Name That Show: Theme Songs Trivia Quiz

Answer: Cheers

"Cheers" ran on NBC 1982-1993. Its theme song, "Where Everybody Knows Your Name", was performed by Gary Portnoy, who co-wrote the song along with Judy Hart Angelo. In 1983-1984, it was placed in the top 100 of both the US Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles.

Answer: The Sopranos

The lyrics of "Woke Up This Morning" might sound as if they were made specifically for HBO's "The Sopranos", but the song was written a few years before the pilot by Rob Spragg, lead singer of Alabama 3. He has reported that the song was inspired by a woman who killed her abusive husband in self-defense.

Answer: The Beverly Hillbillies

"The Beverly Hillbillies" (CBS, 1962-1971) was about a poor, country man named Jed Clampett who struck it rich and moved with his family to swanky Beverly Hills. "The Ballad of Jed Clampett" was performed by Jerry Scoggins and included a banjo solo.

Answer: WKRP in Cincinnatii

"WKRP" was an ensemble sitcom that portrayed the antics of employees at an under-performing AM radio station. Its opening song was written for the show and is thus titled simply "WKRP in Cincinnati Main Theme." Hugh Wilson, the producer of WKRP, provided the lyrics. In the episode "The Creation of Venus", from the fourth season, the character of Andy describes his career in radio and speaks the first two lines of the song.

It's rare to catch a rerun of WKRP that uses their original music. When the show ran, the network was able to license and use actual rock and roll hits, which weren't all available for licensing when the reruns came around. Songs from the original first season included such hits as Foreigner's "Hot Blooded", Chuck Berry's "Back in the USA", and Janis Joplin's "Mercedes Benz."

Answer: Bosom Buddies

The song "My Life" was written by Billy Joel and appeared on his 1978 album "52nd Street". It was recorded by different musicians. In this buddy comedy, Kip Wilson was played by Tom Hanks and Henry was played by Peter Scolari.

Answer: The Muppet Show

The Muppets may have originally created for children, but "The Muppet Show" appealed to the whole family. Its puppet cast included Gonzo, Statler and Waldorf, Zoot, Kermit, and Miss Piggy. Guest stars were invited to each show: they included some of the biggest stars of the era, such as Steve Martin, Diana Ross, Linda Ronstadt, Roger Moore, and Mark Hamill.

Answer: Welcome Back, Kotter

"Welcome Back, Kotter" featured Gabe Kaplan as high school teacher who returns to his Bensonhurst neighborhood to teach remedial students. The show's theme, "Welcome Back", was written and performed by John Sebastian, a founding member of the New York band The Lovin' Spoonful.

Answer: Eight is Enough

"Eight is Enough" ran on ABC for five seasons; the first two seasons opened with an instrumental-only theme song, but starting in the third season, the song "Eight Is Enough" served as the theme, with Grant Goodeve, one of the show's stars, as the singer. In the pilot, the eldest son of the Bradford family was played by Mark Hamill. Grant took over the role after that.

Answer: Laverne & Shirley

Episodes of "Laverne & Shirley" opened with the character chanting a mixed Yiddish-English phrase: "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated." Then begins the full theme song, "Making Our Dreams Come True", recorded by Cyndi Grecco and written by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel. Fox and Gimbel had many hits between them, including "Killing Me Softly with His Song", "Rainbow Connection", and the theme to the tv show "The Love Boat."

Answer: The Wire

"Way Down in the Hole" was written by Tom Waits, whose version was played in Season 2 of "The Wire" on HBO. Season one had The Blind Boys of Alabama performing it; season three the Neville Brothers; season four DoMaJe; and season five Steve Earle. Steve Earle also appeared in three episodes of the show; he played Walon, Bubbles's unofficial sponsor from Narcotics Anonymous.