Calculated Risks Quiz | TV By Year

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. A show with a title like "Reign" could only be about a monarch. Which real-life European monarch is the focus of "Reign"?

Answer: Mary Queen of Scots

In the United States, "Reign" (2013-2017) appeared on the CW network. Adelaide Kane starred as Mary Queen of Scots. Despite the historical liberties taken on the show, it was interesting what the show did get correct--such as Mary being married to Francis II of France and Lord Darnley at different times or Henry II really dying because of injuries suffered during a jousting accident. "Reign" lasted for four seasons and 78 episodes.

The picture is a representation of the flag of Scotland.

2. Some television shows are original creations while others are adapted from another source. Who wrote the book of the same title on which the show "Under the Dome" was based?

Answer: Stephen King

"Under the Dome" (2013-2015) was adapted from King's 2009 novel of the same name. While there were significant changes between the television show and the novel, in public comments author Stephen King generally approved of them. One significant difference was the the timeline of the novel is only about a week while the television show covers well over a year.

A common feature is the transparent, nearly indestructible dome that separates the town from the outside world. Appearing on CBS in the United States, "Under the Dome" lasted for three seasons and 39 episodes.

3. The show "Blue Bloods" focuses on a family who includes several New York City police officers. Which television veteran is one of the stars of "Blue Bloods"?

Answer: Tom Selleck

Tom Selleck is also well known for his 1980s show "Magnum, P.I." where he played a private investigator in Hawaii. On "Blue Bloods", Selleck portrays New York City Police Commissioner Frank Reagan. Frank's children are involved in jobs related to law-enforcement. Airing in the US on CBS, "Blue Bloods" premiered in 2010 and was a Top-10 show in the US for its fourth, sixth, and seventh seasons.

The picture shows the image of a face with a prominent mustache, a signature feature for which Tom Selleck is well known.

4. "Grimm" is a police procedural show with a twist, but also a setting that is not always seen on US televisions shows. Which US city is the primary setting for "Grimm"?

Answer: Portland, OR

"Grimm" (2011-2017) aired on NBC. The twist was many of the individuals Detective Nick Burkhardt (portrayed by David Giuntoli) would encounter were Wesen (seemingly inspired by characters from "Grimm's Fairy Tales") and he had the ability to see their Wesen form. Though primarily set in Portland, the show would occasionally have scenes in other locations (many in Europe).
"Grimm" lasted for six seasons and 123 episodes.

5. "Sleepy Hollow" takes the character of Ichabod Crane and moves him from the 18th century and moves him to the 21st century. In which state is the real-life and fictional community of Sleepy Hollow located?

Answer: New York

"Sleepy Hollow"(2013-2017) aired on Fox in the US. The show starred Tom Mison as Ichabod Crane and Nicole Beharie as Abbie Mills. The two investigated crimes that often had a supernatural connection. In the show, Sleepy Hollow is a mid-sized city in New York that has about 140,000 people.

In real-life, the village of Sleepy Hollow, located in Westchester County, NY, had about 10,000 people according to the 2010 census. "Sleepy Hollow" ran for four seasons and 62 episodes.

6. "Downton Abbey" focuses on an aristocratic family, the Crawleys, and their servants. The effects of which war are most directly incorporated into the series?

Answer: World War I

"Downton Abbey"(2010-2015) first appeared on the ITV network in Britain. The war most directly referenced is World War I which plays a prominent role in Series 2 which shows scenes both of battle and on the home front during the war. The Boer War is occasionally referenced, usually with a connection to the relationship of Robert Crawley and his valet, John Bates, but no scenes are set in the show are set during the Boer War. "Downton Abbey" ran for six series and 52 episodes.

The picture shows and image of stick figures fighting in trench warfare which was an important part of World War I.

7. In the United States, many popular television series appear on premium cable channels. Which series includes among its beloved characters one who says "I drink and I know things. That's what I do"?

Answer: Game of Thrones

"Game of Thrones" began airing in the US on HBO in 2011. The series is adapted from the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series of novels by George R. R. Martin. Tyrion Lannister, who said the quote in the question, is played by Peter Dinklage. Tyrion Lannister, described in both the books and the series as a dwarf, is a member of the powerful Lannister family, who is vying for control of Westeros. "Game of Thrones" won the Primetime Emmy Award for Best Series in 2015 and 2016.

The pictures shows a group of stick figures with a shorter stick figure holding a wine goblet.

8. "Supergirl" tells the story of the last Daughter of Krypton. Which super hero made a guest appearance in two first season episodes?

Answer: The Flash

"Supergirl" began airing in the US in 2015, on CBS in the first season, and on the CW in the second season. Melissa Benoist portrays the titular character, as the long-running series of quizzes by Shadowmyst2004 reminds us. Grant Gustin who portrays the Flash on the series of the same name that began in 2014 appeared in two first season episodes as a visitor from a parallel universe.

The picture shows an image of a man running quickly which should suggest The Flash.

9. The show "Gotham" tells the backstory of Bruce Wayne and Jim Gordon and introduces several people who will later become Batman's adversaries. Which Bat-villain is NOT introduced in season one?

Answer: Victor Fries/Mr. Freeze

"Gotham" began airing on Fox in 2014 in the US. Ben McKechnie plays Detective Jim Gordon and David Mazouz portrays the teen-aged Bruce Wayne. Victor Fries is first introduced in the Season Two episode "Mr. Freeze" where he is attempting to develop a successful cryogenic process so he can freeze his wife until he finds a cure for her illness. "Gotham" won the Critic's Choice Television Awards for Most Exciting New Series for 2014.

The picture shows an image of a thermometer that is reading a low temperature.

10. "2 Broke Girls" starred Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs. In which type of business did the titular broke girls work?

Answer: Waitresses in a diner

"2 Broke Girls" (2011-2017) aired in the US on CBS. Kat Dennings played Max and Beth Behrs played Caroline, roommates and co-workers in a New York City diner. The two were attempting to raise funds to start a cupcake bakery. "2 Broke Girls" aired for six seasons and 138 episodes.

The picture shows an image of a table with place settings for a meal.

Source: Author bernie73

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Gamemaster1967 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Calculated Risks Trivia Quiz

Each of these television shows was a calculated risk. Using the picture, answer the question related to the television show that began in the 2010s. Some information in the answers could be considered spoilers.

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