How much do you remember about '80s kids' TV?

Estimated Completion Time
7 min
How much do you remember about '80s kids' TV?
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About This Quiz

Who shot J.R.? If you were an '80s kid, you probably had to go to bed before you found out. But if you cut your teeth on PBS shows like "Sesame Street," and a whole host of other muppet-friendly shows, and didn't even mind the marketing blitzes (more action figures!), see how well your memory holds up for your childhood favorites.
When it first debuted, Bob, Mr. Hooper, Gordon and Susan lived in the urban neighborhood with Oscar the Grouch and Big Bird, on what street?
Baker Street
Elm Street
Sesame Street
Wisteria Lane
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Initially proposed in 1966 as a show for preschoolers, "Sesame Street," one of the longest-running programs, began with a lengthy planning period and grants totaling $8 million. Since 1969, the program has taught kids basic life skills, like brushing teeth or good nutrition, as well as reading, writing and math fundamentals.

On which PBS series could kids visit the Neighborhood of Make-Believe on Trolley, where Henrietta Pussycat and Daniel Striped Tiger live?
"Captain Kangaroo"
"Daniel Striped Tiger's Neighborhood"
"Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood"
"Romper Room"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It was Fred Rogers, on PBS' "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," who took us to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe -- where Henrietta Pussycat, Daniel Striped Tiger and other puppets, including King Friday XIII and his royal family, lived.

"Three Is a Magic Number" is the first song, and pilot episode, of what animated educational shorts?
"The Children's Hour"
"Romper Room"
"Schoolhouse Rock!"
"The Space Explorer's Club"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Schoolhouse Rock!," a collection of animated shorts that taught kids about civics, economics, grammar, history, math and science with catchy songs like, "Conjunction Junction" and "I'm Just a Bill."

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What program, which used roller coasters to teach physics and KISS to explain pyrotechnics, featured a mini series-within-a-series called, "The Bloodhound Gang"?
"3-2-1 Contact"
"Newton's Apple"
"You Can't Do That on Television"
"Zoom"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It was "3-2-1 Contact," which ran from 1980 to 1992. It not only taught kids about science and other educational programming, it had a related print magazine for kids.

You could go "twice as high as a butterfly in the sky" when you watched what educational show hosted by LeVar Burton?
"Beakman's World"
"The Electric Company"
"Imagination Station"
"Reading Rainbow"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

LeVar Burton hosted the educational show "Reading Rainbow" from 1983 through 2004. One of the longest-running PBS children's programs, the series combined books and related adventures.

Who, along with his Battle Cat, The Sorceress, Teela, Orko, and Man-at-Arms, use their powers to defend the Castle Grayskull and their planet, Eternia, from the evil Skeletor?
"He-Man and the Masters of the Universe"
"He-Man: Power of Grayskull"
"The Most Powerful Man in the Universe"
"The Secret of the Sword"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Prince Adam -- who transforms into He-Man when he holds the Sword of Power and yells, "By the power of Grayskull!" -- fights his nemesis, Skeletor, in 1983's "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe." "She-Ra: Princess of Power," the 1985 spinoff, focused on Prince Adam's twin sister, Princess Adora, who transforms into She-Ra.

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What is the title of the third animated Superman series, which debuted in 1988, in which the Man of Steel fights evil in, you guessed it, the city of Metropolis?
"Superman"
"The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians"
"Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show"
"The All-New Superfriends Hour"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The third installment of an animated Superman series, called "Superman," premiered in 1988.

Gobo, Wembley, Boober, Mokey, Red and Uncle Traveling Matt, of which HBO series, appeared in the music video for the Ben Folds Five song, "Do It Anyway," released in 2012?
"Fraggle Rock"
"The Jim Henson Hour"
"Little Muppet Monsters"
"The Muppet Show"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Fraggle Rock," which starred Fraggles, Doozers, Gorgs and Silly Creatures, debuted in 1983, two years after "The Muppet Show" ended, and ran for five seasons. In 2012, six of the characters appeared in the music video for "Do It Anyway," off the Ben Folds Five album, "The Sound of the Life of the Mind."

A movie called "Les Aventures des Schtroumpfs" in 1965 introduced them to Belgium, although in black and white. But kids in the U.S. were introduced to what small blue characters (just three apples high!) in 1981?
"Gargamel and the Great Book of Spells"
"The Smurfs"
"The Snorks"
"The World of David the Gnome"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

From 1981 to 1990, American kids tuned in to watch small, blue-skinned creatures called smurfs "smurf" the whole day long in their forest village. La la la-la la la, la la-la- la la.

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Which cartoon, considered the "sister" cartoon to "The Smurfs," took place in the undersea world of Snorkland, where clams are currency and the surface is outer space?
"Captain Nemo and the Underwater City"
"Jabberjaw"
"Sealab 2020"
"The Snorks"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Between 1984 and 1989, the Hanna-Barbera cartoon "The Snorks" ran on NBC. While it had a solid fanbase, it never gained the popularity of "The Smurfs."

Between 1983 and 1989, NBC aired public service announcements hosted by primetime TV stars, including Mr. T and Michael J. Fox, at the end of children's shows on the network. What was the PSA slogan?
Keep It Up America!
One to Grow On
The More You Know
You Could Learn a Lot From a Dummy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"And that's One to Grow On," was the usual ending line of these problem-solving PSAs. By the close of the '80s, the "One to Grow On" campaign was renamed "The More You Know," which ran through 2015.

What animated series was based on a team of superheroes, the Justice League of America, starring DC Comics' Aquaman, Batman and Robin, Superman and Wonder Woman?
"The All-New Super Friends Hour"
"Challenge of the Super Friends"
"Super Friends"
"The World's Greatest Super Friends"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Meanwhile, at the Hall of Justice ... kids in the '80s watched the characters from the DC Comics universe in "Super Friends."

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It began with a book. You may also remember the original movie. And Shannen Doherty and Wil Wheaton lent their voices to the TV series of what story?
"An American Tail"
"Banjo the Woodpile Cat"
"The Land Before Time"
"The Secret of NIMH"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Wil Wheaton and Shannen Doherty were two actors lending their voice to characters in 1982's "The Secret of NIMH."

What was the first cartoon to be based on a video game?
"Pac-Land"
"Pac-Man: The Animated Series"
"Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures"
"Pac-Man World"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Pac-Man: The Animated Series," about the Pac-Man family (which included Pac-Man, his wife Pepper Pac-Man, and Pac-Baby, as well as the family dog, Chomp-Chomp, and Sour Puss the cat, aired for two seasons in the early 1980s. Most of the 44 episodes were about the family versus the Ghost Monsters (named Blinky, Inky, Pinky, Clyde and Sue).

What animated show introduced kids to Autobots and Decepticons, and Optimus Prime and Megatron?
"Challenge of the Go-Bots"
"Mighty Orbots"
"The Transformers"
"Voltron"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1984, Hasbro introduced kids to Optimus Prime, Megatron and other soon-to-be favorites when they launched a line of toy robots that could transform into vehicles among other things. The Transformers, as they were named, were promoted in an animated series, "The Transformers," as well as in a Marvel Comics-produced comic book.

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Laurence Fishburne is known for his role as Morpheus in "The Matrix," Mr. Clean in "Apocalypse Now" and Cowboy Curtis on the Paul Reubens' show titled what?
"Big-Top Pee-wee"
"Pee-wee's Playhouse"
"Pee-wee's Big Adventure"
"The Pee-wee Herman Show"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cowboy Curtis, along with Captain Carl, Clocky, Jambi the Genie, Miss Yvonne and Pterri the Pterodactyl, appeared with Paul Reubens, as Pee-wee Herman, in "Pee-wee's Playhouse." You remember what to do whenever anybody says the secret word, right? Scream!

The star of which series was known to have a few tricks -- literally -- up his sleeve?
"Agatha Christie's Marple"
"Inspector Clouseau"
"Inspector Gadget"
"The Inspectors"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's Inspector Gadget with those, well, gadgets, up his sleeve. He, his niece Penny, and her dog Brain, work to take down Dr. Claw's evil organization, M.A.D.

What were the names of the Chipettes, introduced in the first season of "Alvin and the Chipmunks"?
Ginger, Baby and Sporty
Brittany, Jeanette and Eleanor
Beyoncé, Kelly and Michelle
Belinda, Jane and Gina
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Chipettes, Brittany, Jeanette and Eleanor, were introduced during the first season of "Alvin and the Chipmunks," which premiered in 1983. After 1988, the show was renamed to "The Chipmunks."

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Although today they are a family of five, baby Honey Bear was not yet born when Papa Bear, Mama Bear, Brother Bear and Sister Bear starred on what animated show?
"The Berenstain Bears to the Rescue"
"The Berenstain Bears Ready, Get Set, Go!"
"The Berenstain Bears Show"
"The Berenstain Bears’ Storybook Treehouse"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After five animated specials were produced between 1979 and 1983, the animated series "The Berenstain Bears Show," based on the book series by Stan and Jan Berenstain, went on to air from 1985 to 1987. It was nominated in its final season for a Daytime Emmy for Oustanding Performer in Children's Programming.

Which popular gelatin-based colorful candy was the inspiration for a Disney show that premiered in 1985?
"Disney's Adventures of the Atomic Fireballs"
"Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears"
"Disney's Adventures of the Sour Patch Kids"
"Disney's Adventures of the Pixy Stix"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears," which ran in the U.S. from 1985 to 1991, is said to be the result of Disney CEO Michael Eisner's son's candy preferences.

In what animated series, based on characters originally created for American Greetings cards, took place in the clouds, in a city called Care-a-lot?
"The Care Bears: Adventures in Care-a-lot"
"The Care Bears Adventure in Wonderland"
"The Care Bears Family"
"The Care Bears: Oopsy Does It!"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The animated series, "The Care Bears Family," which ran for two seasons, was based on the American Greetings' characters, the Care Bears, and their mission to spread caring and good feelings around the world.

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Miss Piggy dreamed about what it would be like if she had grown up with Kermit the Frog in "The Muppets Take Manhattan," two months before the debut of what show?
"Jim Henson's Little Muppet Monsters"
"Jim Henson's Muppet Babies"
"The Jim Henson Hour"
"The Dark Crystal"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It was "Jim Henson's Muppet Babies" (or just "Muppet Babies") that imagined what it would be like if Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Animal, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Scooter, Skeeter and Rowlf the Dog grew up together.

For 30 years, beginning in 1955 (and, in 1968, in color!), American kids tuned in to which show, which had characters named Mr. Green Jeans, Grandfather Clock and Rollo the Hippo?
"Captain Kangaroo"
"Captain Kirk"
"Captain Sensible"
"The Captain's Place"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Good morning, Captain!" It's "Captain Kangaroo" that had, in addition to the Captain, a variety of characters that included Mr. Green Jeans, Grandfather Clock and Rollo the Hippo. "Captain Kangaroo" is a three-time Emmy Award-winning show, all for Outstanding Children's Entertainment Series (awarded in 1979, 1983, and 1984).

Which cartoon series, based on trading cards by Topps Company, never made it to Saturday morning because of protests by the Action for Children's Television and the National Coalition on Television Violence?
"Creature Feature"
"Garbage Pail Kids"
"Gremlins 2"
"Pac-Man"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Based on pressure from special interest groups, and the loss of some advertisers including Crayola, McDonald's and Nabisco, CBS pulled "Garbage Pail Kids" from its programming calendar due to "glorified violence" and claims it served as an advertisement for Topps.

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The public service announcement, "And knowing is half the battle!," ran after every episode of which military-themed animated cartoon that was based on a Hasbro line of toys?
"G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero"
"G.I. Joe: Cobra Strikes"
" G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra"
"G.I. Joe: Super Joe Adventure Team"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It was G.I. Joe and the good guys against the terrorist organization Cobra in the Marvel comic and this TV series,"G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero."

The cartoon series, "Rock 'n' Wresting," which starred big names of the World Wrestling Federation, featured Hulk Hogan's good guys against whose bad guys?
Andre the Giant
Captain Lou Albano
Hulk Hogan
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In "Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling," a cartoon series, it was the good guys, called "face," led by Hulk Hogan and Mean Gene Okerlund, against "Rowdy" Roddy Piper's team of bad guys, called "heels."

The educational show, "Mr. Wizard's World," was on which network, which also showed the kids' talk show, "Livewire," and sketch comedy show, "You Can't Do That on Television"?
Disney Channel
HBO
NBC
Nickelodeon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The show, hosted by Don Herbert, aired on Nickelodeon, from 1983 to 1990. Previously, Herbert had hosted "Watch Mr. Wizard" in the 1950s and 1960s.

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You know Jim Varney as his character Ernest P. Worrell, from '80s movies like "Ernest Goes to Camp." But in 1988, what Saturday morning children's show did he star in?
"Ernest Goes to School"
"Hey Vern, It's Ernest!"
"Pop Goes the Country"
"Treehouse Hostage"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jim Varney's "Hey Vern, It's Ernest!" TV show, which aired only for one season in 1988, won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series.

Is it true that one Saturday morning lineup included not only cartoons, but also news?
that's true
that's true -- but only for kids in Canada
that's false
that's false -- it was in the '90s, not '80s.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Between 1971 and 1986, kids watching CBS' Saturday morning lineup were shown one-minute education news segments, called "In the News," in between shows. It started as a CBS-Hanna Barbera Productions project called, "In the Know," which was narrated by characters from the cartoon, "Josie and the Pussycats."

Which "superhero of health" wore a flesh-colored unitard displaying all the bones, muscles and internal organs, all in their anatomically accurate sizes and positions?
Bod Squad
Little Twelvetoes
Louis the lifeguard
Slim Goodbody
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The character Slim Goodbody, played by John Burstein, wore a superhero-style unitard, decorated with the inside of the body. He began on "The Today Show," "Good Morning America" and "Captain Kangaroo" before getting his own show in 1980. And in 2014, he appeared in a Super Bowl commercial for Radio Shack.

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Which children's sketch comedy show had a show-within-a-show called, "Mathnet,"where math is used to solve crimes?
"3-2-1 Contact"
"Bill Nye the Science Guy"
"The Electric Company"
"Square One Television"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Square One Television," which introduced kids to basic math concepts, featured a show-within-a-show called "Mathnet." It also featured guest appearances from James Earl Jones, Weird Al Yankovic and more.

Which classic video game character was never featured on "Saturday Supercade"?
Donkey Kong
Frogger
Q*bert
these 3 were all featured
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

All three of these classic video arcade game characters were all debut characters on the show, which ran for two seasons. (And Donkey Kong, btw, was voiced by pie-in-the-face comedian Soupy Sales.)

Saturday morning previews usually aired during primetime, before the new morning shows premiered. Which preview featured the droids of "Star Wars"?
"Saturday Sneak Peek & Fun Fit Test"
"Channel One News"
"Back to Next Saturday"
"All-Star Rock 'N' Wrestling Saturday Spectacular"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It was ABC's 1985 "Saturday Sneak Peek & Fun Fit Test" that was hosted by Tony Danza and, on the heels of the 1983 movie, "Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi," it featured the droids of "Star Wars".

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Which TV series about an American Pioneer family living on a farm in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, in the late 19th century, was based on the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder?
"Dallas"
"The Dukes of Hazzard"
"Little House on the Prairie"
"The Young Pioneers"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Little House on the Prairie" starred Melissa Gilbert as Laura, in the TV series that first aired, with a two-hour episode, in 1974. After the series ended in 1982, "Little House: A New Beginning" premiered, minus Michael Landon (as Pa) and Karen Grassle (as Ma).

What kind of animal was Polkaroo in the "Polka Dot Door"?
bandicoot
kangaroo
koala
opossum
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The "Polka Dot Door" was the first Canadian television programming for kids to be syndicated in the U.S., and aired from 1982 to 1988. It starred two hosts, and a polka-dot patterned marsupial -- a kangaroo.

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