QUIZ: How Much Do You Know About Classic TV Moments?
“Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!” is one of the most iconic catchphrases of television from the ’60s and ’70s. When you hear someone say it, you can’t help but flash back to coming home from school and watching The Brady Bunch with your family. But do you remember the biggest moments from the series? Do you remember all the drama that happened behind the scenes? If you think you remember the biggest moments and worst scandals from one of television’s greatest era, then you’ve come to the right place to test your knowledge.
This host quit his show briefly after his opening monologue was replaced with the news.
A. Johnny Carson
B. Ed Sullivan
C. Tom Snyder
D. Jack Paar
Answer: Jack Paar
Jack Paar became so upset with his opening monologue being replaced with the news he walked on stage and announced he was quitting, then walked away. The network apologized and Paar returned one month later.
The Beatles Made their fourth and final appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show this year.
A. 1964
B. 1966
C. 1963
D. 1965
Answer: 1965
The Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show for the last time on September 12, 1965. The group played songs from Help! They had taped the performance a month prior before embarking on a national tour.
This event was the first coast-to-coast color airing of a college football game.
A. Rose Bowl
B. Sugar Bowl
C. Orange Bowl
D. Fiesta Bowl
Answer: Rose Bowl
The 1962 Rose Bowl was broadcast nationally on NBC in color. It was the first college event shown in color. The showdown features the Minnesota Golden Gophers take on UCLA in Pasadena, CA. UCLA lost 21-3.
He took over for Douglas Edwards as the anchor of CBS Evening News.
A. Walter Cronkite
B. Dan Rather
C. Roger Mudd
D. Bob Schieffer
Answer: Walter Cronkite
Walter Cronkite made his CBS Evening News debut in 1962, replacing Douglas Edwards. Edwards had held the post since 1948. Cronkite stayed behind the desk until 1981.
Which popular character did the Star Wars Holiday Special introduce?
A. Jabba The Hutt
B. Lando Calrissian
C. Grand Moff Tarkin
D. Boba Fett
Answer: Boba Fett
Boba Fett made his theatrical debut in Return of the Jedi in 1980 but was actually introduced to the universe in 1978’s Star Wars Holiday Special. The character is the only part of the controversial television movie anyone liked.
Who kissed Archie Bunker in a controversial episode of All In The Family?
B. Sammy Davis Jr.
C. Eartha Kitt
D. Aretha Franklin
Answer: Sammy Davis Jr.
Sammy Davis Jr. was a huge fan of All In The Family and was the only celebrity guest star the show ever had. In the episode, he leaves an item behind in Archie’s cab. When he goes to 704 Hauser Street to get it back, he kisses Bunker on the cheek.
Who did Billie Jean King beat in the “Battle of the Sexes?”
A. Ken Rosewall
B. Lew Hoad
C. Bobby Riggs
D. Mal Anderson
Answer: Bobby Riggs
Billie Jean King defeated 55-year-old Bobby Riggs. He was convinced no woman could ever beat a man at a sporting event. An estimated audience of 40 million people watched King prove him wrong.
What year did Roots premiere?
A. 1975
B. 1977
C. 1976
D. 1978
Answer: 1977
Roots turned heads when it premiered on ABC in 1977. An estimated 130 million viewers had their eyes glued to their television sets for the epic adaptation of Alex Haley’s novel.
The Jackson 5 made their national television debut on what show?
A. The Johnny Carson Show
B. The Hollywood Palace
C. American Bandstand
D. The Ed Sullivan Show
Answer: The Hollywood Palace
On October 18, 1969, The Hollywood Palace aired the national debut of The Jackson 5. The show aired on ABC from 1964 until 1970 and featured a different host every week.
This network launched in 1979, changing the way news could be delivered.
A. ESPN
B. CNN
C. MSNBC
D. TSN
Answer: ESPN
ESPN launched in 1979, becoming the first network focused on a sports news and broadcasting 24 hours a day. Initially available in 1.4 million homes, the network now reaches 100 million!
Which show ended Lucille Ball’s 23-year television run?
A. I Love Lucy
B. Here’s Lucy
C. Lucy!
D. The Lucy Show
Answer: Here’s Lucy
Here’s Lucy ran from 1968 until 1974 and co-starred her two children, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnez Jr. When the show went off the air in 1974, it ended a run of 23 consecutive years of Ball being on television.
Richard Nixon was the first President to do this on television.
A. Give his inauguration speech
B. Give his resignation
C. Guest star on a primetime sitcom
D. Give his State of the Union Address
Answer: Give his resignation
On August 8, 1974, Richard Nixon announced his resignation as President of the United States. He left office the next day, his reputation in ruins after the conclusion of the Watergate scandal.
On July 20, 1969, this major event helped shape the country.
A. The assassination of President Kennedy
B. The end of the Cold War was announced
C. The moon landing
D. Vice President Spiro Agnew attacks the “fake news media” on national television
Answer: The moon landing
Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong landed on the moon on this date in history. The momentous event was live-streamed on several networks and seen by 720 million people worldwide.
Dean Martin hosted The Hollywood Palace in 1964 when this band debuted.
A. The Beach Boys
B. The Beatles
C. The Rolling Stones
D. Creedence Clearwater Revival
Answer: The Rolling Stones
On June 6, 1964, The Rolling Stones made their American debut on The Hollywood Palace. Martin took the chance as host to poke fun at the band’s hair and performance.
When this band debuted on The Ed Sullivan Show, they broke rating records.
A. The Beatles
B. The Beach Boys
C. The Yardbirds
D. The Doors
Answer: The Beatles
Pandemonium overtook The Ed Sullivan Show when The Beatles debuted on the program in 1964. Their first of a series of appearances attracted a whopping 73 million viewers!
Johnny Carson Struck fears into the hearts of Americans when he announced a shortage of this.
A. Toilet paper
B. Chocolate
C. Plastic bags
D. Straws
Answer: Toilet paper
Johnny Carson unintentionally caused panic when he announced a toilet paper shortage on his show in 1974. The announcement was made after the television host read that the government was running short on bids to supply the bathroom item.
The Who famously did this after a performance of “My Generation” on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.
A. Stripped down to their underwear
B. Got into a fight with each other
C. Destroyed the Smothers Brothers’ desk
D. Blew up their instruments
Answer: Blew up their instruments
Looking to surprise the audience, The Who blew up their instruments at the end of their performance. During rehearsals, their drummer wasn’t happy with just smoke coming from his kit and told the crew to up to the charger. Pete Townsend claims the explosion caused him to lose some hearing.
This 1977 death forced all stations to interrupt their broadcasts and report the news.
A. Charlie Chaplin
B. Bing Crosby
C. Elvis Presley
D. Joan Crawford
Answer: Elvis Presley
The world was so shocked when Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977, that television programs everywhere were interrupted for the story. Just 42-years-old, fans across the globe were left feeling empty at the loss of the rock and roll icon.
Which episode of Star Trek featured television’s first interracial kiss?
A. The Trouble With Tribbles
B. Is There In Truth No Beauty?
C. Plato’s Stepchildren
D. Metamorphosis
Answer: Plato’s Stepchildren
“Plato’s Stepchildren” broke television barriers when William Shatner and Nichelle Nichols kissed on screen. The BBC refused to air the episode in the UK for “unpleasant” content.
