FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!

Pioneers of Television Trivia Quiz

Do you know the true pioneers of television?

A multiple-choice quiz by amfan83. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
amfan83

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
367,542

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
10 / 15

Plays
884

Last 3 plays: Guest 156 (8/15), Guest 73 (12/15), Guest 73 (15/15).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. Which actor is best known for playing Danny Williams on the television show "Make Room For Daddy"? Hint

Danny Thomas

Don Knotts

Andy Griffith

Dick Van Dyke

NEXT>

Question 2 of 15

2. What was the surname of the family on "The Dick Van Dyke Show"? Hint

Rogers

Moore

Van Dyke

Petrie

NEXT>

Question 3 of 15

3. Which host is best remembered for being the host of "Match Game", "Match Game 73" and "Match Game PM"? Hint

Gene Rayburn

Bob Eubanks

Bert Convy

Richard Dawson

NEXT>

Question 4 of 15

4. Which heartthrob did NOT appear on "The Dating Game"? Hint

David Cassidy

Andy Gibb

Leif Garrett

Willie Aames

NEXT>

Question 5 of 15

5. Meredith Baxter has had her fair share of television shows through the years. Which show did NOT feature Baxter as a main star? Hint

"Bridget Loves Bernie"

"The Partridge Family"

"Family"

"Family Ties"

NEXT>

Question 6 of 15

6. "The Partridge Family" is one of the most iconic television shows of all time. Who created the hit television series? Hint

Sherwood Schwartz

Bernard Slade

Jay Presson Allen

Danny Thomas

NEXT>

Question 7 of 15

7. Which television actor that appeared on a popular medical drama was the quarterback for the UCLA Bruins from 1972 to 1973? Hint

OJ Simpson

George Clooney

Chad Everett

Mark Harmon

NEXT>

Question 8 of 15

8. Legendary actor Ralph Waite died in February 2014, but he will always be remembered as one the best fathers on television. Which legendary family series is Waite best known for? Hint

"Bonanza"

"Family"

"The Waltons"

"Little House on the Prairie"

NEXT>

Question 9 of 15

9. "The Waltons" has had many famous guest stars such as John Ritter, Sissy Spacek, and Wilford Brimley. Which actor appeared as J.D. Pickett in eleven episodes beginning in 1978? Hint

Robert Donner

Lewis Arquette

David W. Harper

David Doremus

10. It was a big deal when Mary Ingalls went blind on "Little House on The Prairie", and the actress that played Mary did an incredible job during the dramatic scenes. Which actress played Mary? Hint

Melissa Gilbert

Pamela Sue Martin

Melissa Sue Anderson

Alison Arngrim

NEXT>

Question 11 of 15

11. Who was the first host of "The Tonight Show"? Hint

Johnny Carson

Joey Bishop

Jack Paar

Steve Allen

NEXT>

Question 12 of 15

12. Which beloved sitcom introduced America to Heathcliff, Clair, Rudy, Theo, Denise, Vanessa, and Sondra Huxtable? Hint

"Different World"

"Cosby"

"Family Ties"

"The Cosby Show"

NEXT>

Question 13 of 15

13. "Family" was a groundbreaking drama that first aired on ABC in 1976 and ended in 1980. The show was about the Lawrence family. Sada Thompson played Kate Lawrence, mother of Nancy Lawrence Maitland (Elayne Heilveil, later Meredith Baxter), Willie Lawrence (Gary Frank), and Buddy Lawrence (Kristy McNichol). Doug Lawrence was the husband of Kate and father of the Lawrence children. The actor that played Doug was the real-life father of which actor who gained popularity in the 1980s? Hint

Matthew Broderick

Robert Downey Jr.

Michael J. Fox

Jason Bateman

NEXT>

Question 14 of 15

14. "Life Goes On" was a popular television drama that started in 1989 and dealt with the Thatcher family. Corky Thatcher was an interesting character because he had what medical issue? Hint

AIDS

Autisim

Down Syndrome

Edwards Syndrome

NEXT>

Question 15 of 15

15. Sitcoms have been around since the beginning of television and have been popular for many years, but in 1994 a new sitcom became one of the all time greatest shows in television history. "Friends" had great storylines, funny jokes, and a hot cast. The show was part of "Must See TV", which was a group of shows that aired on NBC on Thursday nights starting in 1982. Which television show is NOT part of "Must See TV"? Hint

"Mad About You"

"Boy Meets World"

"Gimme A Break!"

"The Days And Nights of Molly Dodd"

(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

Select a User ID:

Choose a Password:

Your Email:

Most Recent Scores

Nov 10 2024 : Guest 156: 8/15
Nov 09 2024 : Guest 73: 12/15
Nov 08 2024 : Guest 73: 15/15
Nov 08 2024 : Guest 209: 12/15
Nov 01 2024 : Fiona112233: 10/15
Oct 12 2024 : Guest 90: 10/15
Oct 09 2024 : Guest 99: 7/15
Oct 01 2024 : Guest 73: 11/15

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which actor is best known for playing Danny Williams on the television show "Make Room For Daddy"?

Answer: Danny Thomas

"Make Room for Daddy" started in 1953 and ended in 1965. The show spawned another hit television series, "The Andy Griffith Show," in 1960. Danny Thomas was the father of another television pioneer, Marlo Thomas.

2. What was the surname of the family on "The Dick Van Dyke Show"?

Answer: Petrie

"The Dick Van Dyke Show" starred Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore as Rob and Laura Petrie. The show began in 1961 and ended in 1966, and was created by Carl Reiner. Johnny Carson was originally considered for the role of Rob Petrie.

3. Which host is best remembered for being the host of "Match Game", "Match Game 73" and "Match Game PM"?

Answer: Gene Rayburn

Gene Rayburn was born in Illinois in 1917. Bert Convey hosted "Tattletales" and "Super Password". Bob Eubanks hosted "The Newlywed Game" and "Card Sharks". Richard Dawson appeared on "Match Game" on the panel, and hosted "Family Feud".

4. Which heartthrob did NOT appear on "The Dating Game"?

Answer: Andy Gibb

Andy Gibb did not appear on "The Dating Game" but his brothers Maurice and Robin both appeared in 1968. David Cassidy was on the show in 1970, Leif Garrett was on the show in 1972, and Willie Aames was on the show in 1978.

5. Meredith Baxter has had her fair share of television shows through the years. Which show did NOT feature Baxter as a main star?

Answer: "The Partridge Family"

Meredith Baxter was born in 1947 in Pasadena, CA and has been on many successful television shows. Baxter did appear in one episode of "The Partridge Family" in 1971.

6. "The Partridge Family" is one of the most iconic television shows of all time. Who created the hit television series?

Answer: Bernard Slade

"The Partridge Family" premiered in 1970 and was an instant hit. The show starred Shirley Jones as the mother and bandmate of five kids. David Cassidy as Keith Partridge was a major teen idol once the show aired. Sherwood Schwartz created "The Brady Bunch", Jay Presson Allen was the creator of the hit drama "Family", and Danny Thomas helped create many television shows such as "The Andy Griffith Show" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show".

7. Which television actor that appeared on a popular medical drama was the quarterback for the UCLA Bruins from 1972 to 1973?

Answer: Mark Harmon

Mark Harmon was one of the stars of "St. Elsewhere" (1983-1986). Although OJ Simpson was a major football star he was not a quarterback for the Bruins, but he did play for USC and appeared on "Medical Center" with Chad Everett in 1969.

8. Legendary actor Ralph Waite died in February 2014, but he will always be remembered as one the best fathers on television. Which legendary family series is Waite best known for?

Answer: "The Waltons"

Ralph Waite played John Walton Sr. on "The Waltons" from 1972 to 1981. Waite was born in 1928 and appeared in many television series and movies including the films "Cool Hand Luke", "Five Easy Pieces", and "The Bodyguard". Waite had a role on "NCIS" from 2008 to 2013 and "Days of Our Lives" from 2009 to 2013.

9. "The Waltons" has had many famous guest stars such as John Ritter, Sissy Spacek, and Wilford Brimley. Which actor appeared as J.D. Pickett in eleven episodes beginning in 1978?

Answer: Lewis Arquette

Lewis Arquette started appearing on "The Waltons" as J.D. Pickett in 1978 and was in his last episode in 1981. Lewis Arquette is the father of Rosanna, Patricia, David, Alexis, and Richmond Arquette. Robert Donner played Yancy Tucker, David W. Harper played Jim-Bob Walton, and David Doremus played G.W. Haines.

10. It was a big deal when Mary Ingalls went blind on "Little House on The Prairie", and the actress that played Mary did an incredible job during the dramatic scenes. Which actress played Mary?

Answer: Melissa Sue Anderson

Melissa Gilbert portrayed Laura Ingalls, Alison Arngrim portrayed Nellie Oleson and Pamela Sue Martin played Nancy Drew on "Nancy Drew". Melissa Sue Anderson was a popular television actress in the 70s and 80s and appeared in "After School Specials" and "The Brady Bunch".

11. Who was the first host of "The Tonight Show"?

Answer: Steve Allen

Steve Allen was born in 1921 and died in 2000. He was best known not only as the first host of "The Tonight Show" but was also known for "I've Got A Secret", "What's My Line?", and the 1960 film "College Confidential". Jack Paar was the second host of "The Tonight Show", and Johnny Carson hosted the show from 1962 to 1992. Joey Bishop did have a late night talk show, "The Joey Bishop Show" that started in 1967 and ended in 1969.

12. Which beloved sitcom introduced America to Heathcliff, Clair, Rudy, Theo, Denise, Vanessa, and Sondra Huxtable?

Answer: "The Cosby Show"

"The Cosby Show" premiered in 1984 on NBC and quickly became one of the most successful sitcoms in television history. "Different World" was a spin-off of the show, and followed Denise Huxtable to Hillman College. "Family Ties" was another popular sitcom that aired on NBC at the same time. "Cosby" was a show starring Bill Cosby that ran from 1996 to 2000.

Answer: Matthew Broderick

James Broderick, Matthew's father, played Doug Lawrence. Doug Lawrence was in TV Guide's "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time". There was a famous two part episode where Doug was going blind. The show was ahead of its time tackling subjects like alcoholism, homosexuality, and abortion.

14. "Life Goes On" was a popular television drama that started in 1989 and dealt with the Thatcher family. Corky Thatcher was an interesting character because he had what medical issue?

Answer: Down Syndrome

Corky had Down Syndrome and was played by actor Chris Burke. Chad Lowe (Rob's brother) played a character named Jesse that had AIDS and was the love interest of Kellie Martin's character, Becca Thatcher.

Answer: "Boy Meets World"

"Boy Meets World" aired on ABC from 1993 to 2000 and was part of the TGIF lineup.

Source: Author amfan83

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ladymacb29 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.