Can You Identify These '70s and '80s TV Shows?

By: Jacqueline Samaroo
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Can You Identify These '70s and '80s TV Shows?
Image: MTM Enterprises

About This Quiz

In the 70s and 80s there were several widely successful shows including “House on the Prairie” and “The Waltons” as well as "Alf" and “Mork and Mindy." Certain TV shows had an outsider perspective so as to be able to question the mores of the time. Meanwhile, shows also reflected more of the diversity of the times, from divorced women (“One Day at a Time”) Hispanic policemen (“CHiPs) and Asian characters (Kung Fu). Plus, there were also TV shows with African Americans leads such as “Sanford and Sons,” “The Jeffersons”, and “Good Times.” 

Of course, you can’t forget the classics during the 70s and 80s like the “Mary Tyler Moore Show” or the “Bob Newhart Show” that ran for years. Then there was "M*A*S*H" with the theme song, "Suicide Is Painless." The song was co-written by then 14-year-old Mike, son of the movie’s director, Robert Altman. There are so many more wonderful shows and interesting tidbits to learn along the way.


Do you recall this era of TV? What were your favorite shows? See if you can identify them with just one image as your clue by taking this quiz! 

Mary Tyler Moore
MTM
This character is from the show ______________.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
One Day at a Time
Quincy, M.E.
The Jeffersons
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

MTM Enterprises (co-owned by Moore) was the production company behind "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." Since the initials were similar to MGM, they used a kitten in their logo to mimic the MGM lion.

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The Jeffersons
CBS
What show is this character from?
Fantasy Island
The Jeffersons
The Six Million Dollar Man
Knight Rider
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Jeffersons" was a spin-off of the hit sitcom, "All in the Family." It lasted for 11 seasons and has become one of the longest-running sitcoms of all time. "All in the Family" also had a long run with a total of nine seasons.

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Differ'nt Strokes
NBC/ABC
The name of this 70s or 80s show is ________________.
Barnaby Jones
The Waltons
Fantasy Island
Diff'rent Strokes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After eight seasons, the final episode of "Diff'rent Strokes" aired in May 1985. Gary Coleman and Conrad Bain, who portrayed Arnold Jackson and Phillip Drummond respectively, both later appeared on the series finale of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" in 1996.

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Sanford and Son
NBC
These guys were seen acting in the series _____________.
Sanford and Son
Good Times
Little House on the Prairie
Family Ties
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Sanford and Son" premiered in January 1972 and ran for a total of six seasons. The series starred Redd Foxx as junk dealer Fred Sanford and Demond Wilson as his son, Lamont.

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Good Times
CBS
This screenshot was taken from the series ________________.
The Partridge Family
Cagney & Lacey
The A-Team
Good Times
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This popular sitcom is a spin-off of "Maude" (which starred the Golden Girls’ Beatrice Arthur). "Maude" was also a spin-off of the hit comedy, "All in the Family" which starred Carroll O'Connor as Archie Bunker.

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Alf looking at cellphone
n/a
This character is best remembered for starring in the classic, ____________.
Sanford and Son
ALF
Magnum P.I.
Knots Landing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Within the TV series, Gordon Shumway (aka ALF), is a Melmacian from the planet Melmac. Whenever we see a head-to-toe shot of ALF, it is Mihaly "Michu" Meszaros in the costume. Michu measured 2 feet, 8 and three-quarter inches as an adult.

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Twiki from Buck Rogers
YouTube
What television show is seen here?
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
Laverne & Shirley
Buck Rogers
Charlie's Angels
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" ran for just two seasons, between 1979 and 1981, with a total of 37 episodes. In 2003, Warner Bros. Animation released the animated TV series "Duck Dodgers in the 24½th Century," starring Daffy Duck.

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Six Million Dollar Man
Youtube
What show was this image taken from?
Quincy, M.E.
One Day at a Time
The Ropers
The Six Million Dollar Man
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Six Million Dollar Man" starred Lee Majors as Colonel Steve Austin – an astronaut given bionic powers after a near-death crash. The five-season series had a spin-off called "The Bionic Woman," which starred Lindsay Wagner and ran for three seasons.

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mork and mindy
ABC
The only show that these characters could be from is ______________.
Welcome Back, Kotter
The Waltons
The Rockford Files
Mork & Mindy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Mork & Mindy" was a spin-off of the hugely popular sitcom, "Happy Days." Mork, played by Robin Williams, was meant to be featured in just one "Happy Days" episode titled "My Favorite Orkan." He was such a big hit, however, that Mork ended up with his own show.

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Maude 1972
CBS
What is the name of the show which corresponds to this image?
Maude
Three's Company
Knight Rider
Cagney & Lacey
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Maude" premiered in September 1972 as a spin-off of "All in the Family." In several episodes, the only two characters featured are Maude and her husband, Walter, played by Beatrice Arthur and Bill Macy, respectively.

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The Bob Newhart Show
Youtube
This image could only have been taken from the series _______________.
The Bob Newhart Show
The Muppet Show
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Knots Landing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For six seasons and a total of 142 episode, Bob Newhart portrayed Robert Hartley, a Chicago psychologist. Newhart was already a well-known comedian before the show. He had a best-selling album of his monologue, "The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart."

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The Love Boat Quiz
ABC
Which of the following 70s and 80s shows were these people seen in?
The Love Boat
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
Moonlighting
Alice
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Love Boat" lasted for nine seasons with a total of 250 episodes. One of its stars, Ted Lange, who portrayed Isaac, went on to become a prolific playwright and director. Among his credits is the role of director for several episodes of '90s shows "Dharma and Greg," and "Moesha."

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Benson DuBois
Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions
What 70s or 80s classic is seen here?
Benson
The Fall Guy
Hill Street Blues
WKRP in Cincinnati
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Benson," a spin-off of "Soap," aired from September 1979 to April 1986. It starred Robert Guillaume in the title role. Guillaume is also known to fans as the voice of Rafiki, the mandrill, in "The Lion King."

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Shirley Feeney - Lavern & Shirley
YouTube
These characters appeared on the show _____________.
Charlie's Angels
The Muppet Show
Laverne & Shirley
MASH
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This sitcom about two single, working class best friends who also happen to be roommates premiered in January ​1976. For its first four seasons, the show aired on Tuesday evenings at 8:30 to 9:00 and remained in the top three in the ratings. In its fifth season, however, it failed to make the top 30.

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Happy Days
ABC
Which 70s or 80s TV show corresponds with this image?
Happy Days
Benson
The Fall Guy
Diff'rent Strokes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although this sitcom ran from January 1974 to September 1984, it was actually set in the 1950s and 60s. It has been one of the most popular and successful TV shows having been syndicated by a large number of networks.

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Facts of life
YouTube
Which of the following 70s and 80s shows is this screenshot from?
The Facts of Life
Eight is Enough
Laverne & Shirley
Mork & Mindy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"This Diff'rent Strokes" spin-off began in 1979, less than a year after "Diff'rent Strokes" had its own premiere. "The Facts of Life" managed to outlast "Diff'rent Strokes," running for nine seasons, compared to eight for "Diff'rent Strokes."

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Fat Albert
CBS
What animated show is seen here?
The A-Team
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
The Waltons
Good Times
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids" animated TV series was created, produced, and hosted by actor and comedian Bill Cosby. It is Cosby’s voice we hear as Fat Albert, James "Mushmouth" Mush, and the eponymous William "Bill" Cosby.

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Barnaby Jones 1973
CBS
The picture seen here is from the 70s or 80s hit _____________.
The Dukes of Hazzard
Barnaby Jones
WKRP in Cincinnati
Hill Street Blues
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Barnaby Jones" starred Buddy Ebsen in the title role and Lee Merriweather as his widowed daughter-in-law, Betty Jones. Prior to his eight seasons on the series, Ebsen had played the role of Jed Clampett in "The Beverly Hillbillies" for nine seasons.

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The Ropers Threes Company
ABC
These characters are from the television show _____________.
The Ropers
Alice
Buck Rogers
Taxi
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Ropers" was a short-lived spin-off of "Three’s Company." While "Three’s Company" lasted for eight seasons, "The Ropers" ran only for two.

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A-Team
Shutterstock
These characters appeared on the show _____________.
The A-Team
The Bob Newhart Show
The Love Boat
Hart to Hart
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mr. T, whose real name is Lawrence Tureaud, played Bosco Baracus for all of "The A-Team’s" five seasons. Called "B.A." for "Bad Attitude," he is often credited with saying the catchphrase “I pity the fool." B.A. never actually says that in the series, however, but was very likely to call people “suckers” every now and then.

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Hart to Hart
ABC
Which of these shows was this image taken from?
The Love Boat
Dallas
Hart to Hart
Happy Days
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Hart to Hart" premiered in August 1979 and its last episode aired in May 1984. It wasn’t until 1993, however, that its stars, Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers, began appearing in TV movies based on the series. Between 1993 and 1996, they made a total of eight of these films.

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Mr. Roarke - Fantasy Island
YouTube
Which 70s or 80s TV show corresponds with this image?
The Six Million Dollar Man
Little House on the Prairie
Sanford and Son
Fantasy Island
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

On "Fantasy Island," Hervé Villechaize played the role of Tattoo, assistant to the island’s overseer, Mr. Roarke. Villechaize was a French actor of English and Filipino descent who stood 3 feet 10 inches tall as an adult.

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Charlie's Angels
ABC
What show was this image taken from?
Three's Company
The Jeffersons
Charlie's Angels
Benson
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The "Charlie's Angels" TV series originally starred Kate Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and Jaclyn Smith as the Angels. Over time, both Farrah Fawcett and Kate Jackson left the show and Cheryl Ladd, Shelley Hack and Tanya Roberts were the chosen replacements. Only Jaclyn Smith remained through all of the show’s five seasons.

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Mash TV show
YouTube
The correct name of this classic series is _______________.
ALF
CHiPs
M*A*S*H
The Facts of Life
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The "M*A*S*H" theme song, "Suicide Is Painless," was also used in the "M*A*S*H" movie a couple of years earlier. The song was co-written by then 14-year-old Mike, son of the movie’s director, Robert Altman.

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Family Ties
Youtube
The picture seen here is from the series ____________.
Maude
Family Ties
B.J. and the Bear
Kung Fu
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

“Sit, Ubu, sit. Good dog,” can be heard at the end of each episode of "Family Ties." It is featured along with a picture of Ubu Roi, a black Labrador retriever and pet of the production company's founder, Gary David Goldberg.

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Magnum P.I.
Youtube
The picture seen here is from the 70s or 80s hit _____________.
Magnum P.I.
Mork & Mindy
Good Times
Cagney & Lacey
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many people are surprised to learn that John Hillerman, who played the role of Jonathan Higgins in "Magnum P.I.," is not a British actor - his accent is that believable. Hillerman is actually an American actor from Texas.

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Mr. Kotter-Welcome Back, Kotter
The Komack Company
The television series that these characters appeared on is __________.
B.J. and the Bear
Dallas
Taxi
Welcome Back, Kotter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Welcome Back, Kotter" was John Travolta’s first TV role. He played Vincent "Vinnie" Barbarino, a handsome Italian-American student in Mr. Kotter’s remedial class.

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Dallas
Youtube
Which of the following shows does the image correspond to?
Barnaby Jones
Dallas
Buck Rogers
CHiPs
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Fourteen seasons and 357 episodes make "Dallas" one of American TV’s longest running full-hour primetime dramas. The show had several spin-offs and sequels of which "Knots Landing" was one of the most successful. Just like "Dallas," "Knots Landing" had a 14-season run.

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WKRP
Youtube
This screenshot was taken from the series ________________.
WKRP in Cincinnati
The Muppet Show
Knots Landing
Moonlighting
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While Loni Anderson has a long list of TV appearances to her credit, she is best remembered for her role as Jennifer Marlowe, the sophisticated and intelligent receptionist at WKRP. Anderson appeared in 89 of the show’s 90 episodes.

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Little House on the Prairie
Ed Friendly Productions, National Broadcasting Company
The television series that these characters appeared on is __________.
Taxi
Diff'rent Strokes
ALF
Little House on the Prairie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The "Little House on the Prairie" TV series is based on a set of children’s novels by Laura Ingalls Wilder about her childhood. The show lasted nine seasons after premiering in September 1974.

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Three's Company
ABC
Which of the following shows does the image correspond to?
Three's Company
Family Ties
The Rockford Files
Maude
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Only Janet Wood (Joyce DeWitt), Jack Tripper (John Ritter) and Larry Dallas (Richard Kline) appear in all eight seasons of "Three’s Company." Furthermore, only Ritter and Kline from the "Three’s Company" cast also appear in both "The Ropers" and "Three's a Crowd," spin-offs of the series.

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The Dukes of Hazzard
CBS
Which of these shows was this image taken from?
The Dukes of Hazzard
Laverne & Shirley
Family Ties
Charlie's Angels
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

James Best playing Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane is one of the more memorable characters from "The Dukes of Hazzard" TV series. Best’s long career as a Western actor began in 1949.

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The Waltons
CBS
What television show is seen here?
Kung Fu
Maude
The Waltons
The Six Million Dollar Man
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Waltons" was not only adored by fans during its nine-season run, but also received top recognition from the TV industry. The series won the 1973 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series. In addition, several of its actors were Emmy Award winners, some on multiple occasions.

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Cagney & Lacey
CBS
What 70s or 80s classic is seen here?
Cagney & Lacey
Happy Days
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Eight is Enough
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Cagney & Lacey" ran for seven seasons from March 1982 to May 1988. For six straight years, Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly were both nominated for the Primetime Emmy for Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. In an amazing feat, one of them won the award every year.

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Hill Street Blues
NBC
What show is this character from?
Little House on the Prairie
Hill Street Blues
Alice
The A-Team
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Hill Street Blues" premiered in January 1981 and held the record for the most Emmy Awards won by a series in its debut season – eight in total. The record stood until it was broken in 2000 by "The West Wing."

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Dr. Asten - Quincy, M.E.
YouTube
The image seen here is from the show ____________.
The Fall Guy
Eight is Enough
Hill Street Blues
Quincy, M.E.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jack Klugman played the role of Medical Examiner Quincy in the series. For seven years, Robert Ito starred alongside Klugman as his lab assistant, Sam Fujiyama. Ito was a dancer with the National Ballet of Canada and after Quincy, M.E, he went on to a very prolific voice acting career.

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Taxi
Youtube
These guys were seen acting in the series _____________.
Taxi
Sanford and Son
Magnum P.I.
The Love Boat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

From 1978 to 1983 Danny DeVito was taxi dispatcher Louie De Palma in the series "Taxi." His efforts earned him both a Golden Globe and an Emmy.

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Jim Rockford -- The Rockford Files
YouTube
The only show that these characters could be from is ______________.
WKRP in Cincinnati
B.J. and the Bear
Three's Company
The Rockford Files
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

James Garner, who portrayed private investigator Jim Rockford in "The Rockford Files," was nominated for three Golden Globes and five Emmy Awards. From his eight nominations, he won an Emmy in 1977 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

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CHiPs
NBC
This image could only have been taken from the series _______________.
The Bob Newhart Show
Buck Rogers
Fantasy Island
CHiPs
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox portrayed Officers Francis "Ponch” Poncherello and Jonathan "Jon" Baker, respectively. Throughout the show’s six-season run of 139 episodes, neither Estrada nor Wilcox ever drew their weapons.

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Alice
CBS
The correct name of this classic series is _______________.
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
Welcome Back, Kotter
Alice
Mork & Mindy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Premiering in August, 1976, "Alice" was based on a movie ("Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore") which was released two years earlier. The show’s highest ranking during its nine-season run was 4th place during its 4th season.

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Eight is Enough 1977
ABC
Which of the following 70s and 80s shows is this screenshot from?
Eight is Enough
Happy Days
Magnum P.I.
The Ropers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Eight is Enough" starred Dick Van Patten as Tom Bradford, a father of eight children. While Bradford’s first wife appears in a few of the episodes in the first season, the actress who played her (Diana Hyland) died five days after the second episode aired. Bradford remarried in the second season.

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Moonlighting
ABC
The name of this 70s or 80s show is ________________.
Moonlighting
One Day at a Time
The Partridge Family
Dallas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A “young” Bruce Willis came to prominence as an actor when he starred in the 1985-89 TV series, "Moonlighting." His first "Die Hard" movie, which set him on his way to superstardom, was released in 1988.

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Everyone Has a Muppet That Matches Their Personality — Here's Yours
YouTube
These characters are from the television show _____________.
The Muppet Show
The Partridge Family
Diff'rent Strokes
ALF
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Two well-known characters from "The Muppet Show" (although few people actually know their names) are Statler and Waldorf. They are the two older gentlemen who sit in the balcony and heckle everyone on stage.

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The Partridge Family 1970
ABC
The picture seen here is from the series ____________.
The Dukes of Hazzard
Knight Rider
Barnaby Jones
The Partridge Family
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The cast members of "The Partridge Family" weren’t the only stars to be featured on the show. The show’s long list of guest stars included Richard Pryor, Farrah Fawcett, Johnny Cash and Jodie Foster.

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The Fall Guy 1981
ABC
This character is best remembered for starring in the classic, ____________.
The Facts of Life
The Fall Guy
Hart to Hart
The Dukes of Hazzard
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lee Majors became stuntman Colt Seavers in the "The Fall Guy" (1981 – 1986) after being Colonel Steve Austin in "The Six Million Dollar Man" (1973 – 1978). Before both of these roles, however, he was Heath Barkley in the "The Big Valley" (1965 – 1969).

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Knots Landing
CBS
What is the name of the show which corresponds to this image?
The Facts of Life
M*A*S*H
Knots Landing
Quincy, M.E.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Only two actors, Michele Lee (as Karen Fairgate MacKenzie) and Ted Shackelford (as Gary Ewing), appeared in all 14 seasons of "Knots Landing." Joan Van Ark (as Valene "Val" Ewing) was in every season except the last, although she was in the two-part series finale.

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One Day at a Time
Youtube
This character is from the show ______________.
The Jeffersons
One Day at a Time
The Ropers
Benson
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"One Day at a Time" starred Bonnie Franklin as a divorced mother with Mackenzie Phillips and Valerie Bertinelli playing her two teenage daughters. In 2017, Netflix launched a reboot of the series which focuses on a Cuban-American family.

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Kung Fu 1972
ABC
The image seen here is from the show ____________.
Kung Fu
The Bob Newhart Show
CHiPs
Hart to Hart
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although "Kung Fu" ran for just three seasons, its sequel "Kung Fu: The Legend Continues," had a four-season run. Star David Carradine was a skilled dancer with no martial arts training prior to the show.

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Knight Rider
Universal Television
Which of the following 70s and 80s shows were these people seen in?
Welcome Back, Kotter
Knight Rider
The Rockford Files
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The crime fighting organization for which the Knight Rider works also developed KITT (Knight Industries Two Thousand). Apart from the fact that KITT was a talking car, it could also reach speeds of 300 miles per hour and was both bulletproof and fireproof.

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MTM Enterprises