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Quiz about Remembering the 50s TV News in America

Remembering the 50s - TV News in America Quiz

Television was in its infancy during the 1950s. Many veteran radio and newspaper reporters became pioneers in television broadcast news. This quiz is about a select few that blazed a trail for an informed American public.

A multiple-choice quiz by rblayer. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
rblayer

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
182,724

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
5363

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: calmdecember (4/10), Guest 68 (1/10), Guest 216 (5/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What legendary radio newsman brought America "See It Now" in 1951? Hint

Douglas Edwards

John Chancellor

Edward R. Murrow

Red Barber

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Question 2 of 10

2. What were viewers shown in the first live commerical coast-to-coast broadcast? Hint

Bridges

Oceans

Commuter traffic jams

Skylines

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Question 3 of 10

3. Who was the original host of "Meet the Press"? Hint

Lawrence E. Spivak

Ed Sullivan

Howard K. Smith

Martha Rountree

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Question 4 of 10

4. By what name was NBC News previously known? Hint

Kraft's Current Events

Camel Newsreel Theatre

National Nightly News

Bordon's News Items

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Question 5 of 10

5. Who was the news anchor at NBC News before Huntley-Brinkley? Hint

Howard K. Smith

Garrett Utley

John Cameron Swayze

Marvin Perkins

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Question 6 of 10

6. For what events did Huntley and Brinkley originally team up? Hint

Political conventions

Natural disasters

War

State funerals

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who was the original host of "Today"? Hint

Oscar Levant

Steve Allen

Dave Garroway

Jerome Eddington

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Question 8 of 10

8. Who was the "Today" show's famous non-human cohost? Hint

Rusty the Wonderdog

J. Fred Muggs

Bucky

Irving

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Question 9 of 10

9. In 1997 , Matt Lauer became the _______ host of "Today"? Hint

11th

18th

9th

7th

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Question 10 of 10

10. Who was the anchorman on CBS News before Walter Cronkite? Hint

Douglas Edwards

Ben Bradlee

Hughes Rudd

Gene Rayburn

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 17 2024 : calmdecember: 4/10
Nov 15 2024 : Guest 68: 1/10
Nov 07 2024 : Guest 216: 5/10
Oct 23 2024 : Guest 98: 5/10
Oct 17 2024 : redenhobbs10: 6/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What legendary radio newsman brought America "See It Now" in 1951?

Answer: Edward R. Murrow

This news program was the first to use its own footage instead of relying on newreel film. It also introduced the use of producers and non-rehearsed interviews.

2. What were viewers shown in the first live commerical coast-to-coast broadcast?

Answer: Bridges

On a split screen, viewers of the first installment of "See It Now" could see both the Golden Gate and Brooklyn Bridges, simutaneouly spanning the continent, an astonishing electronic feat for 1951.

3. Who was the original host of "Meet the Press"?

Answer: Martha Rountree

While Rountree was the original commentator, it was "American Mercury Magazine" editor, Lawrence Spivak who anchored the popular news program for almost thirty years. Spivak was the host from 1947 to 1975, when his last guest was President Gerald R. Ford, the first incumbent President to appear.

4. By what name was NBC News previously known?

Answer: Camel Newsreel Theatre

Camel Newsreel Theatre, sponsored by Camel cigarettes, began as a ten minute long Movietone Newsreels show featuring John Cameron Swayze. It later expanded to fifteen minutes and Swayze narrated the news.

5. Who was the news anchor at NBC News before Huntley-Brinkley?

Answer: John Cameron Swayze

Swayze is perhaps best remembered as the pitchman for "Timex", the maker of inexpensive watches. After subjecting the waterproof timepiece to a test, such as attaching one to the blade of a motorboat engine, the camera would zoom in to see the second hand moving. Swayze would add: "Takes a licking and keeps on ticking."

6. For what events did Huntley and Brinkley originally team up?

Answer: Political conventions

NBC paired Chet and David to cover the 1952 and 1956 conventions, and the legendary Huntley-Brinkley Report was born. It began as a 15 minute nightly news program, expanding to 30 minutes in 1963. The Huntley-Brinkley Report was the top rated news program for most of its 14 year run.

7. Who was the original host of "Today"?

Answer: Dave Garroway

Dave Garroway was joined by Jack Lescoulie, who did sports and Jim Fleming reading the news. From its beginning, a glass window viewing the New York streets was a part of the set, a tradition which survives to 2004. Dave Garroway's famous signoff was "Peace."

8. Who was the "Today" show's famous non-human cohost?

Answer: J. Fred Muggs

The "Today" show's earling ratings were not promising, and the producers wanted to make the show more entertaining. They added a chimpanze named J. Fred Muggs, who became an almost instant popular star in his own right.

9. In 1997 , Matt Lauer became the _______ host of "Today"?

Answer: 11th

The impressive list includes, Dave Garroway (1952-1961), John Chancellor (1961-1962), Hugh Downs (1962-1971), Barbara Walters (1963-1976), Frank McGee (1971-1974), Jim Hartz (1974-1976), Tom Brokaw (1976-1981), Jane Pauley (1976-1989), Bryant Gumbel (1982-1997), Katie Couric (1991-), and Matt Lauer (1997-).

10. Who was the anchorman on CBS News before Walter Cronkite?

Answer: Douglas Edwards

The capable yet dry Douglas Edwards anchored the news from 1948 until 1962. But it was Walter Cronkite who gave CBS its glory days. He was voted the "Most Trusted Man America" and set the standard as both managing editor and anchor of the CBS News.

Source: Author rblayer

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