Strange, Weird, or Obscure Trivia Quiz

Answer: One Step Beyond

"One Step Beyond" was also called "Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond". This black and white television program ran from 1959 until 1961 and was one of the first primetime television shows to explore the paranormal true events. This anthology series dealt with things such as premonitions of death, haunted houses, life after death, and psychic abilities.

Many famous actors starred in this series including Yvette Mimieux, Charles Bronson and Christopher Lee.

Answer: Rod Serling

The macabre program "Night Gallery" used narrator Rod Serling and his stoic delivery to start every program. Director Steven Spielberg made his directing debut on this television show. Famous actors and actress were featured regularly which also helped this show to capture an audience eager to watch the next frightening episode.

Answer: Barnabas Collins

"Dark Shadows" was one of the more unique programs in this genre. It was not an anthology or collection of separate stories, but rather an ongoing soap opera. Jonathan Frid played vampire 'Barnabas Collins'. Because it played Monday thru Friday for five seasons, instead of once a week, there are an amazing 1,225 episodes.

It was broadcast around 04:00 p.m. capturing the attention of incoming teenage students who were fascinated by the vampires, werewolves, and witches.

Answer: The X-Files

"The X-Files" was a somewhat creepy combination of crime, science fiction, and horror. Each hour long episode features the exploits of two FBI agents attempting to solve crimes that have paranormal overtones. The program dealt with ghosts, aliens, conspiracy theories, and the occasional monster.

This program was immensely popular with critics and fans alike. The program won multiple Emmy Awards in multiple years. The program spawned new comics, a card game, and at least three video games.

Answer: Gary Collins

The title "The Sixth Sense" is a reference to ESP also known as extra-sensory perception. Gary Collins starred as a parapsychologist, aided by his beautiful assistant, who tried to explore paranormal and unexplained occurrences. Featuring many major stars such as Jane Wyman, Patty Duke, and Joan Crawford helped this program struggle through its first year.

It was not enough to save this program, which was canceled in season two.

Answer: False

"Tales From the Darkside" was an American horror show which debuted in 1984. Like many of the shows in this quiz, each episode bore no relationship to the previous or following episodes. Each was an individual short story, many written by famous authors such as Stephen King, Robert Bloch, and Frederik Pohl have been featured.

Answer: Steven Spielberg

"Amazing Stories" ran for two seasons and was nominated for a dozen Emmy awards. While it was a hit with the critics, the fans were not as enamored and the program only lasted two seasons. The program featured some famous names directing each episode such as Clint Eastwood, Burt Reynolds and Martin Scorsese.

Answer: The Outer Limits

"The Outer Limits" was a black and white television program that aired from 1963 until 1965. Every episode started the quoted phrase giving the impression that other forces had taken over your television set and that the watcher was powerless to do anything about it.

The program featured some very creative beasts, aliens, and other monsters that were considered so frightening that some stations would not show the program, or would black out the visage of these beings. Some of these creatures would reappear in the television program "Star Trek" (1966-1969) including the pointy ears seen on the character Spock.

Answer: Newpaper reporter

Darren McGavin portrayed a Chicago newspaper reporter who tried to solve crimes that had paranormal overtones and that the police did not want to deal with. It only lasted one season but was noted for the creativity that was used in special effects and some very unique monsters. The program originated from an unpublished novel written by author Jeff Rice.

Answer: 1959

In 1959, Rod Serling's "The Twilight Zone" aired on television for the first time. This program had more of a science fiction slant and featured paranormal themes in a unique mix. It was a change from the horror monster movies that were very big at the time. Frequent surprise endings kept watchers on the edge of their seats until the very end of the program.

The major stars who appeared on the ground-breaking show are too many to list. The 156 episodes of this unique television show can still be seen in reruns on late night television.