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

Spenser for Hire Trivia Quiz

Questions about one of my favorite TV shows that I hope will inspire you to watch it should you have the opportunity.

A multiple-choice quiz by tncvols. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
tncvols

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
332,089

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
166

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Who wrote the books the show is based on? Hint

Jefferson Parker

Tony Parker

Parker Stevenson

Robert B. Parker

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. The original TV series starred which actor in the title role? Hint

Joe Montegna

Robert Urich

Rod Taylor

William Shatner

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Avery Brooks was also a tenured professor at Rutgers University when he portrayed which character? Hint

Henry Cimoli

Hawk

Gino Fish

Tony Marcus

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. The setting for this series is the author's own hometown of what city? Hint

New York

Hartford

Philadelphia

Boston

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Hawk's character in the show starts as an enforcer who works for King Powers a local mob boss played by which former Boston Celtic basketball player and actor? Hint

Chuck Connors

Bill Russell

John Havlicek

Jim Luscatoff

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Lt. Nick Webster came to the show replacing which character that had been played by Richard Jaeckel? Hint

Sen Meade Alexander

Sgt. Belsen

Capt. Healy

Lt. Martin Quirk

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. What is Spenser's first name on the show? Hint

Edmund

We don't know

Hilary

Jim

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. The love of Spenser's life is which character? Hint

Linda Thomas

Candy Sloane

Susan Silverman

Rita Fiore

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Spenser reveals he used to be a cop and was also a pugilist in his younger days. What is a pugilist? Hint

dog trainer

longshoreman

sommelier

boxer

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. The series began in 1985 with a two hour pilot that bore the same title as which book? Hint

Ceremony

A Savage Place

Judas Goat

Promised Land

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

Select a User ID:

Choose a Password:

Your Email:

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Who wrote the books the show is based on?

Answer: Robert B. Parker

Robert B. Parker was the creative force behind not only Spenser but Tom Selleck's Jesse Stone TV movies. 'Appaloosa' made it to the big screen as a late entry into the western genre.

2. The original TV series starred which actor in the title role?

Answer: Robert Urich

Robert Urich was the seminal actor for Spenser in its serial run and its original TV movies. He stated that the role was his favorite portrayal. Joe Montegna did reprise the role in later made for TV movies that more closely followed book story lines and titles.

3. Avery Brooks was also a tenured professor at Rutgers University when he portrayed which character?

Answer: Hawk

Avery made this character uniquely his own. His performance in the role is best summed up by his own description--"I never thought of myself as the sidekick... I've never been the side of anything. I just assumed that I was equal". Like Spenser his identity is mysteriously vague.

4. The setting for this series is the author's own hometown of what city?

Answer: Boston

The original series was filmed mainly in Boston. The city was so closely linked to the character that Parker even penned a non fiction pseudo travel guide entitled 'Spenser's Boston'.

5. Hawk's character in the show starts as an enforcer who works for King Powers a local mob boss played by which former Boston Celtic basketball player and actor?

Answer: Chuck Connors

Born Kevin (a name he hated) Connors, he played for the newly formed Boston Celtics as well as the MLB Dodgers, his favorite child hood team. He was also drafted by the Chicago Bears although he never wore that uniform. His nickname came from his baseball days as a kid yelling for his teammates to 'chuck' him the ball.

6. Lt. Nick Webster came to the show replacing which character that had been played by Richard Jaeckel?

Answer: Lt. Martin Quirk

The Quirk character left the show after he suffered an angina attack. Lt. Webster begins a new more adversarial relationship on his first day in charge by ordering Spenser out of the precinct.

7. What is Spenser's first name on the show?

Answer: We don't know

The show follows the concept established in the book of never revealing his first name. Spenser is often quick to point out that it is "Spenser with a 'S', like the poet." But he never claims Edmund.

8. The love of Spenser's life is which character?

Answer: Susan Silverman

Susan is in the original season and disappears for the second season with Rita being introduced as the new woman. Susan reappears for the third season and Rita is gone with no explanation.

9. Spenser reveals he used to be a cop and was also a pugilist in his younger days. What is a pugilist?

Answer: boxer

He indicates in the TV show that he ended that career after doing badly in a fight. The books claims he fought Jersey Joe Walcott when Joe was on his way down. Spenser is grateful as he says Walcott would have killed him on his way up.

10. The series began in 1985 with a two hour pilot that bore the same title as which book?

Answer: Promised Land

This was the only episode titled after a Spenser novel. Curiously, a 1986 episode was titled 'Widow's Walk' which became a book title in 2002 with a completely different plot line.

Source: Author tncvols

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