Classic TV Trivia
12 nostalgia questions about classic tv, each with four choices and the correct answer explained underneath. Read them here, or play the same set in the trivia room for instant scoring and a printable quiz sheet.
Background
Before streaming, the family gathered around one television at a set time. Classic television built shared memories — theme songs everyone could hum, catchphrases that entered everyday speech, and characters who felt like neighbours.
These twelve questions revisit the shows, stars and theme tunes of classic American television from the 1950s through the 1980s. Every question lists four choices with the correct answer explained, and the same questions are available as a scored round in the trivia room.
Questions shown here are the complete Classic TV set from the trivia room.
Play this set
- In the trivia room, set the era to Mixed and the topic to Television.
- You can also combine an era and a topic to narrow a round down.
- Rounds are 10 questions at a time, always with four choices.
- You see the right answer and an explanation immediately after each pick.
- After a round, press Print this round for a quiz sheet — questions on page one, answer key on page two.
Questions and answers
-
1. Which 1960s sitcom, set in a secret spy agency, featured Maxwell Smart and Agent 99?
- AGet Smart — correct answer
- BThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.
- CI Spy
- DMission: Impossible
Answer: A — Get Smart. Get Smart (1965-1970) spoofed spy shows with Don Adams as bumbling agent Maxwell Smart.Did you know… The shoe phone and the cone of silence turned props into catchphrases.
-
2. On I Love Lucy, Lucy Ricardo's husband Ricky was played by which real-life spouse?
- ADesi Arnaz — correct answer
- BWilliam Frawley
- CVivian Vance
- DGale Gordon
Answer: A — Desi Arnaz. Lucille Ball starred alongside her real husband Desi Arnaz in the classic 1950s sitcom.Did you know… The couple's own production company made the series.
-
3. Which 1970s comedy-variety show made 'Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!' a famous catchphrase?
- ASaturday Night Live — correct answer
- BThe Carol Burnett Show
- CLaugh-In
- DThe Muppet Show
Answer: A — Saturday Night Live. Saturday Night Live premiered in 1975 and has opened with that iconic catchphrase ever since.Did you know… Its first season went out under a slightly different title.
-
4. Which TV series followed the crew of the USS Enterprise on its five-year mission?
- AStar Trek — correct answer
- BLost in Space
- CSpace: 1999
- DBattlestar Galactica
Answer: A — Star Trek. The original Star Trek (1966-1969) followed Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock across the galaxy.Did you know… The series was cancelled after three seasons, then became far more popular in repeats.
-
5. Which game show host became famous for 'the Price is Right' phrase 'Come on down!'?
- ABob Barker — correct answer
- BMonty Hall
- CRichard Dawson
- DGene Rayburn
Answer: A — Bob Barker. Bob Barker hosted The Price Is Right from 1972 to 2007, greeting contestants with 'Come on down!'.Did you know… Contestants were picked from the audience on recording day.
-
6. Which 1980s detective show starred Tom Selleck as a mustachioed private eye in Hawaii?
- AMagnum, P.I. — correct answer
- BMiami Vice
- CMoonlighting
- DSimon & Simon
Answer: A — Magnum, P.I.. Tom Selleck played Thomas Magnum in Magnum, P.I. (1980-1988), set in Hawaii.Did you know… The car and the Hawaiian scenery became as famous as the detective.
-
7. Which daytime soap opera, premiering in 1963, is ABC's longest-running drama and still airs today?
- AGeneral Hospital — correct answer
- BDays of Our Lives
- CThe Young and the Restless
- DGuiding Light
Answer: A — General Hospital. General Hospital premiered in 1963 and remains ABC's longest-running series, still on air.Did you know… Daytime serials took their nickname from the soap companies that sponsored them.
-
8. Which 1969-1974 variety show was hosted by a husband-and-wife singing duo?
- AThe Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour — correct answer
- BThe Donny and Marie Show
- CHee Haw
- DThe Lawrence Welk Show
Answer: A — The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour. Sonny and Cher hosted their popular comedy-variety hour from 1971 to 1974.Did you know… The duo closed every episode with the same song.
-
9. Which animated stone-age family, first seen in 1960, became prime-time TV's first cartoon family sitcom?
- AThe Flintstones — correct answer
- BThe Jetsons
- CThe Simpsons
- DYogi Bear
Answer: A — The Flintstones. The Flintstones (1960-1966) followed Fred and Wilma in the town of Bedrock.Did you know… The show's stone-age appliances were modelled on the ones in the audience's own kitchens.
-
10. Which 1980s series starred Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis as a model and a detective who bickered while solving crimes?
- AMoonlighting — correct answer
- BHart to Hart
- CRemington Steele
- DScarecrow and Mrs. King
Answer: A — Moonlighting. Moonlighting (1985-1989) was famous for the romantic banter between its leads.Did you know… The scripts were written at a famously quick pace to keep up with filming.
-
11. Which TV host made 'Wheel of Fortune' and 'Jeopardy!' appointment viewing in the 1980s?
- APat Sajak and Alex Trebek — correct answer
- BBob Barker and Chuck Woolery
- CMerv Griffin and Monty Hall
- DPeter Marshall and Bill Cullen
Answer: A — Pat Sajak and Alex Trebek. Pat Sajak hosted Wheel of Fortune and Alex Trebek hosted Jeopardy!, both syndicated hits of the 1980s.Did you know… Both quiz shows were recorded at the same studio complex for years.
-
12. Which 1960s-70s sitcom centered on a witch who married a mortal advertising executive?
- ABewitched — correct answer
- BI Dream of Jeannie
- CThe Munsters
- DThe Addams Family
Answer: A — Bewitched. Bewitched (1964-1972) starred Elizabeth Montgomery as witch Samantha Stephens.Did you know… The magic was done with wires, edits and stage tricks rather than computers.
More trivia sets
Decade and theme sets are all free, with no sign-up.