Masterpiece Puppet Show Trivia Quiz

Answer: Howdy Doody

"Howdy Doody" was a American children's television program that ran from 1947 to 1960. The character was created by Bob Smith who was known "Buffalo Bob" in his role as host. The show took place in Doodyville, a circus town in which both puppets and humans resided. The Howdy Doody puppet was a boyish, red-headed, freckled-faced marionette. He had 48 freckles representing the 48 States(until 1959 when Alaska was admitted to the Union). The original marionette was operated with eleven strings.

Other puppets included Heidi Doody (Howdy's sister), Mayor Phineas Dilly Dally, Inspector John J. Fadoozle, Sandra the Witch, Capt. Windy Scuttlebut and Flub-a-Dub (a combination of eight animals). The human characters included Clarabell the Clown, J. Cornelius Cobb, Sir Archibald the Explorer, The Featherman, and Chief Thunderthud, Princess Summerfallwinterspring.

"Masterpiece Theater" debuted in 1971 as an collective drama series showing adaptations of biographies, novels and original television dramas. The production of "Our Town" with Paul Newman, as the Stage Director aired on Masterpiece Theater on October 5, 2003. Ben Fox assumed the role of George Gibbs a "boy next door type", who becomes a responsible husband and father.

Answer: Charlie McCarthy

Charlie McCarthy was Edgar Bergen's famed dummy partner. Charlie, who was part of Bergen's act in high school, became famous for his top hat, tuxedo, and monocle in the 1930's. Charlie and Bergen made their radio debut on NBC's "The Chase and Sanborn Hour". The following year, Mortimer Snerd was added. After a famous feud with W. C. Fields Charlie became a true icon.

On October 30,1938, after Charlie's comedy spot, some radio listeners stumbled on Welles' production of "The War of the Worlds" Even though the show issued a disclaimer at the beginning, people tuning in late did not hear the announcement and some panic ensued. Alexander Woolcott, a critic, sent Orson Welles a telegram stating: "This only goes to prove, my beamish boy, that the intelligent people were all listening to the dummy, and that all the dummies were listening to you."

The original "Upstairs, Downstairs", divided into five series that ran from 1971 to 1975 on "Masterpiece Theater", was created by Jean Marsh and Eileen Atkins, with Marsh portraying house parlormaid Rose Buck.

Angus Hudson was the stern yet fair and good-hearted Scottish butler in the Bellamy household at 165 Eaton Place, Belgravia. He was an educated man from a working class background. Although authoritative with the junior staff, he had a wicked sense of humor which he sometimes displayed to Mrs. Bridges, the cook, whom he married in the final episode. He was fiercely loyal to the Bellamy family, although he was not above eavesdropping on a telephone call or two!

Answer: Punch and Judy

The first puppet show featuring Punch was recorded as early as 1662 performed by Italian Pietro Giamondo. Punch always carried a stick to hit his opponents and was known for his pot belly and hunchback. In the 18th century Punch and his shrewish wife Dame Joan became popular and in the mid 18th century Joan became Judy and later mobile puppet booths emerged. In Victorian times the show became popular with children and has endured over the years. During the War Punch fought Hitler and won. Punch and Judy has remained relevant addressing pertinent topics of the day.

"The Six Wives of Henry VIII" debuted on "Masterpiece Theater" in 1971 as a six episode series with each episode devoted to each wife. Keith Mitchell portrayed Henry in all six episodes, and Dorothy Tutin as Anne. The episode dealt primarily with Anne's downfall after failing to produce an heir and her constant berating of Henry's infidelities to which he replied with thinly veiled threats.

Answer: Miss Piggy

Miss Piggy is a Mangalitsa, a breed of European pigs descended from wild boars with an unusually hairy fleece. They are divided into three groups: Blonde, Swallow-bellied and Red. Bonnie Erickson designed Miss Piggy in 1974 for a "Muppets" television special produced by Jim Henson. Miss Piggy has a diva personality, long flowing blond hair and frequently refers to herself as "Moi". Her alternating affection and anger are often directed at Kermit the Frog.

"Bleak House" premiered on "Masterpiece Theater" in 1985. It starred Diana Rigg as Lady Honoria Dedlock, the beautiful, haughty woman who is admired in the social circles. Her good looks, beautiful clothes and regal bearing provided fodder for the gossips. Her daily life centered around going to the opera, playing cards and travelling to Paris.

Answer: Lord Charles

Ray Alan made his television debut with Lord Charles on the BBC show "The Good Old Days" in the 1960's and the pair holds the record for number of appearances. Lord Charles is an upper class little Englishman who loves the ladies as well as champagne.

"Edward and Mrs. Simpson" ran on "Masterpiece Theater" in 1981 as a seven episode series starring Edward Fox as Edward VIII and Cynthia Harris as Wallis Simpson. The seven episodes spanned Edward's life from from the 1920's to his final days as King.

Answer: Jeeves and Wooster

Bert and Ernie have appeared on "Sesame Street" since its first episode in 1969. Ernie and his best friend Bert share the basement apartment at 123 Sesame Street. Together they form a comic duo that is one of the program's centerpieces, with Ernie acting the role of the naive trouble-maker and Bert the cynical and worldly character.

"Jeeves and Wooster" starred Hugh Laurie as the somewhat foppish Bertie Wooster and Stephen Fry, as his "gentlemen's gentleman", Reginald Jeeves. It premiered on "Masterpiece Theater" in 1993. The plots generally involved Jeeves "rescuing" Wooster from some misadventure.

Answer: Farfel

Farfel and Danny O'Day were puppets who appeared in TV commercials for Nestle's Quik. Danny O'Day sang "N-E-S-T-L-E-S, Nestle's makes the very best" and Farfel responded with "Chawk-lit!" Along with ventriloquist Jimmy Nelson, the trio reached national prominence in the 1950's when they joined the "The Texaco Star Theater" starring Milton Berle.

"I Claudius" starred Derek Jacobi as the a stuttering, limping man everyone thought to be a fool who was prophesied to one day rule Rome! "I, Claudius" dramatized the period leading up to his birth and through his death, and as narrator he recounts the story of his life and that of his conniving family. The show was known for its powerful opening sequence, which depicted a venomous adder, slithering over a mosaic tile floor, symbolic of the series' depiction of ancient Rome as a nest of vipers. The series was shown on "Masterpiece Theater" in 1990-91.

Answer: Andy Pandy

The first "Andy Pandy" show, produced in 1950, was created especially for pre-school children. It appeared in the BBC's "Watch With Mother" schedule. Andy Pandy, a clown puppet had two friends, Teddy and Looby Lou. Andy Pandy was so popular, he became one of the most repeated Children's TV programs in television history. He was created by Freda Lingstrom who was the Head of the Children's Television Department of the BBC between 1951 and 1956. In the 1970's Andy Pandy was remade in color at the Abbey Road Studios. Another series of episodes began in 2002.

"Tom Brown's School Days" ran on "Masterpiece Theater" in 1973 as a five part series starring Anthony Murphy as Tom Brown. The series recounted Tom's sometimes harsh experiences at the exclusive Rugby Boarding School in 1820's Victorian England.

Answer: Notorious Woman

Lady Elaine Fairchilde was a character in "The Neighborhood of Make Believe" featured on "Mr. Rogers Neighborhood" created by Fred Rogers which ran from 1968-2001. She was the neighborhood's mischief-maker, independent, willful and usually in trouble, who often used her "Boomerang-Toomerang-Soomerang" to rearrange the Neighborhood. Lady Elaine was the curator of the "Museum-Go-Round" and her museum was full of "borrowed" objects which she referred to as a "found items exhibit".

"Notorious Woman" starred Rosemary Harris as the French writer George Sand and debuted on "Masterpiece Theater" as a seven part series in 1975-76. "Notorious Woman" recounted Sand's life as a liberated woman who invaded the predominantly masculine world in France with her writing. The series depicted her personal campaign for equality which scandalized 19th century society.

Answer: Madame

Wayland Flowers and Madame appeared on television for the first time in the 1960's on "The Andy Williams Show". They had their own sitcom, "Madame's Place", which ran for one season in 1982. Madame was glamorous as well as off-color at times. She played the piano and frequently gestured by putting her hand under her chin!

"Vanity Fair" premiered in 1972 and starred Susan Hampshire as the social climbing Becky Sharp. Intelligent, witty and pretty, but also a fraudulent opportunist.