'80s Sitcoms Trivia Quiz

Answer: Cheers

Ted Danson, Kirstie Alley, Shelley Long, Bebe Neuwirth, Woody Harrelson, Rhea Perlman, and John Cleese all won acting Emmys for being on "Cheers." It seems as though you could barely step on the "Cheers" set without at least getting an Emmy nomination. The ten actors who appeared in at least 70 episodes each had at least one Emmy nomination and eight different guests garnered Emmy nominations.

Answer: The Cosby Show

While not being the first comedy centered on a successful Black family, "The Cosby Show" was more successful than its predecessors. Also, the fact that the Huxtables were successful and Black was not brought up in the show. This was a point of debate, with some people feeling that the show had a responsibility to raise awareness of African-American issues, while others felt that, by not discussing it, the show made a stronger statement.

Answer: ALF

You'd think that they could have thrown together something so that all of those kids wouldn't have been completely traumatized by the idea of ALF being stuck in a government research facility being vivisected and such. They did come back with a TV movie 6 years later that finally tied up the loose ends.

Answer: Bewitched...Again!

While there never was a sitcom titled "Bewitched...Again," there was a "Bewitched" spin-off. It was called "Tabitha" and it followed Samantha and Darrin's daughter as she learns how to deal with being a witch. It lasted less than one season. "The Munsters Today" lasted 72 episodes, longer than the original. "The New Leave it to Beaver" lasted 4 seasons spread over three networks. "AfterMASH" lasted 30 episodes, but actually had a spin-off of its own, titled "W*A*L*T*E*R." It lasted only one episode, which was aired as a special presentation.

Answer: The Cosby Show

Surprisingly, despite all its popularity, "The Cosby Show" only won one Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series. Additionally, none of the main cast won an acting Emmy while on "The Cosby Show" and Bill Cosby was never nominated. And who knew that "The Golden Girls" was so popular?

Answer: Soap and Empty Nest

Richard Mulligan, a veteran of television who appeared in over 40 different television shows, finally got his big break when he played Burt Campbell on the sitcom, "Soap," for which he earned his first Emmy. After "Soap" ended, Campbell made a few guest appearances on "The Golden Girls" as Dr. Harry Weston before his character was given his own show, "Empty Nest," which ran for 8 seasons and earned him his second Emmy.

Answer: Saved by the Bell

"Good Morning, Miss Bliss" lasted one year before being dropped by The Disney Channel. It was then picked up by NBC, who had originally held the rights to the pilot, and some major changes were made. The show no longer centered around Miss Bliss, and Hayley Mills was not brought back. Additionally, the students were shaken up.

The characters of Zach Morris, Screech Powers and Lisa Turtle returned, while the rest of the students were replaced. Also, Mr. Belding returned, now as the students' foil, and the setting was moved from Indiana to California.

Answer: Growing Pains

Late in a show's run, it is not uncommon to run low on plot ideas. In order to create new plotlines and generate viewer excitement, many shows will bring in a new character. Leonardo DiCaprio was Luke, a homeless friend of Mike Seaver (Kirk Cameron) who was taken in by the family.

A number of the episodes in the last season revolved around the character of Luke and DiCaprio earned a Young Artist Award nomination for his portrayal.

Answer: True

No, really, it's true. It was called "Heil, Honey I'm Home." Eight episodes were filmed, but after the airing of the first episode, it was immediately pulled after outrage about the concept. Since it's first airing, neither the pilot nor the subsequent episodes have ever been shown. How many people had to think that this was a good idea for it to actually get to television?

Answer: Night Court

"A Different World" showed the college life of Denise Huxtable, the oldest daughter from "The Cosby Show."
"Family Matters" centers on the life of the Winslow family. Harriet Winslow was originally a character, specifically the elevator operator, on "Perfect Strangers."
"Benson" was originally the butler of the Tate family on "Soap."

"Night Court" was based on an original concept, the courtroom comedy as opposed to the courtroom drama, and was very successful, running for 9 seasons.