The Corridors of Power Trivia Quiz

Answer: Fess Parker

The show was based on the film, although the politician's name was different. The character was another honest senator, trying to do his best for the people he represented. The show does not appear to have made much impact, although it did attract some well known guest stars, including Buster Keaton and Harpo Marx. Parker portrayed Davy Crockett on television in the mid 1950s, before going on to play Daniel Boone from 1964 until 1970.

The other actors listed also played Davy Crockett, but on the big screen. John Wayne was in 'The Alamo' (1960), Arthur Hunnicutt in 'The Last Command' (1955) and James Griffith played Crockett in 'The First Texan' (1956).

Answer: State of Play

The British programme ran for six hourly episodes and told the story of a journalist's investigation into the death of a young woman, who had been employed by a Member of Parliament. It also featured James McAvoy, Bill Nighy and Philip Glenister. Although not shown on American television, it was adapted as a two hour film and relocated to Washington D.C. with a Congressman replacing the M.P.

The characters' names were retained, with the plot being similar to the British original. 'The Politician's Wife' appeared on British television in 1995 and 'Party Animals' was another UK show, from 2007. 'Top of the Hill' was an American series, shown in 1989.

Answer: Denmark

The show starred Sidse Babett Knudsen as Birgitte Nyborg Christensen, and was shown on UK television from 2012 onwards, with subtitles. In the USA, it was broadcast on Link TV, although plans to make an English language US version were revealed in 2011.

The character of Christensen was portrayed as a moderate, and the show depicted her difficulties in trying to negotiate with the other parties on both the left and right of the political spectrum.

Answer: Kevin Spacey

The story was an adaptation of the novel written by Michael Dobbs, with the wonderfully devious character of Urquart taking centre stage. He would stop at nothing, not even murder, to advance his political ambitions. Urquart gave us the quote: 'You might think that; I couldn't possibly comment', which has passed into everyday usage.

The British version appeared in 1990 with the American rewrite being screened in February 2013.

Answer: Gordon Brown

The deal itself was real enough, although the film was fiction. Michael Sheen played Tony Blair, with David Morrissey as Gordon Brown. The two men had agreed that Brown would not stand in the election to choose a new leader of the Labour Party following the unexpected death of the previous leader, John Smith.

In return, Blair would stand down after one term to allow Brown to take over. In reality, he continued in power and Brown did not get his chance of power for ten years, when he failed to make much of an impact.

Answer: New York

'Spin City' ran from 1996 until 2002, with Fox playing the role of Flaherty until 2000. Having been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Fox left and was replaced by Charlie Sheen as Charlie Crawford for the final two seasons. Fox made a brief return for three episodes during the 2001 series.

The story centred on the people surrounding the mayor of New York, Randall Winston, portrayed by Barry Bostwick and their efforts to keep the city running smoothly.

Answer: Appleby

The series started as 'Yes Minister' in 1980 and ran until 1984. Hacker was then unexpectedly promoted to Prime Minister when the series returned for a further two years in 1986. Hacker was portrayed as well meaning, but out of his depth, and constantly out manoeuvred by the quick witted Sir Humphrey, who managed to manipulate Hacker to do what the civil servant wanted.

The episodes ended with Appleby saying 'Yes, (Prime) Minister', leading Hacker to believe that his wishes had prevailed.

Answer: Female

Originally the Vice President, Mackenzie Allen became President when the President suffered a fatal aneurysm. The role was played by Geena Davis, and the show also featured Donald Sutherland as Nathan Templeton, the Speaker of the House. Templeton had expected to be the successor and resented Allen's taking of the position.

Although popular to begin with, the series lost viewers and was taken off air for three months two thirds of the way through its run. It was cancelled after only one season.

Answer: Jeff Daniels

Not to be confused with the Canadian comedy-drama of the same name, the USA show was set in the newsroom of the fictional Atlantis Cable News. It began in 2012, and showed the problems behind the scenes as the staff try to put together the latest news to broadcast to the public. Each episode was built around a real event in the news, including the nuclear crisis in Japan following the tsunami and the uprisings in the Middle East. Kiefer Sutherland appeared in '24' and Rob Lowe was one of the actors from 'West Wing' (which I've deliberately avoided in this quiz). Beau Bridges has appeared in many television series, including 'Harts of the West', although this was a western, not a political drama.

Answer: The Thick of It

Veep starred Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, the Vice President of the USA. She did not have a good relationship with the President, who did not appear in the series. Iannucci also created 'The Thick of It', which was a satire on British politics. An unsuccessful American version, with Iannucci's input, was made before 'Veep' was produced.

The main star of 'The Thick of It' emerged as the foul-mouthed 'spin doctor', Malcolm Tucker, portrayed by Peter Capaldi. Capaldi was chosen in August 2013 as the twelfth doctor in the long running television series 'Doctor Who'.