Classic TV Signoffs Trivia Quiz

Answer: Walter Cronkite

Walter Cronkite died July 17, 2009. He anchored the "CBS Evening News" for 19 years. He is particularly remembered for his coverage of the John F. Kennedy assassination in 1963 when he showed emotion something news reporter did not do.

Answer: "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show"

George Burns and Gracie Allen played themselves in this series that first aired on October 12, 1950. At first the series was aired live every two weeks but soon moved to Hollywood when it was filmed and shown weekly.

Answer: "The Roy Rogers Show"

Roy Rogers and his wife Dale Evans would end their show singing "Happy Trails" while the credits rolled. This western also featured Roy's horse Trigger and his dog Bullet.

Answer: Tennessee Ernie Ford

Ernie Ford or Tennessee Ernie Ford was a country singer, composer, and author.
On "The Ford Show" (1956-61) he usually concluded his show singing a hymn or spiritual song. One of his biggest hits was "Sixteen Tons" and his album "Hymns" achieved Gold Record status.

Answer: Jimmy Durante

Jimmy Durante was nicknamed The Schnoz. Although he never explained his strange sign-off according to the book, "Hollywood Trivia" (Greenwich House, 1984), by David P. Strauss, Jimmy Durante's famous "Mrs. Calabash" sign-off referred to his first wife, Jeanne Olson. Jimmy Durante died in 1980 but his "Frosty The Snowman" song is heard each Christmas season.

Answer: Milton Berle

An ad-libbed reference to himself as Uncle Miltie caught on and thereafter, every show sign-off contained the closing phrase, "Good night to all you boys and girls, my nephews and nieces, this is Uncle Miltie saying Good Night." Known as "Mr. Television", Milton Berle died in March, 2002.

Answer: Dinah Shore

Dinah Shore's trademark song was "See the USA (in your Chevrolet)". She was the first female star to have her own prime-time TV variety show. Dinah earned the USO Medallion Award as the first entertainer to visit GIs on the front lines of WWII.

Answer: Red Skelton

Freddie the Freeloader, Clem Kadiddlehopper and Cauliflower McPugg are only some of the recurring characters Red Skelton created. He was inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame in 1989. His TV show aired 1951-1971.

Answer: "The Beverly Hillbillies"

Starring Buddy Ebsen and Irene Ryan "The Beverly Hillbillies" was a sitcom that aired 1962-1971. Because of its surprising high ratings two spinoffs were created "Green Acres" and "Petticoat Junction". I suppose the thinking is you can't get enough of a good thing.

Answer: "Go Home! Go Home!"

"The Tracey Ullman Show" was FOX network's first weekly series. This variety show included musical numbers, choreography by Paula Abdul and numerous comedy skits that showcased Ullman's talent. This show won the first Emmy for FOX and is where 'the Simpsons' made their debut as between-the-acts animated shorts.