The Spelling Bee

He is the master of sleaze, the emperor of eye candy. Haven't you just been aching for a chance to explore his life and work?

Aaron: The Man

1. When Aaron was a child, he was bedridden for a year due to illness. During this time he began what would be his career: spinning imaginative tales for entertainment. He also read a whole lot. What were his favorite authors?

2. While at Southern Methodist University Aaron directed student theatrical productions and wrote several plays. What award did he win for original one- act play (in 1947 and 1948)?

3. Before selling scripts to Dick Powell for "Zane Grey Theater," Aaron acted in more than forty TV shows and a dozen-odd movies. On what show was his first part?

4. More recently, he was haggling over the price of Tori's 21st birthday party. How much did he end up spending for this momentous shindig?

Four Decades of Quality Television

5. Series of the 60's (Name 3):

6. Series of the 70's (Name 8. There are 2 series that continued from the Sixties.):

7. Series of the 80's (Name 11. There are 5 series that continued from the Seventies):

8. Series of the 90's (name 5):

Who the Heck Are They Now?

9. He played an overweight, preachy cop. Now he plays an overweight, preachy boss of a cop. He's also an overweight, preachy (but successful) author. Who is he, and who did he play for Aaron?

10. She was a doctor and lead on "Heartbeat" in the eighties. Now she's a scientist leading a doctor. Who is she?

11. Everybody knows Robert Urich played Dan Tanna. What show provided his first action series role, and why does it have anything to do with this bonus?

12. She was on "Glitter," and more recently played Allison's sister on "Melrose Place." Who is she?

13. Aaron launched her career when he cast her as Samantha, an associate to the car racing police leads on one of his shows. She's been playing some ... animal ... parts recently. Who is she?

14. Fifteen years ago, he was charming the nation -- though not working for Aaron Spelling -- as Bo Duke. But even the legendary John Schneider was working for Aaron this season. What was he doing, and what the hell did Ricardo Montalban have to do with it?

Premises That Never Should Have Happened, But Did

15. A warm, cuddly show about life, seen from the point of view of three hip young eleven-year olds living in suburban Westerby, California.

16. A planeload of hip young Americans crashes on a remote Pacific island that had once been designated for nuclear test sites, but had been abandoned before tests were made. Amazingly, guest stars managed to visit this deserted island in nearly every episode.

17. In the kind of classy entertainment you can only find now on UPN's "Pig Sty," five hip young guys named Buddy, Stuf, Dancer, Moose, and Boychick live on an old boat.

18. It's 1777, and hip young guerrilla fighters form the Yankee Doodle Society in Chester, PA. Only a hip young version of General Lafayette knows their secret identities.

19. After her cop husband is killed, a district attorney decides to keep their nightclub staffed with hip, young ex-cons who help solve crimes.

20. This short lived series starred Lisa Hartman as an ex-hooker in financial trouble (as well as other trouble) and Jennifer Beals and Drew Barrymore became her (you guessed it, hip and young!) roommates/tenants.

Gee, THIS Sounds a Little Familiar

21. Revival of "Love, American Style," except that stories are intertwined instead of telecast consecutively.

22. "The Love Boat," set on the tropical resort of Hawaii.

23. Tropical resort filmed in Hawaii where guests can live out their wildest dreams.

24. As described by Washington Post TV critic Tom Shales: "The Love Boat" run aground on "Fantasy Island."

The Really Low-Tech Audio Bonus Section

25. Steve Lawrence:

26. George Jones:

27. Don Durrant (truly multi-talented, he also wrote the song and started in the show):

Let's Get Intimate

28. What are the exterior shots of the St. Gregory, really?

29. What business did Sabrina Duncan, Jill Munroe, and Kelly Garrett work for?

30. What series was Mike Nichols first TV production work?

31. What series had a former cavalry scout and his grandson in search of their gunfighter son/father?

32. What was special about the gun Johnny Ringo carried?

33. What series' episodes were mostly titled 'Who Killed _____"?

34. Who do we know Cheryl Stoppelmoor as, and what Spelling show was she on?

35. What series featured a wealthy Texan dabbling in crime while overseeing his business projects?

36. What show regularly featured nurses in a locker room with little clothing on?

37. What was the name of Starsky and Hutch's secret contact?

38. What "Heights" song lasted longer than the show?

39. Who are referred to by their chauffeur Max as Mr. and Mrs. H? (Full names, please)

40. In the 1984-85 season, Saturday nights on ABC were all Spelling. What shows occupied the 8:00, 9:00 and 10:00 timeslots?

41. What kind of car did Dan Tanna drive around town?

Melrose Mania

42. The first episode of "Melrose Place" finds perky advertising receptionist Allison Parker desperately seeking a new roommate. Why? And what was the name of her previous roommate?

43. How did Billy Campbell find out that Allison was looking for a roommate?

44. What is the address of Melrose Place?

45. What "90210" regulars appeared in the first episode to establish the spinoff?

46. At the beginning of the series who lived in the following apartments?

    1. #2:

    2. #3:

    3. #4:

    4. #5:

    5. #6:

47. Before Rhonda was swept off her feet by a rich, boring guy she was an aerobics instructor. Where did she work?

48. Back when Billy was a writer of the Great American Novel, even before he drove a cab, what was his "day job"?

49. What is the name of the quasi-military camp Kimberly attends after trying to commit suicide?

50. What short-lived series did Courtney Thome-Smith make her TV debut in?

51. In 1990, who did Thorne-Smith play the love interest to on "LA Law"?

52. Where did Andrew Shue play professional soccer?

53. In 1984, Thomas Callabro had his only movie role. Describe his small part in "Exterminator II."

54. Why did Thomas Callabro ask, 'Why feel schmutzy when you can feel zesty?'

55. Marlboro, MA native Marcia Cross appeared on "Cheers" in 1989. What was her character's connection to the main cast, and what was her character's job?

56. Jake currently owns his neighborhood bar, Shooters. But this isn't his first time in business. What two disasterous business ventures was he a partner of?

57. With what phrase did cult leader Martin usually close his conversations?

58. What is the name of the hospital where Matt, Kimberly, and Michael work?

59. The following well-known actors have all guested on "Melrose Place." What characters did they play? Also, give a brief description of each character.

    1. Jack Wagner:

    2. Parker Stevenson:

    3. Dan Cortese:

    4. Jasmine Guy:

    5. William Moses:

    6. Brian Bloom:

    7. Traci Lords:

    8. Perry King:

    9. James Wilder:

    10. Linda Gray:

60. When Sydney was forced to work at the strip club, what was her stage name?

61. Murder, murder everywhere. Who tried to kill these characters, and how?

    1. Amanda:

    2. Jake:

    3. Jo:

    4. Michael:

62. According to Darren Star and Aaron Spelling, what's the most controversial scene "Melrose Place" has done ... at least so far?

63. And who is Amy Locane, anyway?

Actors Through the Years

64. Jimmie Walker (2 - 80's, 80's)

65. Kate Jackson (2 - 80's, 90's)

66. Kristy McNichol (70's)

67. Lloyd Bridges (60's)

68. Suzanne Pleshette (90's)

69. Robert Stack (80's)

70. Heather Locklear (3 - 80's, 80's, 90's)