Image: ABC
About This Quiz
"Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Willis?"
You might instantly think of Gary Coleman and "Diff'rent Strokes," but he wasn't the only one lighting up the TV screen in the '80s. Can you match the most popular '80s TV show to just one image?
The '80s was a huge decade for TV. Cable networks had an enormous variety of TV shows to pick from. If you came to knock on ABC's door, you'd find "Three's Company" with John Ritter, Joyce DeWitt and Suzanne Somers. CBS brought the classics of "Magnum P.I." and "The Jeffersons." You were tuning in to "Saturday Night Live" and "Cheers" on NBC, while Fox started their sitcom history with "Married... with Children."Â
It was the decade of the family with the Cosbys, the Arnolds and the Tanners. You might've been fighting crime with the stars of "Miami Vice" and "Hill Street Blues." After the 1982 film "E.T.," you were probably hoping for an extra-terrestrial in your house like "ALF."
With these shows, you were introduced to the iconic characters of the time. How could you forget the cool Fonzie, jokester Al Bundy or adorable Kevin Arnold? What about the ditzy Rose Nylund or opinionated George Jefferson?
These characters made their '80s TV shows iconic, and we're looking for someone even more iconic, but you have to pass this quiz first! Were you the ultimate '80s TV fan? Can you pick out these popular shows from just one image? Most people can't, but prove that you can!
Touchstone Television, Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions, NBC
The name of the classic sitcom pictured here is:
The Cosby Show
Family Ties
The Golden Girls
The famous kitchen where much of the action takes place in "The Golden Girls" was actually a hand-me-down set from the show "It Takes Two." This set is missing one thing, however: a fourth kitchen chair. There were four women living in the house and this discrepancy has been recognized by observant viewers. This was simply due to the limitations of filming so no one would have their back to the camera.
Who's the Boss?
YouTube
Which action-adventure TV series is shown here?
Perfect Strangers
The Greatest American Hero
The A-Team
Only 26 of the 98 episodes of "The A-Team" were run in Germany due to the excessive violence. German broadcasters made the decision not to air all 98 episodes because many were simply too violent and controversial.
Dynasty
Youtube
What's the name of this Tony Danza sitcom?
The Wonder Years
Who's the Boss
Angela and Tony were originally supposed to get married at the end of the series. ABC executives, along with star Tony Danza, were against this proposed ending, so they ended up breaking up instead.
Hill Street Blues
Three's Company
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NBC
Can you name this '80s police drama?
Who's the Boss
MacGyver
Hill Street Blues
The iconic theme song to "Hill Street Blues" was written by Mike Post in two hours. The composer also wrote theme songs for "The Greatest American Hero," "Magnum, P.I.," "The A-Team," "NYPD Blue" and "Law & Order."
Three's Company
Youtube
Can you identify this sitcom set in San Francisco?
Full House
Despite the exterior of the Tanner house on a famous San Francisco street, "Full House" was actually filmed in Los Angeles. Only one episode, "Comet's Excellent Adventure" was taped in San Francisco. All the exterior and scenery shots of San Francisco were shot in a single day.
Happy Days
The Dukes of Hazzard
Family Matters
Youtube
What's the name of this classic '80s crime drama?
21 Jump Street
Roseanne
Newhart
Magnum P.I.
"Magnum P.I." was based in Oahu, Hawaii. In the eight years the show aired on CBS, there were 50 special guest stars. Throughout the eight years the show spanned, there were only two crossovers with other CBS crime dramas.
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NBC
Can you name this '80s comedy?
Magnum P.I
Night Court
The catchphrase "Ooooooo-kay" was always fit somewhere in each episode. Ratings lagged in the first couple of seasons of the show, then it became a top 10 show on NBC.
Hill Street Blues
Three's Company
YouTube
This TV show featuring the Connor family is called:
The Cosby Show
The Golden Girls
Full House
Roseanne
The Conners' home on "Roseanne" actually exists! The house was built in 1925 and has four bedrooms. Although the show was filmed on a studio lot, the exterior was shot in a real neighborhood.
YouTube
What is this popular teen sitcom set at Bayside High School?
Roseanne
Saved by the Bell
Star Mark-Paul Gosselaar, a natural brunette, had to dye his hair biweekly during filming to keep up his character's blond locks. Kelly must have liked blonds.
Family Matters
Happy Days
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Youtube
Can you identify this coming-of-age '80s show?
Hill Street Blues
Diff'rent Strokes
Charles in Charge
The Wonder Years
After only six episodes, "The Wonder Years" received its first Emmy in 1988 for "Outstanding Comedy Series." The next year, Fred Savage became the youngest actor to be nominated for the "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series" Emmy category. He was only 13!
ABC
Which sitcom featured this cast?
Head of the Class
My Two Dads
Three's Company
The theme song to “Three’s Company†was composed by Joe Raposo. Raposo also wrote the theme song for “Sesame Street†and “Electric Companyâ€!
Small Wonder
n/a
Can you name this long-running show?
MacGyver
Growing Pains
ALF
The Simpsons
All of the characters on "The Simpsons" have just four fingers on each hand. The only exception is God, who has five. The long-running cartoon aired its first episode in 1989.
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NBC
What is this '80s sitcom?
The Cosby Show
Diff'rent Strokes
Gary Wayne Coleman, who played Arnold Jackson in "Diff'rent Strokes," was described in the 1980s as "one of television's most promising stars." In addition to acting, he was a voice artist and comedian.
Roseanne
The Love Boat
NBC
Can you name this science-fiction series?
Dynasty
Murder, She Wrote
21 Jump Street
Quantum Leap
Jennifer Aniston appeared in an episode of "Quantum Leap" two years prior to the debut of "Friends." She played a volunteer at a hospital that aids Vietnam veterans.
YouTube
What's this sitcom starring Henry Winkler and Ron Howard?
Happy Days
When "Happy Days" creator Garry Marshall first developed the series, it was initially called "Cool." The original title did not go over very well when presented to focus groups, so he had to change the name.
Silver Spoons
The Facts of Life
Family Ties
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Universal Television
Can you name this '80s action series?
The Love Boat
21 Jump Street
The Greatest American Hero
Airwolf
"Airwolf" was not the first television series about a helicopter. The first was "The Whirlybirds," which featured Bell 47 helicopters. "Airwolf" took a more futuristic approach to the original idea.
CBS
What's the name of this '80s drama?
Cagney & Lacey
If you look closely, you can see the actor playing the corpse clearly blink his eyes in the last episode of "Cagney and Lacey." Um ... awkward.
Bosom Buddies
The Dukes of Hazzard
The Facts of Life
NBC
Can you name this show starring Neil Patrick Harris?
Dynasty
Newhart
Doogie Howser, M.D.
"Doogie Howser, M.D." premiered in 1989, and in the 1991-1992 season it had higher ratings than "Seinfeld," which aired at the same time each week. This only lasted a brief period before "Seinfeld" exploded into one of TV's greatest successes.
Kate & Allie
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Youtube
Do you remember which series this character was in?
WKRP in Cincinnati
During its four seasons on CBS, the time slot of "WKRP in Cincinnati" was changed 11 times. The show was canceled in June 1982 but reruns continued and it did very well in syndication.
Head of the Class
Small Wonder
Doogie Howser, M.D.
Warner Bros. Television
Which sitcom about the Winslow family is pictured here?
The Facts of Life
Family Ties
Family Matters
"Family Matters" was actually a spinoff "Perfect Strangers." Jesse Frederick was responsible for the theme songs for both shows, as well as the themes from "Step by Step" and "Full House."
Growing Pains
ABC
Can you identify the series from this picture?
Small Wonder
Quantum Leap
Moonlighting
"Moonlighting" was the most expensive series on prime-time television during its time. It is estimated at $1.6 million per installment.
Night Court
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YouTube
What is this show featuring a robot child?
Happy Days
Small Wonder
"Small Wonder" was a syndicated hit two years before "Star Trek: The Next Generation" premiered. Children and seniors alike were very fond of the show for the four seasons it aired.
Moonlighting
Cagney & Lacey
Youtube
What is this crime drama starring Angela Lansbury?
Hill Street Blues
Who's the Boss?
Growing Pains
Murder, She Wrote
The episode “Murder Among Friends†was a parody of the popular sitcom "Friends." In this episode, Jessica Fletcher solved a murder on the set of a fictitious sitcom called "Buds." Fletcher felt she could experiment with premises like this since she knew the show was phasing out.
NBC
Which show introduced us to this family?
Growing Pains
The Wonder Years
My Two Dads
"My Two Dads" tied for a People's Choice Award in 1988 with the show "A Different World."
Perfect Strangers
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Youtube
What is this show featuring the Keaton clan?
Happy Days
Silver Spoons
Full House
Family Ties
Marc Price, who played the lovably annoying Irwin “Skippy†Handelman in "Family Ties," has kept his comedic tendencies going since the show ended. Price tours the country with his stand-up routines.
CBS
Which '80s sitcom is shown in this screenshot?
Silver Spoons
In episode 22 of "Silver Spoons," in the scene between the three boys in Ricky's bedroom, you can see Rick Schroder mouthing the other actors' lines as they say them.
Mr. Belvedere
Murder, She Wrote
Newhart
Youtube.com
Can you name this futuristic series?
Magnum P.I.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Stephen Hawking is the only person in "Star Trek" history to play themselves.
Airwolf
The Greatest American Hero
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Youtube
Can you identify this iconic sitcom?
Friends
Seinfeld
The original concept for "Seinfeld" actually intended for a single 90-minute special titled "Stand Up" that was set to run for one night only on "Saturday Night Live." It wasn’t intended to be an ongoing series, but the writing was simply too good not to stick around.
SNL
Family Ties
NBC
Which TV show starring David Hasselhoff is shown here?
Murder, She Wrote
Knight Rider
Four to nine cars were typically ruined each season due to the extreme stunt work performed in "Knight Rider." Most of the cars required custom parts in order to be lightweight and powerful enough for the stunts.
The A-Team
Newhart
CBS
What is this long-running show called?
Silver Spoons
Charles in Charge
The Jeffersons
"The Jeffersons" reigns as the second longest-running American television series with a predominantly African-American cast. It first aired in 1975 and lasted 11 seasons.
Three's Company
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Columbia Pictures Television
Can you name this show that was one of the longest-running sitcoms of the '80s?
Designing Women
Mr. Belvedere
Happy Days
The Facts of Life
"The Facts of Life" was a spinoff show for Mrs. Garrett from the hit TV show "Diff’rent Strokes." The show has been off the air for 25 years but remains a favorite for many '80s TV fans.
HBO
What show did these colorful creatures star in?
Fraggle Rock
You can find the original series "Fraggle Rock" on DVD and streaming. A new cast of Doozers were introduced to the "Fraggle Rock" universe in the Hulu Kids series that launched in 2014.
Newhart
WKRP in Cincinnati
Head of the Class
NBC
Can you identify this sitcom about the Owens family?
The Fall Guy
Mr. Belvedere
Gum-chewing was not permitted on the set of "Mr. Belvedere" because star Christopher Hewett hated gum and declared this rule, which everyone followed.
Cheers
Miami Vice
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ABC
This comedy-drama series is called:
The Greatest American Hero
The classic symbol on the hero costume is either a needle or scissors. It also looks like the Chinese symbol which stands for "center," "middle," "in," "among" or "within." In Hong Kong, the show is called "Flying Red Center Hero."
Night Court
M.A.S.H.
Moonlighting
Youtube
What is the name of this '80s family sitcom?
ALF
Growing Pains
Family Ties
The Cosby Show
The oldest child in "The Cosby Show," Sondra, was not written into the original cast. Bill Cosby decided to add in Sondra's character to portray successful parenting as she was away at college. The role of Sondra was played by Whitney Houston when she was 21. Talk about a talented cast!
ABC
What is the name of this primetime soap opera?
The Greatest American Hero
21 Jump Street
The Dukes of Hazzard
Dynasty
Little Blake Colby, Jeff and Fallon's eldest son, suffers from meningitis in the first season of "Dynasty." He was later cured, which brought Jeff and Fallon back together again.
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20th Century Fox Television
What's the name of this 1980s police procedural?
The A-Team
Miami Vice
21 Jump Street
Johnny Depp, the undeniably hot young star of "21 Jump Street," earned $45,000 per episode! He took the role thinking it would not last very long. Little did he know the show would click with audiences immediately.
Night Rider
CBS
Can you name this groundbreaking sitcom?
Murphy Brown
The breast cancer plot in the final season of "Murphy Brown" had a positive impact on viewers; it encouraged more women to get mammograms. In fact, stats showed that the number of American women who got mammograms increased by 30 percent after the show aired.
ALF
The Cosby Show
The Fall Guy
You Got:
/38
ABC