 'The Newsroom' starred which actor as Will McAvoy? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. The American television series 'Veep' was written by Armando Iannucci and was partly based on which British series, starring Peter Capaldi? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Oct 12 2024 : Guest 90: 6/10
Oct 06 2024 : Guest 67: 2/10
Sep 26 2024 : Guest 73: 6/10
Sep 20 2024 : sabbaticalfire: 10/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The small screen version of 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington' appeared on American television in the early 1960s. It starred which actor, known for portraying Davy Crockett, in the role of Eugene Smith?

Answer: Fess Parker

The show was based on the film, although the politician's name was different. The character was another honest senator, trying to do his best for the people he represented. The show does not appear to have made much impact, although it did attract some well known guest stars, including Buster Keaton and Harpo Marx. Parker portrayed Davy Crockett on television in the mid 1950s, before going on to play Daniel Boone from 1964 until 1970.

The other actors listed also played Davy Crockett, but on the big screen. John Wayne was in 'The Alamo' (1960), Arthur Hunnicutt in 'The Last Command' (1955) and James Griffith played Crockett in 'The First Texan' (1956).
2. This political thriller originally appeared on British television in 2003, when it starred David Morrissey and John Simm. It was remade in America as a film with Russell Crowe, under the same name. Which show was it?

Answer: State of Play

The British programme ran for six hourly episodes and told the story of a journalist's investigation into the death of a young woman, who had been employed by a Member of Parliament. It also featured James McAvoy, Bill Nighy and Philip Glenister. Although not shown on American television, it was adapted as a two hour film and relocated to Washington D.C. with a Congressman replacing the M.P.

The characters' names were retained, with the plot being similar to the British original. 'The Politician's Wife' appeared on British television in 1995 and 'Party Animals' was another UK show, from 2007. 'Top of the Hill' was an American series, shown in 1989.
3. The television series 'Borgen', about the first woman to become Prime Minister of her nation, was set in which country?

Answer: Denmark

The show starred Sidse Babett Knudsen as Birgitte Nyborg Christensen, and was shown on UK television from 2012 onwards, with subtitles. In the USA, it was broadcast on Link TV, although plans to make an English language US version were revealed in 2011.

The character of Christensen was portrayed as a moderate, and the show depicted her difficulties in trying to negotiate with the other parties on both the left and right of the political spectrum.
4. 'House of Cards' was a British television show which starred Ian Richardson as Francis Urquart, the government's chief whip. The show was remade under the same title for American television, when it starred which actor as Frank Underwood?

Answer: Kevin Spacey

The story was an adaptation of the novel written by Michael Dobbs, with the wonderfully devious character of Urquart taking centre stage. He would stop at nothing, not even murder, to advance his political ambitions. Urquart gave us the quote: 'You might think that; I couldn't possibly comment', which has passed into everyday usage.

The British version appeared in 1990 with the American rewrite being screened in February 2013.
5. Shown on British television in 2003, 'The Deal' was a fictional version of the arrangement over leadership of the Labour Party made between Tony Blair and which other politician?

Answer: Gordon Brown

The deal itself was real enough, although the film was fiction. Michael Sheen played Tony Blair, with David Morrissey as Gordon Brown. The two men had agreed that Brown would not stand in the election to choose a new leader of the Labour Party following the unexpected death of the previous leader, John Smith.

In return, Blair would stand down after one term to allow Brown to take over. In reality, he continued in power and Brown did not get his chance of power for ten years, when he failed to make much of an impact.
6. 'Spin City' starred Michael J. Fox as Mike Flaherty, the Deputy Mayor of which large city in the USA?

Answer: New York

'Spin City' ran from 1996 until 2002, with Fox playing the role of Flaherty until 2000. Having been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Fox left and was replaced by Charlie Sheen as Charlie Crawford for the final two seasons. Fox made a brief return for three episodes during the 2001 series.

The story centred on the people surrounding the mayor of New York, Randall Winston, portrayed by Barry Bostwick and their efforts to keep the city running smoothly.
7. 'Yes, Prime Minister' starred Paul Eddington as the hapless Jim Hacker. The real power lay with his Permanent Secretary, who was Sir Humphrey ___?

Answer: Appleby

The series started as 'Yes Minister' in 1980 and ran until 1984. Hacker was then unexpectedly promoted to Prime Minister when the series returned for a further two years in 1986. Hacker was portrayed as well meaning, but out of his depth, and constantly out manoeuvred by the quick witted Sir Humphrey, who managed to manipulate Hacker to do what the civil servant wanted.

The episodes ended with Appleby saying 'Yes, (Prime) Minister', leading Hacker to believe that his wishes had prevailed.
8. 'Commander in Chief' appeared in the mid 2000s and featured a President of the USA who was which of these?

Answer: Female

Originally the Vice President, Mackenzie Allen became President when the President suffered a fatal aneurysm. The role was played by Geena Davis, and the show also featured Donald Sutherland as Nathan Templeton, the Speaker of the House. Templeton had expected to be the successor and resented Allen's taking of the position.

Although popular to begin with, the series lost viewers and was taken off air for three months two thirds of the way through its run. It was cancelled after only one season.
9. Appearing on the HBO channel in the USA, the political drama 'The Newsroom' starred which actor as Will McAvoy?

Answer: Jeff Daniels

Not to be confused with the Canadian comedy-drama of the same name, the USA show was set in the newsroom of the fictional Atlantis Cable News. It began in 2012, and showed the problems behind the scenes as the staff try to put together the latest news to broadcast to the public. Each episode was built around a real event in the news, including the nuclear crisis in Japan following the tsunami and the uprisings in the Middle East. Kiefer Sutherland appeared in '24' and Rob Lowe was one of the actors from 'West Wing' (which I've deliberately avoided in this quiz). Beau Bridges has appeared in many television series, including 'Harts of the West', although this was a western, not a political drama.
10. The American television series 'Veep' was written by Armando Iannucci and was partly based on which British series, starring Peter Capaldi?

Answer: The Thick of It

Veep starred Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, the Vice President of the USA. She did not have a good relationship with the President, who did not appear in the series. Iannucci also created 'The Thick of It', which was a satire on British politics. An unsuccessful American version, with Iannucci's input, was made before 'Veep' was produced.

The main star of 'The Thick of It' emerged as the foul-mouthed 'spin doctor', Malcolm Tucker, portrayed by Peter Capaldi. Capaldi was chosen in August 2013 as the twelfth doctor in the long running television series 'Doctor Who'.
Source: Author rossian

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