Quiz: Can You Name These Classic Television Shows?

Quiz: Can You Name These Classic Television Shows?


February 25, 2025 | Alex Summers

Quiz: Can You Name These Classic Television Shows?


Do You Pay Attention To What You Watch?

Classic TV fans, step up. It’s time to put your small-screen smarts to the test. ‘Question’ the right ‘answers,’ and you’ll prove once and for all that you’re a true TV legend. Ready. Set. Go.

Intro

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Primetime Mysteries

This investigative drama followed defense attorney Perry Mason, who never lost a case in court. 

Raymond Burr FactsWikimedia Commons

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The Answer

Perry Mason. Perry Mason was one of the longest-running legal dramas and won multiple Emmy Awards.

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Raymond Burr FactsFlickr, James Vaughan

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Sci-Fi Classics

Shadows. Suspense. Surprises. With Rod Serling’s hypnotic narration, this chilling anthology series dared viewers to expect the unexpected.

Rod Serling factsThe Twilight Zone (1959-1964), CBS

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The Answer

The Twilight Zone. The episode “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” starring William Shatner remains one of the most iconic in TV history. 

A screenshot of the TV Show The Twilight ZoneCBS, The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)

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Disaster Everytime

This sitcom character worked as a radio newsman, but his extreme nervousness made every broadcast a disaster. 

A screenshot of the TV Show WKRP in CincinnatiCBS, WKRP in Cincinnati (1978-1982)

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The Answer

Les Nessman from WKRP in Cincinnati. The series won a Humanitas Prize for its Thanksgiving episode, “Turkeys Away,” where Arthur “Big Guy” Carlson dropped live turkeys from a helicopter for promotional purposes.

A screenshot of the TV Show WKRP in CincinnatiCBS, WKRP in Cincinnati (1978-1982)

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Laugh After Laugh

A short-tempered bus driver, a feisty wife, and one unforgettable catchphrase:

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“To the moon, Alice”! Name this classic.

Gleason Honeymooners in 1965CBS-TVUploaded, Wikimedia Commons

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The Answer

The Honeymooners. Although it lasted only 39 episodes, it became one of the most beloved classic comedies.

Shows Canceled Too Soon factsWikipedia

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Family Favorites

This 1950s sitcom followed the misadventures of young Theodore Cleaver and his wise older brother, Wally. 

Screenshot of  the TV Show Leave It to BeaverGomalco Productions, Leave It to Beaver (1957–1963)

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The Answer

Leave It to Beaver. This TV show was one of the first shows told from a child’s perspective and introduced the world to Eddie Haskell, the ultimate insincere troublemaker.

Leave It to BeaverEddie Haskell & James Bond - "face like a pig" 1958, 1967 by Scott Hettrick

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Western Wonders

A TV Western that outlasted them all, following a lawman keeping order in Dodge City, even breaking a record.

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Jerry Lee Lewis FactsWikimedia Commons

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The Answer

GunsmokeGunsmoke ran for 20 seasons, making it the longest-running primetime live-action drama until Law & Order: SVU broke the record.

Screenshot of the TV Show GunsmokeCBS, Gunsmoke (1955–1975)

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Silver Spoon Sitcoms

This sitcom followed two Harlem-born brothers adopted by a wealthy businessman, with the younger brother famously asking, “Whatchu talkin’ ’bout, Willis”?

Diff’rent Strokes: “It Takes Diff’rent StrokesDiff'rent Strokes | Arnold Takes His Girlfriend Home | Classic TV Rewind by Classic TV Rewind

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The Answer

Diff’rent Strokes. The show tackled serious topics like discrimination and substance abuse while delivering laughs.

Dana Plato FactsDiff’rent Strokes, NBC

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Sitcom Standouts

In this 1970s sitcom, we meet Mary Tyler Moore, a single-career woman who makes it alone in Minneapolis.

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Scene 1 from the Mary Tyler Moore Show 1977CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons

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The Answer

The Mary Tyler Moore ShowThe Mary Tyler Moore Show broke ground by portraying a single, independent woman as the lead.

Screenshot from the television series The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977)CBS, The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977)

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Most Recognizable Spy Songs

A self-destructing mission briefing, a daring agent, and the most unforgettable theme music ever.

Mission: Impossible Films factsJared Mobarak

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The Answer

Mission: Impossible. If you hear the theme song, you’ll recognize it immediately because it is notably the most recognizable in TV history.

Mission: Impossible Films factsScroll

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Saturday Night Laughs

This 1960s sitcom featured a bumbling secret agent who worked for CONTROL against the evil forces of KAOS.

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Screenshot of the movie Get SmartTalent Associates, Get Smart (1965–1970)

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The Answer

Get Smart. Created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, the show is a parody of the secret agent genre.

GET SMARTGET SMART - "Maxwell Smart & #99 Meet for the First Time" - Pilot Episode - 1965 by A FUSCO - Classic TV

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Theme Songs That Stuck

“Come and listen to my story about a man named Jed” kicked off the theme song for this sitcom about a country family striking it rich.  

The Beverly HillbilliesThe Beverly Hillbillies | Season 2 Episode 16 | The Giant Jack Rabbit by Wild West TV

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The Answer

The Beverly Hillbillies. One of its episodes, “The Giant Jackrabbit,” aired in 1964, is considered one of the most-watched TV episodes in history.

TV Show - The Beverly HillbilliesTelevision screenshot, Wikimedia Commons

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Skit Evolution To Series

This cigar-smoking comedian hosted a namesake variety show, where he often said, “Good night, folks”. 

Larry King FactsWikimedia Commons

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The Answer

Jackie Gleason.

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The Honeymooners originally started as a series of skits on Gleason’s variety show, Cavalcade of Stars, and they were spun off into a standalone sitcom in 1955.

Jackie GleasonBettmann, Getty Images

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Mysteries Awaiting Discovery

He seemed forgetful, but don’t be fooled. His last-minute “one more thing” always nailed the culprit. Who is he?

Peter Falk as ColumboNBC, Columbo (1971–1978)

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The Answer

Columbo? The show aired from 1968 to 2003, with Falk’s portrayal of the disheveled, seemingly absent-minded but brilliant detective becoming iconic.

Peter Falk as ColumboNBC, Columbo (1971–1978)

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Something “Fishy”

This spacey sitcom character had an unusual obsession with fish sticks, talked about “the Big Giant Head,” and had a love for tight leather pants. 

Screenshot from the television series 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996-2001)NBC, 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996-2001)

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The Answer

Harry Solomon from 3rd Rock from the Sun. The show centers around aliens sent to Earth to observe human behavior, with Harry as one of the extraterrestrials’ quirky members.

3rd Rock from the SunWild About Harry - 3rd Rock from the Sun by Old N Classic

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Sci-Fi Takeovers

It went where no show had gone before and gave us a “galaxy far, far away”.

A screenshot of the TV Show Star Trek: The Original SeriesParamount, Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969)

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The Answer

Star Trek. Although the original was canceled after three seasons, it spawned a massive franchise with numerous spinoffs—TV series, movies, books, and more.

Star Trek Facts Advertisement

The Original Series, NBC" data-credit-url="https://www.nbc.com/" data-rel-no-follow="No" data-alt-text="Star Trek Facts" data-description="Star Trek TOS The Menagerie screenshot" data-title="Star Trek TOS The Menagerie screenshot" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Star Trek Facts">Star Trek:

The Original Series, NBC

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Something Magical

This sitcom followed a magical housewife who twitched her nose to cast spells.

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Paul Lynde factsWikipedia

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The Answer

Bewitched. Elizabeth Montgomery, as Samantha Stephens, tries to live a typical suburban life, but her magical powers often lead to humorous and chaotic situations.

Screenshot of the TV Show BewitchedAshmont Productions, Bewitched (1964–1972)

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Most Memorable Quirks

He didn’t just enter a room—he crashed into it, sometimes crashing into furniture, and he always had a wild conspiracy theory cooking.

Seinfeld end of tv showNBC, Seinfeld (1989–1998)

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The Answer

Kramer from Seinfeld. Michael Richards won three Emmy Awards for his role.

Screenshot of Seinfeld (1989–1998)Castle Rock, Seinfeld (1989–1998)

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Big Families

It is a groovy, blended family of six kids, a housekeeper, and one very catchy theme song.

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Maureen McCormick in The Brady Bunch as Marcia Brady and Barry Williams as  Greg  looking at the cameraParamount , The Brady Bunch (1969–1974)

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The Answer

The Brady Bunch. Though not initially a hit, it became a cultural phenomenon later on.

Publicity photo of ABC comedy series The Brady BunchABC Television., Wikimedia Commons

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Colorful Westerners

This TV western, filmed and shown in color, followed the wealthy Cartwright family as they ran a ranch.

Screenshot of the TV Show BonanzaNBC, Bonanza (1959–1973)

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The Answer

BonanzaBonanza was the first TV show filmed and broadcast entirely in color, premiering on September 12, 1959.

TV Show - BonanzaNBC Television, Wikimedia Commons

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Odd Jobs

This sitcom character ran a junk business with his son and often faked heart attacks while shouting, “Elizabeth, I’m coming to join you”.  

Publicity photo of Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson and Gregory Sierra in Sanford and Son. - 1974We hope at, Wikimedia Commons

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The Answer

Fred Sanford from Sanford and Son. This sitcom show won a Golden Globe and an Image Award.

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Fred Sanford from Sanford and SonFred Sanford: Words of Wisdom | Compilation | Sanford and Son by Sanford and Son

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Spies That Dress Well

A sleek 1960s spy series starring two dapper agents.

Action Stars FactsWikimedia Commons

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The Answer

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Illya became a fashion icon with his black turtlenecks, slim suits, and mop-top haircut, influencing men’s fashion in the 1960s. 

Sonny And Cher David Mccallum Man From Uncle 1967NBC Television, Wikimedia Commons

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Spinoff After Spinoff

Three roommates in in Santa Monica. Tons of misunderstandings. Two spinoffs. 

Three’s CompanyThree's Company Clip: Helen's Can of Biss by DLT's 80s Sitcom Flashback

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The Answer

Three’s Company? The show spawned two spinoffs, The Ropers and Three’s a Crowd

Three’s CompanyDon Knotts was Intimidated by Three's Company by Facts Verse

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