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Television History Trivia Questions

Total Questions: 136

Which 'SNL' alum returned to TV in 1993 as a late-night talk show host but only lasted six weeks?

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chevy chase

Which television personality had Hans Conried as a regular on his radio show, and later played Uncle Tonoose on his TV show?

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danny thomas

What beauty contest was nationally televised for the first time in 1954?

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miss america

Which actor portrayed the character Perry Mason from 1957 until his death in 1993?

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raymond burr

In 1992, fans 'beamed up' to an exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum devoted to which iconic series?

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star trek

Who did USA Today report on May 22, 1995, as 'weighs anchor, no longer eye-to-eye with CBS News'?

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connie chung

Who was the superstar that Barbara Walters interviewed in her first ABC special along with the Carters in 1976?

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barbra streisand

Which iconic host took a parting shot at Dan Quayle in his final 'Tonight Show' monologue on May 22, 1992?

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johnny carson

Who was an original cast member of 'Saturday Night Live' and now stars in prime time shows?

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jane curtin

Which role did LeVar Burton play in 'Roots' that made him a star overnight while he was a drama student at USC?

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kunta kinte

In 1967, which NBC anchor crossed an AFTRA picket line while his partner David Brinkley went on strike?

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chet huntley

Who replaced Charles Kuralt on CBS News Sunday Morning in April 1994?

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charles osgood

Which device did FCC chairman Mark Fowler describe as 'just another appliance...a toaster with pictures'?

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television

Which comedian made his first appearance on 'The Tonight Show' on March 2, 1977, and became its host on May 25, 1992?

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jay leno

What was Dinah Shore famous for giving the audience at the end of 'The Dinah Shore Chevy Show'?

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kiss

Which comedian gained mass exposure on 'The Tonight Show' in 1966 but had a falling-out with Johnny Carson 20 years later?

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joan rivers

Which handsome actor left the TV show 'ER' in February 1999 after starring for 5 seasons?

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george clooney

Which 8-year long prime time soap opera concluded on May 11, 1989, leaving a few storylines unresolved?

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dynasty

In which TV series did Christopher Hewitt replace Herve Villechaize in 1983?

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fantasy island

Which famous comedian, who had a quirky TV neighbor named Kramer, made the dean's list at Queens College?

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jerry seinfeld

Who bid a tearful farewell in January 1997 after almost 15 years as a co-host on the 'Today' Show?

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bryant gumbel

Who won a Costume Design Emmy for a variety special titled 'Men, Movies and Carol', with costumes designed by Bob Mackie?

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carol burnett

Who succeeded Milton DeLugg as the band leader on 'The Tonight Show' in 1967?

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doc severinsen

What was the world's most watched first-run syndicated TV show while it ran from 1976 to 1981?

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muppet show

Who was the ABC anchor that also anchored Canada's first nationwide commercial news broadcast?

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peter jennings

Which TV series was number one for four consecutive years but was overtaken by 'Roseanne' in its final season on air?

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cosby show

Who was the host of 'The Twilight Zone' and wrote the first two plays telecast on 'Playhouse 90' in October 1956?

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rod serling

Which talk show host got his nose broken during a fight between Roy Innis and some skinheads?

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geraldo rivera

What interview show, named for its Brooklyn-born host, debuted on CNN in June 1985?

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larry king live

Who was given the show 'The French Chef' by WGBH after cooking an omelette on a book review show?

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julia child

Which show co-starring John Goodman ended its 9-season run on ABC in 1997, along with 'Coach'?

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roseanne

Who is the singer that, along with her sisters Louise and Irlene, hosted their own TV variety series on NBC from 1980 to 1982?

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barbara mandrell

For which character did John Amos receive an Emmy nomination for playing as an adult?

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kunta kinte

Under which 12th Precinct captain did Linda Lavin work before starring in 'Alice'?

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barney miller

Who was up for her first Emmy on June 7, 1978, and her 18th on May 15, 1998?

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susan lucci

Which director had colorized clips from his '50s & '60s TV series used to present new stories in a 1985 series?

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alfred hitchcock

Who had the dynamite idea to launch a new television network known as TNT in 1982?

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ted turner

Who was the creator of the 'Twilight Zone' who won a 1960 Emmy for drama writing?

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rod serling

Who hosted his last 'Tonight Show' on May 22, 1992, marking the end of an era in late-night television?

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johnny carson

Which miniseries holds the record for the most Emmys won, with a total of 9 awards?

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roots

Which TV show, featuring Jane Seymour, was taken off CBS's schedule in 1998, causing frustration among its viewers?

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dr. quinn, medicine woman

On which comedy anthology series did Harrison Ford appear in 1969 in the segment 'Love and the Former Marriage'?

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love, american style

On which comedian's program did Marilyn Monroe make her TV debut in the fall of 1953?

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jack benny

Who is considered 'The Most Successful Independent TV Producer' known for creating series such as 'Love Boat' and 'Charlie's Angels'?

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aaron spelling

In its ninth season in 1999, which long-running drama featured Steven Hill as D.A. Adam Schiff, who was the only original cast member remaining?

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law & order

Which president do Edith & Archie sing they 'could use a man like' in the TV show theme song?

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herbert hoover

Which 1960s sci-fi series was the basis for the cartoon that won the Outstanding Entertainment Children's Series Emmy in 1974-75?

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star trek

What fundraising event did Berle host for the first time in 1949, which lasted 16 hours to benefit cancer research?

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telethon

After hosting this music show for 22 years, Don Cornelius stepped down in 1993. What is the name of the show?

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soul train

What is the longest-running game show on NBC that featured puzzles requiring players to find matching pairs?

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concentration

Which CBS News show aired its interview with former tobacco executive Jeffrey Wigand in 1996?

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60 minutes

In 'All My Children,' Phoebe, a member of Pine Valley's Daughters of Fine Lineage, traces her ancestry back to which historic boat?

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mayflower

Which actress claimed in 1987 that she had been seen around the world by more people than any other actress on TV?

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lucille ball

What was the title of the most watched miniseries in TV history that aired over 8 nights in January 1977?

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roots

Which Canadian actor, who auditioned for the role of Hamilton Burger in 1957, ended up winning the title role on 'Perry Mason'?

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raymond burr

Which singer's first TV special won 5 Emmys 30 years before her 1995 HBO special that accomplished the same feat?

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barbra streisand

Which dance teacher's 'Party' show aired on all four major networks at different times, including twice on Dumont?

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arthur murray

Who was the actor featured in the 8:00 movie on three different TV stations in Los Angeles on both February 4 and 5, 1988?

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charles bronson

In what year did Alex Trebek return as the host of 'Jeopardy!'?

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1984

In which TV series was Lesley Stahl named the 3rd female correspondent in March 1991?

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60 minutes

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