The 1970s was a golden era for television, filled with shows that many people still love today. From comedies that made us laugh to dramas that kept us on the edge of our seats, the decade produced unforgettable characters and catchy themes. Who can forget the fun antics of “The Brady Bunch” or the thrilling mysteries of “Columbo”? These shows not only entertained us but also shaped pop culture in many ways. Whether you were a fan of game shows, sitcoms, or variety hours, the 70s had something for everyone.
Today, we’re going to test your knowledge with some fun trivia about the TV shows that defined the 70s. Whether you consider yourself a television expert or just a casual viewer, you might be surprised by how much you remember. What was the name of the famous alien from “Mork & Mindy”? Which show featured a family living in a junkyard? Grab a snack, sit back, and get ready to challenge yourself with some interesting facts and questions about the memorable television of the 1970s!
70s TV Trivia
Classic Sitcom Moments in 70s TV Trivia
1. What was the name of the family in “The Brady Bunch”? (Answer: The Bradys)
2. Who played the character of Fonzie in “Happy Days”? (Answer: Henry Winkler)
3. Which show featured a character named Archie Bunker? (Answer: All in the Family)
4. What was the main setting of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”? (Answer: A newsroom)
5. In “Mork & Mindy,” who played the role of Mork? (Answer: Robin Williams)
6. Which family lived in a junkyard in a popular 70s show? (Answer: The Marshall family in “The Junk Yard Dog”)
7. What was the trademark phrase of Archie’s son-in-law, Mike? (Answer: “Meathead”)
8. Who was the actress that played Mary Richards in “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”? (Answer: Mary Tyler Moore)
9. What city is the backdrop for “Mork & Mindy”? (Answer: Boulder, Colorado)
10. On “Happy Days,” what type of car does Fonzie ride? (Answer: A motorcycle)
Drama and Mystery in 70s TV Trivia
1. Who starred as Jim Rockford in “The Rockford Files”? (Answer: James Garner)
2. What is the main profession of the character Columbo? (Answer: Detective)
3. Which 70s show featured a group of undercover cops? (Answer: Starsky & Hutch)
4. Who was known for solving crimes while wearing a raincoat in “Columbo”? (Answer: Lieutenant Columbo)
5. In “The Six Million Dollar Man,” what was the name of the main character? (Answer: Steve Austin)
6. What was the famous tagline of “The Rockford Files”? (Answer: “Sometimes you get what you pay for.”)
7. What type of vehicle is associated with “The Six Million Dollar Man”? (Answer: A bionic arm)
8. What show featured a private detective named Jim Rockford? (Answer: The Rockford Files)
9. Who played the lead role in “Barnaby Jones”? (Answer: Buddy Ebsen)
10. Which character was known for his chaotically humorous investigations in “Columbo”? (Answer: Detective Columbo)
Iconic Crime and Action in 70s TV Trivia
1. What type of car did Starsky and Hutch drive? (Answer: A red and white Gran Torinio)
2. Who played the role of Detective Starsky? (Answer: Paul Michael Glaser)
3. What was the main character’s occupation in “The Mod Squad”? (Answer: Undercover police officers)
4. Which show highlighted the cases of police officer Kojak? (Answer: Kojak)
5. Who is the actor known for his bald head and lollipop in “Kojak”? (Answer: Telly Savalas)
6. In “SWAT,” what does SWAT stand for? (Answer: Special Weapons and Tactics)
7. Who starred as the title character in “Kojak”? (Answer: Telly Savalas)
8. What were the main characters’ code names in “The Mod Squad”? (Answer: Pete, Linc, and Julie)
9. Who was the producer of “Starsky & Hutch”? (Answer: Aaron Spelling)
10. What kind of detective work is featured in “The Rockford Files”? (Answer: Private investigations)
Variety and Game Shows in 70s TV Trivia
1. What was the name of the game show where contestants spelled words for prizes? (Answer: The Spelling Bee)
2. Who hosted “The Price Is Right” during the 1970s? (Answer: Bob Barker)
3. What iconic comedy variety show starred Carol Burnett? (Answer: The Carol Burnett Show)
4. Which show featured sketches and musical performances in a variety format? (Answer: Laugh-In)
5. What was unique about the format of “The Newlywed Game”? (Answer: Couples answer questions about each other)
6. Who was the creator of “The Carol Burnett Show”? (Answer: Carol Burnett)
7. Which game show featured contestants bidding on items for sale? (Answer: The Price Is Right)
8. What was the main premise of “The Match Game”? (Answer: Fill in the blanks with funny phrases)
9. Who were famous for their wild sketches and catchphrases on “Laugh-In”? (Answer: Goldie Hawn and Lily Tomlin)
10. Which show introduced the concept of “door prizes” with the audience? (Answer: The Price Is Right)
Western and Adventure in 70s TV Trivia
1. Who starred as JR Ewing in “Dallas”? (Answer: Larry Hagman)
2. In “Rawhide,” who was the head of the cattle drive? (Answer: Gil Favor)
3. What ranch is the setting for “Little House on the Prairie”? (Answer: Walnut Grove)
4. What is the main character’s name in “The Incredible Hulk”? (Answer: Bruce Banner)
5. Who played the role of Laura Ingalls in “Little House on the Prairie”? (Answer: Melissa Gilbert)
6. What was the title character known for in “Kung Fu”? (Answer: Mastering martial arts)
7. What is the premise of “Bonanza”? (Answer: Life on a ranch)
8. Who portrayed the character of Sheriff Lobo in “The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo”? (Answer: Claude Akins)
9. Which show featured a boy and his horse named Flicka? (Answer: My Friend Flicka)
10. Who gave the famous quote, “As God is my witness, I’ll never be hungry again”? (Answer: Scarlett O’Hara from “Gone With the Wind,” but often referenced in Westerns)
Cartoons and Animation from 70s TV Trivia
1. What popular cartoon featured a dog and a cat in a variety of adventures? (Answer: The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan)
2. Who made the character Scooby-Doo famous in the 70s? (Answer: Hanna-Barbera)
3. What was the name of the talking animal who helped children solve mysteries? (Answer: Scooby-Doo)
4. Who is the main character in “The Adventures of Captain Kangaroo”? (Answer: Captain Kangaroo)
5. What animated series featured a character named Fred Flinstone? (Answer: The Flintstones)
6. What was the main theme of “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids”? (Answer: Life lessons and friendship)
7. Who was the wisecracking dog in “The Jetsons”? (Answer: Astro)
8. What character said, “I’m a Pepper, you’re a Pepper” in a famous series? (Answer: Dr. Pepper’s ad, but often seen in cartoons)
9. Which show featured anthropomorphic characters living in a garden? (Answer: The Magic Garden)
10. Who was the leader of the Scooby-Doo Mystery Inc. team? (Answer: Fred)
Influential Stars and Iconic Performances in 70s TV Trivia
1. Which actress starred in both “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show”? (Answer: Mary Tyler Moore)
2. Who was known as “The King of Television” in the 1970s? (Answer: Johnny Carson)
3. What 70s television personality was famous for his variety show? (Answer: Ed Sullivan)
4. Who was the original host of “Saturday Night Live”? (Answer: Lorne Michaels, as producer)
5. What sitcom starred both a comedic duo and famous songs? (Answer: The Brady Bunch)
6. Who starred in the show “The Bob Newhart Show”? (Answer: Bob Newhart)
7. What actor known for his portrayal of a doctor in “Trapper John, M.D.” also starred in “M*A*S*H”? (Answer: Pernell Roberts)
8. Who played the iconic role of Julie on “The Love Boat”? (Answer: Lauren Tewes)
9. Which actor was known for the catchphrase “Well, isn’t that special” on “Saturday Night Live”? (Answer: Dana Carvey)
10. What actress starred in the long-running soap opera “Days of Our Lives”? (Answer: Deidre Hall)
Final Thoughts
The 1970s was a vibrant decade for television history, showcasing a variety of genres from sitcoms and dramas to game shows and cartoons. The trivia we explored today reveals just how much influence these TV shows had on our culture and entertainment. Whether it was the laugh-out-loud antics of sitcoms or the heart-pounding drama of crime shows, each series left its mark. If you enjoyed this trip down memory lane, you might want to check out more topics like 70s trivia or 1970s trivia. There is always more to discover about a decade that shaped so much of what we see on TV today.