"Star-Named" Shows Sometimes Stumble Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The star was part of a divorced couple who worked on the same television program.

Answer: The Betty White Show

During the 1977-1978 season, Betty White played Joyce Whitman, an actress who was the star of a fictional television show about a female police officer. John Hillerman was John Elliot, Joyce's ex-husband and director of the show. The CBS show, up against powerful competition, was not able to find an audience and was cancelled after 14 episodes.

2. The star played a character who was a family counselor in Colorado.

Answer: The Bill Engvall Show

"The Bill Engvall Show" ran for three seasons (2007-2009). Bill Engvall portrayed counselor Bill Pearson, with Nancy Travis as his wife and Tim Meadows as his friend. The show focused on parenting and marriage issues. The TBS series ran for 30 episodes and has since been released on DVD.

3. The star played a retired Air Force officer who inherited a private school.

Answer: The John Forsythe Show

Though it only lasted for a single season (1965-1966), "The John Forsythe Show" was really two in one. In the first part of the season, Major John Foster (Forsythe) was in a sitcom about inheriting the Foster School in San Francisco. In the second part of the season, the character's commission was reactivated to place him in a spy show. 29 episodes aired on NBC.

4. The star played a character who was a taxicab driver in New York.

Answer: The George Carlin Show

Over two seasons (1994-1995), George Carlin portrayed taxicab driver George O'Grady. Anthony Starke portrayed bartender Jack Donahue, in whose bar many scenes took place. Alex Rocco and Paige French were also part of the cast. The FOX show lasted for 27 episodes.

5. The star played a middle-aged person who quit a job to go to medical school.

Answer: The Bob Crane Show

Bob Crane portrayed former insurance salesman turned medical student during the show's one season (1975). Patricia Henry portrayed his wife Ellie. A recurring theme of the show was with Bob in school, Ellie was the main breadwinner of the family. "The Bob Crane Show" lasted for 14 episodes on NBC.

6. Based on a stand-up routine, this star's show was first set in Bloomington, IN.

Answer: The Jeff Foxworthy Show

"The Jeff Foxworthy Show" was on two different networks in its two seasons (1995-1997). Jeff Foxworthy portrayed himself, first in Bloomington, IN, and then in an unnamed Georgia town. The show was largely based on routines from his stand-up career.

The show's first season of 17 episodes was on ABC, while its second season of 23 episodes was on NBC. One additional episode was unaired.

7. The star played a wealthy person who loved to spend money.

Answer: The Tammy Grimes Show

"The Tammy Grimes Show" lasted for a single season (1966). Tammy Grimes portrayed Tammy Ward, a heiress who spent extravagantly. Hiram Sherman portrayed her Uncle Simon, who tried to control Tammy's spending. The ABC show had four aired episodes, one that was filmed but unaired, and nine that were planned but not filmed.

8. The star played a judge who dealt with challenges at home and at work.

Answer: The Tony Randall Show

"The Tony Randall Show" was on two networks during it's two seasons (1976-1978). Tony Randall portrayed Judge Walter Franklin, who at home was a widowed single parent and at work had to deal with courthouse staff. Rachel Robert's portrayed his housekeeper and Barney Martin portrayed his court reporter.

The 44 episodes of the show were divide between ABC (first season) and CBS (second season).

9. The star played a former television star who looked for things to fill one's time.

Answer: The Paul Reiser Show

On the single season (2011) of "The Paul Reiser Show", he essentially portrayed a version of himself--former star of a hit television show. With time on his hands, he got his friends to help him find the next thing to keep him busy. The NBC show lasted for two episodes, with five additional unaired episodes.

10. The star played a lawyer who faced challenge from family and sometimes fell into the pool.

Answer: The Paul Lynde Show

The show last for one season (1972-1973). Paul Lynde portrayed Paul Simms, a California lawyer. Elizabeth Allen played his wife and Jane Actman and Pamelyn Ferdin played his daughters. The show was known for Paul Lynde falling into the functional swimming pool on the backyard set in some episodes. 26 episodes aired on ABC.

Source: Author bernie73

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Questions		Choices
1. The star was part of a divorced couple who worked on the same television program.		The Tony Randall Show
2. The star played a character who was a family counselor in Colorado.		The John Forsythe Show
3. The star played a retired Air Force officer who inherited a private school.		The Paul Lynde Show
4. The star played a character who was a taxicab driver in New York.		The Paul Reiser Show
5. The star played a middle-aged person who quit a job to go to medical school.		The Bob Crane Show
6. Based on a stand-up routine, this star's show was first set in Bloomington, IN.		The Jeff Foxworthy Show
7. The star played a wealthy person who loved to spend money.		The Bill Engvall Show
8. The star played a judge who dealt with challenges at home and at work.		The George Carlin Show
9. The star played a former television star who looked for things to fill one's time.		The Betty White Show
10. The star played a lawyer who faced challenge from family and sometimes fell into the pool.		The Tammy Grimes Show

Some shows named after the star do not last for a long time. Match the show with the brief description. All shows ran for less than 50 episodes.