60's TV: The View From Pop Pop's Recliner Quiz

Answer: Land of the Giants

"Land of the Giants" ran from 1968-1970 and utilized several of the themes which had made "Lost in Space" popular. Most notable was the existence of a cowardly, traitorous character named Fitzhugh who befriended the youngest member of the group and was constantly scheming with his own best interests in mind, an obvious parallel to Doctor Smith from "Lost in Space."

The transport ship Spindrift encounters a worm-hole and ends up on a planet where the everything is 10 times bigger than Earth. The tiny passengers and crew are repetitively chased, captured and rescued as they attempt to repair their ship so they can return to Earth.

Answer: The FBI

J. Edgar Hoover served as a consultant for the series, though he never made an appearance. "The F.B.I." contained both fictional stories and stories which were based on actual F.B.I. cases, although the names were changed to protect the innocent.

Answer: Hee Haw

Roy Clark and Buck Owens hosted the show and featured cast members included Minnie Pearl, Grandpa Jones, Junior Samples, George "Goober" Lindsey, and even Jonathan Winters and Slim Pickens. After CBS dropped it, "Hee Haw" went into syndication and continued in some format until 1992.

"Where, oh where, are you tonight, why did you leave me here all alone?
I searched the world over and I thought I'd found true love,
But you met another and PFFFT! you was gone."

Answer: The Lawrence Welk Show

Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Orchestra played old classic songs for folks who used to gather around the radio before television. It also introduced Lynn Anderson to a national audience and featured the Lennon Sisters. Some version of the show was on television from the early fifties until the early eighties (in syndication) although its national run on ABC lasted only from 1955 until 1971.

Pop Pop came very near disowning his daughter in law for daring to change the channel while Lawrence was on the screen. After that, we just watched what was on.

Answer: Hawaii Five-O

Most shows ended with the criminals being sent off to jail with the catch-phrase "Book 'em Danno." The rather small police force depicted was fictional and the name "Hawaii Five-O" was based on Hawaii being the 50th state.

Answer: Bonanza

"Bonanza" starred Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright and introduced Michael Landon as Little Joe Cartwright and ran from 1959 until 1973. It was the #1 rated show for three years in the mid-60s and spawned several made-for-tv movies after it was cancelled.

Answer: Gunsmoke

James Arness became Marshall Matt Dillon when "Gunsmoke" went from radio to television. William Conrad had been the voice of Dillon on the radio but his obesity was considered a drawback (as it was with Raymond Burr who was also considered for the role). Arness claimed the role was offered to John Wayne who turned it down.

Answer: The Virginian

"The Virginian" ran from 1962 to 1971 and was the first Western to expand to 90 minutes. Strangely, through the entire run, the real name of the Virginian was never revealed.

Answer: The Wonderful World of Disney

"The Wonderful World of Disney" moved from ABC to NBC in 1961 to take advantage of that network's ability to broadcast in color. The title was changed to "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" to emphasize the change. The title went back to "The Wonderful World of Disney" in 1969.

Answer: 60 Minutes

That ticking watch is one of the more recognizable images over several decades. Features such as Point/Counterpoint (which was spoofed on many comedy programs) and Andy Rooney's commentaries made this news magazine one of the first to truly impact pop culture.