Can You Identify These TV Shows Named For The Main Character?

By: Jacqueline Samaroo
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Identify These TV Shows Named For The Main Character?
Image: Fox

About This Quiz

"You're not the boss of me now, and you're not so big!" This quiz might be ready to get the better of you, but do you have what it takes? Hundreds of shows have hit your TV screen, but only special ones are named just for their characters. Can you recognize them all?

Traveling back to the 50s, you'd find Lucy Ricardo in the Lucille Ball comedy, I Love Lucy. For fans of the '90s classics, you might be tuned into Seinfeld or Martin

For the children in all of us, you might've found yourself tuning into Disney Channel for Hilary Duff or Raven Symone in Lizzie McGuire, or That's So Raven, respectively. And who could forget about the singing sensation, Hannah Montana?

How could you forget the epic tales of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys or Xena: Warrior Princess? Some of these are easier to recognize than others, but just how many of these shows can you name?

Can you recognize a red-head mother as she croons about being a survivor? What about the comedian tasked with raising his sister's three children? 

Only a TV junkie could ace this quiz, and we want to know just how shows you've watched to get your fix. This quiz is not only fun but challenging! As Hannah Montana might say, you're getting the "Best of Both Worlds!"

Are you ready to prove yourself? It's primetime!

Hannah Montana
Disney Channel
Which TV show is this image from?
Gidget
Xena: Warrior Princess
Punky Brewster
Hannah Montana
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mitchel Musso who plays Oliver, the best friend to both Miley and Lilly, had pierced ears. It is said that is why he wore his hair at shoulder length – Disney wanted to hide his ears!

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Ugly Betty
ABC
Which TV show is this image from?
Ugly Betty
Matlock
Trapper John, M.D
Flipper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The "Ugly Betty" series is based on the Colombian telenovela, "Yo soy Betty, la fea." A literal translation of the name almost caused the English version to be called "Betty the Ugly" before this was changed to "Ugly Betty."

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Lizzie McGuire
Disney Channel
Which TV show is this image from?
Lizzie McGuire
Martin
Ben Casey
Angel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Several well-known actresses were considered for the title role of Lizzie McGuire. They included Hallee Hirsh, Lindsay Lohan and Sara Paxton. The role, of course, finally went to Hilary Duff, who during the show’s run did all her own stunts.

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Roseanne
ABC
Which TV show is this image from?
Punky Brewster
ALF
Dennis the Menace
Roseanne
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The "Roseanne" TV series is often credit with leading off a new wave of stand-up comedians being given their own shows. Other examples include "Seinfeld" with Jerry Seinfeld, Ray Romano’s "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "Home Improvement" starring Tim Allen.

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Seinfeld
NBC
Which TV show is this image from?
Ben Casey
Seinfeld
Monk
Mr. Belvedere
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After nine seasons and 173 episodes, "Seinfeld" has become known as one of the best and most influential TV shows of all time. That’s despite the fact that quite often the show was described as being about absolutely nothing!

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Mr. Bean pointing
Youtube
Which TV show is this image from?
Nikita
House, M.D.
Ellen
Mr. Bean
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mr. Bean's car, which is featured in many of the series’ jokes, was initially an orange 1969 BMC Mini Mark 2. It was later replaced by an Austin Citron Green 1976 British Leyland Mark 3 Mini 1000 with a matte black bonnet.

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Joey
NBC
Which TV show is this image from?
Angel
Lassie
Joey
Columbo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After ten seasons of the TV series "Friends," Matt LeBlanc immediately followed up with two seasons as "Friends" character Joey in his own eponymous show. After "Joey," LeBlanc took a break from movies and television.

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Malcolm in the middle
Fox
Which TV show is this image from?
Dexter
Ugly Betty
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
Malcolm in the Middle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Linwood Boomer, the creator of "Malcolm in the Middle," was very much like the show’s title character. He had two older brothers and one younger, and he was extremely smart. Just like Malcolm, Linwood also saw Mom shave Dad’s body hair at the dining table.

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Batman
ABC
Which TV show is this image from?
Dr. Kildare
Batman
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
Xena: Warrior Princess
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During the first two seasons of the show, Julie Newmar portrayed Catwoman. In the third and final season, it was Eartha Kitt who “purred” her way through the role. The Batman movie (1966) had Lee Meriwether play the seductress, Catwoman.

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Felicity Porter- Felicity
The WB
Which TV show is this image from?
Felicity
Ellen
Joey
Cybill
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The lowest ratings for "Felicity" came during the second of four seasons. Many have blamed this on the fact that lead actress Keri Russell cut her hair at the beginning of that season

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Maverick
YouTube
Which TV show is this image from?
Xena: Warrior Princess
Seinfeld
Maverick
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The series featured four characters named Maverick – three brothers and a cousin. They were portrayed by James Garner, Jack Kelly, Robert Colbert and Roger Moore. There were never more than two Mavericks in any one episode and many episodes featured just one.

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Gomer Pyle, USMC
CBS
Which TV show is this image from?
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
Martin
Frasier
Dawson’s Creek
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The final episode of season 4 of "The Andy Griffith Show" was actually the pilot for "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." Jim Nabors, who played Pyle, was a notable gospel singer.

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Martin
Universal Studios
Which TV show is this image from?
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
ALF
Dennis the Menace
Martin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Some of the most colorful characters on the "Martin" TV series were played by Martin Lawrence. There were ten in all: Bob from Marketing, Dragonfly Jones, Elroy Preston, Jerome, King Beef, Mama Payne, Otis, Roscoe, Sheneneh, and of course, himself.

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Bones
Youtube
Which TV show is this image from?
Bones
Mr. Bean
Columbo
Dr. Kildare
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the series Emily Deschanel portrays Temperance "Bones" Brennan, Ph.D. Bones’ list of credentials is quite impressive, as she is said to be an anthropologist, forensic anthropologist and kinesiologist.

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Murphy Brown
CBS
Which TV show is this image from?
Magnum, P.I.
Bones
Murphy Brown
Hannah Montana
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

CBS executives had intended for the Murphy Brown character to be younger. Their first choice was Heather Locklear who is younger than Candice Bergen by more than a decade. Bergen eventually got the part and led the show through ten successful seasons.

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Dr Kildare
MGM Television / NBC
Which TV show is this image from?
Cybill
Felicity
Benson
Dr. Kildare
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The original Dr. Kildare character was created in the 1930s and had been featured in several theatrical films and a radio series. For the 1960s TV series the role was played by Richard Chamberlain.

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Trapper John, M.D.
CBS
Which TV show is this image from?
Magnum, P.I.
Ally McBeal
Maverick
Trapper John, M.D.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pernell Roberts plays the title character in "Trapper John, M.D." TV show, which is a spinoff of the hugely popular series "M*A*S*H." Wayne Rogers played the character on "M*A*S*H."

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How Well Do You Remember the Genius TV Detective, Monk
USA Network
Which TV show is this image from?
Monk
MacGyver
Moesha
Batman
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Anthony Shalhoub, who portrays detective Adrian Monk in the TV series, has been nominated for numerous industry awards for his efforts. Among his many wins are one Golden Globe, two Screen Actors Guild and three Emmy Awards.

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Frasier
NBC
Which TV show is this image from?
Kojak
Roseanne
Monk
Frasier
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although "Frasier" is a spin-off of the popular series "Cheers," its producers did not want it to feature too many cross-overs with that show. Hence, they used Seattle as the setting for "Frasier" – on the other side of the U.S. from Boston, where "Cheers" was set.

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Dexter
CBS
Which TV show is this image from?
Flipper
Dexter
Quincy, M.E.
Roseanne
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 2010, Michael C. Hall won both the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards for his starring role in "Dexter." He wore a knitted cap while accepted both awards to over his bald head, since chemotherapy for cancer caused him to lose his hair.

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ALF
Alien Productions
Which TV show is this image from?
Maverick
House, M.D.
ALF
Martin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There were two puppets used on the set during the filming of the series. One puppet was for shots showing ALF from the belly up and the other was used for shots where ALF is seen head-to-toe.

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Becker
CBS
Which TV show is this image from?
Nikita
Becker
Hannah Montana
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ted Danson, who plays the title character in this show, had portrayed bartender and owner Sam Malone in the long-running hit comedy "Cheers." To play the part of Becker, he dyed his hair brown (to match Malone’s) as it had all gone white.

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Columbo
Youtube
Which TV show is this image from?
Malcolm in the Middle
Columbo
Benson
Flipper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Peter Falk was already an accomplished actor before he took on the role of Columbo in 1968. The character was famous for his rumpled raincoat.

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Moesha
UPN
Which TV show is this image from?
Dexter
Moesha
Benson
Malcolm in the Middle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Moesha" was one of the biggest hits for UPN, in part due to the themes it explored. These included race, drugs and infidelity. The show also had some very well-known guest stars, including athletes such as Bo Jackson, Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter.

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Xena Warrior Princess
NBC
Which TV show is this image from?
Ben Casey
Cannon
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Xena: Warrior Princess
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Xena: Warrior Princess" premiered in 1995 as a spinoff of "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys," which had its own premiere earlier that year. The character appeared in three Hercules episodes and was so well-liked that she was given her own series.

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Buffy Vampire Slayer
Mutant Enemy/Kuzui Enterprises/Sandollar Television/20th Century Fox Television
Which TV show is this image from?
Reba
Bones
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Ugly Betty
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" enjoyed seven successful seasons as a TV series. When the show ended, its creator Joss Whedon and publishers Dark Horse Comics teamed up to continue the storyline in a series of comic books.

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Ben Casey
ABC
Which TV show is this image from?
Ben Casey
Seinfeld
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Cannon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Vince Edwards, the actor who portrays Dr. Ben Casey, was an avid swimmer. While a student at University of Hawaii, he trained with hopes of going to the Olympics.

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Screen Shot 2019-08-09 at 5.31.46 PM
ABC
Which TV show is this image from?
Magnum, P.I.
Benson
Mr. Bean
Becker
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

At the beginning of the series, Benson (played by Robert Guillaume) is head of household affairs in the governor’s mansion. He later becomes state budget director and then lieutenant governor. He went on to run for governor but the results were never shown.

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Magnum
CBS
Which TV show is this image from?
Joey
Felicity
Magnum P.I.
Dr. Kildare
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Magnum P.I." was still a fairly new show when Tom Selleck was approached as first choice to star as Indiana Jones in "Raiders of the Lost Ark." He had to decline the offer, however, as his work schedule with the TV series was simply too hectic.

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MacGyver
NBC
Which TV show is this image from?
Perry Mason
Batman
MacGyver
Dexter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dana Elcar stars as Pete Thornton alongside Richard Dean Anderson’s MacGyver. In the show’s 6th season, Thornton develops glaucoma and begins to go blind. This mirrored Elcar developing the condition in real life.

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Mr. Belvedere
ABC
Which TV show is this image from?
Mr. Belvedere
Felicity
Moesha
Joey
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The character Lynn Aloysius Belvedere was created by Gwen Davenport in a 1947 novel titled “Belvedere.” Before the successful 1985 to 1990 TV series, the Belvedere character appeared in three successful feature films: "Sitting Pretty" (1948), "Mr. Belvedere Goes to College" (1949) and "Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell" (1951).

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House
Fox
Which TV show is this image from?
Maverick
House, M.D.
Trapper John, M.D.
Lassie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During its eight seasons, "House" (as it was later known) had quite a few familiar faces in the guest star role. These included Carmen Electra, Jeremy Renner, Michael B. Jordan and LL Cool J.

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Cybill
CBS
Which TV show is this image from?
Matlock
Frasier
Cannon
Cybill
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cybill Shepherd starred in this series as Cybill Sheridan, an actress well past her prime. The show received a total of 12 Emmy Awards throughout its entire run, with Christine Baranski who played Cybill’s best friend, Maryann Thorpe, winning one. For her part, Shepherd won a Best Actress Golden Globe Award.

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Kojak 1
YouTube
Which TV show is this image from?
Kojak
Ally McBeal
Batman
MacGyver
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Telly Savalas played the role of bald-headed Kojak for five seasons, from 1973 to 1978. His signature style was actually adopted after shaving his head to play the role of Pontius Pilate in the epic film "The Greatest Story Ever Told" (1965).

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Dennis the Menace
CBS
Which TV show is this image from?
Frasier
Becker
Dennis the Menace
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dennis the Menace was created by Hank Ketcham in 1951. Ketcham drew the "Dennis the Menace" comic strip from then until his retirement in 1994.

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Ellen
youtube
Which TV show is this image from?
Ellen
Ally McBeal
Malcolm in the Middle
MacGyver
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During the show’s five seasons, Ellen DeGeneres was nominated for many industry awards for acting. She has gone on to have a successful talk show.

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Angel
The WB Television Network
Which TV show is this image from?
Perry Mason
Nikita
Angel
Murphy Brown
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The "Angel" TV series was a spinoff of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." It began two years after "Buffy" and ended a year after the "Buffy" series did. This meant the two shows ran concurrently for nearly four years.

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Perry Mason
CBS
Which TV show is this image from?
Murphy Brown
Ugly Betty
Roseanne
Perry Mason
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Perry Mason" ran for nine seasons and 271 episodes, of which all but one was shot in black and white. Episode 21 of season 9, "The Case of the Twice Told Twist,” was shot in color – as a test run for the upcoming, but never materialized tenth season.

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Ally McBeal- Ally McBeal
Fox Television Network
Which TV show is this image from?
Mr. Belvedere
Ally McBeal
Dawson’s Creek
Gomer Pyle, U.S. M. C.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Actress Bridget Fonda was offered the title role but refused because she did not wish to appear in TV shows. Lara Flynn Boyle was one of the actress who auditioned and was turned down. The role finally went to Calista Flockhart.

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Nikita
The CW
Which TV show is this image from?
Angel
Murphy Brown
Nikita
Trapper John, M.D.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although known professionally as Maggie Q, the real name of the actress who portrays Nikita is Margaret Denise Quigley. She is a model as well as an actress and has starred in both "Mission: Impossible III" (2006) and "Live Free or Die Hard" (2007).

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Punky Brewster
NBC
Which TV show is this image from?
Lassie
Quincy, M.E.
Punky Brewster
Columbo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin appeared as himself in an episode of "Punky Brewster." It was shortly after the space shuttle Challenger disaster which killed all seven crew members on board. The episode was meant to help viewers, especially children, deal with the tragedy.

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Dawson's Creek
The WB
Which TV show is this image from?
Dawson’s Creek
Lassie
Seinfeld
Gidget
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The actors and actresses in teen TV series are often older than the characters they portray. This was true for Meredith Monroe, who was 29 at the time she was playing 16-year-old Andie on "Dawson’s Creek."

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Cannon
CBS
Which TV show is this image from?
Lizzie McGuire
ALF
Cannon
Matlock
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

William Conrad was noticeably overweight – a factor in why he was bypassed to play Marshal Matt Dillon in the "Gunsmoke" TV series even though he had portrayed him in the radio version. As Cannon, Conrad would sometimes use his large belly to knock over bad guys.

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Hercules. The Legendary Journeys
NBC
Which TV show is this image from?
Gidget
House, M.D.
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
Dawson’s Creek
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the series, actor Michael Hurst portrays Hercules’ best friend and companion, Iolaus. Prior to this, he was already an accomplished Shakespearean actor and director in New Zealand.

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Reba
Fox
Which TV show is this image from?
Becker
Hannah Montana
Reba
Dennis the Menace
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The "Reba" TV series enjoyed successful runs in various countries, including the Czech Republic, where it was titled "The Diary of a Seasoned Mother." It was also popular in Mexico, Croatia and the Caribbean.

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Bark your way into the classic Lassie quiz 2
CBS
Which TV show is this image from?
Quincy, M.E.
Perry Mason
Lassie
Kojak
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The first dog to play the role of Lassie was a Rough Collie named Pal. He is seen in the show’s two pilot episodes but the dog that took on the character for the next five years was his son, Lassie Junior. All dogs who have portrayed Lassie since then are descendants of Pal.

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Matlock
NBC / ABC
Which TV show is this image from?
Moesha
Matlock
Monk
Reba
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Andy Griffith became popular for his portrayal of Mayberry Sheriff Andy Taylor in eight seasons of "The Andy Griffith Show." Almost twenty years later he again surged in popularity by becoming Ben Matlock, Atlanta attorney, for nine seasons.

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Quincy, M.E. 1976
NBC
Which TV show is this image from?
Reba
Quincy, M.E.
Bones
Punky Brewster
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Before appearing in "Quincy, M.E.," Jack Klugman was in another acclaimed TV series – "The Odd Couple." While Klugman was nominated four times for an Emmy for his work on "Quincy, M.E.," he actually won two Emmys and a Golden Globe for "The Odd Couple."

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Flipper
NBC
Which TV show is this image from?
Flipper
Ellen
Mr. Bean
Angel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During the show’s three seasons, five different dolphins were used as Flipper. Of these, the two most frequently seen were named "Kathy" and "Susie.”

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Gidget
ABC
Which TV show is this image from?
Gidget
Kojak
Lizzie McGuire
Cybill
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Gidget character was created in 1957 and appeared in a series of novels. This was followed by several movies, a couple of TV series and even stage productions based on the character. There have been at least eight actresses (including Sally Field) who have portrayed Gidget.

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You Got:
/50
Fox