Splitting Our Sides Trivia Quiz

Answer: New York City

Following the lives of television's most dysfunctional group of friends ever, 'Seinfeld' was a huge hit for NBC in America, rivalling and occasionally surpassing its other cherished series 'Cheers'. Jerry Seinfeld played a version of himself, while Jason Alexander was born to play George Costanza, a short, stocky, bald man with terrible luck and Jerry's best friend. Julia Louis-Dreyfus played Elaine Benes, a former girlfriend of Jerry who stayed friends with him after they split up. Michael Richards played Cosmo Kramer, Jerry's oddball neighbour from across the hall. Frequently seen mooching off Jerry, Kramer's humour derives from his odd gestures and slapstick comedy.

The programme ran for nine seasons from 1989 to 1998 and is a prime example of comedy done right.

Answer: Peep Show

Mark and Jez are played by David Mitchell and Robert Webb respectively. The basic premise of this programme is about an odd couple living together, and is in that respect not unique. What sets this show apart from others has to be the original humour of Mitchell and Webb. Mitchell's character is the neurotic straight-laced office worker who is prone to angry outbursts. Jez, on the other hand, is the care-free, sponging flat-mate whose main talent is to wind up Mark.

This duo also star in 'That Mitchell and Webb Look'.

In one sketch, David Mitchell's character (the grammar nazi), shoots people dead for mispronouncing words such as "expresso" (rather than "espresso"), and "haitch" (rather than "aitch").

Answer: A Bit of Fry & Laurie

As alumni of the prestigious Footlights Club at Cambridge University, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie had starring roles in many programmes prior to their "big break", including 'The Young Ones' and the altogether brilliant 'Blackadder' series. It was in 1987 that the BBC approached the duo once more to offer them their own comedy series.

In 1989, the first series of 'A Bit of Fry & Laurie' was broadcast. Featuring an array of comedy characters, silly songs, wonderful wordplay and guest stars, the four acclaimed series of 'A Bit of Fry & Laurie' cemented them in the hallowed halls of British comedy.

Answer: Sam Malone

Sam Malone is an ex-baseball player played by Ted Danson. The other main characters in 'Cheers' are either bar staff, such as Woody, Diane, and Carla, or regulars, such as Cliff, Norm, and Frasier. 'Cheers' was set in Boston, but when one of its main characters, Frasier Crane, moved to Seattle, a spin-off show ('Frasier') was created. This successful spin-off ran from 1993 to 2004.

Answer: Kath & Kim

'Kath & Kim' first appeared on Australian television in 2002, becoming one of the ABC's most popular programmes. Jane Turner plays Kath Day (later Kath Day-Knight), a carefree middle-aged woman and mother to Kim Day (later Kim Craig). Played by Gina Riley, Kim thinks she's more attractive than she actually is and is frequently seen wearing unflattering clothing.

The pair are joined by Kath's new husband Kel Knight (played by Glenn Robbins) and Brett Craig (played by Peter Rowsthorn). 'Kath & Kim' ran for three series between 2002 and 2004, before moving to a different network in 2007 for a fourth series.

A television movie and a theatrically-released film were also spawned from the series. A US remake of the programme hit American screens in 2008, but it was poorly received and cancelled after only one series.

Answer: Shooting Stars

'Shooting Stars' is hosted by Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer, which should tell anyone who is familiar with this duo that this show is eccentric to say the least. Past questions include "True or False? Kerry Katona doesn't actually own any cats" and, simply, "True or False?". Bob Mortimer's verbal punchbag on the show is its longest serving team captain, Ulrika Jonsson, who gives as good as she gets.

Other team captains have included Mark Lamarr, Will Self, and Jack Dee. The original score keeper was Georgie Dawes (Matt Lucas) who was later replaced by the unsavoury Angelos Epithemiou.

Answer: The Office

And so, with the first broadcast of 'The Office' in 2001, offices around the nation were never the same again. Filmed in the style of a documentary, 'The Office' followed the day-to-day lives of the employees of Wernham Hogg, a Slough-based paper merchant. Ricky Gervais, who co-wrote and co-directed the series with Stephen Merchant, portrayed the "boss from hell" David Brent, a manager who seems to think he is funnier and more popular than he actually is, but is more concerned with his staff than the operation of the company. Teeming with subtle humour and downright cringeworthy moments that make you think, "Oh no, did he just say that?", 'The Office' not only made stars of Gervais and Merchant, but also Martin Freeman (who played Tim Canterbury) and Mackenzie Crook (who played Gareth Keenan). Such was its popularity that a highly popular and successful American version of the series was created, with Steve Carrell in the Brent-equivalent role.

Answer: The Big Bang Theory

First broadcast in 2007, 'The Big Bang Theory' follows the adventures of physicist roommates Sheldon and Leonard (named for the legendary American TV producer/director, Sheldon Leonard) and their neighbor across-the-hall, Penny, a would-be actress who works as a waitress.

Sheldon and Leonard's equally nerdy co-workers, astrophysicist Raj and aerospace engineer Howard, round out the group. The show focuses on the egos and social awkwardness of the scientists as they encounter challenges at work and in life, like learning how to make friends and pick up women. Penny is often the sole adult among the group.

Answer: The Red Green Show

Originally based on a parody of 'The Red Fisher Show' outdoor adventure show, 'The Red Green Show' ran from 1991 to 2006. The title character, played by Steve Smith, was also the leader of the Possum Lodge, the setting for the show. Various segments of the show included the "Handyman's Corner", an outdoors segment called "Adventures with Bill" and a question/answer segment called "The Experts", in which a panel of lodge members would answer questions sent in by viewers.

Answer: Monk

'Monk' ran from 2002 to 2009 on the USA Network, a cable channel owned by NBC. The lead character, Adrian Monk, was a former police detective who suffered a breakdown after the death of his wife that left him unable to work for the police department. He eventually was able to work as a consultant for the department as long as he had help from an assistant (Sharona in the first three seasons and Natalie in the remaining seasons). Most of the comedy in the show focused on Monk's idiosyncrasies, such as his need for symmetry and his phobias (milk, clouds, chalk and harmonicas, among other things).

The show won many awards during its run, with Tony Shalhoub receiving three Emmy awards for "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series".