Can you remember these TV themes? Quiz

Answer: Maverick

Bret Maverick was a traveling gambler in the old west. In every episode he managed to get into some kind of predicament, either with the law or the local bad guys. A pretty young woman, either in trouble or the cause of it, was usually involved. He was a 'lover not a fighter' and used his wits to extract himself from the current dilemma and ride off to the next town at the end of each episode.

Answer: Welcome Back, Kotter

"Welcome Back Kotter" was the comedy show that introduced John Travolta to a worldwide audience. He starred as Vinnie Barbarino, one of the members of the remedial class, known as the "Sweathogs", that Gabe Kotter attempted to teach. Gabe Kaplan, who played Kotter, also wrote the show which was based on his own schooldays and the friends that he had then.

Answer: Gilligan's Island

In the pilot the theme song went like this:
"In tropical sea is the tropic port,
Vacation fun is the favorite sport,
This is the place where the tourists flock,
Renting the boats at the busy dock".
I think that the latter version is much better.

Answer: Have Gun, Will Travel

Paladin, the man with the card that said "Have Gun, Will Travel", was educated at West Point. At the time of the series he lived in San Francisco and was available to help those in need. His fee, for those who could afford it, was $1000 but he never turned anyone away for lack of money.

The last season's first episode, "Genesis", told the story of Paladin's origin. Gene Rodenberry, of "Star Trek" fame was a writer for this show.

Answer: Rawhide

"Rawhide" was the story of a group of cowboys taking a mob of 3000 cattle to market to be sold and their adventures with various characters and situations on the way. Clint Eastwood played the young wrangler, Rowdy Yates, who was the romantic interest in "Rawhide".

Answer: Friends

"Friends" became one of the most watched shows in every country where it was broadcast. Monica, Chandler, Joey, Ross, Phoebe and Rachel became real people to many of the viewers as they negotiated modern situations such as IVF, single motherhood, lesbianism and the problems of forming and maintaining relationships in a big city.

Answer: Malcolm in the Middle

Although "Malcolm in the Middle" was a sitcom the characters in it developed over the seven years that the series ran. The boys were usually at each other's throats and constantly tried to outsmart their mother but when someone outside of the immediate family hurt any of them their loyalty to each other came to the fore.

For example, when Lois's snobbish mother-in-law put her down at an extended family gathering they banded together and wreaked a very satisfactory revenge.

Answer: Firefly

"Firefly" was created by Joss Whedon who had also made the highly successful "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel". Its ratings were not deemed sufficient to continue and, to the dismay of its cult following, production was cancelled. The story arc of a group of misfits' fight to survive against not only the authorities but also the cannibalistic Reavers and other enemies was compelling.

The ensemble cast made their characters most memorable and the writing was witty as well as dramatic.

Answer: Cheers

"Cheers" was a top-rating comedy that was broadcast for eleven seasons from 1982 to 1993. While characters remained rather static, as did the relationships between them, the show was kept fresh by the high standard of writing, the appearance of guest actors and the introduction of new characters such as Dr. Frasier Craine. "Frasier" was a successful spin-off from "Cheers".

Answer: F-Troop

"F-Troop" is not shown much now, perhaps because it is perceived as not politically correct. It was a very funny show without sexual innuendo, except of the most innocent kind, and was always non-violent. The characters were likable, the dialogue was amusing and the stories enjoyable although completely lacking in realism. It was released on DVD in 2006.