Best TV Trivia Questions

Six rounds on television itself: sitcoms, dramas, game shows, children's TV, science fiction and how the medium works.

See all 72 with answers
In a sitcom of 2007 to 2019, the roommates Leonard and Sheldon work in which science?

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with any school, exam board, quiz show, broadcaster, studio or awards body. Bank checked October 16, 2026.

All 72 questions with answers

Sitcoms 12

  • The American version of a BBC mockumentary sitcom is set at the branch office of a paper company in which Pennsylvania city? Answer: Scranton. Source: Wikipedia: The Office (American TV series)
  • In a sitcom of 2007 to 2019, the roommates Leonard and Sheldon work in which science? Answer: Physics. Source: Wikipedia: The Big Bang Theory
  • In which sitcom of 1964 to 1967 are seven castaways shipwrecked on an island? Answer: Gilligan's Island. Source: Wikipedia: Gilligan's Island
  • In which sitcom, on CBS from 1962 to 1971, does a poor family from the Ozark Mountains move to California after striking oil? Answer: The Beverly Hillbillies. Source: Wikipedia: The Beverly Hillbillies
  • Jackie Gleason played Ralph Kramden in a sitcom that first aired from 1955 to 1956. What is Kramden's job? Answer: Bus driver. Source: Wikipedia: The Honeymooners
  • Mary Richards, the lead of a sitcom that aired on CBS from 1970 to 1977, works at a local television station in which city? Answer: Minneapolis. Source: Wikipedia: The Mary Tyler Moore Show
  • Which British sitcom, written by John Cleese and Connie Booth, is set in a hotel in the seaside town of Torquay? Answer: Fawlty Towers. Source: Wikipedia: Fawlty Towers
  • Which sitcom of 1969 to 1974 is about a blended family with three boys and three girls? Answer: The Brady Bunch. Source: Wikipedia: The Brady Bunch
  • Which sitcom of 1993 to 2004 follows a psychiatrist who returns to his hometown, Seattle, as a radio show host? Answer: Frasier. Source: Wikipedia: Frasier
  • Which sitcom, on CBS from 1960 to 1968, is set in the fictional community of Mayberry, North Carolina? Answer: The Andy Griffith Show. Source: Wikipedia: The Andy Griffith Show
  • Which sitcom, on NBC from 1982 to 1993, is set in a bar in Boston? Answer: Cheers. Source: Wikipedia: Cheers
  • Which sitcom, set in Miami, centers on four older women who share a home? Answer: The Golden Girls. Source: Wikipedia: The Golden Girls

Dramas, Westerns and soaps 12

  • In a crime drama that aired on ABC from 1963 to 1967, a wrongly convicted doctor searches the country for the real culprit. How is that man described? Answer: A one-armed man. Source: Wikipedia: The Fugitive (1963 TV series)
  • Jessica Fletcher, a mystery writer and amateur detective in a CBS series of 1984 to 1996, solves cases in which fictional town in Maine? Answer: Cabot Cove. Source: Wikipedia: Murder, She Wrote
  • Raymond Burr played which Los Angeles defense lawyer in a CBS series of 1957 to 1966? Answer: Perry Mason. Source: Wikipedia: Perry Mason (1957 TV series)
  • The Western series that ran on NBC from 1959 to 1973 centers on which family, who live near Virginia City, Nevada? Answer: The Cartwrights. Source: Wikipedia: Bonanza
  • Which American soap opera began on radio on January 19, 1937, and aired on television from 1952 to 2009? Answer: Guiding Light. Source: Wikipedia: Guiding Light
  • Which British soap opera, first shown on ITV on 9 December 1960, is set on a cobbled street in the fictional town of Weatherfield? Answer: Coronation Street. Source: Wikipedia: Coronation Street
  • Which drama series of 1972 to 1981 follows a family in the mountains of Virginia during the Great Depression and World War II? Answer: The Waltons. Source: Wikipedia: The Waltons
  • Which medical drama created by Michael Crichton is set in the emergency room of a Chicago hospital? Answer: ER. Source: Wikipedia: ER (TV series)
  • Which miniseries, based on a novel by Alex Haley, first aired on ABC in January 1977 over eight consecutive nights? Answer: Roots. Source: Wikipedia: Roots (1977 miniseries)
  • Which police series, new on NBC in January 1981, won eight Emmy Awards that year? Answer: Hill Street Blues. Source: Wikipedia: Hill Street Blues
  • Which television detective, played by Peter Falk, wears a rumpled beige raincoat? Answer: Columbo. Source: Wikipedia: Columbo
  • Which Western series, set in Dodge City, Kansas, ran on television for 20 seasons from 1955 to 1975? Answer: Gunsmoke. Source: Wikipedia: Gunsmoke

Game shows, talk and variety 12

  • A hidden-camera series created by Allen Funt started in 1947 in which medium, before it reached television in 1948? Answer: Radio. Source: Wikipedia: Candid Camera
  • A quiz show in which one contestant at a time answers multiple-choice questions for a top prize of a million debuted on 4 September 1998 in which country? Answer: Britain. Source: Wikipedia: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
  • The American reality series that premiered on CBS on May 31, 2000 is derived from a television series of which country? Answer: Sweden. Source: Wikipedia: Survivor (American TV series)
  • On a CBS panel game show that first aired from 1950 through 1967, celebrity panelists questioned contestants to work out what? Answer: Their occupation. Source: Wikipedia: What's My Line?
  • On which game show, which premiered on CBS on September 4, 1972, do contestants work out the prices of products? Answer: The Price Is Right. Source: Wikipedia: The Price Is Right
  • Which daytime talk show ran in syndication for twenty-five seasons, from September 8, 1986, to May 25, 2011? Answer: The Oprah Winfrey Show. Source: Wikipedia: The Oprah Winfrey Show
  • Which NBC morning show, which debuted on January 14, 1952, was the first of its genre on American television? Answer: Today. Source: Wikipedia: Today (American TV program)
  • Which news magazine, created by Don Hewitt and Bill Leonard, debuted on CBS in 1968? Answer: 60 Minutes. Source: Wikipedia: 60 Minutes
  • Which singing competition, which began on Fox on June 11, 2002, grew out of a format from British television? Answer: American Idol. Source: Wikipedia: American Idol
  • Which variety show, hosted by a New York entertainment columnist, ran on CBS from June 20, 1948, to March 28, 1971? Answer: The Ed Sullivan Show. Source: Wikipedia: The Ed Sullivan Show
  • Who hosted NBC's late-night talk show from 1962 to 1992? Answer: Johnny Carson. Source: Wikipedia: The Tonight Show
  • Who hosted, for nearly 30 years, the game show of 1963 on which traders from the studio audience make deals? Answer: Monty Hall. Source: Wikipedia: Let's Make a Deal

Children's television 12

  • A dog named Lassie is the star of a series that was televised from 1954 to 1973. What breed is she? Answer: Rough Collie. Source: Wikipedia: Lassie (1954 TV series)
  • A PBS series that aired from 1971 to 1977 used sketch comedy to help elementary school children with which skills? Answer: Grammar and reading. Source: Wikipedia: The Electric Company
  • A science education program that aired from 1993 to 1999 was produced by a public television station in which city? Answer: Seattle. Source: Wikipedia: Bill Nye the Science Guy
  • Barney, the purple star of a PBS series that first aired on April 6, 1992, is what kind of dinosaur? Answer: Tyrannosaurus rex. Source: Wikipedia: Barney & Friends
  • The four characters of a BBC series for young children are named after what on their bellies? Answer: Television screens. Source: Wikipedia: Teletubbies
  • In a Nickelodeon series that premiered on September 8, 1996, what kind of animal is Blue? Answer: A dog. Source: Wikipedia: Blue's Clues
  • Which character leads the Muppets as host of their variety show, which premiered in the UK on 5 September 1976? Answer: Kermit the Frog. Source: Wikipedia: The Muppet Show
  • Which children's program, broadcast on NBC from December 27, 1947, until September 24, 1960, pioneered color production in 1956? Answer: Howdy Doody. Source: Wikipedia: Howdy Doody
  • Which children's series aired on weekday mornings on CBS for 29 years, from 1955 to 1984? Answer: Captain Kangaroo. Source: Wikipedia: Captain Kangaroo
  • Which PBS series, first aired on July 11, 1983, builds each episode on a featured children's book? Answer: Reading Rainbow. Source: Wikipedia: Reading Rainbow
  • Which variety show with a cast of young performers, created by Walt Disney, was first televised by ABC from 1955 to 1959? Answer: The Mickey Mouse Club. Source: Wikipedia: The Mickey Mouse Club
  • Who created and hosted a children's series that made its American national debut on February 19, 1968, and ran until 2001? Answer: Fred Rogers. Source: Wikipedia: Mister Rogers' Neighborhood

Science fiction and fantasy 12

  • A CBS series of 1965 to 1968 about the Robinsons, a family of space colonists, was inspired by which novel of 1812? Answer: The Swiss Family Robinson. Source: Wikipedia: Lost in Space
  • The British series that Gerry and Sylvia Anderson filmed between 1964 and 1966 used a form of electronic marionette puppetry with which name? Answer: Supermarionation. Source: Wikipedia: Thunderbirds (TV series)
  • In a Fox series whose first run lasted from 1993 to 2002, the special agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully work for which agency? Answer: The FBI. Source: Wikipedia: The X-Files
  • In an ABC fantasy sitcom of 1964 to 1972, Samantha Stephens marries an ordinary mortal man. What is she? Answer: A witch. Source: Wikipedia: Bewitched
  • In an ABC series of 1973 to 1978, a U.S. Air Force colonel is rebuilt after a test flight crash with what, which give him superhuman strength, speed and vision? Answer: Bionic implants. Source: Wikipedia: The Six Million Dollar Man
  • In an NBC series of 1982 to 1986, the crime fighter Michael Knight is assisted by KITT. What is KITT? Answer: An intelligent car. Source: Wikipedia: Knight Rider (1982 TV series)
  • In an NBC sitcom of 1965 to 1970, Barbara Eden plays a 2,000-year-old genie. What is the job of the man she marries? Answer: Astronaut. Source: Wikipedia: I Dream of Jeannie
  • In the BBC science fiction series first broadcast in 1963, the Doctor belongs to a species known as what? Answer: Time Lords. Source: Wikipedia: Doctor Who
  • Robin Williams starred in an ABC sitcom of 1978 to 1982 as an extraterrestrial from which planet? Answer: Ork. Source: Wikipedia: Mork & Mindy
  • The third series of a science fiction franchise about starships aired in syndication from 1987 to 1994. In which century is it set? Answer: The 24th. Source: Wikipedia: Star Trek: The Next Generation
  • Which anthology series, created and presented by Rod Serling, ran for five seasons on CBS from 1959 to 1964? Answer: The Twilight Zone. Source: Wikipedia: The Twilight Zone
  • Who played Batman in the ABC series that aired from January 12, 1966, to March 14, 1968? Answer: Adam West. Source: Wikipedia: Batman (TV series)

Firsts, awards and TV words 12

  • Before videotape arrived in 1956, a kinescope was the only practical way to preserve a live television broadcast. How was a kinescope made? Answer: By filming a video monitor. Source: Wikipedia: Kinescope
  • The Emmy Award takes its name from immy, an informal term for which piece of early television equipment? Answer: A camera tube. Source: Wikipedia: Emmy Awards
  • The Emmy statuette shows a winged woman holding what? Answer: An atom. Source: Wikipedia: Emmy Awards
  • In episodic television, what is a bottle episode? Answer: A cheap episode on existing sets. Source: Wikipedia: Bottle episode
  • In television, what is a cold open? Answer: A scene before the titles. Source: Wikipedia: Cold open
  • On September 7, 1927, Philo Farnsworth's image dissector transmitted its first image to a receiver in another room. What was the image? Answer: A straight line. Source: Wikipedia: Philo Farnsworth
  • Telethon is a blend of the word television and which other word? Answer: Marathon. Source: Wikipedia: Telethon
  • What is a clip show? Answer: An episode made of excerpts. Source: Wikipedia: Clip show
  • What is a television pilot? Answer: An episode made to sell a show. Source: Wikipedia: Television pilot
  • Which American sound engineer pioneered the use of canned laughter to sweeten a comedy's laugh track? Answer: Charles Douglass. Source: Wikipedia: Laugh track
  • Which channel, founded on June 1, 1980, was the first television channel to provide 24-hour news coverage? Answer: CNN. Source: Wikipedia: CNN
  • Which pay television service launched on November 8, 1972? Answer: HBO. Source: Wikipedia: HBO

How it works

Which detective wears a rumpled raincoat, and which planet does Mork come from? These TV trivia questions come twelve to a round, with the reason for every answer.

Read the full guide

Easy TV show trivia questions, round by round

Sitcoms has a bar in Boston, seven castaways and four women in Miami. Dramas, Westerns and soaps has Dodge City, a one-armed man and a cobbled street in Weatherfield. Children's television is the gentlest round, with six easy questions of twelve: what kind of animal is Blue, and what kind of dinosaur is Barney?

A TV show quiz for a party trivia game

Let each team host the round it knows. Game shows, talk and variety goes back to the 1940s. Science fiction and fantasy has a genie, a witch and an intelligent car. Close with Firsts, awards and TV words: what the Emmy statuette holds, and what a cold open is.

  • Read the question, let the teams shout a guess, and only then read the four choices: many answers are a program's title.

Questions and answers

What are some fun TV trivia questions and answers?

Which sitcom is set in a bar in Boston? What kind of animal is Blue? What does the Emmy statuette hold? The answers are Cheers, a dog and an atom.

Are these TV trivia questions and answers printable?

Yes. All 72 stand with their answers in a list under the quiz. For a sheet without answers, play a set and press Print; the With answer key box adds the key for the host.

Which are the easy television trivia questions and answers?

Twenty-five of the 72 are easy, such as Lassie's breed and the science Leonard and Sheldon work in. The hardest ask for a puppet technique of the 1960s and for the sound engineer behind canned laughter.

How were the answers checked?

Each was read on October 16, 2026 in the English Wikipedia article linked beside it, most often the program's own article. No line of dialogue is quoted, and no question waits on a season still to come.