"Old School" TV Programs With Strange Titles Quiz

Answer: Soap

See, now wasn't that easy?

"Soap" was a comedic spoof on the genre of what are commonly called "soap operas". It was an ABC comedy that aired from 1977 until 1981. Using the typical soap opera format, after a brief pat introduction it always began with the line "Confused? You won't be, after this week's episode of 'Soap'."

Replete with bizarre story lines, controversial topics and utterly outrageous dialogue, the program was initially ill-received by many groups, including various religious leaders including Catholics, Jewish leaders, Southern Baptists, United Methodists, United Churches of Christ, and somewhat ironically, gay rights activists. ABC studio executives themselves joined the protests, objecting to all sorts of issues in the format.

The controversy soon died down, however, and even some of those who had announced they were offended by its content stated that they planned to watch it again.

Maybe they weren't quite so offended, after all.

Answer: Three's Company

ABC's "Three's Company" was based on a British sit-com, "Man About the House".

The program used sight gags and farce to full effect to achieve its humor. An outlandish long-running deception was built into the show's overall theme, as a supposedly gay man roomed with two young women. Supposedly to the landlord, that is, as everyone else, including the landlord's wife and the audience were aware that their living arrangements were for matters of convenience only.

Originally starring Joyce Dewitt, Suzanne Somers and John Ritter as the platonic threesome and Norman Fell and Audra Lindley as their landlords, the program eventually evolved with the Ropers (Fell and Lindley) leaving the show and Don Knotts replacing them as the new landlord.

Later, Somers was replaced first by Jenilee Harrison, who was followed shortly by Priscilla Barnes.

Answer: The Twilight Zone

"The Twilight Zone" originally aired on CBS TV in 1959 and continued until 1964. Created by Rod Serling, it served as an introduction for many people to the genres of science fiction/fantasy, and even when merely serving as a vehicle for a simple dramatic tale or a story involving the paranormal, there was usually a "twist" near the end of the story line.

Answer: Have Gun, Will Travel

Richard Boone played the role of Paladin on "Have Gun - Will Travel". Interestingly, perhaps, a "paladin" was a warrior in the time of Charlemagne, a European ruler of the 800s.

Chivalrous knights of King Arthur's Round Table at later time in history are representative of a "paladin." The word "paladin" or "palatin" itself is most likely derived from the Palatine Hill of Rome, Italy.

Answer: The Avengers

"The Avengers" originally aired in Britain in the spy/thriller genre. Featuring actors such as Ian Hendry and John Steed, the program later evolved as Steed's female assistants who were simultaneously intelligent and stylish young women, rounded out the cast. First, Cathy Gale served as his assistant, followed by Diana Rigg, and last Linda Thorson aided him in his work of crime solving.

"The Avengers" final episode aired in the U.S. in May 1969.

Answer: The Virginian

NBC TVs "The Virginian" was loosely based on a novel by Owen Wister that had been written in 1902. During the program's 9 year run, the name of the Virginian was never revealed on the program, and it was never mentioned in the book, either.

The role of the Virginian was portrayed on television by James Drury, a native New Yorker who grew up in both New York and later in Oregon.

Answer: One Day at a Time

"One Day at a Time" was a CBS sitcom that first aired in 1975. It featured Bonnie Franklin as the single mother of two teen-age daughters played by Mackenzie Philips and Valerie Bertinelli.

The story line was developed by Whitney Blake, who had previously played the role of Mrs. Baxter, on the show "Hazel", and her third husband, Allan Manings co-wrote the series "One Day at a Time" for Norman Lear.
Blake's real-life daughter, Meredith Baxter, of "Family Ties" fame, and her two sons, Richard and Brian Baxter, provided the impetus for "One Day at a Time", as Whitney Blake wished to showcase the difficulties of single motherhood.

Answer: The Wonder Years

The main character of "The Wonder Years", Kevin Arnold, was portrayed by child actor Fred Savage.

The premise of the program was one of nostalgia, as the show purportedly was set in the late 1960s through 1972, although the program aired from 1988-1993.

The show won a Peabody Award in 1989, while Savage himself, who was at that time 13 years of age, was the youngest actor ever nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series up that time frame.

Answer: The Facts of Life

A spin-off of "Diff'rent Strokes", NBC's "The Facts of Life" featured Charlotte Rae in her role as Edna Garrett, a housemother and dietitian at an all-girls boarding school.

Humor, angst and poignant moments alike were sprinkled liberally throughout the program's storylines, with the antics and problems of teen-age girls always at the forefront.

The series aired from 1979 until 1988.

Answer: Lost In Space

"Lost In Space" was the science fiction creation of Irwin Allen and aired on CBS from 1968 until 1968.

The Space Family Robinson, (a term previously used by Gold Key comics) had originated from the book "The Swiss Family Robinson" by Johann David Wyss.

Some of the most easily recognized tag lines from the show were "That does not compute", "Danger! Danger!" and "Danger, Will Robinson", a line spoken only once by the Robot to the youngest male aboard the spaceship. Another memorable line came from the character of the cowardly and comically weak Dr. Zachary Smith, "Oh, the pain... the pain!"