Here we go with another “50 years ago” quiz. But you shouldn’t have to be an old fogie like me to recognize the description of popular shows from the way back. Most of these live on in syndication or as references in jokes that continue to be popular. So step once more into the way-back machine with me and hang on.

1) In the ’60s tv networks were delivering a full schedule of daytime, prime time and Saturday morning fare. This morning show for kids featured a shaggy haired grandpa figure who lived in the treasure house and a farmer neighbor who always wore bib overalls. There were various other characters from the forest and in the treasure house. What was the name of this children’s show?

2) The highest rated night time show was a new offering that was really different in concept for TV at the time. Suppose you took a mountain man from the Ozarks and he gets rich when oil is discovered under his land. This was the premise for what show?

3) Vincent Edwards became a huge star as a brooding young doctor on this big ABC hit that began in 1961. In 1963 it weighed in as the number 7 ranked show. What was this huge doctor drama?

4) Saturday mornings included quite a mixed bag of shows. Cowboys, cartoons, some scholarly and this one young lady who had a lot fun with her puppet friends Lamb Chop, Charlie Horse and Hush Puppy. Who was this delightful puppeteer?

5) At the end of the Saturday morning schedule NBC had a program that was almost like being in school. Yep, if you watched this show you might actually learn some science from the title character. Who was this on-air scientist? (bonus: can you remember his real name?)

6) One of the most popular series in 1963 began long before TV as a radio show and continued someplace into the early 2000s. The premise was to record people’s immediate reactions to some mild practical jokes. Even today people will use their tag line in an unusual situation. What tag line did this TV show spawn?

7) Billed as the first animated prime time TV show, this show told the story of stone age families beset with modern day problems. Some folks believe this is the basis for creation science theories of men living with dinosaurs. What is the name of the title family?

8) In 1962, CBS dropped this Friday night standard for a new comedy called “Fair Exchange.” Viewers didn’t think it was a very fair exchange and wrote CBS en masse to demand a return of the Friday night standard. Called by one critic “Rod Serling’s little morality plays” what show was returned to the Friday night lineup by demand?

9) Back to Saturday morning. There were 2 cowboy shows on the schedule. One was a flying cowboy and the other was a singing cowboy who had made his fame in movies. Can you name these two shows?

10) The Master of the Macabre still had a weekly show on CBS. Known for many great films, who was this film director and host of a weekly anthology series?

11) Leading into the evening CBS and NBC had signature national news programs. Who were the hosts of these programs?

12) He couldn’t sing or dance or even act very well, but this man’s show was very popular. He helped launch the careers of luminaries like Carol Burnett, George Goebel, Don Knotts and Johnathan Winters. Can you name this variety show host?

13) Often thought of as the quintessential American family, we watched as the children grew from cute kids to adults in college. In 1963, the youngest of the two boys was one of the top rock and roll artists in the country. What was the name of this family sitcom?

14) Sunday night included this highly rated cowboy show. But instead of the usual “shoot ’em up” cowboy show, this program revolved around a family of ranchers and their adventures on the Ponderosa. What was the name of this show?

15) Finally – Monday night was owned by CBS with a couple of game shows leading into a 3 half hour sitcoms. All of these shows were in the top 20. The last show in the group told the story of a small town sheriff and his family in the hills of North carolina. Can you name this idyllic show?

Whew – there was fine TV watching back then – maybe a little sacharine, but mostly harmless. To be hoest, I didn’t watch that much back then, but most of these programs are known by reputation if nothing else. So here we go with some dusty 50 year old answers.

1) Captain Kangaroo (Bob Keeshan)

2) The Beverly Hillbillies

3) Ben Casey

4) Shari Lewis

5) Mr. Wizard (Don Herbert was his real name)

6) “Smile – You’re On Candid Camera”

7) The Flintstones

8) The Twilight Zone

9) Sky King ans Roy Rogers

10) Alfred Hitchcock

11) CBS- Walter Cronkite NBC – Chet Huntley and David Brinkley

12) Garry Moore

13) “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” The son was Rick Nelson.

14) Bonanza

15) The Andy Griffith Show.