Image: Wiki Commons By ABC Television
About This Quiz
What occupations make for great comedy? What professions make for heartfelt dramas? Some livelihoods are inherently exciting, like surgeons, wardens, firemen, detectives, and police officers. And the stories around those characters are equally adrenaline pumping. Fish-out-of-water comedies, like "Mork & Mindy," or putting together complete opposites like "The Odd Couple," got their laughs from how aggravating the characters were, as well as how they shared some of the same personality traits.
The occupations of TV characters of the 1970s also reflected the reality of the times when gender roles were being redefined for future generations. The Mary Tyler Moore Show was the first prime time TV show whose central character was an unmarried, independent woman without children, "making it on her own." In the 1970s, women filled over a quarter of the workforce and were generally employed at new, lower- paying jobs in offices and the service industry.Â
You may see patterns to the jobs your favorite characters held among the different TV shows, or you may just recall how funny or emotionally moving the jobs were that made these shows your favorites. Take a walk down memory lane and see if you recall the professions of these 1970s TV characters. Challenge yourself now!
NBC
What did "Ponch" do for a living?
Restaurant Host
Encyclopedia Salesman
Motorcycle Cop
Erik Estrada played Frank “Ponch†Poncherello on the police drama, "CHiPs." The show followed the lives of Baker and Ponch, two motorcycle cops from the California Highway Patrol.
Advertising Executive
ââ¬Å½Screen Gems
What did Darren Stevens do for his livelihood?
Car Salesman
Advertising Executive
Darren Stevens was an advertising executive on "Bewitched." This sitcom aired for eight seasons and was about a witch named Samantha, who married a mortal. She tried and failed to lead the life of a typical suburban housewife.
Telemarketer
Janitor
Tandem Productions
What did Archie Bunker do for a living?
Loading Dock Foreman
Archie Bunker was a foreman on a loading dock. "All in the Family" was a successful and timely sitcom that aired on CBS from 1971 to 1979.
Post Office Worker
Janitor
Waiter
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Talent Associates
What did Maxwell Smart do for a living?
Farmer
Lawyer
Baker
Secret Agent
Don Adams starred as Maxwell Smart (Agent 86) in the comedy, "Get Smart." This Mel Brooks comedy series satirized the secret agent genre.
NBC
What did Ben Cartwright do for a living on "Bonanza"?
Bartender
Ranch owner
Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright was the owner of The Ponderosa ranch. Bonanza was a western TV series that aired on NBC from 1959 to 1973 and continues to air in syndication.
Owner of the general store
Banker
Lorimar Productions
What profession does J. R. Ewing have?
Lawyer
Bartender
Waiter
Oil Baron
Larry Hagman starred as greedy, scheming oil baron J. R. Ewing in "Dallas." This drama took place in Texas where the family was in the oil and cattle-ranching industries.
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Spelling-Goldberg Productions
What was this angel's profession?
Waitress
School teacher
Nurse
Private Investigator
"Charlie's Angels" was a crime-drama series about three women who worked for a private investigation firm. Farrah Fawcett played Jill Munroe, one the "angels," along with Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith.
CBS Productions
What occupation did Matt Dillion of "Gunsmoke" have?
Saloon Owner
Marshal
"Gunsmoke" was a western drama series starring James Arness as the marshall in the area around Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. This show was the longest-running prime time action drama.
Farmer
Banker
CBS Television Network
On "Hawaii Five-O," what did Steve McGarrett do?
Informer
Bartender
Hotel Owner
Detective
"Hawaii Five-O" was a police drama series set in Hawaii. Detective Steve McGarrett, portrayed by Jack Lord, ran a state police unit. The catchphrase, "Book 'em, Dano" came from this show.
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ABC
What did Howard Cunningham do for a living?
Bartender
Insurance Salesman
Hardware Store Owner
Set in 1950s and 1960s Milwaukee, this series told the story of the Cunningham family, including its patriarch, Howard Cunningham, who owned a hardware store. "Happy Days" series introduced us to Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli (Henry Winkler), the local bad boy.
Realtor
Filmways
What did Oliver Wendell Douglas do once he went to Green Acres?
Farmer
"Green Acres" was a sitcom starring Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor about a couple that moved from New York City to a country farm. Eddie Albert played Oliver Wendell Douglas who simply wanted to get away from it all and farm.
Bartender
Store owner
Insurance Salesman
T.A.T. Communications Company
What did George Jefferson do for an occupation?
Landlord
Dry Cleaning Franchise Owner
Sherman Hensley portrayed George Jefferson in the longest-running sitcom with a predominantly African-American cast in the history of American television. George owned a chain of dry cleaning stores.
Attorney
Doctor
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American Broadcasting Company
What occupation did Laverne De Fazio have on "Laverne and Shirley"?
Bank Teller
Nurse
Teacher
Brewery Bottle Capper
Laverne and Shirley were two friends and roommates who worked as bottle-cappers in the fictitious Shotz Brewery in late 1950s Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This sitcom starred Penny Marshall as Laverne De Fazio and Cindy Williams as Shirley Feeney.
Mark VII Limited.
What's the occupation of this guy in Adam-12"?
Detective
Police Officer
Their unit called Adam-12 was the identity of Pete Malloy and Jim Reed as they policed the streets of Los Angeles in this popular crime drama.
Security Guard
Advertising Executive
CBS
What was Ralph Kramden's job on "The Honeymooners"?
Taxi Driver
Janitor
Bus Driver
"The Honeymooners" was a sitcom that starred Jackie Gleason as Ralph Kramden. The show focused on Ralph's trials and frustrations while trying to better his life and family.
Bartender
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NBC
What occupation did Tony Nelson have in "I Dream of Jeannie"?
Doctor
Lawyer
Astronaut
"I Dream of Jeannie" was a sitcom starring Barbara Eden as a 2,000-year-old genie and Larry Hagman as Astronaut Tony Nelson. Tony became her master, fell in love with her, and eventually married her.
Advertising Executive
American Broadcasting Company
What was Julie McCoy's job on "The Love Boat"?
Yeoman Purser
Cruise Director
Lauren Tewes portrayed Julie McCoy, the Cruise Director of "The Love Boat." Three made-for-TV movies were made before the series premiered in 1977.
Doctor
Bartender
MTM Enterprises
What occupation did Mary Richards have?
Newsroom Associate Producer
Mary Richards, portrayed by Mary Tyler Moore, was the Associate Producer of the WJM-TV television station newsroom. The program was a television breakthrough, with the first never-married, independent career woman as the central character.
Bartender
Psychiatrist
Advertising Executive
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American Broadcasting Company
What occupation did Issac Washington have on "The Love Boat"?
Captain
Bartender
Ted Lange portrayed Issac Washington, a bartender on "The Love Boat." The show also starred Gavin MacLeod as the ship's captain.
Steward
Cruise ship guest
Paramount Television
What was Louie's job on "Taxi"?
Patrolman
Detective
Taxi Dispatcher
"Taxi" was a sitcom that chronicled the everyday lives of a handful of New York City taxi drivers and their abusive dispatcher, Louie De Palma, played by Danny DeVito. "Taxi" won ​18 Emmy Awards, including three for "Outstanding Comedy Series."
Bartender
CBS
What occupation did Paul Martin have on "Lassie"?
Lawyer
Teacher
Store Keeper
Farmer
"Lassie" was a drama series that followed the adventures of a female Rough Collie named Lassie and her companion, Timmy Martin. Timmy was a foster child on the Miller farm which was owned by Paul Martin.
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MTM Enterprises
How did Dr. Johnny Fever bring home the big bucks?
Architect
DJ
"WKRP in Cincinnati" starred Howard Hesseman as Doctor Johnny Fever, a DJ on the radio station. The ensemble cast included Gary Sandy, Gordon Jump, Loni Anderson, Tim Reid, Jan Smithers, Richard Sanders, and Frank Bonner.
Copywriter
Doctor
DLT Entertainment
How did Jack Tripper bring home the bacon?
Butcher
Teacher
Insurance Salesman
Chef
After completion of his schooling, Jack Tripper, played by John Ritter, found full-time work as a chef working for a popular restaurateur named Frank Angelino.
The Komack Company
How did Mr. Kotter earn his keep?
Librarian
Teacher
"Welcome Back, Kotter" starred Gabe Kaplan as Mr. Kotter, who returned to his Alma Mater to teach a group of remedial students. A young John Travolta was the head of Kotter's high school misfits, the Sweathogs.
Architect
Car Salesman
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Tandem Productions
How did Fred G. Sanford earn a living?
Hardware Store Owner
Bartender
Junk Dealer
"Sanford and Son" was a sitcom that starred Redd Foxx as Fred Sanford, a 65-year-old widower and junk dealer living in the Watts neighborhood of South Central Los Angeles.
Taxi Driver
Leonard Freeman Production
How did Dano earn his livelihood in Hawaii?
Accountant
Gardener
Detective
James Gordon MacArthur portrayed Detective Danny "Dano" Williams, the second-in-command of the fictional Hawaiian State Police squad in the TV show, "Hawaii Five-O." The theme music, composed by Morton Stevens, became especially popular.
Landlord
Tandem Productions
What was Walter's occupation in the TV show, "Maude"?
Car Salesman
Appliance Store Owner
Walter, married to Maude, was the owner of Findlay's Friendly Appliances. He was played by Bill Macy. Bea Arthur went on to star in "Golden Girls."
Banker
Doctor
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20th Century Fox Television
What occupation did Maxwell Klinger have in the TV show, "M*A*S*H"?
Priest
Corporal
Jammie Farr portrayed Maxwell Klinger as a cross-dressing corporal from Toledo, Ohio, bucking for a Section 8 discharge. "M*A*S*H" followed a team of doctors and staff stationed in the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in Uijeongbu, South Korea, during the Korean War.
Medical Officer
Radio Technician
MTM Enterprises
What job does Bob Hartley have in "The Bob Newhart Show"?
Restaurant Manager
Owner of a B&B
Psychologist
Bob Newhart as Robert Hartley portrayed a psychologist having to deal with his patients and fellow office workers. The show was filmed before a live audience.
Artist
American Broadcasting Company
How did Marcus Welby make a living?
Lawyer
Coach
Doctor
"Marcus Welby, M.D." was a medical drama series that starred Robert Young as family practitioner Marcus Welby. He treated his patients with respect and kindness.
Baker
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CBS
How does Kate Bradley bring home the bacon in "Petticoat Junction"?
Farmer
Runs a hotel
"Petticoat Junction" was a sitcom about a widow, Kate Bradley, and her three daughters - Bobbie Jo, Billie Jo, and Bettie Jo - who run the Shady Rest Hotel on the outskirts of a small rural town. Bea Benaderet portrayed Kate Bradley.
School Teacher
Bank Teller
ââ¬Å½Alfran Productions
What job was assigned Schultz in "Hogan's Heroes"?
Sergeant-of-the-Guard
"Hogan's Heroes" was a sitcom set at a German prisoner-of-war camp during the World War II. The program featured John Banner as the inept sergeant-of-the-guard, Schultz.
Colonel
Prisoner
Dish Washer
ââ¬Å½Lorimar Productions
How did John Walton Sr. support his family on "The Waltons"?
Saw Mill Owner
Family patriarch John Walton, portrayed by Ralph Waite, was a hard-working family man who ran a small sawmill on Walton's Mountain. The show centered on his family during the Great Depression and World War II.
Ranch Owner
Logger
Teacher
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MTM Enterprises
How did Sue Ann Nivens earn a living?
Host of a WJM-TV s​egment
Betty White played Sue Ann Nivens, who had a segment on the news program called "The Happy Homemaker." She was "very close" to WJM's children's television show host Chuckles the Clown, having baked the first custard pie in which he ever sat.
Cheerleader Instructor
Librarian
Stand-Up Comic
Desilu Productions
What's was Barney Collier's job in "Mission: Impossible"?
Advertising Executive
Electronics Expert
Greg Morris was best known for portraying electronics expert Barney Collier on "Mission: Impossible." The show chronicled the adventures of the Impossible Missions Force (IMF).
Creative Director
Police Officer
American Broadcasting Company
What was Mindy's occupation in "Mork & Mindy"?
Music Store staff member
"Mork & Mindy" was a science fiction sitcom that starred Robin Williams as an alien who came to Earth from the planet Ork, and Pam Dawber as Mindy McConnell. Mindy worked at her father's music store.
Grocery Store Clerk
Librarian
Nurse
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Desilu Productions
What job did Vince Carter have in the TV show, "Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C."?
Lieutenant
Gunnery Sergeant
Frank Sutton portrayed the role of Gunnery Sergeant Vince Carter on the TV series, "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." The series featured Gomer Pyle's (Jim Nabors) trials and tribulations in the military.
Corporal
Private
Paramount Television
What was Felix Unger's job in the TV show, "The Odd Couple"?
Decorator
Architect
Sports Announcer
Photographer
Tony Randall portrayed Felix Unger, a fastidious photographer, who shared a Manhattan apartment with Oscar Madison, a sloppy, lazy sports reporter. Their different lifestyles led to conflicts and laughs.
CBS
What job did Steven Douglas have on "My Three Sons"?
Attorney
Investment Banker
Insurance Salesman
Aeronautical Engineer
"My Three Sons" starred Fred MacMurray as Steven Douglas who worked as an aeronautical engineer. He was a widower who was raising his three sons.
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Wiki Commons By ABC Television