Best of the Worst - "My Mother the Car" Quiz

Answer: NBC

In 1965, "it was someone at NBC who took the term reinCARnation a bit too literally." As outlandish as many of the the television series plots were at the time ("I Dream of Jeannie" and "Green Acres") it was "My Mother the Car" that would be destined to be held up in ridicule as one of the worst television series of all time.

First line of answer quoted from www.tvparty.com/recmothercar.html

Answer: 30

The series actually completed a full season and aired 30 episodes. The show was a huge hit with younger viewers, but sponsors had not you found a way to capitalize on the youth market outside of sponsorship of youth and cartoon programming.
While the series went on to become an industry measuring stick against which all other horrible television programs were compared. The show did outlasted many series that were were listed higher on the "TV Guide" list of "50 Worst TV Shows of All Time."

Answer: Porter

When Dave found the car, it was a dilapidated 1928 Porter touring car. When Dave found that the car would speak to him (and only him) in his recently departed mother's voice, he immediately purchased the car (to the complete dismay of his family) and took it to a custom body shop for a full restoration. The results was a classic, antique red 1928 Porter with a white top.

Answer: Jerry Van Dyke

Jerry Van Dyke was born on September 27, 1931, in Danville, Illinois. He is six years younger than his talented brother, Dick Van Dyke. Jerry started his entertainment career as a stand-up comedian, performing mostly in dives and strip clubs through the deep South. Jerry incorporated his banjo playing skills as part of his stage act.

He later set his sights on top showrooms in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, and Atlantic City, usually performing as the opening act. Jerry then focused on an acting career in television and movies. Jerry turned down the title role in "Gilligan's Island" because he thought the script was too silly, and was (in his words) "the worst thing he'd ever read". Jerry accepted the lead role in "My Mother the Car".

After the brief run of the series, Jerry appeared in several movies, including "Angel in my Pocket" in 1969, starring Andy Griffith, and made numerous television appearances, including a starring role in the 1967 sitcom, "Accidental Family". Jerry is probably best known for his role as assistant coach Luther Van Dam in the 1989 television series, "Coach" starring Craig T. Nelson.

His performances on "Coach" earned Jerry four consecutive Emmy nominations during the nine year run of the show.

Answer: a used car lot

Dave and his family made a trip to a used car dealership in search of an inexpensive second car, possibly a station wagon. While there, Dave found himself strangely attracted to an old and run down antique car sitting on the lot. When Dave got behind the wheel of the the car, it spoke to him through the radio, informing him the she (the car) was his mother.

Answer: Avery Schreiber

Born in Chicago, Illinois on April 9, 1935, Schreiber teamed with Jack Burns to form the comedy partnership of Burns and Schreiber. The team performed extensively in the 1960's and 1970's, in stage shows, and in guest roles on numerous television comedy and variety shows. Schreiber was known for his huge trademark walrus mustache, his dark curly hair, and his mischievous grim.

At the peak of their career, Burns and Scheriber appeared as regulars on the summer replacement musical variety show, "Our Place" in 1967, then earned the right to front their own summer series with "The Burns and Screiber Comedy Hour" in 1973.

In 1994, Avery Schreiber suffered a heart attack, that was aggravated by his diabetes. He survived triple by-pass surgery, but never fully recovered. Schreiber died at the age of 66 in Los Angeles, California on January 7, 2002, of a heart attack.

Answer: False

The theme song played at the beginning of the show, complete with a bouncing ball , encouraging viewers to "follow the bouncing ball and to sing along". The "ragtime" sounding song started:
"Everybody knows in the second life we all come back sooner or later
As anything from a pussycat to a man eating alligator".

Answer: two - a boy and a girl

The daughter Cindy was played by Cindy Eilbacher, the sister of actress Lisa Eilbacher. Their son Randy was played by Randy Whipple.

Answer: believe it to be more fiction than fact

The full lyrics to the song (minus the sing-along bouncing ball over the words that appeared at the bottom on the screen, and the sound effects) went as follows:
"Everybody knows in the second life, we all come back sooner or later
As anything from a pussycat to a man eating alligator."
(sound effects of antique auto horn honking)
"Well you all may think my story is more fiction than is fact
But believe it or not my mother dear decided she'd come back."
"As a car, she's my very own guiding star.
a 1928 Porter, that's my mother dear."
"She helps me through everything I do, and I'm so glad she's here."
(Sound effect, two blast of an antique car's "oogah" horn)
"My mother the car, my mother the car."

Answer: Ann Sothern

Ann Sothern started her acting career in 1927 as an extra in many films. Through her movie career, she worked as a contract player for Columbia Pictures and RKO Studios. During the 1950's, she turned her talents to the relatively new medium of television and starred in "Private Secretary". a series that aired from 1953 until 1957, and then in "The Ann Sothern Show, which aired from 1958 until 1961. During her career she earned three Emmy nominations for "Private Secretary", one Emmy nomination for "The Anne Sothern Show", and one Academy Award nomination for "Best Actress in a Supporting Role" in 1988 for her performance in the 1987 film "The Whales of August". Ann also won a Golden Globe award in 1959 for "Best TV Show" with "The Ann Sothern Show."