Spooky and kooky quiz

The Sixties saw several supernatural sitcoms. What do you know about them?

1. What is the name of the vampire patriarch in The Munsters?
A) Gomez
B) Herman
C) Grandpa
D) Eddie

2. In Bewitched, what magical gesture does Samantha use to cast spells?
A) Snaps her fingers
B) Claps her hands
C) Wiggles her nose
D) Blinks twice

3. What is the relationship between Jeannie and Major Nelson in I Dream of Jeannie?
A) He’s her brother
B) He’s her master
C) He’s her husband from the start
D) He’s her genie assistant

4. Which Addams Family character is a hand that walks on its own?
A) Uncle Fester
B) Cousin Itt
C) Thing
D) Lurch

5. What kind of creature is Eddie from The Munsters?
A) A vampire
B) A werewolf
C) A ghost
D) A Frankenstein monster

Answers at end

Fun facts

In the 1960s, American television networks tapped into the cultural fascination with the supernatural, spawning a wave of spooky and magical sitcoms that became pop culture staples. Rival networks, eager to capture ratings, often developed shows with strikingly similar themes.

ABC launched Bewitched in 1964, featuring a suburban witch trying to lead a normal life. Its success inspired NBC to debut I Dream of Jeannie in 1965, centering on a genie and her astronaut companion.

Meanwhile, CBS embraced the spooky side of comedy, premiering The Munsters in 1964, the same year The Addams Family began on ABC. Though both featured eccentric families with gothic overtones, they each had distinct styles. The Munsters leant into slapstick and parody, while The Addams Family emphasised deadpan humor and quirky charm.

This trend reflected the era’s appetite for escapism during a time of social change. Network competition sparked a golden age of fantasy sitcoms, many of which still influence pop culture today.

Answers: C, C, B, C, B