Q 01/05

Which 1947 series was the first sitcom broadcast on a US television network?

A) The Goldbergs

B) Mary Kay and Johnny

C) I Love Lucy

D) Amos 'n' Andy

Answer · why

B) Mary Kay and Johnny

It aired live on DuMont and was the first show to depict a couple sharing a bed.

Q 02/05

Which BBC series of 1946 to 1947 was the world's first regular half-hour televised sitcom?

A) Hancock's Half Hour

B) Whack-O! with Jimmy Edwards

C) Pinwright's Progress

D) The Larkins

Answer · why

C) Pinwright's Progress

Its ten episodes went out live from Alexandra Palace.

Q 03/05

Which sound engineer pioneered canned laughter to 'sweeten' laugh tracks?

A) Karl Freund

B) Bill Hanna

C) Desi Arnaz

D) Charles Douglass

Answer · why

D) Charles Douglass

His laugh track dominated US sitcoms from the late 1950s to the late 1970s.

Q 04/05

Which cinematographer filmed I Love Lucy, the first scripted show shot on 35mm before a studio audience?

A) James Wong Howe

B) Karl Freund

C) Hal Mohr

D) Gregg Toland

Answer · why

B) Karl Freund

He had shot Metropolis and Dracula.

Q 05/05

How many episodes of I Love Lucy aired between 1951 and 1957?

A) 180

B) 200

C) 220

D) 240

Answer · why

A) 180

It was the first show to end its run at the top of the Nielsen ratings.