The TV Time Machine - Destination 1964 Quiz

Answer: My Favorite Martian

"My Favorite Martian" aired 107 episodes (75 in black and white and 32 in color) between September 29, 1963, and May 1, 1966. Walston plays a space traveler from Mars who crashes his space ship near Los Angeles. He is discovered by newspaper reporter Tim O'Hara (Bixby), who offers him a place to stay until he can repair his spacecraft.

The lengths Tim most go to, in trying to keep the Martians true identity from being revealed, lead to the some of funniest moments on the show.

Answer: Petticoat Junction

"Petticoat Junction" ran for seven seasons (1963-1970) and aired a total of 222 episodes. The show was created by Paul Henning, who was also responsible for bringing "The Beverly Hillbillies" to the airwaves in 1962. The Shady Rest Hotel, which is located halfway between the towns of Hooterville and Pixley, is run by widow Kate Bradley, with help from her Uncle Joe and her three lovely daughters.

The show not only deals with the various situations that arise among the family members, but also the odd array of guests and townspeople that turn up on the show from week to week.

Answer: The Patty Duke Show

"The Patty Duke Show" ran for three seasons and aired a total of 104 episodes, all of which were filmed in black and white. In the show, Cathy Lane moves from Scotland to live with her cousin Patty's family in New York. Though identical in appearance, the girls personalities are completely different, which provides the plot line for many of the shows humorous situations. Patty Duke's successes weren't limited to the small screen.

In 1962 she was nominated and won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Helen Keller in the film "The Miracle Worker".

She also recorded and released the single "Don't Just Stand There", which reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 form 1965.

Answer: The Dick Van Dyke Show

In 1960, Carl Reiner filmed a pilot for a TV show to be titled "Head of the Family", in which Reiner played the lead character Robbie Petrie, but it was not picked up by any of the networks. Reiner reworked the show, using a completely new cast, with Dick Van Dyke in the starring role.

The show premiered on October 3, 1961, and ran until June 1, 1966, airing a total of 158 episodes. During its five season run the show amassed 25 Primetime Emmy nominations, winning 15 times.

Answer: Candid Camera

The show, which was created by Allen Funt, began on radio as "The Candid Microphone" in June of 1947. The program moved to television in 1948, initially airing on ABC and then moving to NBC in 1949, at which time its name was changed to the more appropriate "Candid Camera".

The show aired on CBS from 1960 to 1967 where it enjoyed its greatest success, consistently finishing in the top ten of the Nielsen ratings. In 2014, more than 60 years after its initial airing, the TV Land cable channel ordered ten new episodes, to be co-hosted by Peter Funt (Allen's son) and actress Mayim Bialik, however it proved unsuccessful and was not renewed for a second season.

Answer: Gunsmoke

"Gunsmoke" started out as a radio series and ran from 1952 to 1961. The program starred William Conrad as Matt, Howard McNear as Doc, Georgia Ellis as Kitty and Parley Baer as Chester. The show was eventually adapted for TV and it premiered on CBS in September of 1955.

The television version featured an entirely new cast, which Reynolds joined in 1962, staying with the show through the 1965 season. Even with the show now airing on TV, "Gunsmoke" continued broadcasting on radio until June of 1961. "Gunsmoke" ran for 20 seasons, airing a total of 635 episodes.

Answer: The Flintstones

"The Flintstones" premiered on September 30, 1960, and ran for six seasons, airing 166 episodes. The show has often been compared to the popular 1950s comedy "The Honeymooners", but Joseph Barbera has said in interviews, that although he considers the comparisons flattering, any similarities between the two shows was coincidental In 2013, "The Flintstones" ranked second on TV Guides list of the Greatest TV Cartoons of All Time, trailing only "The Simpsons".

Answer: The Fugitive

"The Fugitive" ran for four seasons (1963-1967) and aired a total 120 episodes. It was long believed that the life of accused murderer Sam Sheppard was the basis for show, but series creator Roy Huggins has always denied this claim. The series finale was shown in two parts, airing on consecutive Tuesdays in August of 1967. Part two of the finale was viewed by over 78 Million people, which at the time was a record for the number of viewers tuned in to a television series episode.

Answer: To Tell the Truth

The game involves three challengers all claiming to be the same person. A story is read regarding something special or unique about the persons life. The object of the game is for the celebrity panel to determine who is lying and who is telling the truth. "To Tell the Truth" premiered in 1956 and has aired at least one new episode in every decade since.

Answer: Bonanza

"Bonanza" ran for 14 seasons, airing a total of 431 episodes. The show was on the air longer than any other U.S. TV western series, with the exception of "Gunsmoke". Between the years 1960 and 1972 the show never finished lower than number 20 in the Nielsen ratings, and ranked number four or better in nine of those seasons.