The Iconic Sitcoms of the 70s
The 1970s was a defining decade for sitcoms, with many shows becoming cultural phenomena. Some of the most memorable sitcoms from this era include:
- All in the Family
- The Mary Tyler Moore Show
- MASH
- The Jeffersons
- Good Times
- Happy Days
- Three's Company
- The Brady Bunch
Each of these shows brought unique humor, memorable characters, and often poignant social commentary. Below, we explore trivia questions related to these iconic series.
All in the Family Trivia
All in the Family is often regarded as one of the greatest sitcoms of all time. It was groundbreaking in its approach to controversial topics, often using humor to address issues such as race, gender, and politics.
Trivia Questions
1. What is the name of the Bunker family’s next-door neighbor, who often clashed with Archie?
- A) George Jefferson
- B) Mike Stivic
- C) Lionel Jefferson
- D) Edith Bunker
2. What was Archie Bunker's favorite beer?
- A) Budweiser
- B) Heineken
- C) Miller Lite
- D) Pabst Blue Ribbon
3. What phrase did Archie frequently use to refer to people he didn’t like?
- A) Meathead
- B) Ya know
- C) Dingbat
- D) Dummy
Answers
1. B) Mike Stivic
2. D) Pabst Blue Ribbon
3. A) Meathead
The Mary Tyler Moore Show Trivia
Another landmark sitcom, The Mary Tyler Moore Show broke stereotypes by portraying a single woman working in a newsroom, making it a trailblazer for women in television.
Trivia Questions
1. What is the name of Mary’s boss at WJM-TV?
- A) Ted Baxter
- B) Lou Grant
- C) Murray Slaughter
- D) Phyllis Lindstrom
2. What is the famous catchphrase associated with Mary Tyler Moore?
- A) “You’ve got spunk!”
- B) “Oh, Mary!”
- C) “I’m going to make it after all!”
- D) “You’re a riot!”
3. Which character was known for his pompous news anchor persona?
- A) Lou Grant
- B) Ted Baxter
- C) Murray Slaughter
- D) Rhoda Morgenstern
Answers
1. B) Lou Grant
2. C) “I’m going to make it after all!”
3. B) Ted Baxter
MASH Trivia
MASH blended comedy and drama while following a team of doctors and nurses during the Korean War. The show was acclaimed for its writing and character development.
Trivia Questions
1. What is the name of the character played by Alan Alda?
- A) Frank Burns
- B) Hawkeye Pierce
- C) BJ Hunnicutt
- D) Maxwell Klinger
2. What was the name of the camp where the characters worked?
- A) Camp Happiness
- B) 4077th MASH
- C) Camp Swampy
- D) 4077th Army Base
3. Which character was known for wearing women's clothing?
- A) Hawkeye Pierce
- B) Trapper John
- C) Frank Burns
- D) Maxwell Klinger
Answers
1. B) Hawkeye Pierce
2. B) 4077th MASH
3. D) Maxwell Klinger
The Jeffersons Trivia
The Jeffersons was a groundbreaking show that followed George and Weezy Jefferson as they moved to a luxury high-rise apartment in Manhattan, showcasing African American success and culture.
Trivia Questions
1. What was George Jefferson’s profession?
- A) Lawyer
- B) Dry cleaner
- C) Doctor
- D) Businessman
2. What was the name of George Jefferson’s wife?
- A) Helen
- B) Louise
- C) Marla
- D) Edith
3. Which character frequently exclaimed, “Weezy!”?
- A) Lionel Jefferson
- B) George Jefferson
- C) Florence
- D) Tom Willis
Answers
1. B) Dry cleaner
2. B) Louise
3. B) George Jefferson
Good Times Trivia
Good Times depicted the lives of an African American family living in a Chicago housing project, touching on significant social issues while maintaining a comedic tone.
Trivia Questions
1. What is the name of the mother in the Evans family?
- A) Florida
- B) Thelma
- C) JJ
- D) Willona
2. What was JJ’s catchphrase?
- A) “Dy-no-mite!”
- B) “That’s right!”
- C) “Let’s move!”
- D) “What’s happening?”
3. Which character was known for her fashion sense and catchphrases?
- A) Florida
- B) Thelma
- C) Willona
- D) Penny
Answers
1. A) Florida
2. A) “Dy-no-mite!”
3. C) Willona
Happy Days Trivia
Happy Days captured the essence of the 1950s and early 60s, following the lives of the Cunningham family and their friends, including the iconic character Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli.
Trivia Questions
1. What is the name of Richie Cunningham's best friend?
- A) Potsie Weber
- B) Ralph Malph
- C) The Fonz
- D) Chuck Cunningham
2. What was The Fonz’s signature move?
- A) Snap
- B) Point
- C) Shake
- D) Wave
3. What is the name of Richie’s sister?
- A) Joanie
- B) Linda
- C) Penny
- D) Mary
Answers
1. A) Potsie Weber
2. A) Snap
3. A) Joanie
Three's Company Trivia
Three's Company was a sitcom that focused on the comedic misunderstandings of three roommates, including the famous “Will they, won’t they?” dynamic.
Trivia Questions
1. What was the name of the character played by John Ritter?
- A) Jack Tripper
- B) Larry Dallas
- C) Chrissy Snow
- D) Janet Wood
2. What was the premise that allowed Jack to live with two women?
- A) He was their cousin
- B) He pretended to be gay
- C) They were all friends
- D) They were in college together
3. Who were the two female roommates?
- A) Janet and Chrissy
- B) Mary and Joanie
- C) Rhoda and Phyllis
- D) Florida and Thelma
Answers
1. A) Jack Tripper
2. B) He pretended to be gay
3. A) Janet and Chrissy
Conclusion
The 70s sitcom trivia questions and answers provided in this article serve not only as a fun way to test your knowledge but also as a reminder of the cultural impact these shows had on society. From addressing social issues to creating unforgettable characters, sitcoms from the 1970s remain a cherished part of television history. Whether you’re hosting a trivia night or simply looking to connect with fellow fans, these questions and answers are sure to spark laughter and nostalgia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the name of the family on 'The Brady Bunch'?
The Brady family.
Which sitcom featured a character named Archie Bunker?
All in the Family.
In 'Happy Days', what was the name of the leather-jacketed character played by Henry Winkler?
Fonzie.
What was the setting for the sitcom 'MASH'?
A mobile army surgical hospital during the Korean War.
Which '70s sitcom featured a theme song about a man named 'George'?
The Jeffersons.
What was the name of the bar in 'Cheers', which began airing in the '80s but had its roots in '70s sitcoms?
Cheers.
Which character in 'Three's Company' was known for misunderstanding situations?
Jack Tripper.
What was the name of the character played by Sally Field in 'The Flying Nun'?
Sister Bertrille.
In 'Good Times', what was the name of the family that struggled to make ends meet in a Chicago housing project?
The Evans family.
