1950’s Television Trivia

 “How I Love Lucy was born?  We decided that instead of divorce lawyers profiting from our mistakes, we’d profit from them.”- Lucille Ball

After World War 2 ended, Americans slowly started buying television sets for their homes.  The decade of the 1950’s was known as “The Golden Age of Television” and changed the American home forever.  Some popular genres of the day included Vaudevillian Variety Shows, Western Shows, Comedy Sitcoms, Children’s’ Programming and News Shows.  Advertisers also joined the bandwagon, as they saw an important opportunity to market their products through sponsoring these television shows.

Take a walk down memory lane and see if you can remember this Television Trivia from the 1950’s.  While you’re at it, you may be inspired to watch some reruns from this era!

 (Answers to these questions are at the bottom.)  

1. What 1950’s television theme song starts with the narration, “You’re traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That’s the signpost up ahead – your next stop, the ________________?
2. This comedian’s television show was originally named, The Lucky Strike Program after its sponsor.  Later the show was named after the comedian.  What was the show?
3. This courtroom television series follows an expert criminal defense attorney who always manages to crack hard cases.  This was Hollywood’s first hour-long series.  Today it is still one of the most successful and longest running shows in TV history.  What was it?
4. In this famous episode of “I Love Lucy,” Lucille Ball tries to break into show business by selling this health drink in a commercial. Unaware that the drink is twenty-three percent alcohol, she sips it up and hilarity ensues, as she gets drunk while promoting it.  What is the name of the health drink?
5. In Season 6, Episode 39 of Leave it to Beaver, we find why Theodore was nicknamed Beaver.  What was the reason? 
6. This Actor/ Comedian had some of the best one-liners and catchphrases in television history, including:

“Pow!  Right in the Kisser!”

“To the moon, Alice!”

“Baby, you’re the greatest!”

Who was the actor and what was the show?

7. Which Actor played Superman in this thirty-minute 1950’s television series that opened with, 

“Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound”? 

8. What was the 1950’s television variety show that made Annette Funicello famous?
9. In this 1950’s game show, four celebrity panelists guess the unusual occupations of contestants asking only yes or no questions.  What was the game show?
10. This series is one of the longest running television shows following the adventures of this famous family companion.  Who is the companion and what is the show?
11. This 1950’s American Western television series featured, “The King of the Cowboys,” and “The Smartest Horse in the Movies.”  What was the show?
12. Named after its sponsor, this comedy variety show was hosted by Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin.  What was the show?
13. Frank Stanton created the political interview show, Face the Nation in 1954, which is still running.  This first program featured an interview with this Wisconsin senator, who was known for fueling Cold War fears.  Who was this politician?
14. Who was the first Rock and Roll band to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1955, performing “Rock Around the Clock?
15. Who was the founding host of The Today Show from 1952-1961?

Classic 1950’s Television Trivia Answers

1. Twilight Zone
2. The Jack Benny Program
3. Perry Mason
4. Vitametavegamin
5. Wally could not say “Theodore” when he was little 
6. Jackie Gleason in The Honeymooners
7. George Reeves
8. The Mickey Mouse Club
9. What’s my Line
10. Lassie
11. The Roy Rogers Show
12. The Colgate Comedy Hour
13. Joseph McCarthy 
14. Bill Haley and The Comets
15. Dave Garroway

How did you do with this Television Trivia from the 1950’s?  Does it make you want to revisit some classic television programming? 

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Rittenhouse Village At Michigan City provides a range of senior living programs to help support a healthy and happy lifestyle for our residents. We also offer several senior living options for our residents to choose from. Contact us today at 219.872.6800 for more information.