82 Trivia Questions For 1982 History
(answers)
1. Name the place where “Where Everybody Knows Your Name.”
2. Sam Malone, a retired baseball player, owned Cheers. On what team did Sam play?
3. Name the computer listed in the Guinness World Records as the highest-selling single-computer model of all time.
4. Why was it called the Commodore “64”?
5. Founded in 1981, the American newspaper is distributed in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and an international edition is distributed in Asia, Canada, Europe, and the Pacific Islands. Name that newspaper.
6. Opened on October 1, 1982, this 305-acre theme park is called EPCOT. What do those initials stand for?
7. Time Magazine did not have a “Man of the Year” in 1982. What did they do instead?
8. Where was the 1982 World’s Fair held?
9. This game might be Microsoft’s longest-running software product. Name the game.
10. Name the show that ran for 74 episodes in syndication, featuring actor and puppeteer Wayland Flowers.
11. Who were the Stanley Cup Champions in 1982?
12. On this CBS sitcom, Dick Loudon, an author of do-it-yourself and travel books. He and his wife Joanna move from New York City to a small town in rural Vermont to operate the 200-year-old Stratford Inn. Name that show
HINT: It was Bob Newhart’s second television show.
13. Name the comedian who played the role of Gumby on Saturday Night Live.
14. This somewhat spooky award-winning truck could be the most well-known monster truck ever. Name that truck.
15. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Storybook by William Kotzwinkle was the most popular fiction book in 1982. What was the second-best selling?
16. What was the best-selling non-fiction book of 1982?
17. Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, and Sean Young, this neo-noir film is considered a classic of the genre. Name it.
18. This television comedy was not well-received and only had 6 episodes. It later became the successful Naked Gun film franchise. Name that show!
19. Who was NOT born in 1982?
Kelly Clarkson, Olivia Wilde, Tara Lipinski, Jared Padalecki or Anne Hathaway
20. ABC ran a police drama television program starring William Shatner. What was it called?
21. These multi-colored cartoon and plush creatures were initially painted in 1981 by artist Elena Kucharik to be used on greeting cards from American Greetings. What are they?
22. This term describes a middle-class, suburban woman who spends significant time transporting her school-age children to youth sporting events or other activities.
23. Who is considered the first female lead character in a video game?
24. Name the horror film from 1982 that had an all-male cast onscreen and took place in a research team in Antarctica.
25. Based on the 1938 John W. Campbell Jr. novella Who Goes There?, who directed The Thing?
26. What was the biggest film of 1982?
27. By 1982, the Space Invaders arcade game had grossed $2 billion. How many quarters is that?
28. Name the sword-and-sorcery film that introduced Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Earl Jones to much of the world.
29. At the Movies ran from 1982-1990. Who starred in the show?
30. What was the name of the car in Night Rider?
31. Who was the biggest musical artist of 1982?
32. Name the medical drama that took place at set at the fictional St. Eligius Hospital in Boston.
33. This Pop Duo had 3 number one hits on the Billboard charts in 1981. Name the pair.
34. You get one point for each #1 hit Hall and Oates had in 1982.
35. What was the name of the character Mr. T played in Rocky III?
36. Name the series of eight novels, one novella, and a children’s book by American author Stephen King.
37. What was the sequel to Arthur C. Clarke’s 1968 novel 2001: A Space Odyssey?
38. This phrase in English means to blame or abandon a person for selfish reasons.
HINT: A motor vehicle is involved
39. Who the head off a live bat thrown at him during a performance in Des Moines, Iowa?
40. Who was Scooby-doo’s nephew?
41. This sitcom, a spin-off from Happy Days, featured a well-known couple but only lasted 17 episodes. Name it.
42. Who was the President in 1982?
43. Based on a well-known film, this NBC program occurred at NYC’s High School of Music & Art. Name that show.
44. Name the musical comedy-drama film that was based on a 1977 Broadway musical, which was based on a 1924 comic strip, which was based on an 1885 poem. Name that film.
45. What was the original name of the poem and comic strip?
46. Name the popular police procedural drama television series that aired on the CBS television network for seven seasons from March 25, 1982, to May 16, 1988.
47. Released on Sire Records, what was Madonna’s debut single?
48. What was the US minimum wage in 1982?
49. Michael Jackson’s Thriller album produced seven top-10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, with two reaching number one. Name them.
50. Named after a caveman in a Far Side comic strip, the spikes at the end of Stegosaurus’s tail are called what?
51. This popular home recording camera, developed by Sony, was in production for the US from 1981 to 2016. Name that product.
52. This film starred Maxwell Caulfield and Michelle Pfeiffer in her feature film debut. Name that sequel.
53. Who won the World Series in 1982?
54. This soft drink was the first new product using the Coca-Cola trademark since 1886. Name that drink.
55. In 1982, Pepsi also offered a new, popular drink that was a slightly different kind of cola. What was it called?
56. Name the red-headed girl who joined Betty and Veronica as a love interest for Archie Andrews.
57. What are Betty and Veronica’s last names?
58. Pink Floyd had a film that premiered at the 1982 Cannes Film Festival. What was it called?
59. This television show included Steven, Elyse, Alex, Mallory, and Jennifer Keaton. Name it.
60. What was the most popular portable music device in the 1980s?
61. What was the name of the detective TV show starring Stephanie Zimbalist and Pierce Brosnan, and was produced by MTM Enterprises?
62. Last time we checked, the live show, which premiered on May 11, 1943, remains the fifth-longest-running Broadway and seventh-longest-running West End.
HINT: Felines
63. This 1981 album went on to sell 70 million copies. Name it.
64. Who used the phrase “I pity the fool.”
65. In this film, an unsuccessful actor, Michael Dorsey, disguises himself as a woman to get a role on a trashy hospital soap. Name that film.
66. On what TV show would you often hear the phrase “Hi, I’m Larry. This is my brother Darryl, and this is my other brother Darryl?”
67. Who was the Vice-President in 1982?
68. Name the portable pocket televisions trademarked and produced by Sony.
69. This Playskool toy had a plush, pajamaed worm body and needed batteries. Name that toy.
70. This 2D action game with puzzle elements uses isometric graphics to create a pseudo-3D effect.
HINT: The protagonist is a cute little orange creature.
71. You get one point for each Rambo film in the franchise you can name.
72. What team won the Super Bowl in 1982?
73. Who were the NBA Champions in 1982?
74. What is the common metaphor for any controversial issue that it is “untouchable” to the extent that any politician or public official who dares to broach the subject will invariably suffer politically?
75. Hasbro developed this animal-themed toy line and media franchise.
HINT: Small Horse
76. This show focused on the wealthy playboy Edward Stratton III and his relationship with his young son, Ricky Stratton. Name it.
77. Who was the Pope in 1982?
78. What country won the World Cup in 1982?
79. Nancy Reagan offered this phrase for the US War On Drugs.
“Just Say No”
80. Who was the first guest on Late Night with David Letterman?
Bill Murray
81. Name the show that Late Night with David Letterman replaced on weeknights.
Tomorrow with Tom Snyder
82. Who led Late Night with David Letterman’s house band?
Trivia Team Bonus Questions:
1. Late Night with David Letterman band had a name. What was it?
2. Federal Express had a fast-talking executive in 1982 played by John Moschitta, Jr. Name that spokesperson.
3. Pat Benatar married her guitarist on the Hawaiian island of Maui. What is his name?
NINT: He was also her partner hit-writer.
4. What was the video game based on a 1982 Disney sci-fi film?
5. What type of car was KITT from Knight Rider?
6. Name the fan favorite mute G.I. Joe character, an infantry and hand-hand combat expert, introduced in the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #1 comic book in June 1982.
7. The first ASCII emoticons, pictorial representations of facial expressions using characters, were introduced in 181. Which was first?
8. Who in the long-running BBC historical comedy television series Blackadder said, “I have a cunning plan”?
9. This sitcom featured Patty Greene (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Lauren Hutchinson (Amy Linker), two awkward teenage girls desperate to fit in at Weemawee High School. Name that show.
10. This Italian type of bread was created in 1982 in response to the popularity of French baguettes.
NINT: It is somewhat elongated, broad, and flat, and it is baked in many variations. It is unique for its holes.
The Answers:
82 Trivia Answers For 1982 History
1. Name the place where “Where Everybody Knows Your Name.”
Cheers
2. Sam Malone, a retired baseball player, owned Cheers. On what team did Sam play?
The Boston Red Sox
3. Name the computer listed in the Guinness World Records as the highest-selling single-computer model of all time.
Commodore 64
4. Why was it called the Commodore “64”?
It had 64 kilobytes of RAM.
5. Founded in 1981, the American newspaper is distributed in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and an international edition is distributed in Asia, Canada, Europe, and the Pacific Islands. Name that newspaper.
USA Today
6. Opened on October 1, 1982, this 305-acre theme park is called EPCOT. What do those initials stand for?
Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow
7. Time Magazine did not have a “Man of the Year” in 1982. What did they do instead?
Machine of the Year – The Computer
8. Where was the 1982 World’s Fair held?
Knoxville, Tennessee. Over 11 million people attend during its 6-month run.
9. This game might be Microsoft’s longest-running software product. Name the game.
Microsoft Flight Simulator
10. Name the show that ran for 74 episodes in syndication, featuring actor and puppeteer Wayland Flowers.
Madame’s Place
11. Who were the Stanley Cup Champions in 1982?
New York Islanders
12. On this CBS sitcom, Dick Loudon, an author of do-it-yourself and travel books. He and his wife Joanna move from New York City to a small town in rural Vermont to operate the 200-year-old Stratford Inn. Name that show
HINT: It was Bob Newhart’s second television show.
Newhart.
13. Name the comedian who played the role of Gumby on Saturday Night Live.
Eddie Murphy
14. This somewhat spooky award-winning truck could be the most well-known monster truck ever. Name that truck.
Grave Digger
15. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Storybook by William Kotzwinkle was the most popular fiction book in 1982. What was the second-best selling?
Space by James A. Michener
16. What was the best-selling non-fiction book of 1982?
Jane Fonda’s Workout Book by Jane Fonda
17. Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, and Sean Young, this neo-noir film is considered a classic of the genre. Name it.
Blade Runner
18. This television comedy was not well-received and only had 6 episodes. It later became the successful Naked Gun film franchise. Name that show!
Police Squad (in color)
19. Who was NOT born in 1982?
Kelly Clarkson, Olivia Wilde, Tara Lipinski, Jared Padalecki or Anne Hathaway
Olivia Wilde (born March 10, 1984) )
20. ABC ran a police drama television program starring William Shatner. What was it called?
T.J. Hooker
21. These multi-colored cartoon and plush creatures were initially painted in 1981 by artist Elena Kucharik to be used on greeting cards from American Greetings. What are they?
Care Bears
22. This term describes a middle-class, suburban woman who spends significant time transporting her school-age children to youth sporting events or other activities.
Soccer Mon
23. Who is considered the first female lead character in a video game?
Ms. Pacman
24. Name the horror film from 1982 that had an all-male cast onscreen and took place in a research team in Antarctica.
The Thing
25. Based on the 1938 John W. Campbell Jr. novella Who Goes There?, who directed The Thing?
John Carpenter
26. What was the biggest film of 1982?
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial
27. By 1982, the Space Invaders arcade game had grossed $2 billion. How many quarters is that?
8 billion
28. Name the sword-and-sorcery film that introduced Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Earl Jones to much of the world.
Conan the Barbarian
29. At the Movies ran from 1982-1990. Who starred in the show?
Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert
30. What was the name of the car in Night Rider?
KITT (Knight Industries Two Thousand)
31. Who was the biggest musical artist of 1982?
Stevie Wonder
32. Name the medical drama that took place at set at the fictional St. Eligius Hospital in Boston.
St. Elsewhere
33. This Pop Duo had 3 number one hits on the Billboard charts in 1981. Name the pair.
Hall and Oates
34. You get one point for each #1 hit Hall and Oates had in 1982.
Kiss on my List, Private Eyes, I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)
35. What was the name of the character Mr. T played in Rocky III?
Clubber Lang
36. Name the series of eight novels, one novella, and a children’s book by American author Stephen King.
The Dark Tower
37. What was the sequel to Arthur C. Clarke’s 1968 novel 2001: A Space Odyssey?
2010: Odyssey Two
38. This phrase in English means to blame or abandon a person for selfish reasons.
HINT: A motor vehicle is involved
Throw under the bus
39. Who the head off a live bat thrown at him during a performance in Des Moines, Iowa?
Ozzy Osbourne (he thought it was rubber)
40. Who was Scooby-doo’s nephew?
Scrappy-doo
41. This sitcom, a spin-off from Happy Days, featured a well-known couple but only lasted 17 episodes. Name it.
Joanie Loves Chachi
42. Who was the President in 1982?
Ronald Reagan (January 20, 1981 – January 20, 1989)
43. Based on a well-known film, this NBC program occurred at NYC’s High School of Music & Art. Name that show.
Fame
44. Name the musical comedy-drama film that was based on a 1977 Broadway musical, which was based on a 1924 comic strip, which was based on an 1885 poem. Name that film.
Annie
45. What was the original name of the poem and comic strip?
Little Orphan Annie
46. Name the popular police procedural drama television series that aired on the CBS television network for seven seasons from March 25, 1982, to May 16, 1988.
Cagney & Lacey
47. Released on Sire Records, what was Madonna’s debut single?
Everybody
48. What was the US minimum wage in 1982?
$3.35
49. Michael Jackson’s Thriller album produced seven top-10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, with two reaching number one. Name them.
Billie Jean and Beat It
50. Named after a caveman in a Far Side comic strip, the spikes at the end of Stegosaurus’s tail are called what?
thagomizers
51. This popular home recording camera, developed by Sony, was in production for the US from 1981 to 2016. Name that product.
Betacam
52. This film starred Maxwell Caulfield and Michelle Pfeiffer in her feature film debut. Name that sequel.
Grease 2
53. Who won the World Series in 1982?
St. Louis Cardinals
54. This soft drink was the first new product using the Coca-Cola trademark since 1886. Name that drink.
Diet Coke
55. In 1982, Pepsi also offered a new, popular drink that was a slightly different kind of cola. What was it called?
Caffeine-Free Pepsi
56. Name the red-headed girl who joined Betty and Veronica as a love interest for Archie Andrews.
Cheryl Blossom
57. What are Betty and Veronica’s last names?
Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge
58. Pink Floyd had a film that premiered at the 1982 Cannes Film Festival. What was it called?
The Wall
59. This television show included Steven, Elyse, Alex, Mallory, and Jennifer Keaton. Name it.
Family Ties
60. What was the most popular portable music device in the 1980s?
The Sony Walkman
61. What was the name of the detective TV show starring Stephanie Zimbalist and Pierce Brosnan, and was produced by MTM Enterprises?
Remington Steele
62. Last time we checked, the live show, which premiered on May 11, 1943, remains the fifth-longest-running Broadway and seventh-longest-running West End.
HINT: Felines
Cats
63. This 1981 album went on to sell 70 million copies. Name it.
Thriller by Michael Jackson
64. Who used the phrase “I pity the fool.”
Mr. T
65. In this film, an unsuccessful actor, Michael Dorsey, disguises himself as a woman to get a role on a trashy hospital soap. Name that film.
Tootsie
66. On what TV show would you often hear the phrase “Hi, I’m Larry. This is my brother Darryl, and this is my other brother Darryl?”
Newhart
67. Who was the Vice-President in 1982?
George H. W. Bush (January 20, 1981 – January 20, 1989)
68. Name the portable pocket televisions trademarked and produced by Sony.
Sony Watchman
69. This Playskool toy had a plush, pajamaed worm body and needed batteries. Name that toy.
Glo Worm
70. This 2D action game with puzzle elements uses isometric graphics to create a pseudo-3D effect.
HINT: The protagonist is a cute little orange creature.
Q*bert
71. You get one point for each Rambo film in the franchise you can name.
First Blood (1982), Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), Rambo III (1988), Rambo (2008), and Rambo: Last Blood (2019).
72. What team won the Super Bowl in 1982?
San Francisco 49ers
73. Who were the NBA Champions in 1982?
Los Angeles Lakers
74. What is the common metaphor for any controversial issue that it is “untouchable” to the extent that any politician or public official who dares to broach the subject will invariably suffer politically?
Third Rail
75. Hasbro developed this animal-themed toy line and media franchise.
HINT: Small Horse
My Little Pony
76. This show focused on the wealthy playboy Edward Stratton III and his relationship with his young son, Ricky Stratton. Name it.
Silver Spoons
77. Who was the Pope in 1982?
John Paul II (October 16, 1978 – April 2, 2005)
78. What country won the World Cup in 1982?
Italy
79. Nancy Reagan offered this phrase for the US War On Drugs.
“Just Say No”
80. Who was the first guest on Late Night with David Letterman?
Bill Murray
81. Name the show that Late Night with David Letterman replaced on weeknights.
Tomorrow with Tom Snyder
82. Who led Late Night with David Letterman’s house band?
Paul Schaffer
Trivia Team Bonus Answers:
1. Late Night with David Letterman band had a name. What was it?
The World’s Most Dangerous Band
2. Federal Express had a fast-talking executive in 1982 played by John Moschitta, Jr. Name that spokesperson.
Mr. Spleen
3. Pat Benatar married her guitarist on the Hawaiian island of Maui. What is his name?
NINT: He was also her partner hit-writer.
Neil Giraldo
4. What was the video game based on a 1982 Disney sci-fi film?
Adventures of Tron
5. What type of car was KITT from Knight Rider?
A customized 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
6. Name the fan favorite mute G.I. Joe character, an infantry and hand-hand combat expert, introduced in the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #1 comic book in June 1982.
Snake Eyes
7. The first ASCII emoticons, pictorial representations of facial expressions using characters, were introduced in 181. Which was first?
Smileys 🙂 and 🙁 by Scott Fahlman)
8. Who in the long-running BBC historical comedy television series Blackadder said, “I have a cunning plan”?
Baldrick (played by Tony Robinson)
9. This sitcom featured Patty Greene (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Lauren Hutchinson (Amy Linker), two awkward teenage girls desperate to fit in at Weemawee High School. Name that show.
Square Pegs
10. This Italian type of bread was created in 1982 in response to the popularity of French baguettes.
NINT: It is somewhat elongated, broad, and flat, and it is baked in many variations. It is unique for its holes.
Ciabatta Bread
