Rock Follies Trivia Quiz

Answer: Michael Gambon

'The Singing Detective' was written by Dennis Potter, and featured Michael Gambon as Philip E. Marlow. The character was in hospital, suffering from psoriatic arthritis, a condition which afflicted Potter himself. The characters broke into song throughout the series, which was a novelty when it was first broadcast on BBC television in 1986. Gambon went on to play Albus Dumbledore in the 'Harry Potter' films when the original actor, Richard Harris, died. 'The Singing Detective' also gave Joanne Whalley, playing a nurse, an early role in her career.

Answer: Keith

The show first appeared on American television in 1970 with Shirley Jones playing the widowed mother persuaded by her children to form a band. David Cassidy played Keith, and the show was a springboard for David's own career as a singer. His earlier recordings were sold under the 'Partridge Family' name, but he went on to have solo hits with 'Could it be Forever' in 1972 and 'Daydreamer' in 1973, as well as several others. Cassidy has also appeared in musical theatre productions, such as 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat' in which he starred during the 1982 Broadway run.

Answer: Blackpool

Following in the tradition of shows like 'The Singing Detective', 'Blackpool' had its characters singing and dancing to appropriate songs during the six part series. It was shown in the USA with the slightly altered title of 'Viva Blackpool'. David Morrissey played the role of a brash entrepreneur with David Tennant being the policeman determined to nail Morrissey for a murder. Matters became even more complicated when Tennant began an affair with Morrissey's wife.

Answer: New Zealand

The New Zealanders were Bret McKenzie and Jermaine Clement who met while at university in Wellington. The pair originally made a radio series in Britain, which was broadcast on the BBC's Radio 2 channel. The show was then picked up by America's HBO Channel, with Bret and Jermaine playing their fictitious counterparts as they attempted to break into the New York music business.

The television show ran for two series, in 2007 and 2009.

Answer: Gene Anthony Ray

The television version of 'Fame' ran from 1982 until 1987 on American television. It was based on the film, originally released in 1980, in which Gene Anthony Ray played the same character. As I'm sure you know, the series followed the progress of a group of students at a Performing Arts school as they learned their trade and dreamed of breaking into the big time. Sadly for most of the cast, their real life careers failed to take off and Gene Anthony Ray died in 2003 having suffered a stroke earlier in the same year.

Answer: Charlotte Cornwell

The series focused on a girl trio who named themselves The Little Ladies, and ran on British television in 1976. A second series, imaginatively called 'Rock Follies '77' followed, and two albums of music featured in the show sold remarkably well in the UK. Rula Lenska's family came from Poland originally and Julie Covington was the first singer to have a hit with 'Don't Cry for me Argentina', which she took to the top of the UK Singles chart in 1976. John Le Carré's real name was David Cornwell with he and Charlotte having different mothers but the same father. Charlotte's acting work has included stage, film and television and she has appeared on the small screen in both the UK and USA.

Answer: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

The television series of 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' lasted only one season of six months in 1982/3 and usually had one song in each episode, contributed by Jimmy Webb, who wrote many of Glen Campbell's hits. The show vaguely followed the idea of the film although only Adam and Daniel of the brothers retained the same names.

Richard Dean Anderson went on to star in 'MacGyver', which had a seven year run starting in 1985. River Phoenix went on to an all too brief, but dazzling, career with roles in films such as 'Stand by Me' (1986) and 'My Own Private Idaho' (1991).

Answer: Cory Monteith

After a pilot in May 2009, the first series of 'Glee' began in September of the same year. The show focused on a school choir, or glee club, in a high school and dealt with the various problems faced by the individual members. The character of Finn Hudson was originally a sporting star of the school and had to deal with the repercussions of joining the glee club. Cory Monteith had well known problems with addiction from a young age and died in July 2013 from an accidental overdose of heroin mixed with alcohol. He was aged only thirty-one.

The other options listed are also Canadians.

Answer: California

The band consisted of actors Mickey Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork and Davy Jones, the only English member. In the show, the four of shared a house in Malibu, on the sea front. The series was a mixture of comedy and music and ran for a surprisingly short time, from September 1966 until March 1968 (it felt much longer at the time).

Although much derided as a 'manufactured' band, The Monkees had several hit records. Their cover version of Neil Diamond's 'I'm a Believer' hit the top of the charts around the world, including on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles chart.

Other hits include 'Daydream Believer' (1967) and 'Last Train to Clarksville' (1966).

Answer: Josie

Also styled as 'Josie and the Pussy Cats', the show first appeared in 1970. It was created by Hanna-Barbera and followed a pop music trio who became embroiled in adventures while appearing in venues around the world. A film version was released in 2001 starring Rachael Leigh Cook, Tara Reid and Rosario Dawson.

The television cartoon included the singing voices of Cheryl Ladd and Patrice Holloway, with Casey Kasem providing the voice for the girls' manager, Alexander Cabot III.