100+ Television Trivia Questions and Answers to Test Your Knowledge

I don’t know about you, but I’ve always found television trivia to be the perfect way to liven up any gathering. Whether you’re hosting a game night, looking for some entertainment during commercial breaks, or just want to test your TV knowledge, I’ve got you covered with this collection of over 100 television trivia questions and answers.

Last weekend, my family and I had an impromptu TV trivia night that turned into hours of laughter and friendly competition. My brother-in-law (who swears he doesn’t watch much TV) somehow knew every single detail about 90s sitcoms. Who would’ve thought?

Classic TV Shows Trivia

Remember those shows that defined television for decades? This section takes you back to the golden age of TV when families gathered around their sets for appointment viewing. I grew up watching reruns of many of these shows with my grandparents, and they still hold up today!

Which detective series featured a lieutenant who always wore a rumpled raincoat? Answer: Columbo
What was the name of the cantankerous doctor in the series “MASH”? *Answer: Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce
In “I Love Lucy,” what was Lucy’s husband’s name? Answer: Ricky Ricardo

Which western TV series featured the Cartwright family? Answer: Bonanza
In “The Twilight Zone,” who was the host that appeared at the beginning and end of each episode? Answer: Rod Serling
What was the name of the spaceship in “Star Trek: The Original Series”? Answer: USS Enterprise

Which 1960s TV show featured a talking palomino horse named Mr. Ed? Answer: Mister Ed
What was the name of the family in “The Waltons”? Answer: The Walton family
Which actor played Steve Austin in “The Six Million Dollar Man”? Answer: Lee Majors

In “The Brady Bunch,” how many children did the Brady family have in total? Answer: 6 (3 boys and 3 girls)
What was the name of the private investigator played by James Garner in a 1970s TV series? Answer: Jim Rockford (The Rockford Files)
Which TV family lived at 1313 Mockingbird Lane? Answer: The Munsters

What was the name of the wealthy oil family in “Dallas”? Answer: The Ewings
Who played Captain James T. Kirk in the original “Star Trek” series? Answer: William Shatner
What was the name of the spaceship in “Battlestar Galactica”? Answer: Galactica

In “Happy Days,” what was Fonzie’s full name? Answer: Arthur Fonzarelli
Which TV show featured the catchphrase “Book ’em, Danno”? Answer: Hawaii Five-O
What was the name of the robot in “Lost in Space”? Answer: Robot B-9

Which 1980s TV show was about a man who turns into different people with a device called a “hologram”? Answer: Quantum Leap
What was the name of the bar in “Cheers”? Answer: Cheers

If you’re a fan of classic entertainment, you might also enjoy testing your knowledge with our 80s movie trivia questions that pair perfectly with these TV classics!

Popular Sitcoms Trivia

Sitcoms have given us some of television’s most memorable characters and one-liners. I’ve spent countless evenings binge-watching these shows, and I’m not even slightly embarrassed about it! These questions cover the laugh-out-loud moments we all love.

In “Friends,” what was the name of Ross’s monkey? Answer: Marcel
Which sitcom was set in the fictional town of Lanford, Illinois? Answer: Roseanne

In “The Office” (US), what is the name of the paper company where the show is set? Answer: Dunder Mifflin
What was the name of the coffee shop in “Friends”? Answer: Central Perk
In “How I Met Your Mother,” what is Barney Stinson’s catchphrase? Answer: “Legendary” or “Suit up!”

Which character from “The Big Bang Theory” lived across the hall from Leonard and Sheldon? Answer: Penny
In “Modern Family,” what is Phil Dunphy’s profession? Answer: Real Estate Agent
What is the name of the bar owned by Paddy in “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”? Answer: Paddy’s Pub

In “Seinfeld,” what is George Costanza’s fake profession? Answer: Architect (specifically, he claimed to be a marine biologist in one episode)
What is the name of the department store where the characters work in “Superstore”? Answer: Cloud 9
In “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” what is Captain Holt’s dog’s name? Answer: Cheddar

What is the profession of Ted Mosby in “How I Met Your Mother”? Answer: Architect
In “Parks and Recreation,” what is the name of the town where the show is set? Answer: Pawnee, Indiana
Which sitcom featured a character named Sheldon Cooper who had a “spot” on the couch that no one else could sit in? Answer: The Big Bang Theory

In “The Good Place,” what is Eleanor Shellstrop’s job before she dies? Answer: Sales Representative for a pharmaceutical company
What is the name of Phil and Claire’s oldest daughter in “Modern Family”? Answer: Haley
In “New Girl,” what is the name of the loft apartment’s quirky landlord? Answer: Remy

What does Joey Tribbiani from “Friends” do for a living? Answer: Actor
In “Scrubs,” what is the name of the hospital where the show takes place? Answer: Sacred Heart Hospital
What is the name of Leslie Knope’s best friend in “Parks and Recreation”? Answer: Ann Perkins

In “Schitt’s Creek,” what type of business does the Rose family own before losing their fortune? Answer: Video rental empire (Rose Video)
What is the profession of Doug Heffernan in “The King of Queens”? Answer: Delivery Driver (for IPS)
In “Community,” what is the name of the community college where the show is set? Answer: Greendale Community College

Looking for questions to ask that special someone? Try our collection of questions to ask your crush over text for some conversation starters that are just as entertaining as these sitcoms!

Drama Series Trivia

Drama series keep us on the edge of our seats with their compelling storylines and complex characters. My Wednesday nights used to be sacred—phone off, snacks ready—when my favorite drama was on. These questions will test your knowledge of television’s most gripping shows.

In “Breaking Bad,” what is Walter White’s alias when he produces methamphetamine? Answer: Heisenberg

Which drama series features a character named Olivia Pope who works as a crisis manager? Answer: Scandal
What is the name of the prison in “Orange Is the New Black”? Answer: Litchfield Penitentiary
In “The Sopranos,” what is Tony Soprano’s profession on paper? Answer: Waste Management Consultant

Which drama series follows the lives of the Crawley family and their servants? Answer: Downton Abbey
In “Game of Thrones,” which family’s motto is “Winter is Coming”? Answer: House Stark
What is the name of the hospital in “Grey’s Anatomy”? Answer: Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital (previously Seattle Grace)

In “Stranger Things,” what is the name of the parallel dimension? Answer: The Upside Down
Which drama series is set in the advertising agency Sterling Cooper? Answer: Mad Men
In “The Crown,” who plays Queen Elizabeth II in the first two seasons? Answer: Claire Foy

What is the name of Walter White’s brother-in-law in “Breaking Bad” who works for the DEA? Answer: Hank Schrader
In “The Handmaid’s Tale,” what is the name given to the women who are forced to bear children? Answer: Handmaids
Which drama series features a character named Dexter Morgan who works as a forensic technician but is also a vigilante serial killer? Answer: Dexter

In “House of Cards,” what position does Frank Underwood initially hold before becoming President? Answer: House Majority Whip
What is the name of Jon Snow’s direwolf in “Game of Thrones”? Answer: Ghost
In “Succession,” what industry is the Roy family’s company, Waystar Royco, primarily in? Answer: Media and Entertainment

Which drama series is set in a fictional prison called Oz? Answer: Oz
In “The Walking Dead,” what was Rick Grimes’ profession before the zombie apocalypse? Answer: Sheriff’s Deputy
What is the name of the main character in “The Queen’s Gambit”? Answer: Beth Harmon

In “Lost,” what is the name of the airline that operated the crashed flight? Answer: Oceanic Airlines

If you enjoy deep discussions about shows like these, check out our deep topics to talk about for conversations that go beyond surface-level trivia!

Reality TV Trivia

Love it or hate it, reality TV has dominated our screens for decades now. I’ll admit it—I’ve definitely found myself staying up way too late watching “just one more episode” of those addictive competition shows. Test your knowledge of the unscripted drama that keeps viewers coming back for more!

Who was the first host of “American Idol”? Answer: Ryan Seacrest (co-hosted with Brian Dunkleman in Season 1)
In “Survivor,” what phrase does Jeff Probst say after someone is voted out? Answer: “The tribe has spoken”
What is the name of the main house in “Big Brother”? Answer: The Big Brother House

Which reality show features participants trying to lose the highest percentage of their body weight? Answer: The Biggest Loser
In “The Bachelor,” what flower does the bachelor give to contestants who continue to the next week? Answer: Rose
Who are the original judges of “The Voice”? Answer: Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, and CeeLo Green

What is the name of the elimination ceremony in “Survivor”? Answer: Tribal Council
In “MasterChef,” who is the British chef known for his harsh criticism? Answer: Gordon Ramsay
What reality show features participants locked in an apartment building who can only communicate via a social media platform? Answer: The Circle

In “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” what is the name of the elimination challenge? Answer: Lip Sync For Your Life
Which reality competition show features fashion designers competing against each other? Answer: Project Runway
In “The Amazing Race,” what do the teams race to find at each destination? Answer: Pit Stop

What is the name of the glass-walled confession room in “Big Brother”? Answer: The Diary Room
In “Top Chef,” what phrase does the host say when eliminating a contestant? Answer: “Please pack your knives and go”
Which singing competition features blind auditions where judges sit with their backs to the performers? Answer: The Voice

In “Love Island,” what is the name of the villa area where contestants can speak privately about other islanders? Answer: The Beach Hut
What reality show features home renovations within a strict time limit and budget? Answer: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
In “Dancing with the Stars,” which judge is known for his harsh criticism and British accent? Answer: Len Goodman

What is the name of the final vote in “Survivor” where eliminated contestants determine the winner? Answer: Final Tribal Council
In “Hell’s Kitchen,” what color teams are the contestants typically divided into? Answer: Red and Blue

Want some fun conversation starters for your next gathering? Our would you rather questions provide the perfect entertainment when you’ve finished with this trivia!

Animation and Cartoon Trivia

From Saturday morning cartoons to prime-time animated hits, these shows have created some of television’s most iconic characters. Growing up, I’d wake up at the crack of dawn just to catch my favorite cartoons before anyone else was awake. Those theme songs still get stuck in my head decades later!

What is the name of Homer Simpson’s neighbor in “The Simpsons”? Answer: Ned Flanders
In “SpongeBob SquarePants,” what is the name of the restaurant where SpongeBob works? Answer: The Krusty Krab

Which animated series features a scientist named Rick Sanchez and his grandson Morty? Answer: Rick and Morty
What is the name of the Griffin family dog in “Family Guy”? Answer: Brian
In “South Park,” which character always wears an orange parka that covers most of his face? Answer: Kenny

What is the name of the town where “The Simpsons” is set? Answer: Springfield
In “Bob’s Burgers,” what is the name of Bob’s wife? Answer: Linda
Which animated series features a character named Sterling Archer who works as a spy? Answer: Archer

What is the name of the baby in “Family Guy”? Answer: Stewie Griffin
In “Futurama,” what is the name of the delivery company where the main characters work? Answer: Planet Express
Which cartoon featured a group of babies having adventures while their parents weren’t looking? Answer: Rugrats

In “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” what element can Avatar Aang naturally bend? Answer: Air
What is the name of Bart Simpson’s sister? Answer: Lisa
In “Scooby-Doo,” what is the name of the Mystery Machine driver? Answer: Fred Jones

Which animated series takes place in the town of Arlen, Texas? Answer: King of the Hill
In “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” what color mask does Raphael wear? Answer: Red
What is the name of SpongeBob’s pet snail? Answer: Gary

In “The Flintstones,” what is the name of Fred’s best friend? Answer: Barney Rubble
Which animated series features a character named Eric Cartman? Answer: South Park
In “Adventure Time,” what species is Jake the Dog’s girlfriend? Answer: Rainicorn

Enjoy cartoon trivia? You might also like our cartoon trivia questions collection for even more animated fun!

Why Television Trivia Makes Any Gathering Better

Television trivia isn’t just fun—it’s the ultimate conversation starter that brings people together through shared memories of favorite shows. I’ve found that even the most reserved people in the room suddenly become animated when you ask them about that iconic TV moment they remember from childhood.

What makes TV trivia so special is how it bridges generational gaps. When I pulled out some questions about classic shows at a family reunion last month, both my 70-year-old uncle and 16-year-old cousin were shouting out answers. It’s entertaining for sure, but it’s also a sneaky way to learn some pop culture history!

Plus, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of being the only person who knows which actor voiced a certain cartoon character or remembers the name of that short-lived show everyone has forgotten.

Looking for more ways to start great conversations? Check out our collection of interesting topics to talk about that will keep the discussion flowing long after the trivia ends!

Final Thoughts

Well, there you have it—over 100 television trivia questions that cover everything from classic shows to modern favorites. I’ve used these questions at family game nights, virtual hangouts with friends, and even as ice breakers at work events. They never fail to get people talking and laughing about their favorite TV moments.

The best part about TV trivia is how it connects us through shared experiences. Even if you haven’t watched every show, chances are you’ll recognize more answers than you expect! My husband shocked me last week by knowing all the “Breaking Bad” questions despite swearing he’d never watched an episode.

So, how did you do? Were you able to answer all the questions, or did some stump you? I’d love to know which category was your strongest!

Looking for more trivia fun? Check out our space trivia questions and answers for an out-of-this-world challenge!