Canned Laughter Trivia Quiz

Answer: Hippopotamus

"The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin", starring the incomparable Leonard Rossiter, ran from 1976 to 1979 on British television. Reggie Perrin is a middle management sales executive suffering from a mid-life crisis. Feeling increasingly trapped by the day to day routine of his life he lives more and more in a "Walter Mitty" type of fantasy world. Eventually he fakes his own death and wanders the countryside as a tramp, finally finding peace working as a pig farmer.

(Question provided by Christinap)

Answer: Kylie Minogue

"Kath & Kim" is a parody of suburban life at the lower end of the social scale. Jane Turner played "Kath Day-Knight" and Gina Riley played "Kim Craig". The show debuted in Australia in May 2002. Kylie Minogue, who found early fame in Australia in the soap opera "Neighbours", made her guest appearance in the final episode of series three (four series were made). Kylie plays the role of Epponnee-Ray, Kim's daughter. Epponnee-Ray is back in Fountain Lakes for her wedding and the episode is a wonderful parody of her much more sentimental TV wedding on "Neighbours". "Kath & Kim" was remade for US audiences with Molly Shannon as "Kath Day-Knight" and Selma Blair as "Kim", but only lasted one series.

(Question provided by cazza2902)

Answer: Dr Stark

A highly successful children's television series made in Australia in the late '60s and early '70s, Skippy ran for 91 episodes and was seen in over 128 countries world wide. It was a very popular and sometimes amusing series about the amazing feats performed by a bush kangaroo. As kangaroos are not bright, are difficult to train and certainly can't communicate too well with humans, it was a monumental achievement to film the series and weave outrageous plots around the animal's behaviour.

(Question provided by Dutty4eva)

Answer: Linoleum Salesman

Norman Clegg is the only one of the original characters still in "Last of the Summer Wine". He started in the floor coverings department, selling linoleum, at the local Co-operative Stores when he finished school and spent his career there, apart from his time in the Armed Services in WWII. He frequently remarks that his favourite colour is brown and he appreciates having a quiet, boring life. His friends rarely allow him this luxury.

(Question provided by gracie3)

Answer: The Likely Lads

Written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, "The Likely Lads" ran for 20 episodes between 1964-66, with the lead roles played by actors James Bolam and Rodney Bewes. In the final episode Bob enlists in the British Army and Terry very reluctantly follows him out of loyalty. But Bob's flat feet result in his immediate discharge, while Terry finds himself enlisted for the next five years and separated from his boyhood friend for the first time. A sequel, "Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads", followed in 1973-74 when the still working-class Terry returns from the army to find Bob engaged to be married, aspiring to be middle-class, and playing badminton - and the pair struggle to rekindle the bravado of their younger days.

(Question provided by dsimpy)

Answer: The Tates and The Campbells

"Soap", which ran from 1977 to 1981 on ABC, was a parody of every soap opera ever seen. It featured two families, the wealthy Tates and the poor relations, the Campbells. The plot lines included alien abduction, demonic possession, murder, amnesia and a lot of infidelity. It was the first show on American TV to have an openly gay man, played by Billy Crystal in his first major television role, as a featured character. In 2007 "Time" magazine rated it as one of the best TV shows of all time.

(Question provided by StarStruck60)

Answer: Irish Government Minister

His father was Rory O'Hanlon, who represented the Cavan-Monaghan constituency in Dáil Éireann and served a number of terms since being elected in 1973. He was at different times Minister for Health and Minister for the Environment. Fr.Ted was the brainchild of Dermot Morgan a much put upon Catholic parish Priest on the fictional Craggy Island. Ardal played a Dougal a gormless young priest, whilst Frank Kelly played Fr.Jack, an anarchic alcoholic. Mrs. Doyle, the housekeeper had an unhealthy fixation with tea.

(Question provided by irishtinytim)

Answer: Sheldon and Leonard

In March 2009 "The Big Bang Theory" was renewed for a third and fourth season by CBS. In August 2009 the sitcom won the best comedy series TCA award and Jim Parsons won the award for individual achievement in comedy. I love it, particularly Jim Parsons character "Sheldon Cooper".

(Question provided by em1958)

Answer: Hard Eight

Joey is supposed to be filming his 'big break' movie role in Las Vegas. They run out of money and filming is postponed. He takes a job in Caesar's Palace while he is waiting and is mortified when his friends turn up to support him (while also celebrating Monica and Chandler's first anniversary as a couple). After resolving an argument over Monica's ex, Richard, and seeing 'signs' that they should get married, Chandler suggests they base their future on the roll of a dice. Monica rolls a hard eight and they go to the chapel. However, they reconsider after seeing an extremely drunk Ross and Rachel emerge married from the same chapel.

(Question provided by Cally242)

Answer: 4077

The series centred on the 4077th M*A*S*H (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) ran for 251 episodes. The final episode, broadcast in February 1983 and watched by over 105 million people, held the record for the largest US TV audience for over 25 years, until it was beaten by the 2010 Superbowl.

(Question provided by dippo)

Answer: Dave

This British comedy classic was written by John Sullivan. It follows the adventures of Derek 'Delboy' Trotter and his brother Rodney who make a living selling dodgy goods. Trigger is a bumbling villain played by Roger Lloyd Pack. He really believes Rodney's name is Dave - no-one ever corrects him.



(Question provided by angelic54)

Answer: Pat Shortt

Pat Shortt was born in Thurles, County Tipperary, in 1966. His first big break was when he joined up with Jon Kenny, and created D'Unbelievables, Ireland's most popular comedy duo. In 2006, he scored a number 1 hit in Ireland with the song "The Jumbo Breakfast Roll". "Killinascully" was filmed on location in villages in County Tipperary. It details the bizarre goings-on of the locals in this area.

(Question provided by kitchen)

Answer: Boston Red Sox

Cheers was the Boston bar "where everybody knows your name". The show centered around the lives and loves of the bar's owner, employees and patrons. Sam was the womanizing owner of Cheers. Ironically, his pitching career for the Red Sox had ended because of his drinking problem. He was able to get sober and, miraculously, stay sober while working at the bar. Frasier Crane was a patron of Cheers and after the show ended he got his own spin off, the hugely successful sitcom 'Frasier'. Almost all of the stars of 'Cheers' guest starred on 'Frasier' at one point.

(Question provided by Sarahcateh)

Answer: Kevin Bacon

In an earlier episode, Jack was stalking Kevin Bacon and then managed to get a job as his assistant. The only problem was, his main job was to catch the stalker, so Jack had to keep stalking him in order to keep his job!
In the last episode, Grace is pregnant and dreaming of what her life will be like if she raises the baby with her gay roommate, Will.
It turns into a nightmare when she sees she is fat and wrinkly, Will is bald and bad tempered and their son is a tearaway. Then Karen comes in, having not changed a bit, but is married to her maid Rosario and Jack dances in with a ridiculous tan followed by his new husband Kevin Bacon.

(Question provided by Cally242)

Answer: Psychiatry

The series, "Frasier" (1993-2004) is an off-shoot of the very popular "Cheers". In it Frasier has a radio show where he uses his skills as a psychiatrist to give advice to callers, while Niles has a regular psychiatric practice. Each believes that his own role is more important and useful. Other regular characters are their father, Martin Crane, a former policeman, his live-in therapist, Daphne Moon, and the producer of Frasier's radio show, Ros Doyle. The brothers constantly compete both professionally and in their private lives and while they have little in common with their father, they are a loving family. The other characters contribute to both the humour and the warmth of the series. "Frasier" has won over 35 Emmies.

(Question provided by Calpurnia09)