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The Insider's 'Honeymooners' Trivia Quiz

Behind the scenes of 'The Honeymooners'...with some little-known, surprising facts. You've gotta know your facts to do well here!

A multiple-choice quiz by vendome. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
vendome

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
8,192

Updated
Nov 05 24

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
3722

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 47 (5/10), Guest 96 (10/10), Guest 172 (8/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Most people assume that Audrey Meadows was the first 'Alice Kramden.' In fact, the role was originated by what actress? Hint

Zamah Cunningham

Jayne Meadows

Frances Langford

Pert Kelton

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Question 2 of 10

2. Audrey Meadows was almost immediately rejected for the role of 'Alice' by Jackie Gleason. Why? Hint

He considered her 'too pretty' for the role

He considered her 'too thin' for the role

He considered her 'too inexperienced' for the role

He was considering her sister, Jayne, for the role

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. It was almost impossible for Gleason to attract guest stars to appear in 'The Honeymooners'; the few who did never appeared again. Why? Hint

Gleason was noted for a violent, explosive temper

Gleason never memorized his lines, and would depend on the other actors to 'bail him out' during the

Gleason would often make last minute script changes prior to the 'live' broadcast

Gleason refused to rehearse, even though the show was broadcast live

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Question 4 of 10

4. During the live performance, if Gleason forgot his lines (a regular occurrence), he had a signal to the other actors to alert them to this fact. What was it? Hint

He would head for the sink

He would wipe his forehead

He would say, 'Homina, homina'

He would rub his stomach

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Question 5 of 10

5. How many 'Honeymooners' episodes were filmed (excluding those that were a part of Gleason's variety show)? Hint

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. In what years were these original 39 episodes filmed? Hint

1955-1956

1956-1957

1954-1955

1953-1954

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Question 7 of 10

7. Jackie Gleason was undoubtedly the genius behind the 'Honeymooners' yet the industry failed to appreciate this fact. How was their lack of appreciation shown? Hint

Almost every cast member EXCEPT Gleason won an Emmy award

The show was never nominated for an Emmy award

The show was nominated for, but never won, an Emmy award

The only Emmy award won was for writing, a function that Gleason had nothing to do with

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Question 8 of 10

8. When 'The Honeymooners' was revived in the late 60s and early 70s in a musical format, which actress replaced Audrey Meadows as a singing 'Alice'?

Answer: (She was the wife of a major movie musical star - two words)

9. One cast member was virtually ignored by Gleason after the filming of the original episodes. This was 'Trixie', Ed Norton's wife. The actress was never contacted for any reunion specials, part revivals, or anything. What was the actress' name?

Answer: (Two Words)

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Question 10 of 10

10. As has been stated, it was thought that the original 39 episodes was all that remained of the 'Honeymooners,' until the discovery of the 'lost' episodes. Were these episodes really lost?

Yes

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 18 2024 : Guest 47: 5/10
Dec 05 2024 : Guest 96: 10/10
Dec 03 2024 : Guest 172: 8/10
Nov 25 2024 : ncrmd: 9/10
Nov 19 2024 : tluvgrandpa: 8/10
Nov 16 2024 : Guest 12: 5/10
Nov 12 2024 : Guest 50: 6/10
Nov 08 2024 : Guest 176: 6/10
Nov 04 2024 : Johnmcmanners: 10/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Most people assume that Audrey Meadows was the first 'Alice Kramden.' In fact, the role was originated by what actress?

Answer: Pert Kelton

Most people remember Pert Kelton as Ronnie Howard's and Shirley Jones' mother in the movie 'The Music Man.' She did, however, originate the Alice Kramden role when 'The Honeymooners' debuted as a skit on Gleason's variety show. She could not continue with the role for two reasons: she became a suspect by the McCarthy Senate hearings and suffered a major heart attack.

2. Audrey Meadows was almost immediately rejected for the role of 'Alice' by Jackie Gleason. Why?

Answer: He considered her 'too pretty' for the role

When advised by her agent that Gleason considered her 'too pretty,' Meadows arranged for a photographer to arrive at her apartment the next morning at 4:00am, and to take a series of pictures of her as she looked immediately upon waking up, without makeup, with puffy eyes, etc. Upon receipt of the photos, Gleason said, 'Any broad (sic) with a sense of humor like that deserves the part.'

3. It was almost impossible for Gleason to attract guest stars to appear in 'The {Honeymooners';} the few who did never appeared again. Why?

Answer: Gleason refused to rehearse, even though the show was broadcast live

Gleason felt that rehearsals destroyed the 'spontaneity' possible during the live performance. The most he would agree to do (though not always) was to show up for the 'blocking' (where each character was to stand when delivering his or her lines), but NEVER for a rehearsal. Audrey Meadows and Art Carney would take the terrified guest star to their dressing room and have their own rehearsal, and impart these words of wisdom '...just keep out of his way and never, ever, stand in front of him.'

4. During the live performance, if Gleason forgot his lines (a regular occurrence), he had a signal to the other actors to alert them to this fact. What was it?

Answer: He would rub his stomach

This is where Audrey Meadow's nickname 'The Rock' came about. A firm believer in rehearsals, it took Meadows quite a while to get used to Gleason's no-rehearsal policy. For her own level of comfort, Meadows would memorize the entire script, knowing each actor's lines, and was therefore ready to help any actor who went 'over the top.'

5. How many 'Honeymooners' episodes were filmed (excluding those that were a part of Gleason's variety show)?

Answer: 39

Until Gleason announced the existence of the 'lost episodes' of the 'Honeymooners' in 1985, just 39 original episodes were filmed.

6. In what years were these original 39 episodes filmed?

Answer: 1955-1956

These episodes were shot on film (a rare occurence for the time) as part of a complicated spinoff deal with Jackie Gleason Enterprises and the now-defunct Dumont network.

7. Jackie Gleason was undoubtedly the genius behind the 'Honeymooners' yet the industry failed to appreciate this fact. How was their lack of appreciation shown?

Answer: Almost every cast member EXCEPT Gleason won an Emmy award

Meadows, Carney, and Randolph all won Emmys (Meadows and Carney won several), as did the writers...Gleason was totally overlooked.

8. When 'The Honeymooners' was revived in the late 60s and early 70s in a musical format, which actress replaced Audrey Meadows as a singing 'Alice'?

Answer: Sheila MacRae

The opportunity to return as 'Alice' was offered to Audrey {Meadows;} she declined because she had just settled in Denver as the wife of Continental Airlines' President Robert Six, and she wasn't that comfortable with the musical format. MacRae brought to the role a somewhat rougher, coarser Alice that was Gleason's original idea for the part.

Answer: Joyce Randolph

Randolph was angered that, when the 'Honeymooners' was revived in the 60s and 70s, she was never offered the part of 'Trixie.' Gleason instead went directly to Jane Kean and hired her on the spot.

10. As has been stated, it was thought that the original 39 episodes was all that remained of the 'Honeymooners,' until the discovery of the 'lost' episodes. Were these episodes really lost?

Answer: NO

If you consider being locked in a temperature-controlled file cabinet in Gleason's basement 'lost.' No financial dummy, Gleason kept the episodes under lock and key until he felt the time to be right to strike a deal for their sale. He made millions.

Source: Author vendome

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