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Last-page quiz on TV series

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Mark Brader

unread,

Nov 7, 2009, 11:52:23 PM11/7/09

You knew this was coming.

This is a last-pages alphabetical quiz on the same basis as the
first-pages quiz I just ran. I'll repeat the full rules in case
anyone happened to miss it. Bits enclosed in <* *> have been added
or enlarged since the previous version.

The source book for this quiz is "The Complete Directory to Prime
Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present", 1999 edition, by
Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh. This book covers TV shows broadcast
(or carried on cable) in the US, but of course, many of them will
also be familiar to people in other countries.

For each question, I will describe the ALPHABETICALLY LAST show
mentioned in the book whose title starts with the indicated letter
and which was in first-run for at least 3 years.

<* I'm skipping over some entries in the book that don't refer to
specific shows, e.g. entries for networks or sports. I'm also skipping
any shows that started later than 1996, since they could not have run
3 years when the book was produced. For a few shows the book gives
only the starting and ending years, not the actual dates in the year,
and I'm accepting these if they are 3 years apart. *>

Descriptions may be taken mostly from the book or may be mostly in
my own words.

This particular book alphabetizes by words and treats each letter in
an acronym as a separate word, so for example the "A" pages begin with
titles that start with things like ABC and A.K.A. <* Therefore titles
of that kind will be unlikely to appear in the last-pages quiz. *>
As usual, any articles at the start of a title are ignored.

When I identify the show as "cable" or "syndicated", this indicates
its status for the greater part of its run. Shows not so marked were
on the broadcast networks.

Please post your answers in the thread as responses to this message:
naturally, you will do this without reading other responses or
consulting any informational resources. If you think of additional
answers later, without reading other people's postings, you may post
again. The score for each answer depends on when answers are posted;
see details below the questions. <* Please do not delay your postings
in an effort to raise your score. *>

After about 36 hours from the time of posting, I will read the
thread and post additional details for any questions that have not
been answered, such as the TV network, time slot, and names of cast
members. <* Once this posting appears, entries are closed for all
questions already correctly answered. *>

After another 24 hours, I will read the thread again and post the
scores and a full list of answers.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

The only "Z" title meeting the 3-year rule was the one I used in the
first-pages quiz, and the only other one "Z" show lasting more than
a year has the same title, so I can't use it either, and this time
there are only 25 questions.

Y. Religion, 1949-53. A program of inspirational songs, hymns, and
sermons presented by the Young People's Church of the Air, with
a mixed choir and men's glee club.

X. Adventure, 1995- [i.e. still on the air in 1999 when the book came
out], syndicated. A spinoff, filmed in New Zealand, that eventually
proved more popular than the original series. The sexy title
character was adept with the sword and the chakram, did acrobatic
flips and karate-type blows, and had the power to force people to
tell the truth.

W. Situation comedy, 1988-93. A whimsical view of growing up in
suburban America of the 1960s and early 1970s, as seen by a
rambunctious 12-year-old with an angelic face. Characters included
his parents, his older brother and sister, the family dog, and
his teachers and friends at Robert F. Kennedy Junior High School.

V. Science Fiction, 1964-68. Adventure series set on board a
glass-nosed nuclear submarine that roamed the seven seas fighting
villains both human and alien. Stories featured unreconstructed
Nazis, puppets come to life, globular masses of "pure intelligence",
and a man found floating in a rowboat in mid-ocean. Based on the
movie of the same title.

U. Police Drama, 1959-63. Perhaps the most mindlessly violent program
on TV up to that time, based on the Treasury Department's attempts
to bring down Chicago mobsters in the early 1930s. As the series
continued it ran out of true history and had to invent encounters
between people who never met. Remade in the 1990s with a new cast.

T. Situation Comedy, 1985-90. The lead character liked to talk to
people while sitting on the stoop of the apartment building where
she lived. Regular characters included her husband (a small-time
contractor), daughter (adolescent, with boyfriend), and the
building's resident vamp. Based on the play of the same title.

S. Science fiction / adventure, 1990-93, cable. In the opening
sequence of each episode, the title character told us what "...is
who I am. It is what I am. I was once a man. I know the evil men
do. Do not bring your evil here. I warn you: beware..." Based on
a environmental comic book character also seen in movies, he tried
to preserve the place he lived from those who would despoil it.

R. Western, 1951-57. The lead characters, played by stars who were
married in real life, fought for law and order along with their
bumbling sidekick. It was set in the present and they had a
cantankerous jeep as well as their horses.

Q. Quiz/panel, 1949-56. Previously a radio series. Four or five
children aged 6-16 answered difficult questions both on general
knowledge and their own specialty subjects. They could remain on
the show as long as their scores remained high. There were also
celebrity guests and viewer-participation contests.

P. Music/Competition, 1985-88, syndicated. Contestants on this show
competed by doing elaborate pantomimes to songs by professional
singers. Celebrity judges scored them on originality, appearance,
and lip-sync. There was a winner each week and an overall season
winner who got a $25,000 prize.

O. Country Music, 1955-60. A weekly hoedown from Springfield,
Missouri, featured many of the top names in country music as well
as some comedy acts. Regular features included a vocal quartet,
a group of square-dancing children, and a comedy act about an
elderly couple who were always telling old jokes.

N. Drama, 1990-95. A young doctor from New York goes to work in
a small town in Alaska, which proves to be full of eccentrics.
An ex-astronaut runs the chamber of commerce; the doctor's landlady
(and possible love interest) is a feisty air-taxi pilot. A new
character late in the series is a man who lives in a huge plastic
bubble. Filmed in Washington state.

M. Comedy, 1989-, cable. A human and two robots have been condemned
to watch bad movies forever (it's an experiment), so the home
audience sees each of these bad movies while the three characters
give sarcastic commentary from a corner of the screen. After some
years the movies used were restricted to bad science-fiction movies.

L. Dramatic anthology, 1950-57. Previously a radio series. Performed
live, often featuring major movie and Broadway stars. The subject
matter ranged from contemporary to period, from serious to light.
After some seasons most episodes were adapted from movies and then
included an interview segment promoting a current movie from the
same studio.

K. Adventure, 1992-96, syndicated. Sequel to a 1970s series with the
the same star, now playing the grandson of the original lead
character. His good friend was a cop whose cases he helped solve.
The series had heavy supernatural overtones, philosophical scenes,
and an abundance of martial arts action with both characters.

J. Quiz / audience participation, 1951-54. Previously a radio show.
A panel of five uninhibited children aged 3-12 was presented with
"problem" situations sent in by viewers and asked to comment on the
situation or think up solutions. Their answers could be serious
but were often funny.

I. Quiz/panel, 1952-67, 1972-73 syndicated, and 1976. Four panelists
were presented with a challenger with a secret, and took turns
questioning this person to try to find it out. On each episode
one of the four challengers was a celebrity.

H. Police drama, 1984-94. The lead character in this series was like
a toned-down Dirty Harry. He loved to use his gun (which he'd
given a name) and he was often in conflict with his superiors.
His partners for most of the series were attractive women.
Several of his family were mobsters.

G. Western, 1955-75. Previously a radio series. Before 1955,
TV westerns were considered a sort of fantasy show for children,
with little realism; this show is one of the ones that changed that.
Two of the show's lead characters continued, played by the same
actors, for the whole 20-year run: a resolute, determined marshal
and a kindly town doctor.

F. Sitation comedy, 1987-95. This light comedy about an unlikely
"family" begins when a recently widowed young father (a
sportscaster) has his brother-in-law (a party-loving musician)
and a friend (an aspiring comedian) move in to help with his three
children, originally aged from 6 months to 10 years.

E. News/gossip, 1994-, syndicated. A celebrity news and entertainment
show, fast-paced, covering many stories in a somewhat jumpy video
style. The production company also produced several magazines
and their resources were used to beef up the stories' content.
In-studio celebrity interviews were integrated with the "live news"
portions of the show.

D. Drama, 1981-89. A lavish prime-time soap opera where practically
everyone was either filthy rich and disgusting (the lead family had
a 48-room mansion) or not-so-rich and disgusting. The money was
oil money. The series was heavy with style and glamor and in one
episode a former US president made a guest appearance as himself.

C. Situation comedy, 1991-94. The lead character was an actress in her
40s, twice divorced, still beautiful but no longer able to command
the glamorous parts she once played. Still living in her house are
her 16-year-old daughter and one of her ex-husbands, a stuntman.
Her other ex is a neurotic writer, and her best friend is a rich
divorcee who lives for chances at continuing revenge on her own ex.

B. Talk, 1989-92, syndicated. This weekly late-night show started
as an hour-long talk show, then was reduced to 30 minutes mostly
featuring comedy sketches.

A. Spy drama, 1966-69. This series had first appeared on British
TV more than 5 years earlier. Pure escapist entertainment, it
centered on a suave, imperturbable and very proper British secret
agent and his female partner, later replaced by another.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

For each question that *you* get right, the score depends on how long
it takes for *someone* to post the *first correct answer*.

Any question where a correct answer is posted within the first 8
hours after the instent when this message is posted is worth 1 point.
If it takes 8 to 16 hours before a correct answer is posted, that's
a 2-point question. If it takes 16 to 24 hours, that's 3 points.
From 24 hours to the time when I post additional hints, that's 4
points. After the hints are posted, we start again at 1 point for
the following 8 hours, and so on in the same way.

I will assume that the Date: header line on each posting is correct
unless it is obviously badly wrong, in which case I will improvise.

For example, say there are only two responses; Joe posts 4 hours
from now and gets the first 5 questions right; he scores 5 points.
Bob posts 12 hours from now and gets only questions E and F right.
Then Bob scores 1 point for E because Joe answered it within 8 hours,
and 2 points for F, for a total of 3.

Got it? Now have fun, and check back in about 3 days for the scores.
--
Mark Brader | "This man must be very ignorant, for he answers
Toronto | every question he is asked." -- Voltaire
m...@vex.net | "'I resemble that remark!'" -- Steve Summit

My text in this article is in the public domain.

Marc Dashevsky

unread,

Nov 8, 2009, 2:12:32 AM11/8/09

In article <Sf6dnZkG56wa02vX...@vex.net>, m...@vex.net says...

> Y. Religion, 1949-53. A program of inspirational songs, hymns, and
> sermons presented by the Young People's Church of the Air, with
> a mixed choir and men's glee club.
>
> X. Adventure, 1995- [i.e. still on the air in 1999 when the book came
> out], syndicated. A spinoff, filmed in New Zealand, that eventually
> proved more popular than the original series. The sexy title
> character was adept with the sword and the chakram, did acrobatic
> flips and karate-type blows, and had the power to force people to
> tell the truth.

Xena

> W. Situation comedy, 1988-93. A whimsical view of growing up in
> suburban America of the 1960s and early 1970s, as seen by a
> rambunctious 12-year-old with an angelic face. Characters included
> his parents, his older brother and sister, the family dog, and
> his teachers and friends at Robert F. Kennedy Junior High School.
>
> V. Science Fiction, 1964-68. Adventure series set on board a
> glass-nosed nuclear submarine that roamed the seven seas fighting
> villains both human and alien. Stories featured unreconstructed
> Nazis, puppets come to life, globular masses of "pure intelligence",
> and a man found floating in a rowboat in mid-ocean. Based on the
> movie of the same title.

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea

> U. Police Drama, 1959-63. Perhaps the most mindlessly violent program
> on TV up to that time, based on the Treasury Department's attempts
> to bring down Chicago mobsters in the early 1930s. As the series
> continued it ran out of true history and had to invent encounters
> between people who never met. Remade in the 1990s with a new cast.
>
> T. Situation Comedy, 1985-90. The lead character liked to talk to
> people while sitting on the stoop of the apartment building where
> she lived. Regular characters included her husband (a small-time
> contractor), daughter (adolescent, with boyfriend), and the
> building's resident vamp. Based on the play of the same title.
>
> S. Science fiction / adventure, 1990-93, cable. In the opening
> sequence of each episode, the title character told us what "...is
> who I am. It is what I am. I was once a man. I know the evil men
> do. Do not bring your evil here. I warn you: beware..." Based on
> a environmental comic book character also seen in movies, he tried
> to preserve the place he lived from those who would despoil it.

Swamp Thing

> R. Western, 1951-57. The lead characters, played by stars who were
> married in real life, fought for law and order along with their
> bumbling sidekick. It was set in the present and they had a
> cantankerous jeep as well as their horses.

Roy Rogers Show

> Q. Quiz/panel, 1949-56. Previously a radio series. Four or five
> children aged 6-16 answered difficult questions both on general
> knowledge and their own specialty subjects. They could remain on
> the show as long as their scores remained high. There were also
> celebrity guests and viewer-participation contests.

Quiz Show

> P. Music/Competition, 1985-88, syndicated. Contestants on this show
> competed by doing elaborate pantomimes to songs by professional
> singers. Celebrity judges scored them on originality, appearance,
> and lip-sync. There was a winner each week and an overall season
> winner who got a $25,000 prize.
>
> O. Country Music, 1955-60. A weekly hoedown from Springfield,
> Missouri, featured many of the top names in country music as well
> as some comedy acts. Regular features included a vocal quartet,
> a group of square-dancing children, and a comedy act about an
> elderly couple who were always telling old jokes.
>
> N. Drama, 1990-95. A young doctor from New York goes to work in
> a small town in Alaska, which proves to be full of eccentrics.
> An ex-astronaut runs the chamber of commerce; the doctor's landlady
> (and possible love interest) is a feisty air-taxi pilot. A new
> character late in the series is a man who lives in a huge plastic
> bubble. Filmed in Washington state.

Northern Exposure

Mystery Science Theater 3000

> L. Dramatic anthology, 1950-57. Previously a radio series. Performed
> live, often featuring major movie and Broadway stars. The subject
> matter ranged from contemporary to period, from serious to light.
> After some seasons most episodes were adapted from movies and then
> included an interview segment promoting a current movie from the
> same studio.

Lux Theater

> K. Adventure, 1992-96, syndicated. Sequel to a 1970s series with the
> the same star, now playing the grandson of the original lead
> character. His good friend was a cop whose cases he helped solve.
> The series had heavy supernatural overtones, philosophical scenes,
> and an abundance of martial arts action with both characters.

Kung Fu

> J. Quiz / audience participation, 1951-54. Previously a radio show.
> A panel of five uninhibited children aged 3-12 was presented with
> "problem" situations sent in by viewers and asked to comment on the
> situation or think up solutions. Their answers could be serious
> but were often funny.
>
> I. Quiz/panel, 1952-67, 1972-73 syndicated, and 1976. Four panelists
> were presented with a challenger with a secret, and took turns
> questioning this person to try to find it out. On each episode
> one of the four challengers was a celebrity.

I've Got A Secret

Hunter

> G. Western, 1955-75. Previously a radio series. Before 1955,
> TV westerns were considered a sort of fantasy show for children,
> with little realism; this show is one of the ones that changed that.
> Two of the show's lead characters continued, played by the same
> actors, for the whole 20-year run: a resolute, determined marshal
> and a kindly town doctor.

Gunsmoke

> F. Sitation comedy, 1987-95. This light comedy about an unlikely
> "family" begins when a recently widowed young father (a
> sportscaster) has his brother-in-law (a party-loving musician)
> and a friend (an aspiring comedian) move in to help with his three
> children, originally aged from 6 months to 10 years.

Full House

Extra

> D. Drama, 1981-89. A lavish prime-time soap opera where practically
> everyone was either filthy rich and disgusting (the lead family had
> a 48-room mansion) or not-so-rich and disgusting. The money was
> oil money. The series was heavy with style and glamor and in one
> episode a former US president made a guest appearance as himself.

Dynasty

> C. Situation comedy, 1991-94. The lead character was an actress in her
> 40s, twice divorced, still beautiful but no longer able to command
> the glamorous parts she once played. Still living in her house are
> her 16-year-old daughter and one of her ex-husbands, a stuntman.
> Her other ex is a neurotic writer, and her best friend is a rich
> divorcee who lives for chances at continuing revenge on her own ex.
>
> B. Talk, 1989-92, syndicated. This weekly late-night show started
> as an hour-long talk show, then was reduced to 30 minutes mostly
> featuring comedy sketches.
>
> A. Spy drama, 1966-69. This series had first appeared on British
> TV more than 5 years earlier. Pure escapist entertainment, it
> centered on a suave, imperturbable and very proper British secret
> agent and his female partner, later replaced by another.

Avengers

--
Go to http://MarcDashevsky.com to send me e-mail.

Dan Tilque

unread,

Nov 8, 2009, 2:35:44 AM11/8/09

"Mark Brader" <m...@vex.net> wrote in message
news:Sf6dnZkG56wa02vX...@vex.net...

> You knew this was coming.

But of course...

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea

The Untouchables

>
> T. Situation Comedy, 1985-90. The lead character liked to talk to
> people while sitting on the stoop of the apartment building where
> she lived. Regular characters included her husband (a small-time
> contractor), daughter (adolescent, with boyfriend), and the
> building's resident vamp. Based on the play of the same title.
>
> S. Science fiction / adventure, 1990-93, cable. In the opening
> sequence of each episode, the title character told us what "...is
> who I am. It is what I am. I was once a man. I know the evil men
> do. Do not bring your evil here. I warn you: beware..." Based on
> a environmental comic book character also seen in movies, he tried
> to preserve the place he lived from those who would despoil it.
>
> R. Western, 1951-57. The lead characters, played by stars who were
> married in real life, fought for law and order along with their
> bumbling sidekick. It was set in the present and they had a
> cantankerous jeep as well as their horses.

The Roy Rogers Show

>
> Q. Quiz/panel, 1949-56. Previously a radio series. Four or five
> children aged 6-16 answered difficult questions both on general
> knowledge and their own specialty subjects. They could remain on
> the show as long as their scores remained high. There were also
> celebrity guests and viewer-participation contests.

Quizmaster

>
> P. Music/Competition, 1985-88, syndicated. Contestants on this show
> competed by doing elaborate pantomimes to songs by professional
> singers. Celebrity judges scored them on originality, appearance,
> and lip-sync. There was a winner each week and an overall season
> winner who got a $25,000 prize.
>
> O. Country Music, 1955-60. A weekly hoedown from Springfield,
> Missouri, featured many of the top names in country music as well
> as some comedy acts. Regular features included a vocal quartet,
> a group of square-dancing children, and a comedy act about an
> elderly couple who were always telling old jokes.
>
> N. Drama, 1990-95. A young doctor from New York goes to work in
> a small town in Alaska, which proves to be full of eccentrics.
> An ex-astronaut runs the chamber of commerce; the doctor's landlady
> (and possible love interest) is a feisty air-taxi pilot. A new
> character late in the series is a man who lives in a huge plastic
> bubble. Filmed in Washington state.

Northern Exposure

>
> M. Comedy, 1989-, cable. A human and two robots have been condemned
> to watch bad movies forever (it's an experiment), so the home
> audience sees each of these bad movies while the three characters
> give sarcastic commentary from a corner of the screen. After some
> years the movies used were restricted to bad science-fiction movies.

Mystery Science Theater 3000

>
> L. Dramatic anthology, 1950-57. Previously a radio series. Performed
> live, often featuring major movie and Broadway stars. The subject
> matter ranged from contemporary to period, from serious to light.
> After some seasons most episodes were adapted from movies and then
> included an interview segment promoting a current movie from the
> same studio.
>
> K. Adventure, 1992-96, syndicated. Sequel to a 1970s series with the
> the same star, now playing the grandson of the original lead
> character. His good friend was a cop whose cases he helped solve.
> The series had heavy supernatural overtones, philosophical scenes,
> and an abundance of martial arts action with both characters.
>
> J. Quiz / audience participation, 1951-54. Previously a radio show.
> A panel of five uninhibited children aged 3-12 was presented with
> "problem" situations sent in by viewers and asked to comment on the
> situation or think up solutions. Their answers could be serious
> but were often funny.
>
> I. Quiz/panel, 1952-67, 1972-73 syndicated, and 1976. Four panelists
> were presented with a challenger with a secret, and took turns
> questioning this person to try to find it out. On each episode
> one of the four challengers was a celebrity.

I've Got a Secret

>
> H. Police drama, 1984-94. The lead character in this series was like
> a toned-down Dirty Harry. He loved to use his gun (which he'd
> given a name) and he was often in conflict with his superiors.
> His partners for most of the series were attractive women.
> Several of his family were mobsters.

Hunter

>
> G. Western, 1955-75. Previously a radio series. Before 1955,
> TV westerns were considered a sort of fantasy show for children,
> with little realism; this show is one of the ones that changed that.
> Two of the show's lead characters continued, played by the same
> actors, for the whole 20-year run: a resolute, determined marshal
> and a kindly town doctor.

Gunsmoke

Full House

>
> E. News/gossip, 1994-, syndicated. A celebrity news and entertainment
> show, fast-paced, covering many stories in a somewhat jumpy video
> style. The production company also produced several magazines
> and their resources were used to beef up the stories' content.
> In-studio celebrity interviews were integrated with the "live news"
> portions of the show.

Entertainment Tonight (probably wrong, since I'm sure it's been around
longer than that)

>
> D. Drama, 1981-89. A lavish prime-time soap opera where practically
> everyone was either filthy rich and disgusting (the lead family had
> a 48-room mansion) or not-so-rich and disgusting. The money was
> oil money. The series was heavy with style and glamor and in one
> episode a former US president made a guest appearance as himself.

Dynasty

>
> C. Situation comedy, 1991-94. The lead character was an actress in
> her
> 40s, twice divorced, still beautiful but no longer able to command
> the glamorous parts she once played. Still living in her house are
> her 16-year-old daughter and one of her ex-husbands, a stuntman.
> Her other ex is a neurotic writer, and her best friend is a rich
> divorcee who lives for chances at continuing revenge on her own ex.
>
> B. Talk, 1989-92, syndicated. This weekly late-night show started
> as an hour-long talk show, then was reduced to 30 minutes mostly
> featuring comedy sketches.
>
> A. Spy drama, 1966-69. This series had first appeared on British
> TV more than 5 years earlier. Pure escapist entertainment, it
> centered on a suave, imperturbable and very proper British secret
> agent and his female partner, later replaced by another.

The Avengers

--
Dan Tilque

Joshua Kreitzer

unread,

Nov 8, 2009, 10:20:56 AM11/8/09

On Nov 7, 10:52 pm, m...@vex.net (Mark Brader) wrote:

> X. Adventure, 1995- [i.e. still on the air in 1999 when the book came
> out], syndicated. A spinoff, filmed in New Zealand, that eventually
> proved more popular than the original series. The sexy title
> character was adept with the sword and the chakram, did acrobatic
> flips and karate-type blows, and had the power to force people to
> tell the truth.

"Xena: Warrior Princess"

"The Wonder Years"

> V. Science Fiction, 1964-68. Adventure series set on board a
> glass-nosed nuclear submarine that roamed the seven seas fighting
> villains both human and alien. Stories featured unreconstructed
> Nazis, puppets come to life, globular masses of "pure intelligence",
> and a man found floating in a rowboat in mid-ocean. Based on the
> movie of the same title.

"Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea"

> U. Police Drama, 1959-63. Perhaps the most mindlessly violent program

> on TV up to that time, based on the Treasury Department's attempts
> to bring down Chicago mobsters in the early 1930s. As the series
> continued it ran out of true history and had to invent encounters
> between people who never met. Remade in the 1990s with a new cast.

"The Untouchables"

"227"

> S. Science fiction / adventure, 1990-93, cable. In the opening
> sequence of each episode, the title character told us what "...is
> who I am. It is what I am. I was once a man. I know the evil men
> do. Do not bring your evil here. I warn you: beware..." Based on
> a environmental comic book character also seen in movies, he tried
> to preserve the place he lived from those who would despoil it.

"Sub-Mariner"

"The Roy Rogers Show"

"Puttin' on the Hits"

> N. Drama, 1990-95. A young doctor from New York goes to work in
> a small town in Alaska, which proves to be full of eccentrics.
> An ex-astronaut runs the chamber of commerce; the doctor's landlady
> (and possible love interest) is a feisty air-taxi pilot. A new
> character late in the series is a man who lives in a huge plastic
> bubble. Filmed in Washington state.

"Northern Exposure"

"Mystery Science Theater 3000"

"Lux Video Theatre" (or something like that)

"Kung Fu" (I'm guessing this version had a subtitle but I'm not sure
what it was)

"Juvenile Jury"

> I. Quiz/panel, 1952-67, 1972-73 syndicated, and 1976. Four panelists
> were presented with a challenger with a secret, and took turns
> questioning this person to try to find it out. On each episode
> one of the four challengers was a celebrity.

"I've Got a Secret"

> H. Police drama, 1984-94. The lead character in this series was like

> a toned-down Dirty Harry. He loved to use his gun (which he'd
> given a name) and he was often in conflict with his superiors.
> His partners for most of the series were attractive women.
> Several of his family were mobsters.

"Hunter"

"Gunsmoke"

"Full House"

"Extra"

"Dynasty"

"Cybill"

> A. Spy drama, 1966-69. This series had first appeared on British
> TV more than 5 years earlier. Pure escapist entertainment, it
> centered on a suave, imperturbable and very proper British secret
> agent and his female partner, later replaced by another.

"The Avengers"

--
Joshua Kreitzer
grom...@hotmail.com

swp

unread,

Nov 8, 2009, 2:12:20 PM11/8/09

On Nov 7, 11:52 pm, m...@vex.net (Mark Brader) wrote:
> You knew this was coming.

um ... no, I didn't expect this sibling.

but now I expect to find the "cousin" quizes for these wherein you ask
for the oldest, newest, and longest running for each letter of the
alphabet. I'd say shortest running, expecting a plethora of shows
that only had a single episode, but can you really call a single
episode a "run"?

y. ypca hour
x. xena, warrior princess
w. the wonder years
v. voyage to the bottom of the sea
u. the untouchables
t.
s. swamp thing
r. roy roger's show
q. quiz show 21
p.
o. olde opry hour
n. northern exposure
m. mystery science theater 3000 (aka mst3k)
l.
k. kolchak, the night stalker
j. just ... something
i. i've got a secret
h. hammer ("trust me, I know what I'm doing.")
g. gunsmoke
f. full house (do the olsen twins count as 1 or 2 of the children?)
e. entertainment tonight
d. dynasty
c.
b.
a.

swp

bootboy

unread,

Nov 8, 2009, 5:23:53 PM11/8/09

Mark Brader wrote:

Xena Warrior Princess

>
> W. Situation comedy, 1988-93. A whimsical view of growing up in
> suburban America of the 1960s and early 1970s, as seen by a
> rambunctious 12-year-old with an angelic face. Characters included
> his parents, his older brother and sister, the family dog, and
> his teachers and friends at Robert F. Kennedy Junior High School.

The Wonder Years

Voyage to the Bottom of the Seas

>
> U. Police Drama, 1959-63. Perhaps the most mindlessly violent program
> on TV up to that time, based on the Treasury Department's attempts
> to bring down Chicago mobsters in the early 1930s. As the series
> continued it ran out of true history and had to invent encounters
> between people who never met. Remade in the 1990s with a new cast.

The Untouchables

The Swamp Thing

Northern Exposure

Kung Fu

Dynasty

Cybil

The Avengers

Pink Pig

unread,

Nov 8, 2009, 6:19:28 PM11/8/09

> Y. Religion, 1949-53. A program of inspirational songs, hymns, and
> sermons presented by the Young People's Church of the Air, with
> a mixed choir and men's glee club.

Your Sunday. (A blind guess.)

Xena: Warrior Princess.

The Wonder Years.

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.

The Untouchables.

Solaris. (???)

Quiz Kids

Northern Exposure

Mystery Science Theater (I think originally subtitled 2K, later
changed to 3K)

Kung Fu.

I've Got a Secret

> H. Police drama, 1984-94. The lead character in this series was like

Hunter. (???)

Gunsmoke.

Family Affair. (???)

Entertainment Tonight.

> D. Drama, 1981-89. A lavish prime-time soap opera where practically
> everyone was either filthy rich and disgusting (the lead family had
> a 48-room mansion) or not-so-rich and disgusting. The

> ...
>
> read more »

That's actually what Google Groups did with your message. Dumb, huh?
Anyway, here's the actual continuation:

Dynasty.

B. Talk, 1989-92, syndicated. This weekly late-night show started
as an hour-long talk show, then was reduced to 30 minutes mostly
featuring comedy sketches.

Broadcast News. (???)

The Avengers.

Ruth and Pete

unread,

Nov 9, 2009, 2:14:55 AM11/9/09

"Mark Brader" <m...@vex.net> wrote in message
news:Sf6dnZkG56wa02vX...@vex.net...
>

Xena, Warrior Princess

Wonder Years

>
> V. Science Fiction, 1964-68. Adventure series set on board a
> glass-nosed nuclear submarine that roamed the seven seas fighting
> villains both human and alien. Stories featured unreconstructed
> Nazis, puppets come to life, globular masses of "pure intelligence",
> and a man found floating in a rowboat in mid-ocean. Based on the
> movie of the same title.

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea

The Untouchables

Owl Stretching Time ;-)

>
> N. Drama, 1990-95. A young doctor from New York goes to work in
> a small town in Alaska, which proves to be full of eccentrics.
> An ex-astronaut runs the chamber of commerce; the doctor's landlady
> (and possible love interest) is a feisty air-taxi pilot. A new
> character late in the series is a man who lives in a huge plastic
> bubble. Filmed in Washington state.

Northern Exposure

Mystery Science Theater 3000

Kung Fu

>
> J. Quiz / audience participation, 1951-54. Previously a radio show.
> A panel of five uninhibited children aged 3-12 was presented with
> "problem" situations sent in by viewers and asked to comment on the
> situation or think up solutions. Their answers could be serious
> but were often funny.

Juvenile Jury

>
> I. Quiz/panel, 1952-67, 1972-73 syndicated, and 1976. Four panelists
> were presented with a challenger with a secret, and took turns
> questioning this person to try to find it out. On each episode
> one of the four challengers was a celebrity.

I've Got a Secret

> H. Police drama, 1984-94. The lead character in this series was like
> a toned-down Dirty Harry. He loved to use his gun (which he'd
> given a name) and he was often in conflict with his superiors.
> His partners for most of the series were attractive women.
> Several of his family were mobsters.
>
> G. Western, 1955-75. Previously a radio series. Before 1955,
> TV westerns were considered a sort of fantasy show for children,
> with little realism; this show is one of the ones that changed that.
> Two of the show's lead characters continued, played by the same
> actors, for the whole 20-year run: a resolute, determined marshal
> and a kindly town doctor.

Gunsmoke

>
> F. Sitation comedy, 1987-95. This light comedy about an unlikely
> "family" begins when a recently widowed young father (a
> sportscaster) has his brother-in-law (a party-loving musician)
> and a friend (an aspiring comedian) move in to help with his three
> children, originally aged from 6 months to 10 years.
>
> E. News/gossip, 1994-, syndicated. A celebrity news and entertainment
> show, fast-paced, covering many stories in a somewhat jumpy video
> style. The production company also produced several magazines
> and their resources were used to beef up the stories' content.
> In-studio celebrity interviews were integrated with the "live news"
> portions of the show.

Entertainment Weekly

Dynasty

>
> C. Situation comedy, 1991-94. The lead character was an actress in her
> 40s, twice divorced, still beautiful but no longer able to command
> the glamorous parts she once played. Still living in her house are
> her 16-year-old daughter and one of her ex-husbands, a stuntman.
> Her other ex is a neurotic writer, and her best friend is a rich
> divorcee who lives for chances at continuing revenge on her own ex.
>
> B. Talk, 1989-92, syndicated. This weekly late-night show started
> as an hour-long talk show, then was reduced to 30 minutes mostly
> featuring comedy sketches.
>
> A. Spy drama, 1966-69. This series had first appeared on British
> TV more than 5 years earlier. Pure escapist entertainment, it
> centered on a suave, imperturbable and very proper British secret
> agent and his female partner, later replaced by another.

The Avengers

Pete

Mark Brader

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Nov 9, 2009, 1:00:28 PM11/9/09

Mark Brader:

> This is a last-pages alphabetical quiz on the same basis as the
> first-pages quiz I just ran.

See the original posting in the thread for full details. Here is
the hints posting for the questions not yet correctly answered.
The other questions are closed and you have 24 hours more, from the
time of posting, to try these again.

> Y. Religion, 1949-53. A program of inspirational songs, hymns, and
> sermons presented by the Young People's Church of the Air, with
> a mixed choir and men's glee club.

A half-hour show at 10:30 pm Sundays, originally on ABC, switching
to DuMont in its final year. The host was Rev. Percy Crawford.

> O. Country Music, 1955-60. A weekly hoedown from Springfield,
> Missouri, featured many of the top names in country music as well
> as some comedy acts. Regular features included a vocal quartet,
> a group of square-dancing children, and a comedy act about an
> elderly couple who were always telling old jokes.

I missed this or I would have mentioned it originally, but the show's
title changed twice during its run. I need the original title or,
*if there was one*, a later title starting with O.

The show was hosted by Red Foley, and was canceled after he was
indicted for tax fraud. (He was eventually acquitted.) The vocal
quartet was the Foggy River Boys, the square-dancing kids were
the Tadpoles, and the elderly couple were Uncle Cyp and Aunt Sap.
Others who appeared were Webb Pierce, Pete Stamper, and, at age 11,
Brenda Lee.

Sorry, I should have said "son", not "good friend". David Carradine
as Kwai Chang Caine and Chris Potter as Detective Peter Caine.
Until his death Robert Lansing played Peter's boss, Capt. Paul
Blaisdell; Kim Chan played Lo Si (the Ancient) and Nathaniel Moreau
appeared in some shows as young Peter.

Hosts included Arthel Neville, Dave Nemeth, Brad Goode, Libby Weaver,
Maureen O'Boyle, and David Rose. Diane Dimond was a featured reporter
and substitute anchor.

> B. Talk, 1989-92, syndicated. This weekly late-night show started
> as an hour-long talk show, then was reduced to 30 minutes mostly
> featuring comedy sketches.

Not much more I can say about this one. The off-camera announcer was
John Cramer and the studio orchestra was directed by Terry Wollman.
Originally it was typically shown late Saturday night after the local
news, but late in its run it aired Monday through Friday (I don't know
if that's meant to mean 5 shows a week or just that it was now on
weeknights) in a limited number of markets.
--
Mark Brader, Toronto Don't put all your X in one window.
m...@vex.net -- Peter Neumann

Mark Brader

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Nov 10, 2009, 1:09:38 PM11/10/09

Mark Brader:

> You knew this was coming.

(Unless you were Stephen.)

> This is a last-pages alphabetical quiz on the same basis as the

> first-pages quiz I just ran... The source book for this quiz is

> "The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows,

> 1946-Present", 1999 edition, by Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh...

See the original posting for further details.

And the scores are:

25 Joshua Kreitzer
16 Bill Daly
14 Stephen Perry
14 Pete Gayde
12 an anonymous entrant
11 Marc Dashevsky
11 Dan Tilque

I didn't worry about articles or minor spelling errors, but I was fairly
strict about requiring titles to include all the important words as given
in the book. The entrant most injured by this policy was Marc, who gave
partially correct answers for four different titles.

> Y. Religion, 1949-53. A program of inspirational songs, hymns, and
> sermons presented by the Young People's Church of the Air, with
> a mixed choir and men's glee club.

"Youth on the March".

"Xena: Warrior Princess". 2 for Joshua, Stephen, anonymous, Bill, Pete.

"The Wonder Years". 2 for Joshua, Stephen, anonymous, Bill, Pete.

"Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea". 1 for everyone -- Marc, Dan, Joshua,
Stephen, anonymous, Bill, Pete.

"The Untouchables". 1 for Dan, Joshua, Stephen, anonymous, Bill, Pete.

"227". 2 for Joshua.

"Swamp Thing". 1 for Marc, Stephen, anonymous.

"The Roy Rogers Show". 1 for Marc, Dan, Joshua, Stephen.

"Quiz Kids". 3 for Bill.

"Puttin' On the Hits". 2 for Joshua.

"Ozark Jubilee". (Later titled "Country Music Jubilee" and "Jubilee U.S.A.".)

"Northern Exposure". 1 for everyone.

"Mystery Science Theater 3000". 1 for Marc, Dan, Joshua, Stephen, Bill, Pete.

"Lux Video Theatre". (Named after the sponsor, of course.) 2 for Joshua.

"Kung Fu -- The Legend Continues". (Several people named the original
series "Kung Fu" but nobody got the sequel title.)

"Juvenile Jury". 2 for Joshua, Pete.

"I've Got a Secret". 1 for Marc, Dan, Joshua, Stephen, Bill, Pete.

"Hunter". 1 for Marc, Dan, Joshua, Bill.

"Gunsmoke". 1 for Marc, Dan, Joshua, Stephen, Bill, Pete.

"Full House". 1 for Marc, Dan, Joshua, Stephen.

"Extra: The Entertainment Magazine". Several people gave this without
the subtitle, but I'm requiring the full title as given in the book.

"Dynasty". 1 for everyone.

"Cybill". 2 for Joshua, anonymous.

> B. Talk, 1989-92, syndicated. This weekly late-night show started
> as an hour-long talk show, then was reduced to 30 minutes mostly
> featuring comedy sketches.

"The Byron Allen Show".

"The Avengers". 1 for Marc, Dan, Joshua, anonymous, Bill, Pete.

Thank you all for playing.
--
Mark Brader | "One of the lessons of history is that nothing
Toronto | is often a good thing to do and always a clever
m...@vex.net | thing to say." -- Will Durant

Jeffrey Turner

unread,

Nov 10, 2009, 11:06:00 PM11/10/09

Mark Brader wrote:

>
> Y. Religion, 1949-53. A program of inspirational songs, hymns, and
> sermons presented by the Young People's Church of the Air, with
> a mixed choir and men's glee club.
>
> X. Adventure, 1995- [i.e. still on the air in 1999 when the book came
> out], syndicated. A spinoff, filmed in New Zealand, that eventually
> proved more popular than the original series. The sexy title
> character was adept with the sword and the chakram, did acrobatic
> flips and karate-type blows, and had the power to force people to
> tell the truth.

Xena - Warrior Princess

Wonder Years, The

Voyage to the Center of the World/Earth

Untouchables, The

> T. Situation Comedy, 1985-90. The lead character liked to talk to
> people while sitting on the stoop of the apartment building where
> she lived. Regular characters included her husband (a small-time
> contractor), daughter (adolescent, with boyfriend), and the
> building's resident vamp. Based on the play of the same title.
>
> S. Science fiction / adventure, 1990-93, cable. In the opening
> sequence of each episode, the title character told us what "...is
> who I am. It is what I am. I was once a man. I know the evil men
> do. Do not bring your evil here. I warn you: beware..." Based on
> a environmental comic book character also seen in movies, he tried
> to preserve the place he lived from those who would despoil it.
>
> R. Western, 1951-57. The lead characters, played by stars who were
> married in real life, fought for law and order along with their
> bumbling sidekick. It was set in the present and they had a
> cantankerous jeep as well as their horses.
>
> Q. Quiz/panel, 1949-56. Previously a radio series. Four or five
> children aged 6-16 answered difficult questions both on general
> knowledge and their own specialty subjects. They could remain on
> the show as long as their scores remained high. There were also
> celebrity guests and viewer-participation contests.

Quiz Time

Opryland

Northern Exposure

> M. Comedy, 1989-, cable. A human and two robots have been condemned
> to watch bad movies forever (it's an experiment), so the home
> audience sees each of these bad movies while the three characters
> give sarcastic commentary from a corner of the screen. After some
> years the movies used were restricted to bad science-fiction movies.
>
> L. Dramatic anthology, 1950-57. Previously a radio series. Performed
> live, often featuring major movie and Broadway stars. The subject
> matter ranged from contemporary to period, from serious to light.
> After some seasons most episodes were adapted from movies and then
> included an interview segment promoting a current movie from the
> same studio.
>
> K. Adventure, 1992-96, syndicated. Sequel to a 1970s series with the
> the same star, now playing the grandson of the original lead
> character. His good friend was a cop whose cases he helped solve.
> The series had heavy supernatural overtones, philosophical scenes,
> and an abundance of martial arts action with both characters.

Kung Fu

I've Got A Secret

> H. Police drama, 1984-94. The lead character in this series was like

William Shatner? Hu...

Gunsmoke

Full House

> E. News/gossip, 1994-, syndicated. A celebrity news and entertainment
> show, fast-paced, covering many stories in a somewhat jumpy video
> style. The production company also produced several magazines
> and their resources were used to beef up the stories' content.
> In-studio celebrity interviews were integrated with the "live news"
> portions of the show.
>
> D. Drama, 1981-89. A lavish prime-time soap opera where practically
> everyone was either filthy rich and disgusting (the lead family had
> a 48-room mansion) or not-so-rich and disgusting. The money was
> oil money. The series was heavy with style and glamor and in one
> episode a former US president made a guest appearance as himself.

Dynasty

Cybil

> B. Talk, 1989-92, syndicated. This weekly late-night show started
> as an hour-long talk show, then was reduced to 30 minutes mostly
> featuring comedy sketches.
>
> A. Spy drama, 1966-69. This series had first appeared on British
> TV more than 5 years earlier. Pure escapist entertainment, it
> centered on a suave, imperturbable and very proper British secret
> agent and his female partner, later replaced by another.

Avengers, The

--Jeff

--
The comfort of the wealthy has always
depended upon an abundant supply of
the poor. --Voltaire

Mark Brader

unread,

Nov 11, 2009, 1:16:29 AM11/11/09

Jeff Turner got 10 right after entries closed.

> > H. Police drama, 1984-94. The lead character in this series was like
> > a toned-down Dirty Harry. He loved to use his gun (which he'd
> > given a name) and he was often in conflict with his superiors.
> > His partners for most of the series were attractive women.
> > Several of his family were mobsters.

> William Shatner? Hu...

No, Shatner was T.J. Hooker, which was in the previous quiz.
Fred Dryer played Hunter.
--
Mark Brader, Toronto | "We did not try to keep writing until
m...@vex.net | things got full." --Dennis Ritchie

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