# The Official Greatest Seventies Sit-Com Trivia Challenge on the Dope Today **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 21, 2006, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-greatest-seventies-sit-com-trivia-challenge-on-the-dope-today/340966 "2006-01-21T05:35:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-greatest-seventies-sit-com-trivia-challenge-on-the-dope-today/340966/1 "2006-01-21T05:35:29Z")
Rules are simple: Submit or answer as many questions as you’d like, but it has to be for a sit-com (_Dukes of Hazzard_, _Rockford Files_ and other hour long shows may count if they were more comedic than dramatic) that was a hit in the 1970s. (It’s alright if it began in the 60s or lasted into the 80s so long as it was alive and well at some point in the 70s.) You also have to be willing to produce a “Cite” if requested. Please try to answer without using Google. Ready set go… 1. What 70s sitcom character’s surname translated as “the cattle are dying”? 2. What was the name of Archie Bunker’s sister? (Not a trick question.) 3. What was Mel’s nickname for Vera on _Alice_? 4. The pilot for _Happy Days_ appeared on what anthology comedy series? For bonus points, what veteran character actor played Howard Cunningham in the pilot (it wasn’t Tom Bosley)? 5. Speaking of Tom Bosley, what (imo, ahead of its time) prime-time animated sitcom did he voice during the 70s? 6. What classic 50s sitcom returned for 3 holiday specials (each with a plot involving the original characters) between 1976-78 (possibly the only reunion specials to have a plot ever filmed before a live audience)? 7. In 1963 a man with the middle name Glenn died in a car accident in St. Louis. He was neither rich nor famous and he was completely unknown outside of his friends and family, but 10 years later one of the greatest TV characters of all time was named in his honor by a relative who wanted him to always be remembered. What was the full name of the man who died in 1963 and who was his famous relative? 8. What Sherwood Schwartz sitcom starring Bob Denver premiered (and quickly ended) in the 1970s? 9. Complete this “poem” and ID the '70s sitcom it’s from: You helped us all in every way… You got inside our head… And that is why we’d like to say… \_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_! 1. The Mirthmakers were the houseband for what “talk show”? What was the name of the bandleader? For what classic TV very long lived sitcom that died in the early 70s did the actor/composer who played the bandleader compose the “foot tapping catchy” theme music? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-greatest-seventies-sit-com-trivia-challenge-on-the-dope-today/340966/2 "2006-01-21T05:50:34Z")
1. What 70s sitcom character’s surname translated as “the cattle are dying”? Arnold Horshack 1. What was the name of Archie Bunker’s sister? (Not a trick question.) STUMPED ME 2. What was Mel’s nickname for Vera on _Alice_? Ding-a-ling 1. The pilot for _Happy Days_ appeared on what anthology comedy series? For bonus points, what veteran character actor played Howard Cunningham in the pilot (it wasn’t Tom Bosley)? Love America Style 1. Speaking of Tom Bosley, what (imo, ahead of its time) prime-time animated sitcom did he voice during the 70s? “Wait Till Your Father Gets Home” I loved this when I was a kid. 6. What classic 50s sitcom returned for 3 holiday specials (each with a plot involving the original characters) between 1976-78 (possibly the only reunion specials to have a plot ever filmed before a live audience)? Guess only Honey Mooners 7. In 1963 a man with the middle name Glenn died in a car accident in St. Louis. He was neither rich nor famous and he was completely unknown outside of his friends and family, but 10 years later one of the greatest TV characters of all time was named in his honor by a relative who wanted him to always be remembered. What was the full name of the man who died in 1963 and who was his famous relative? STUMPED ME 8. What Sherwood Schwartz sitcom starring Bob Denver premiered (and quickly ended) in the 1970s? Dusty’s Trail w’ Alan Hale Jr. too 1. Complete this “poem” and ID the '70s sitcom it’s from: You helped us all in every way… You got inside our head… And that is why we’d like to say… \_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_! Mr. Gianelli’s dead 😃 1. The Mirthmakers were the houseband for what “talk show”? What was the name of the bandleader? For what classic TV very long lived sitcom that died in the early 70s did the actor/composer who played the bandleader compose the “foot tapping catchy” theme music? Fernwood 2-Night Jim ---
**Author:** ![CJJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecc23a/32.png) [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-greatest-seventies-sit-com-trivia-challenge-on-the-dope-today/340966/3 "2006-01-21T06:01:13Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > 1. The pilot for _Happy Days_ appeared on what anthology comedy series? For bonus points, what veteran character actor played Howard Cunningham in the pilot (it wasn’t Tom Bosley)? > > 2. Speaking of Tom Bosley, what (imo, ahead of its time) prime-time animated sitcom did he voice during the 70s? 1. is "Love American Style, and Howard Cunningham was played by Harold Gould, best known probably as the telegraph office worker who helped con Robert Shaw in “The Sting”. 2. “Wait 'Til your Father Gets Home” > [@Sampiro](#): > > 1. What Sherwood Schwartz sitcom starring Bob Denver premiered (and quickly ended) in the 1970s? Sadly, I watched the few episodes of syndicated “Dusty’s Trail” on Saturday evening as a kid in Ohio; even my young 8-yr. old mind knew it was crap (it was basically “Gilligan’s Islan” set in the old west, “part of the wagon trail a’lost from the rest…” ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-greatest-seventies-sit-com-trivia-challenge-on-the-dope-today/340966/4 "2006-01-21T19:48:16Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > 1. In 1963 a man with the middle name Glenn died in a car accident in St. Louis. He was neither rich nor famous and he was completely unknown outside of his friends and family, but 10 years later one of the greatest TV characters of all time was named in his honor by a relative who wanted him to always be remembered. What was the full name of the man who died in 1963 and who was his famous relative? > > 2. What Sherwood Schwartz sitcom starring Bob Denver premiered (and quickly ended) in the 1970s? 1. I know that Redd Foxx’s real name was John Sanford, and that Fred Sanford was his brother’s name. Was Fred Sanford’s middle name Glenn? 2. I know Bob Denver was on a short-lived “Gilligan’s Island” clone called “Dusty’s Trail.” Is that the one you’re thinking of? (It was a comedy Western… picture “Gilligans’s Island” set in the Old West and you get the idea.) ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-greatest-seventies-sit-com-trivia-challenge-on-the-dope-today/340966/5 "2006-01-21T21:04:56Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > 1. I know that Redd Foxx’s real name was John Sanford, and that Fred Sanford was his brother’s name. Was Fred Sanford’s middle name Glenn? Correctamundo. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-greatest-seventies-sit-com-trivia-challenge-on-the-dope-today/340966/6 "2006-01-21T22:49:18Z")
So for the others: 1. Archie Bunker’s sister was named Alma. She never appeared on the show but was mentioned in one episode along with his brother Phil. (In later seasons he had only the one sibling and the name was changed to Fred.) 2. Mel’s called Vera Dingy (and Ding-a-ling above is also correct). 3. _What Exit_’s guess is correct: _The Honeymooners_ had three specials in the late 1970s. 4. Already answered, but Fred G(lenn) Sanford (Jr.) was the older brother of Redd Foxx and the namesake of his character. Since neither brother had children, this was Redd’s way of assuring immortality for him. (He did say that he hated the fact his brother had the same name as their father, a man who skipped out of town before Redd was born and for whom he consequently had no love.) 5. Partially answered already, but Happy Kyne was played by Frank DeVol who in addition to many other recognizable tunes composed the famous theme to _My Three Sons_ (which featured the animated tapping feet). Not that this is exactly burning up the views-charts, but a few more (and feel very very very free to add some more): 6. Speaking of Sanford & Son, which cast member was a childhood friend of Redd Foxx’s. 7. What actor who became the highest paid and perhaps most recognizable actor on 70s TV made his first TV appearance as a nervous jilted date at one of Mary’s disastrous dinner parties on _The Mary Tyler Moore Show_? For bonus points, what meat dish did Lou Grant help himself to too many helpings of on the same episode? 8. Two 1950s superhit sitcoms attempted revivals in the early 1970s, both unsuccessfully. One kept the same title but added a five letter prefix to the last word to indicate the new premise, the other exchanged two teen idol sons for two college girls who rented their rooms. Any ideas? 9. The night that M_A_S_H debuted its lead-in show was another sit-com based on a hit movie, albeit a 16 year old (in 1972) hit movie. The sitcom version starred the same actor as the movie as a character he played more than 5,000 times on stage and in film. Name this very short-lived sitcom that was expected to be the much bigger hit than M_A_S_H. 10. John Wayne appeared many times on _Laugh In_ and in the 1960s he appeared on _The Beverly Hillbillies_ (for a bottle of Scotch), _The Lucy Show_ and other appearances, but he only appeared in an episode of one sit-com in the 1970s. Which one was it? 11. Three cases of “same actor/different roles”: a. He first appeared on _All in the Family_ as a racist neighbor selling to blockbusters, then as a wife-swapper, and later in a recurring role as a gourmet neighbor. b. She first appeared on _Chico & the Man_ as a judge, then joined the cast as a regular as their landlord a year later, staying through the show’s disastrous last season. c. He appeared as the bitter brother of Conrad Janis before playing Conrad’s grandson on the same show. (Very very very easy, though he didn’t actually join the 70s sitcom until the early 80s.) 12. What game show staple appeared as “The Giddyap Gourmet”, a supporting character in a critically praised sitcom that never got an audience in its two year run. 13. One member of the cast of _Carter Country_ used his earnings from the series to buy most of a small town that was the subject of a hit song. Who was the cast member and what was the town? 14. How times have changed: there were boycotts by some superconservative viewers because not only was its main character a divorced mom, but she was dating a man who was several years younger than she was. Name this long running sitcom in which the younger boyfriend was written out after the first season. (For bonus points: what 70s sitcom icon was the mother of the actor who played one of the daughter’s love interests on the show?) 15. The actress who played Samantha’s mother-in-law was the real life sister of what actor who played the grandpa in a classic early 70s film before being given his own hit sitcom later in the decade? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-greatest-seventies-sit-com-trivia-challenge-on-the-dope-today/340966/7 "2006-01-21T23:01:40Z")
Isn’t #12 Henry Winkler, aka The Fonz? ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-greatest-seventies-sit-com-trivia-challenge-on-the-dope-today/340966/8 "2006-01-21T23:11:55Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Isn’t #12 Henry Winkler, aka The Fonz? Yep. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-greatest-seventies-sit-com-trivia-challenge-on-the-dope-today/340966/9 "2006-01-21T23:52:45Z")
1. Two 1950s superhit sitcoms attempted revivals in the early 1970s, both unsuccessfully. One kept the same title but added a five letter prefix to the last word to indicate the new premise, the other exchanged two teen idol sons for two college girls who rented their rooms. Any ideas? **Make Room for Granddaddy** and **Ozzie’s Place** (from Ozzie and Harriet) 1. The night that M_A_S_H debuted its lead-in show was another sit-com based on a hit movie, albeit a 16 year old (in 1972) hit movie. The sitcom version starred the same actor as the movie as a character he played more than 5,000 times on stage and in film. Name this very short-lived sitcom that was expected to be the much bigger hit than M_A_S_H. **Anna and the King** 1. Three cases of “same actor/different roles”: a. He first appeared on All in the Family as a racist neighbor selling to blockbusters, then as a wife-swapper, and later in a recurring role as a gourmet neighbor. **Vincent Gardenia?** b. She first appeared on Chico & the Man as a judge, then joined the cast as a regular as their landlord a year later, staying through the show’s disastrous last season. **Della Reese** 1. One member of the cast of Carter Country used his earnings from the series to buy most of a small town that was the subject of a hit song. Who was the cast member and what was the town? **Guich Koock bought up a big chunk of Luckenbach, Texas.** 1. How times have changed: there were boycotts by some superconservative viewers because not only was its main character a divorced mom, but she was dating a man who was several years younger than she was. Name this long running sitcom in which the younger boyfriend was written out after the first season. (For bonus points: what 70s sitcom icon was the mother of the actor who played one of the daughter’s love interests on the show?) **One Day at a Time** but I’ve had a brain freeze, and can’t even track the bonus question. 1. The actress who played Samantha’s mother-in-law was the real life sister of what actor who played the grandpa in a classic early 70s film before being given his own hit sitcom later in the decade? **Jack Albertson** ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-greatest-seventies-sit-com-trivia-challenge-on-the-dope-today/340966/10 "2006-01-22T00:35:12Z")
I’m amazed kunilou didn’t knock this one out of the park as well. 1. Three cases of “same actor/different roles”: c. He appeared as the bitter brother of Conrad Janis before playing Conrad’s grandson on the same show. (Very very very easy, though he didn’t actually join the 70s sitcom until the early 80s.) **Jonathan Winters** ---
**Author:** ![want2know](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@want2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2know)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-greatest-seventies-sit-com-trivia-challenge-on-the-dope-today/340966/11 "2006-01-22T01:29:37Z")
1. John Wayne made a guest appearance on “Maude” And, BTW, the co-star of “Dusty’s Trail” was _not_ Alan Hale; it was Forrest Tucker. 21. The same year “The Odd Couple” premiered, another sitcom based on a Neil Simon play debuted on the same network. Name it. 1. What “Laugh-In” regular played a ditzy secretary on an episode of _The Mary Tyler Moore Show_ ? 2. Who played Maude’s next-door neighbors? (Hint: each starred in their own sitcom in the 80’s) 3. The 70s gave us the only other sitcom involving a genie (besides the obvious one). Name it, and the actor who played him. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-greatest-seventies-sit-com-trivia-challenge-on-the-dope-today/340966/12 "2006-01-22T01:39:17Z")
#21. Barefoot in the Park ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-greatest-seventies-sit-com-trivia-challenge-on-the-dope-today/340966/13 "2006-01-22T02:04:38Z")
> [@Robot Arm](#): > > I’m amazed kunilou didn’t knock this one out of the park as well. > > 1. Three cases of “same actor/different roles”: > c. He appeared as the bitter brother of Conrad Janis before playing Conrad’s grandson on the same show. (Very very very easy, though he didn’t actually join the 70s sitcom until the early 80s.) > > **Jonathan Winters** Despite what my ex-wife may believe, I didn’t spend _every_ minute of the 70’s watching TV. _23. Who played Maude’s next-door neighbors? (Hint: each starred in their own sitcom in the 80’s)_ **Conrad Bain and Rue McClanahan.** ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-greatest-seventies-sit-com-trivia-challenge-on-the-dope-today/340966/14 "2006-01-22T02:16:27Z")
> [@Robot Arm](#): > > I’m amazed kunilou didn’t knock this one out of the park as well. > > 1. Three cases of “same actor/different roles”: > c. He appeared as the bitter brother of Conrad Janis before playing Conrad’s grandson on the same show. (Very very very easy, though he didn’t actually join the 70s sitcom until the early 80s.) > > **Jonathan Winters** Despite what my ex-wife may believe, I didn’t spend _every_ minute of the 70’s watching TV. _23. Who played Maude’s next-door neighbors? (Hint: each starred in their own sitcom in the 80’s)_ **Conrad Bain and Rue McClanahan.** And **Sampiro** I cheated and researched the bonus question for _One Day at a Time._ I have to say, that’s one hell of a brilliant piece of trivia! ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-greatest-seventies-sit-com-trivia-challenge-on-the-dope-today/340966/15 "2006-01-22T03:59:26Z")
1. Three cases of “same actor/different roles”: a. He first appeared on All in the Family as a racist neighbor selling to blockbusters, then as a wife-swapper, and later in a recurring role as a gourmet neighbor. Vincent Gardenia? Bonus: who played Vincent Gardenia’s wife when he was a swinging wife-swapper on _All in the Family_? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-greatest-seventies-sit-com-trivia-challenge-on-the-dope-today/340966/16 "2006-01-22T04:09:12Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > 1. Three cases of “same actor/different roles”: > a. He first appeared on All in the Family as a racist neighbor selling to blockbusters, then as a wife-swapper, and later in a recurring role as a gourmet neighbor. > > Vincent Gardenia? > > Bonus: who played Vincent Gardenia’s wife when he was a swinging wife-swapper on _All in the Family_? Same woman who played the landlady on Laverne and Shirley and the Taxi Driver from On the Town: [Betty Garrett.](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0308081/) You know this reminds me she was also in Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1949) which I have never seen. I will add it too my Netflix Q. Jim ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-greatest-seventies-sit-com-trivia-challenge-on-the-dope-today/340966/17 "2006-01-22T04:12:08Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Bonus: who played Vincent Gardenia’s wife when he was a swinging wife-swapper on _All in the Family_? Not to contradict **What Exit?** , but Betty Garrett played Gardenia’s wife when they were the neighbors. Rue McClanahan played his wife in the swingers episode. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-greatest-seventies-sit-com-trivia-challenge-on-the-dope-today/340966/18 "2006-01-22T04:14:14Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Not to contradict **What Exit?** , but Betty Garrett played Gardenia’s wife when they were the neighbors. Rue McClanahan played his wife in the swingers episode. :smack: You are very correct, so much for reading comprehension. Jim ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-greatest-seventies-sit-com-trivia-challenge-on-the-dope-today/340966/19 "2006-01-22T04:18:17Z")
> [@What Exit?](#): > > :smack: You are very correct, so much for reading comprehension. > > Jim Well, when you’re in the hospital for 12 days and those coincide in part with an All In The Family Anniversary weekend on TVLand, there’s not much else to do… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![drmark2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@drmark2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drmark2000)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-greatest-seventies-sit-com-trivia-challenge-on-the-dope-today/340966/20 "2006-01-22T04:26:54Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > 1. …For bonus points, what meat dish did Lou Grant help himself to too many helpings of on the same episode? That would be Veal Prince Orloff. And what happens to Veal Prince Orloff when you leave him in the oven too long? He dies! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-greatest-seventies-sit-com-trivia-challenge-on-the-dope-today/340966.md?page=2)