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Quiz about The 1960s Most Popular Television Shows

The 1960s Most Popular Television Shows Quiz

As American TV entered a new decade, westerns remained solidly atop the top ten list, but situation comedies and variety shows were gaining in popularity.

A multiple-choice quiz by rblayer. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
rblayer

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
208,949

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
4727

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 73 (8/10), Guest 75 (7/10), Guest 1 (3/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In 1960, standard westerns like "Gunsmoke", "Wagon Train" and "Have Gun Will Travel" topped the list of America's favorite television shows. What new comedy show finished fourth, and would go on to finish in the top ten for the next seven years? Hint

The Red Skelton Show

Candid Camera

Dennis the Menace

The Andy Griffith Show

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Question 2 of 10

2. It was in 1961 that a television medical show first finished in the top ten. What show was it? Hint

Medical Center

Ben Casey

Dr. Kildare

The Doctors

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. CBS premiered a new television show in 1962 that became the most popular show of the season. What was the name of the show's main character? Hint

Jed Clampett

Rob Petrie

Ben Cartwright

Lucy Carmichael

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Question 4 of 10

4. The first "Jiggle TV" show, "Petticoat Junction", premiered on CBS in 1963 and featured three beautiful girls helping their mother run the Shady Rest Hotel. Which of the following was not one of the girls? Hint

Betty Jo

Billie Jo

Bobbie Jo

Bonnie Jo

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Question 5 of 10

5. "Peyton Place" premiered in 1964 on ABC and was America's first primetime soap opera. Which of the following actors was not a member of the cast? Hint

Ryan O'Neal

Barbara Parkins

Mia Farrow

Linda Crystal

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Question 6 of 10

6. By 1965, number one rated "Bonanza" was the only western in the top ten. What show, which was television's first successful spin-off from a spin-off, finished number two? Hint

The Lucy Show

Mayberry R.F.D.

Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.

Make Room for Daddy

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. "Bonanza" finished as the number one most popular television show for the last time in 1966. What corny spin-off made its only top ten appearance the same year? Hint

Hooterville

Green Acres

Mayberry R.F.D.

The Shady Rest

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Which "Rat Pack" member had a top ten rated variety show in 1967? Hint

Frank Sinatra

Joey Bishop

Sammy Davis, Jr.

Dean Martin

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Question 9 of 10

9. "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" premiered in 1968 and shot to the top of the popularity list. What future Oscar winner was a member of the original cast? Hint

Jo Anne Worley

Ruth Buzzi

Judy Carne

Goldie Hawn

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Question 10 of 10

10. The 1960s ended with westerns again in the spotlight, as "Gunsmoke" and "Bonanza" finished the 1969 season in second and third place behind "Laugh In". What new medical show finished at number eight? Hint

Emergency

Marcus Welby, M.D.

The Hospital

The Doctors and the Nurses

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 07 2024 : Guest 73: 8/10
Nov 05 2024 : Guest 75: 7/10
Nov 05 2024 : Guest 1: 3/10
Nov 05 2024 : Guest 64: 9/10
Nov 02 2024 : Guest 100: 7/10
Oct 31 2024 : Guest 174: 10/10
Oct 30 2024 : Fiona112233: 7/10
Oct 29 2024 : Guest 24: 9/10
Oct 28 2024 : Guest 209: 10/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: The Andy Griffith Show

The homespun adventures of Sheriff Andy Taylor, his son Opie and his deputy Barney Fife were a huge television success. "The Andy Griffith Show" actually finished number one for the 1967 season.

2. It was in 1961 that a television medical show first finished in the top ten. What show was it?

Answer: Dr. Kildare

The success of NBC's "Dr. Kildare" prompted ABC to premier the medical drama "Ben Casey" the following season. The handsome series stars, Richard Chamberlain as Dr. Kildare and Vince Edwards as Ben Casey, became instant tabloid celebrities.

3. CBS premiered a new television show in 1962 that became the most popular show of the season. What was the name of the show's main character?

Answer: Jed Clampett

The story of a "poor mountaineer" who struck oil while "shooting at some food" took American television by storm, and the antics of the "Beverly Hillbillies" was the most popular television show for two seasons.

Answer: Bonnie Jo

Paul Henning, the creator of the "Beverly Hillbillies", introduced America to the concept of beautiful young women wearing revealing clothing. The introduction to each episode featured the young women skinny-dipping in a water tower, their clothing draped over the side.

5. "Peyton Place" premiered in 1964 on ABC and was America's first primetime soap opera. Which of the following actors was not a member of the cast?

Answer: Linda Crystal

The popular saga of life in a small New England town, was initially broadcast two nights a week, and later three times a week. The nineteen-year old Mia Farrow and twenty-three year old Parkins lit up the screen, and Farrow's real-life courtship and marriage to Frank Sinatra certainly did not hurt the show's ratings.

6. By 1965, number one rated "Bonanza" was the only western in the top ten. What show, which was television's first successful spin-off from a spin-off, finished number two?

Answer: Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.

Gomer Pyle had been the gas station attendant on "The Andy Griffith Show". He joined the U.S. Marines and a new series was created. Gomer actually finished higher in the ratings than Andy for 1965, as well as the previous year. "The Andy Griffith Show" was a spin-off of the "Danny Thomas Show".

7. "Bonanza" finished as the number one most popular television show for the last time in 1966. What corny spin-off made its only top ten appearance the same year?

Answer: Green Acres

The "Green Acres" characters of Oliver and Lisa Douglas first appeared on "Petticoat Junction" as a Manhattan attorney and his wife, who had been swindled into buying a rundown farm. Oliver, played by actor Eddie Albert, decided to become a farmer and move to Hooterville with Lisa, played by Eva Gabor. Arnold the pig, who Fred Ziffel treated as a son, was a frequent scene-stealer.

8. Which "Rat Pack" member had a top ten rated variety show in 1967?

Answer: Dean Martin

Martin's refusal to rehearse helped to insure the casual and spontaneous nature of the popular show. An added attraction was a troupe of beautiful women singers and dancers called the "Golddiggers".

9. "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" premiered in 1968 and shot to the top of the popularity list. What future Oscar winner was a member of the original cast?

Answer: Goldie Hawn

Hawn won the Best Supporting Actress 'Oscar' for her role as Toni Simmons in "Cactus Flower", starring Walter Matthau as dentist Julian Winston. Toni believed that she was a married dentist's lover, but Julian only told Toni he was married to avoid a commitment.

Answer: Marcus Welby, M.D.

Veteran actor Robert Young starred as the kindly and caring Dr. Welby and James Brolin appeared as his assistant, Dr. Steven Kiley. 1940s band singer and movie starlet, Elena Verdugo played Consuelo Lopez.

Source: Author rblayer

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ladymacb29 before going online.
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