Can you match the TV sitcom to the decade it was first broadcast? Quiz

Screen OD staff

The wonderful world of television sitcoms is filled with laughter, tears, and unforgettable characters – indeed it’s all about the characters despite the name.

This genre has served as a beloved source of entertainment for millions of viewers worldwide, showcasing the unique humour and cultural landscapes of various eras and regions since the birth of TV. Ranging from the United States’ sitcom gems like “Friends” and “MAS*H” to the UK’s comedic masterpieces such as “Fawlty Towers” and “Only Fools and Horses,” sitcoms have a distinctive way of immortalising time periods and reflecting societal nuances. In short, they are an incredibly important part of the way we enjoy TV.

Each decade brings its own flavour to the sitcom landscape. The 1980s saw a surge of unforgettable US sitcoms like “The Golden Girls” and “Cheers” that still bring joy to audiences today. Meanwhile, the UK was unveiling its own set of gems during this time, with clever and at times subversive shows like “Blackadder” capturing viewers’ hearts. As we moved into the 1990s and 2000s, innovative and relatable shows like “Seinfeld,” “The Office” (both US and UK versions), and “Parks and Recreation” emerged, offering fresh perspectives on our changing world.

This quiz challenges you to match these iconic TV sitcoms to the decade they were first broadcast. Testing your knowledge and perhaps offering a dash of nostalgia, this quiz is a fun-filled journey through the memorable milestones in sitcom history. Even if you don’t consider yourself a sitcom connoisseur, this quiz provides a unique way to reminisce about the times gone by or even discover a classic series to add to your watchlist.

So whether you’re a fan of the irreverent humour of “The IT Crowd,” the timeless appeal of “Dad’s Army,” or the clever storytelling of “Arrested Development,” there’s something in this quiz for you. Let’s see if you can pinpoint the decades that gave us these incredible TV shows. It’s time to put your sitcom knowledge to the test!

Don’t forget. The most important thing here is you have a laugh!

Can you match the TV sitcom to the decade it was first broadcast?

Questions

  1. “Friends”: Did the show first air in the:
    • A. 1980s
    • B. 1990s
    • C. 2000s
  2. “MAS*H”: Did this sitcom first hit screens in the:
    • A. 1960s
    • B. 1970s
    • C. 1980s
  3. “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”: Was this show first broadcast in the:
    • A. 1980s
    • B. 1990s
    • C. 2000s
  4. “Fawlty Towers”: Did this British sitcom debut in the:
    • A. 1960s
    • B. 1970s
    • C. 1980s
  5. “The Office” (US): When did this popular sitcom first air:
    • A. 1990s
    • B. 2000s
    • C. 2010s
  6. “Only Fools and Horses”: This UK sitcom started in the:
    • A. 1970s
    • B. 1980s
    • C. 1990s
  7. “The Big Bang Theory”: When was the first episode broadcast:
    • A. 1990s
    • B. 2000s
    • C. 2010s
  8. “The Golden Girls”: This sitcom first aired in the:
    • A. 1970s
    • B. 1980s
    • C. 1990s
  9. “The Simpsons”: When did this long-running animated sitcom premiere:
    • A. 1980s
    • B. 1990s
    • C. 2000s
  10. “Blackadder”: This British sitcom first aired in the:
    • A. 1970s
    • B. 1980s
    • C. 1990s
  11. “Cheers”: This popular American sitcom first hit screens in the:
    • A. 1970s
    • B. 1980s
    • C. 1990s
  12. “The IT Crowd”: When was the first episode of this British sitcom broadcast:
    • A. 1990s
    • B. 2000s
    • C. 2010s
  13. “Seinfeld”: This American sitcom was first broadcast in the:
    • A. 1980s
    • B. 1990s
    • C. 2000s
  14. “Dad’s Army”: This UK sitcom first hit screens in the:
    • A. 1950s
    • B. 1960s
    • C. 1970s
  15. “Frasier”: This popular American sitcom first aired in the:
    • A. 1980s
    • B. 1990s
    • C. 2000s
  16. “The Vicar of Dibley”: This British sitcom first premiered in the:
    • A. 1980s
    • B. 1990s
    • C. 2000s
  17. “Parks and Recreation”: When was the first episode of this American sitcom broadcast:
    • A. 2000s
    • B. 2010s
    • C. 2020s
  18. “Keeping Up Appearances”: This British sitcom first aired in the:
    • A. 1980s
    • B. 1990s
    • C. 2000s
  19. “Arrested Development”: This American sitcom was first broadcast in the:
    • A. 1990s
    • B. 2000s
    • C. 2010s
  20. “The Office” (UK): When did this sitcom first hit screens:
    • A. 1990s
    • B. 2000s
    • C. 2010s

Answers

  1. “Friends”: B. 1990s (1994)
  2. “MAS*H”: B. 1970s (1972)
  3. “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”: B. 1990s (1990)
  4. “Fawlty Towers”: B. 1970s (1975)
  5. “The Office” (US): B. 2000s (2005)
  6. “Only Fools and Horses”: B. 1980s (1981)
  7. “The Big Bang Theory”: B. 2000s (2007)
  8. “The Golden Girls”: B. 1980s (1985)
  9. “The Simpsons”: A. 1980s (1989)
  10. “Blackadder”: B. 1980s (1982)
  11. “Cheers”: B. 1980s (1982)
  12. “The IT Crowd”: B. 2000s (2006)
  13. “Seinfeld”: A. 1980s (1989)
  14. “Dad’s Army”: B. 1960s (1968)
  15. “Frasier”: B. 1990s (1993)
  16. “The Vicar of Dibley”: B. 1990s (1994)
  17. “Parks and Recreation”: A. 2000s (2009)
  18. “Keeping Up Appearances”: B. 1990s (1990)
  19. “Arrested Development”: B. 2000s (2003)
  20. “The Office” (UK): B. 2000s (2001)

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