Early US Television Sitcoms--Masculine Gender Quiz

Answer: Jackie Gleason

In those early days, there was reluctance to allow film stars under contract to appear on television as it was felt it would dilute the popularity of the actor for films if the actor could be seen 'for free' on television. This was the dilemma that Bendix faced. But he was back in 1953.

Bendix is most strongly identified with the role as he played Riley on the radio show. Missing from the television show was actor John Brown who played 'Digger' O'Dell, Riley's friend and local undertaker. He had to most quoted lines sch as "I'd better be... shoveling off" or "Business is a little dead tonight". Riley said Digger "helped him out of a hole" Although he made some appearances on the Gleason version, he was on the 'blacklist' and could not hired. He died in 1957. "The Life of Riley" earned an Emmy in 1953 as best comedy show.

Answer: To the moon

Ralph Kramden was a blustering loudmouth but never hit Alice but he would shake his fist in her calm face and and say "Next time, Alice, to the moon"

Gleason introduced "The Honeymooners" in 1951 when he was hosting a variety show called "Cavalcade of Stars". "The Honeymooners" was a recurring skit within the show. When Gleason got his own show, he continued with the skits. Finally during the 1955-56 season, thirty-nine half hour episodes were aired. Although it was ranked as high as second in the ratings, it fell sharply due to competition from other networks. However, wherever Gleason went the Honeymooners came too. He was still producing specials for "The Honeymooners as late as 1978. Audrey Meadows as Alice Kramden, Art Carney and Joyce Randolph as the Nortons were pretty much the cast as guest stars were seldom used.

Answer: Amos and Andy

Two white men, Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll, created "Amos and Andy". Not only that but they did the voices as well. There was mild criticism through the years regarding the stereotyping of the black characters but the program had a wide audience and substantial ratings.

When it was taken to the tube in 1951, Gosden and Correll realized that they could not portray the black characters so black actors were hired but were told to speak as much like the characters did on radio. The show premiered on television during the 1951 NAACP convention and immediately the NAACP and other affiliated liberal groups protested the images of black people.

The program was cancelled after two years after 78 episodes. It drifted into syndication and could occasionally be seen up to about 1966.

Answer: Warren Beatty

Warren Beatty did not complete the full run of the show as he went on to other projects. Beatty has been nominated for a remarkable 15 Academy awards as actor, director, producer, and writer. For two films ("Reds" and "Heaven Can Wait") he was nominated in all four categories.

Dwayne Hickman was the title character. Dobie had a girl friend, Thalia Menninger, played by Tuesday Weld, a rather shallow and spoiled girl. Zelda, played by Sheila James Kuehl, loves Dobie and is determined to make him hers. Bob Denver was his best friend Maynard G. Krebs, who later became a TV icon for his role as Gilligan on "Gilligan's island".

The plot was often Dobie lusting for the latest female to enter his life. Here are a few of the actresses who played that role: Cheryl Holdridge, Michele Lee, Susan Watson, Marlo Thomas, Sally Kellerman, Ellen Burstyn, Barbara Babcock, Sherry Jackson, Diana Millay and Barbara Bain.

Answer: Wally Cox

In 1953 "Mr. Peepers" won a Peabody Award for having a positive image of public school teachers. Tony Randall played a history teacher and Marian Lorne played a somewhat addled English teacher.

In one episode Mr. Peepers is playing basketball by himself. He accidentally stuffs himself in the basket and can't get out. He is supposed to give a talk on gardening to the Ladies Garden Club this afternoon. He also has promised to be at the chess club in the evening. The ladies and the chess club come to the gym and Mr. Peepers keeps his promise to them--still stuffed in the basket.

Answer: Jackie Cooper

As a city council member, he must deal with his girl friend's father the mayor. even to the extent of keeping their marriage a secret. The show was never a rating leading but was pleasant and survived three years.

Answer: LaSalle

"Those Were the Days" was the name of the theme of "All in the Family". For those racking their minds for the lyrics:

"Boy the way Glenn Miller played
Songs that made the hit parade.
Guys like us we had it made,
Those were the days.

And you knew who you were then,
Girls were girls and men were men,
Mister we could use a man
Like Herbert Hoover again.

Didn't need no welfare state,
Everybody pulled his weight.
Gee our old LaSalle ran great.
Those were the days."

"All in the Family" was number one in the ratings from 1971-1976. When Jean Stapleton left the show, it was renamed "Archie Bunker's Place' and lasted another three years. Spin-offs include "Maude" and "The Jeffersons". The program was not afraid to deal with controversial issues such as racism, homosexuality, women's liberation, rape, miscarriage, abortion, breast cancer, the Vietnam War, menopause, and impotence. On the subject of hijacking airplanes, Archie had the solution. "Give every passenger a gun"!

Answer: The Danny Thomas Show

In the Danny Thomas episode, Thomas runs afoul of the law and has to spend time in the Mayberry jail presided over by Sheriff Andy Taylor. Later "Gomer Pyle, USMC" and "Mayberry. R.F.D." were spin-offs of "Andy Griffith". Don Knotts won five Emmys as supporting comedy actor. Ironically, the final season 1968 was its best year in ratings.

Answer: Carl Reiner

Carl Reiner learned much about developing a comedy program as he had worked with Sid Ceasar. The Alan Brady on the show was a composite of comedians he knew including Caesar. Jackie Gleason, and Milton Berle.

Morey Amsterdam and Rose Marie played writers who worked for Petrie. Reiner made occasional appearances as Alan Brady but was more talked about than seen.
Richard Deacon, who was Brady's assistant, was the victim of Amsterdam's sardonic humor. Deacon's role was partly derived from Reiner's friend Mel Brooks. Van Dyke won over Johnny Carson for the lead.

Answer: Grady

Until the salary dispute Grady Wilson had a secondary role as a friend of Fred Sanford. He became 'manager' of the junkyard as Fred was in Saint Louis on the death of a family member. Names were interesting on this show. Redd Foxx's birth name was John Elroy Sanford. Grady Wilson was derived from Demond Wilson's birth name Grady Demond Wilson.

A touch of irony was attached to Redd Foxx's death. As a ploy for sympathy, Fred Sanford would fake a heart attack saying "I'm coming Elizabeth!" the name of his dead wife. In 1991 while performing he died of a heart attack while other actors thought he was just doing his Fred Sanford routine.