Name That Sci-Fi Show Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Dead Zone

The television series "The Dead Zone" started with the same plot as King's novel: high school teacher Johnny Smith was in a major car accident, fell into a deep coma, and didn't wake up for four years. When he did finally wake, he was able to see events from the past, present, and future that happened to other people.

The show had some important distinctions: TV Johnny was a father, was quite wealthy, and had a best friend and physiologist named Bruce who was by his side during his adventures.

Answer: The X-Files

The Fox network launched "The X-Files" in 1993 and ran it for nine original seasons. Starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, the series would interlace free-standing episodes with episodes that built to the larger story arcs, which usually involved alien abduction. It has spawned films, spin-offs, and a mini-series, known as season ten, in 2016.

Answer: The Outer Limits

"The Outer Limits" was perhaps most famous for its cold opening: "There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling transmission." At the end of each episode, viewers would hear: "We now return control of your television set to you. Until next week at the same time, when the control voice will take you to - The Outer Limits."

Answer: Roswell

Roswell, New Mexico is the town known for an alleged U.F.O. landing in 1947 and thus makes for an interesting setting for the television series, "Roswell." The program was created by Jason Katims, and, while "Roswell" didn't have great ratings, he went on to have greater success on "Parenthood" (2010) and "Friday Night Lights (2008).

Answer: Babylon 5

"Babylon 5" ran for five seasons beginning in 1994. Show creator J. Michael Straczynski indicated that he wanted to create a science fiction show that presented conflicting ideologies as well as deep character development. In 2012, the AVClub asserted that Babylon5 "redefined TV science fiction."

Answer: The Jetsons

"The Jetsons" aired on primetime in the early 1960s, and then ran as a Saturday morning cartoon staple for decades. George Jetson and his family lived in Orbit City and he commuted to work in a bubble-space car that would drop him right into his office building at Spacely's Sprockets.

The show was reportedly Hanna-Barberra's counterpoint to "The Flintstones," which was about a stone-age family.

Answer: Battlestar Galactica

The 2004 reboot of "Battlestar Galactica" premiered in 2004 in the U.K. and followed soon after in the U.S. It was highly praised by critics for the mythological underpinnings to its stories, as well as its visual effects. It starred Edward James Olmos as the Commander of the fleet and Mary McDonnell as the ad hoc President.

Answer: Quantum Leap

"Quantum Leap" was created by producer and writer Donald Bellisario, who had also written for "Magnum, P.I." and "JAG." Both Bakula and Dean Stockwell, who played Dr. Beckett's hologram guide, won Golden Globe awards for their performances.

Answer: Star Trek

Gene Roddenberry was reportedly inspired by tales of great explorations, such as those written by Jonathon Swift, when he created "Star Trek." The original series began on NBC and ran for just three seasons, though it spawned a universe full of books, films, reboots, sequels, and prequels.

Answer: The Twilight Zone

"The Twilight Zone" television anthology series may not have been the first science fiction show, but it was one of the most popular. Narrated and produced by Rod Serling beginning in 1959, the sci-fi stories were often metaphors for contemporary social commentary. The Writers Guild of American ranked it number three on the list of best-written TV series ever (2013), after "The Sopranos" in first place and "Seinfeld" in second.