Think You Know Television’s Greatest Detectives?
Television has produced brilliant police officers, rumpled private investigators, crime-solving writers, and amateur sleuths who notice what everyone else misses. These 20 questions cover famous shows, actors, catchphrases, professions, vehicles, cities, and clues. Some answers may seem obvious, but the toughest cases are rarely as simple as they first appear.
Sunset Boulevard/Corbis, Getty Images
1. Which Actor Played Detective Stavros On Kojak?
A. Kevin Dobson
B. Dan Frazer
C. George Savalas
D. Telly Savalas
Silver Screen Collection, Getty Images
Answer: George Savalas
George Savalas played Detective Stavros, a member of Kojak’s Manhattan-based police squad. George Savalas was the real-life younger brother of the show's star Telly Savalas, who played Lieutenant Theo Kojak.
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons, Modified
2. Which Detective Frequently Said, “Just One More Thing”?
A. Adrian Monk
B. Jim Rockford
C. Lieutenant Columbo
D. Thomas Magnum
NBC Television, Wikimedia Commons
Answer: Lieutenant Columbo
Peter Falk’s Lieutenant Columbo often appeared ready to leave before returning with another deceptively simple question. “Just one more thing” became closely associated with the character’s method of unsettling suspects who believed they had outsmarted him.
TV studio, Wikimedia Commons, Modified
3. What Was Jessica Fletcher’s Profession?
A. Newspaper Reporter
B. Mystery Novelist
C. Criminal Psychologist
D. District Attorney
Screenshot from Murder, She Wrote, NBCUniversal (1984-1996)
Answer: Mystery Novelist
Jessica Fletcher was a successful mystery writer and amateur detective in Murder, She Wrote. Angela Lansbury’s observant sleuth frequently encountered suspicious deaths in her hometown of Cabot Cove and during her travels.
Screenshot from Murder, She Wrote, NBCUniversal (1984-1996)
4. Which Vehicle Was Closely Associated With Thomas Magnum?
A. Chevrolet Corvette
B. Porsche 911
C. Ferrari 308 GTS
D. Pontiac Firebird
Answer: Ferrari 308 GTS
Tom Selleck’s Thomas Magnum regularly drove a red Ferrari 308 GTS in the original Magnum, P.I. The sports car belonged to the mysterious Robin Masters, whose Hawaiian estate served as Magnum’s home and unofficial headquarters.
5. Which Actor Played Private Investigator Joe Mannix?
A. David Janssen
B. Mike Connors
C. Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
D. Fernando Lamas
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
Answer: Mike Connors
Mike Connors starred as Los Angeles private investigator Joe Mannix. The character endured fistfights, shootings, car crashes, and dangerous cases throughout the long-running CBS detective series.
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
6. In Which City Did Adrian Monk Work As A Police Consultant?
A. Seattle
B. Boston
C. San Francisco
D. Chicago
Screenshot from Monk, NBCUniversal (2002-2009), Enhanced
Answer: San Francisco
Adrian Monk was a former San Francisco police detective who later worked as a consultant for the department. His remarkable attention to detail allowed him to solve cases despite the fears and compulsions that complicated his daily life.
7. Where Did Veronica Mars Begin Her Detective Work?
A. Neptune, California
B. Sunnydale, California
C. Monterey, California
D. Santa Carla, California
Screenshot from Veronica Mars, Warner Bros. Television (2004-2019)
Answer: Neptune, California
Veronica Mars lived in the fictional community of Neptune, California. Kristen Bell’s character began investigating cases as a high school student while helping her father, private investigator Keith Mars.
Screenshot from Veronica Mars, Warner Bros. Television (2004-2019), Enhanced8. Which Actor Played Detective Frank Cannon?
A. William Conrad
B. Buddy Ebsen
C. Robert Blake
D. Mike Connors
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
Answer: William Conrad
William Conrad starred as private investigator Frank Cannon in the CBS series Cannon. The character was a former police officer who used his intelligence, connections, and considerable determination to solve difficult cases.
9. Where Did Jim Rockford Live?
A. A Beachside Trailer In Malibu
B. A Houseboat In San Diego
C. A Ranch Outside Los Angeles
D. An Apartment In Hollywood
NBC Television, Wikimedia Commons, Enhanced
Answer: A Beachside Trailer In Malibu
Jim Rockford lived in a trailer parked on the beach in Malibu, California. The modest home contrasted with the glamorous lifestyles often seen in other detective series and became one of The Rockford Files' most recognizable settings.
Screenshot from The Rockford Files, NBCUniversal (1974-1980)
10. On Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Who Was Olivia Benson's Original Detective Partner?
A. Nick Amaro
B. Elliot Stabler
C. John Munch
D. Fin Tutuola
Answer: Elliot Stabler
Christopher Meloni played Detective Elliot Stabler, Olivia Benson's longtime partner during the series' early years. Their close professional relationship became one of the defining partnerships in television crime drama.
Screenshot from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Universal Television (1999–present)
11. What Was Father Brown’s Profession?
A. University Professor
B. Solicitor
C. Roman Catholic Priest
D. Medical Examiner
Screenshot from Father Brown, BBC Studios (2013-Present)
Answer: Roman Catholic Priest
Father Brown is a Roman Catholic priest with an unusual talent for understanding criminals. In the BBC television series, Mark Williams plays the compassionate amateur detective, who solves cases in the fictional village of Kembleford.
Screenshot from Father Brown, BBC Studios (2013-Present)
12. On Remington Steele, Who Created The Fictional Detective Remington Steele?
A. Laura Holt
B. Mildred Krebs
C. Murphy Michaels
D. Bernice Foxe
Screenshot from Remington Steele, NBC Television Network (1982-1987)
Answer: Laura Holt
Laura Holt invented the fictional detective Remington Steele because clients were reluctant to hire a female private investigator. When a mysterious man assumed the identity, the two began solving cases together under the same name.
Screenshot from Remington Steele, NBC Television Network (1982-1987)
13. Which Actor Played Detective Joe Friday?
A. Jack Webb
B. Robert Stack
C. Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
D. George Kennedy
NBC Television, Wikimedia Commons
Answer: Jack Webb
Jack Webb created Dragnet and portrayed Detective Joe Friday on both radio and television. His restrained, no-nonsense style became one of the most influential performances in police drama history.
NBC Television, Wikimedia Commons
14. Which Of These Detectives Kept A Pet Alligator Named Elvis?
A. Thomas Magnum
B. Sonny Crockett
C. Columbo
D. Jim Rockford
Screenshot from Miami Vice, NBC (1984-1989)
Answer: Sonny Crockett
Sonny Crockett kept a pet alligator named Elvis at his home in Miami Vice. The unusual companion became one of the show's most memorable recurring details.
Screenshot from Miami Vice, NBC (1984-1989)
15. On Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Which Actor Played Detective Jake Peralta?
A. Adam Scott
B. Andy Samberg
C. Joe Lo Truglio
D. Bill Hader
Screenshot from Brooklyn Nine-Nine, NBC (2013-2021)
Answer: Andy Samberg
Andy Samberg starred as Detective Jake Peralta throughout the series' eight-season run. His quick wit, competitive streak, and unconventional investigative style helped make Brooklyn Nine-Nine a modern sitcom favorite.
Screenshot from Brooklyn Nine-Nine, NBC (2013-2021)
16. On Nash Bridges, Which City Did Inspector Nash Bridges Patrol?
A. Miami
B. San Francisco
C. Las Vegas
D. Seattle
Screenshot from Nash Bridges, CBS Television Distribution (1996-2001)
Answer: San Francisco
Don Johnson played Inspector Nash Bridges, a member of the San Francisco Police Department's Special Investigations Unit. The city's hills, waterfront, and colorful neighborhoods became an important part of the show's identity.
17. Which Of These Detectives Lives In The Village Of St. Mary Mead?
A. Jessica Fletcher
B. Miss Marple
C. Jane Tennison
D. Vera Stanhope
Screenshot from Miss Marple, ITV (2004-2013)
Answer: Miss Marple
Miss Marple lives in the quiet English village of St. Mary Mead, where many of her investigations begin. Her ability to draw parallels between village life and criminal behavior makes her an exceptionally effective amateur detective.
Screenshot from Miss Marple, ITV (2004-2013)
18. On Luther, What Rank Did John Luther Hold?
A. Detective Sergeant
B. Detective Inspector
C. Detective Chief Inspector
D. Detective Superintendent
Screenshot from Luther, BBC Studios (2010-2019)
Answer: Detective Chief Inspector
Idris Elba played John Luther, a Detective Chief Inspector in London's Serious Crime Unit. His brilliance as an investigator was often complicated by his obsessive personality and willingness to cross ethical boundaries.
Screenshot from Luther, BBC Studios (2010-2019)
19. Which Detective Frequently Used The Phrase “Book ’Em, Danno”?
A. Steve McGarrett
B. Dan Tanna
C. Rick Hunter
D. Joe Mannix
Screenshot from Hawaii Five-O, CBS Productions (1968-1980)
Answer: Steve McGarrett
Jack Lord’s Steve McGarrett led the fictional Hawaii state police unit on the original Hawaii Five-O. His command to “Book ’em, Danno” usually arrived after the investigation had exposed the episode’s culprit.
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
20. On The X-Files, Which Skill Did Dana Scully Most Often Use To Help Solve Cases?
A. Computer Hacking
B. Medical Expertise
C. Linguistics
D. Ballistics
Screenshot from The X-Files, Fox Broadcasting Company (1993–2018)
Answer: Medical Expertise
Before joining the FBI's X-Files unit, Dana Scully earned a medical degree and trained as a physician. Throughout the series, she frequently relied on her medical knowledge and forensic expertise to analyze evidence and help solve unusual cases.
Screenshot from The X-Files, Fox Broadcasting Company (1993–2018)
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