We had a good crowd in for Trivia on Tuesday night, with 13 teams taking in the festivities. The scores were good for "Who's Older Trivia" (the regulars know their celebrity ages), but no team cracked double-digits for General Knowledge (that rarely happens). The boys from DIMS led through the night, and posted the win with 43 points, getting a five point win. Congrats to Ken, Michael and Derek. Second place went to The Giants are So Sad Even Eli Manning Doesn't Want to Play For Them (also won for Best Team Name), and third place went to What, No F**kin' Ziti? with 38 points (nice to see longtime regular and my friend Larry back last night).
Just a quick note to let you all know I will be away next week on assignment, and will not be hosting Trivia Night next Tuesday. However, Trivia will go on as scheduled, as Trivia regular Matt Solowey will be hosting in my place next week. Everything will be the same in terms in format and prizes. I will be posting the Special Category, Q Train Lightning Round and a Sneak Peek question here early next week. I will be back hosting again on Tuesday, December 12th at 8:30 PM. Good luck, Matt, and thank you!
Current Events
1. The US last week called what Asian country's military operation guilty of "ethnic cleansing" against members of its population and was considering sanctions against them?
2. Robert Mugabe, the world's oldest ruler at the age of 93, and president of what African nation since 1980, resigned last week before lawmakers could start impeachment proceedings against him?
3. Over 300 people were killed and more than 130 injured after Islamic militants attacked a mosque in what Middle Eastern country last Friday?
4. What actress, who worked on 7 films with disgraced mogul Harvey Weinstein, ripped him on Facebook on Thanksgiving Day, saying she was glad things were going slowly against him and he "didn't deserve a bullet."?
5. What Oscar-winning actress gave an interview earlier this week saying that if Hillary Clinton had been elected president, the US would be at war right now?
6. What female pop singer canceled three more shows in anticipation of her current Christmas tour due to a respiratory infection she's currently battling?
7. A volcano at Mount Agung, in what Asian country, erupted last Saturday night, forcing tens of thousands to evacuate and leaving tourists stranded there?
New Jersey Trivia
1. After Newark, what is the second largest city in New Jersey in population?
2. True or False: The first officially recorded baseball game in history was played in New Jersey.
3. Within three, how many counties does New Jersey have?
4. What city was Frank Sinatra born in New Jersey?
5. "Queen's College" was the original name of what New Jersey institution of higher learning?
6. What New Jersey town is in the title of Bruce Springsteen's debut album in 1972?
7. Name 1 of the 2 current senators from the state of New Jersey.
The Q Train: Who's Older Trivia
1. Keira Knightly or Bruno Mars
2. Jay Z or P. Diddy
3. Adele or Lady Gaga
4. Michael J. Fox or Barack Obama
5. Madonna or Sharon Stone
6. Al Pacino or Robert DeNiro
7. Matt Damon or Ben Affleck
8. Christina Aguilera or Britney Spears
9. Oprah Winfrey or Whoopi Goldberg
10. Harvey Weinstein or Al Franken
General Knowledge
1. What is the Jewish holiday "Day of Atonement" called? ( 1 pt)
2. What nickname is given to London's Underground? ( 1 pt)
3. Deborah Harry was the lead singer of what 1970s rock band? ( 1 pt)
4. A portobello is a popular type of what food? ( 2 pt)
5. What was the name of the casino that infamous gangster Bugsy Siegel opened in 1947? ( 2 pt)
6. Newton's Second Law of Motion states that force equals mass times what? ( 2 pt)
7. Billy Batson was the alter ego of what comic book character? ( 3 pt)
IQ Trivia
1. In 1997, what entertainer became the first person named an honorary veteran of the Armed Forces by Congress? ( 4 points)
2. Josephine Cochrane invented what household appliance in 1886? ( 5 points)
3. What cherished Christmas song was originally inspired by an annual horse race in Medford, MA in 1850? ( 4 points)
4. "Rush to Judgment" was a national best-selling book about what famous event? ( 4 points)
5. What is the southernmost state capital in the continguous United States? ( 3 points)
Answers
Current Events
1. Myanmar; 2. Zimbabwe; 3. Egypt; 4. Uma Thurman; 5. Susan Sarandon; 6. Mariah Carey; 7. Indonesia.
New Jersey Trivia
1. Jersey City; 2. true; 3. 21; 4. Hoboken; 5. Rutgers; 6. Asbury Park; 7. Cory Booker and Robert Menendez.
The Q Train: Who's Older Trivia
1. Keira Knightly; 2. P. Diddy; 3. Lady Gaga; 4. Michael J. Fox; 5. Sharon Stone; 6. Al Pacino; 7. Matt Damon; 8. Christina Aguilera; 9. Oprah Winfrey; 10. Al Franken.
General Knowledge
1. Yom Kippur; 2. The Tube; 3. Blondie; 4. mushroom; 5. The Flamingo; 6. acceleration; 7. Captain Marvel (Shazam).
IQ Trivia
1. Bob Hope; 2. dishwasher; 3. "Jingle Bells;" 4. JFK Assassination; 5. Austin, TX.
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Monday, November 27, 2017
Honoring the Garden State Tomorrow
The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
"What nickname is given to London's Underground?"
Looking forward to seeing many of you at Professor Thom's on Tuesday night for a great night of Trivia!
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Trivia Q&A: November 21
The crowd was down a bit from last week for Trivia last night, as the Thanksgiving holiday probably kept some folks away. But we still had a great night of Trivia, with 10 teams taking part. We had two teams in a mad dash to the finish, with the team of Turkey Club getting the win, as the ran in the table in the IQ Trivia round, winning the night with 49 points, edging out our friends from DIMS, who missed one question in that round to end the night with 47 points. Congrats to Bob and Cato on another great win.
Third place ended in a tie between the teams of Nacho Average Team and Do Your Job both getting 41 points. We broke the tie with the question: "How many individual times has Sherlock Holmes been seen on TV and in the movies around the world?" (Based on an IQ Trivia question last night.) The answer was 254, and Do Your Job was closest with their guess, so they finished in third place for the night.
Best Team Name: Et Tu, Charlie?
Current Events
1. Three basketball players from what college in the US returned last week after being detained in China on a shoplifting charge?
2. What country music singer was selected as People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" for 2017?
3. Last June, the Tappan Zee Bridge was renamed for what New York politician, and now a new petition with over 50,000 signatures wants to restore the original Tappan Zee name?
4. The painting "Savior of the World" by what legendary artist, sold at auction last week in New York for a record $450 million?
5. What late entertainer topped the list in Forbes magazine's annual roll call of the "Highest-Paid Dead Celebrities" for this year?
6. The Keystone pipeline leaked over 200,000 gallons of oil for the third time since 2010 in what Midwestern US state?
7. Malcolm Young, a founding member and guitarist for what popular hard rock band, died last Saturday at the age of 64?
Thanksgiving Trivia
1. Which giant balloon character has flown in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade more times than any other?
2. What Midwestern state is the largest producer in the US of turkeys?
3. What 19th century president issued the "Thanksgiving Proclamation" making the last Thursday in November the holiday?
4. The first Thanksgiving celebration in America took place in what current US state?
5. Of the three utensils we use to eat (fork, spoon and knife), which was not present at the first Thanksgiving feast?
6. Canada celebrates its Thanksgiving in what month?
7. True or false: The turkey was domesticated in the nation of Turkey.
The Q Train: Country Nicknames Trivia
1. The Red Dragon
2. The Lucky Country
3. The Gift of the Nile
4. The Boot
5. The Rainbow Nation
6. The Hermit Kingdom
7. Land of the Incas
8. Graveyard of Empires
9. Land of Hope and Glory
10. Land of Milk and Honey
General Knowledge
1. What Peanuts character famously played the piano? ( 1 pt)
2. Temple University is located in what US city? ( 1 pt)
3. The Twitter logo sports the name "Larry" after what famous person? ( 1 pt)
4. "Live Free or Die" is what US state's motto? ( 2 pt)
5. Who succeeded King George VI as England's monarch? ( 2 pt)
6. What is the most consumed fruit in the US? ( 2 pt)
7. What color are sunsets on Mars? ( 3 pt)
IQ Trivia
1. In 1982, Charles Brooks became the first person in the US to be executed by what method? ( 3 points)
2. What fictional literary character holds the world record for the most depictions in film and TV? ( 5 points)
3. "Backrub" was the original name of what online technology company? ( 4 points)
4. What is the largest country in area in Central America? ( 4 points)
5. The 1966 film "The Fortune Cookie" was the first of ten cinematic pairings of what two Oscar-winning actors? ( 4 points)
Answers
Current Events
1. UCLA; 2. Blake Shelton; 3. Mario Cuomo; 4. Leonardo daVinci; 5. Michael Jackson; 6. South Dakota; 7. AC/DC.
Thanksgiving Trivia
1. Snoopy (38 times); 2. Minnesota; 3. Abraham Lincoln; 4. Massachusetts; 5. fork; 6. October; 7. false, Mexico.
The Q Train: Country Nicknames Trivia
1. China; 2. Australia; 3. Egypt; 4. Italy; 5. South Africa; 6. North Korea; 7. Peru; 8. Afghanistan; 9. England; 10. Switzerland & Israel.
General Knowledge
1. Schroeder; 2. Philadelphia; 3. Larry Bird; 4. New Hampshire; 5. Queen Elizabeth II; 6. bananas; 7. blue.
IQ Trivia
1. Lethal injection; 2. Sherlock Holmes; 3. Google; 4. Nicaragua; 5. Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.
Third place ended in a tie between the teams of Nacho Average Team and Do Your Job both getting 41 points. We broke the tie with the question: "How many individual times has Sherlock Holmes been seen on TV and in the movies around the world?" (Based on an IQ Trivia question last night.) The answer was 254, and Do Your Job was closest with their guess, so they finished in third place for the night.
Best Team Name: Et Tu, Charlie?
Current Events
1. Three basketball players from what college in the US returned last week after being detained in China on a shoplifting charge?
2. What country music singer was selected as People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" for 2017?
3. Last June, the Tappan Zee Bridge was renamed for what New York politician, and now a new petition with over 50,000 signatures wants to restore the original Tappan Zee name?
4. The painting "Savior of the World" by what legendary artist, sold at auction last week in New York for a record $450 million?
5. What late entertainer topped the list in Forbes magazine's annual roll call of the "Highest-Paid Dead Celebrities" for this year?
6. The Keystone pipeline leaked over 200,000 gallons of oil for the third time since 2010 in what Midwestern US state?
7. Malcolm Young, a founding member and guitarist for what popular hard rock band, died last Saturday at the age of 64?
Thanksgiving Trivia
1. Which giant balloon character has flown in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade more times than any other?
2. What Midwestern state is the largest producer in the US of turkeys?
3. What 19th century president issued the "Thanksgiving Proclamation" making the last Thursday in November the holiday?
4. The first Thanksgiving celebration in America took place in what current US state?
5. Of the three utensils we use to eat (fork, spoon and knife), which was not present at the first Thanksgiving feast?
6. Canada celebrates its Thanksgiving in what month?
7. True or false: The turkey was domesticated in the nation of Turkey.
The Q Train: Country Nicknames Trivia
1. The Red Dragon
2. The Lucky Country
3. The Gift of the Nile
4. The Boot
5. The Rainbow Nation
6. The Hermit Kingdom
7. Land of the Incas
8. Graveyard of Empires
9. Land of Hope and Glory
10. Land of Milk and Honey
General Knowledge
1. What Peanuts character famously played the piano? ( 1 pt)
2. Temple University is located in what US city? ( 1 pt)
3. The Twitter logo sports the name "Larry" after what famous person? ( 1 pt)
4. "Live Free or Die" is what US state's motto? ( 2 pt)
5. Who succeeded King George VI as England's monarch? ( 2 pt)
6. What is the most consumed fruit in the US? ( 2 pt)
7. What color are sunsets on Mars? ( 3 pt)
IQ Trivia
1. In 1982, Charles Brooks became the first person in the US to be executed by what method? ( 3 points)
2. What fictional literary character holds the world record for the most depictions in film and TV? ( 5 points)
3. "Backrub" was the original name of what online technology company? ( 4 points)
4. What is the largest country in area in Central America? ( 4 points)
5. The 1966 film "The Fortune Cookie" was the first of ten cinematic pairings of what two Oscar-winning actors? ( 4 points)
Answers
Current Events
1. UCLA; 2. Blake Shelton; 3. Mario Cuomo; 4. Leonardo daVinci; 5. Michael Jackson; 6. South Dakota; 7. AC/DC.
Thanksgiving Trivia
1. Snoopy (38 times); 2. Minnesota; 3. Abraham Lincoln; 4. Massachusetts; 5. fork; 6. October; 7. false, Mexico.
The Q Train: Country Nicknames Trivia
1. China; 2. Australia; 3. Egypt; 4. Italy; 5. South Africa; 6. North Korea; 7. Peru; 8. Afghanistan; 9. England; 10. Switzerland & Israel.
General Knowledge
1. Schroeder; 2. Philadelphia; 3. Larry Bird; 4. New Hampshire; 5. Queen Elizabeth II; 6. bananas; 7. blue.
IQ Trivia
1. Lethal injection; 2. Sherlock Holmes; 3. Google; 4. Nicaragua; 5. Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.
Monday, November 20, 2017
We Give Thanks For Trivia On Tuesday
The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
"What Peanuts character famously played the piano?"
We had a huge turnout last week, so make sure you get in early to grab good seats or a table. I look forward to seeing many of you this Tuesday night for another great night of Trivia Q&A as we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving!
Friday, November 17, 2017
"The Chicago Cubs: Story of a Curse"
On November 2, 2016, history was made that night that no living person could ever say they had previously witnessed. The Chicago Cubs, billed for years as "The Lovable Losers", had finally reached the mountaintop and gave their long-suffering fans the thrill of winning their first World Series since 1908.For me, it brought back memories of watching the Red Sox win the World Series back in 2004, ending their own 86-year dry spell. I was pulling for the Cubs, and was thrilled for them and their supporters.In the aftermath of the Red Sox win 13 years ago, there were a whole slew of books released about it from every conceivable angle you can think of. And with the Cubs' victory, it brought lots of reading material to hit the store shelves. And one of them was just released last month, by author Rich Cohen called "The Chicago Cubs: Story of a Curse" (Farrar, Straus and Giroux).
Cohen, who grew up in suburban Chicago and authored such books as "Monsters" (about the 1985 Chicago Bears) and "Tough Jews" (about the Brooklyn Jewish mob of the 1930s), takes us on a tour of his Cubs fandom, as well as a history of the star-crossed franchise he fell in love with. At the age of 8, he was warned by his father NOT to become a Cubs fan after taking young Rich to his first game at Wrigley Field. But a lifelong love of the team was born for him.
Cohen starts with those Cubs teams that dominated the National League in the latter part of the first decade of the 20th century, that featured such stars as Frank Chance, Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers and Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown. (And he goes into detail about how Brown got the nickname). The Cubs would would rule the NL from 1906-1913, winning two World Series and winning more games than any other club in the league.
The good times of dominance didn't last, as the Cubs won sporadic pennants over the next 30 years, but no World Series. And Cohen hits the "Curse" section of the book by retelling the story of tavern owner William Sianis and the story of his goat, which he brought to Game 4 of the 1945 World Series, but was ejected as the goat got many complaints from neighboring fans. Sianis then supposedly put the whammy on the franchise, whether you put any stock in curses or not (I don't), it makes for an entertaining retelling.
1969 is the next stop on the Cubs storied history of futility, blowing a long lead to the Mets that summer, then over to 1984 when the Cubs made it to the postseason for the first time since 1945, only to blow a 2-0 NLCS lead to the San Diego Padres, topped off by Leon Durham's memorable Game 5 error, and then to 2003 and the Steve Bartman Affair. Cohen goes into plenty of detail about all of them to make every Cubs fan who remembers living through them shake their head in utter disgust. (He also goes into plenty of background on Bill Buckner, as remembers him from his Cubs days, as he has a photo taken with him in 1979.)
Cohen is clearly a devoted fan who has stuck with his team through thick and thin, and brings readers to his days at Wrigley Field as a youngster, cutting out of school to catch games in the bleachers with other diehards, especially during the days the Cubs were fighting to stay out of the NL East basement.
The book concludes with the 2016 championship season, and breaks down each postseason game. I did find the ending a bit surprising, as he was present in Cleveland for the Game 7 win, but didn't celebrate with other Cubs fans. He recalls being sad, like his childhood had disappeared once Anthony Rizzo caught the last out.
I definitely enjoyed "The Chicago Cubs: Story of a Curse." part of it might be the connection that Red Sox fans have with Cubs fans, with all the futility stretched out over the generations. But it is a great baseball story from a man who finally saw it all come together for his beloved team.
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Trivia Q&A: November 14
It was our third time back on Tuesday nights last night at Professor Thom's for Trivia, and we had a terrific crowd in, 18 teams. It was also nice to see some old Trivia regulars back from my days of doing Trivia at the Caledonia bar on the Upper East Side from three years ago. It's always a nice surprise seeing folks from years ago (and they were sentimental choice for Best Team Name).
We had unusually low scores for both Current Events and for General Knowledge this week, as I guess this was one of those weeks I made the categories a little too difficult. But that happens, and we had three teams were fighting out to finish, separated by two points going into IQ Trivia. But our friends from DIMS pulled out the victory, getting 44 points. Congrats to the boys on a hard-fought win last night.
Second place went to last week's champions, The B Team, who just missed repeating, ending up with 42 points. Third place went to My Wife, That Tramp with 41 points.
Best Team Name: RIP Caledonia
Current Events
1. Last week, actor Corey Haim claimed that what controversial actor sexually assaulted him over 30 years ago on the set of a movie they were making, a charge the actor denied?
2. Pope Francis announced that Vatican employees can no longer purchase what common product, with the Vatican store giving up an estimated $11 million a year in profit?
3. What American athlete was barred from entering Chile last week and returned to the US because of his rap sheet that includes a rape conviction?
4. What perennial soccer powerhouse nation was eliminated from qualifying for the 2018 World Cup on Monday, and will be missing the tourney for the first time since 1958?
5. What cable channel was hit with a racial discrimination class action lawsuit last Thursday, after having had one dismissed earlier this year?
6. President Trump reportedly wants what church to lose its tax-exempt status, one it acquired after a long battle with the IRS in 1993?
7. What country singer was hammered on social media last week for lip-synching his new single at the CMA Awards but explained he did it to save his voice for his upcoming tour?
American Music Trivia
1. In 1997, what famous rapper was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles?
2. What was Elvis Presley's first number one single in the US in 1956?
3. What legendary R&B singer was nicknamed "Soul Brother Number 1" and "Mr. Dynamite?"
4. Dave Grohl rose to fame in the early 1990s as a member of what rock band?
5. In 1999, what American pop singer is the oldest woman, at 52, to have the number one single on the US charts?
6. Who replaced David Lee Roth as Van Halen's lead singer in 1986?
7. In 2017, what artist scored his 14th number one album on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart, the most by any American artist?
The Q Train: 10-100 Trivia
1. The second point gained in a game of tennis is this number.
2. The golden wedding anniversary is this many years.
3. This is the total number of minutes in a regulation soccer match.
4. The Hebrew people lived in the desert for this many years, according to the Bible.
5. Venti size coffees at Starbuck's are these many ounces.
6. Nicolas Cage starred in a 2000 film called "Gone in __ Seconds."
7. Benjamin Franklin is on this US numerical bill.
8. A traditional Snellen chart uses this many different letters.
9. This is the maximum age for a cardinal to vote in a papal election.
10. This number USA interstate highway runs from Utah to Maryland.
General Knowledge
1. Pinot noir is what color wine? ( 1 pt)
2. "Semper Fidelis" is the motto of what branch of the US armed forces? ( 1 pt)
3. What part of the body is inflamed by hepatitis? ( 1 pt)
4. The city of Winnipeg is located in what Canadian province? ( 2 pt)
5. In Morse Code, what letter is denoted by a single dash? ( 2 pt)
6. Kato was the sidekick to what masked superhero? ( 2 pt)
7. What is the largest US city in population named after a US president? ( 3 pt)
IQ Trivia
1. What western US state is the only state with a bilingual constitution? ( 4 points)
2. "Submitted For Your Approval" was a 1995 documentary about what TV legend? ( 4 points)
3. What iconic Disney cartoon character received 291 votes in Sweden's general election in 1985? ( 3 points)
4. In what city would you find Antoine's, founded in 1840, the oldest family-run restaurant in America? ( 4 points)
5. What naturally occurring phenomenon generates heat equal to five times the surface of the sun? ( 5 points)
Answers
Current Events
1. Charlie Sheen; 2. cigarettes; 3. Mike Tyson; 4. Italy; 5. CNN; 6. Church of Scientology; 7. Garth Brooks.
American Music Trivia
1. Notorious BIG; 2. "Heartbreak Hotel;" 3. James Brown; 4. Nirvana; 5. Cher; 6. Sammy Hagar; 7. Jay-Z.
The Q Train: 10-100 Trivia
1. 30; 2. 50; 3. 90; 4. 40; 5. 20; 6. 60; 7. 100; 8. 10; 9. 80; 10. 70.
General Knowledge
1. Red; 2. Marine Corps; 3. liver; 4. Manitoba; 5. T; 6. The Green Hornet; 7. Jacksonville, FL.
IQ Trivia
1. New Mexico; 2. Rod Serling; 3. Donald Duck; 4. New Orleans; 5. lightning.
We had unusually low scores for both Current Events and for General Knowledge this week, as I guess this was one of those weeks I made the categories a little too difficult. But that happens, and we had three teams were fighting out to finish, separated by two points going into IQ Trivia. But our friends from DIMS pulled out the victory, getting 44 points. Congrats to the boys on a hard-fought win last night.
Second place went to last week's champions, The B Team, who just missed repeating, ending up with 42 points. Third place went to My Wife, That Tramp with 41 points.
Best Team Name: RIP Caledonia
Current Events
1. Last week, actor Corey Haim claimed that what controversial actor sexually assaulted him over 30 years ago on the set of a movie they were making, a charge the actor denied?
2. Pope Francis announced that Vatican employees can no longer purchase what common product, with the Vatican store giving up an estimated $11 million a year in profit?
3. What American athlete was barred from entering Chile last week and returned to the US because of his rap sheet that includes a rape conviction?
4. What perennial soccer powerhouse nation was eliminated from qualifying for the 2018 World Cup on Monday, and will be missing the tourney for the first time since 1958?
5. What cable channel was hit with a racial discrimination class action lawsuit last Thursday, after having had one dismissed earlier this year?
6. President Trump reportedly wants what church to lose its tax-exempt status, one it acquired after a long battle with the IRS in 1993?
7. What country singer was hammered on social media last week for lip-synching his new single at the CMA Awards but explained he did it to save his voice for his upcoming tour?
American Music Trivia
1. In 1997, what famous rapper was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles?
2. What was Elvis Presley's first number one single in the US in 1956?
3. What legendary R&B singer was nicknamed "Soul Brother Number 1" and "Mr. Dynamite?"
4. Dave Grohl rose to fame in the early 1990s as a member of what rock band?
5. In 1999, what American pop singer is the oldest woman, at 52, to have the number one single on the US charts?
6. Who replaced David Lee Roth as Van Halen's lead singer in 1986?
7. In 2017, what artist scored his 14th number one album on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart, the most by any American artist?
The Q Train: 10-100 Trivia
1. The second point gained in a game of tennis is this number.
2. The golden wedding anniversary is this many years.
3. This is the total number of minutes in a regulation soccer match.
4. The Hebrew people lived in the desert for this many years, according to the Bible.
5. Venti size coffees at Starbuck's are these many ounces.
6. Nicolas Cage starred in a 2000 film called "Gone in __ Seconds."
7. Benjamin Franklin is on this US numerical bill.
8. A traditional Snellen chart uses this many different letters.
9. This is the maximum age for a cardinal to vote in a papal election.
10. This number USA interstate highway runs from Utah to Maryland.
General Knowledge
1. Pinot noir is what color wine? ( 1 pt)
2. "Semper Fidelis" is the motto of what branch of the US armed forces? ( 1 pt)
3. What part of the body is inflamed by hepatitis? ( 1 pt)
4. The city of Winnipeg is located in what Canadian province? ( 2 pt)
5. In Morse Code, what letter is denoted by a single dash? ( 2 pt)
6. Kato was the sidekick to what masked superhero? ( 2 pt)
7. What is the largest US city in population named after a US president? ( 3 pt)
IQ Trivia
1. What western US state is the only state with a bilingual constitution? ( 4 points)
2. "Submitted For Your Approval" was a 1995 documentary about what TV legend? ( 4 points)
3. What iconic Disney cartoon character received 291 votes in Sweden's general election in 1985? ( 3 points)
4. In what city would you find Antoine's, founded in 1840, the oldest family-run restaurant in America? ( 4 points)
5. What naturally occurring phenomenon generates heat equal to five times the surface of the sun? ( 5 points)
Answers
Current Events
1. Charlie Sheen; 2. cigarettes; 3. Mike Tyson; 4. Italy; 5. CNN; 6. Church of Scientology; 7. Garth Brooks.
American Music Trivia
1. Notorious BIG; 2. "Heartbreak Hotel;" 3. James Brown; 4. Nirvana; 5. Cher; 6. Sammy Hagar; 7. Jay-Z.
The Q Train: 10-100 Trivia
1. 30; 2. 50; 3. 90; 4. 40; 5. 20; 6. 60; 7. 100; 8. 10; 9. 80; 10. 70.
General Knowledge
1. Red; 2. Marine Corps; 3. liver; 4. Manitoba; 5. T; 6. The Green Hornet; 7. Jacksonville, FL.
IQ Trivia
1. New Mexico; 2. Rod Serling; 3. Donald Duck; 4. New Orleans; 5. lightning.
Monday, November 13, 2017
Honoring Our Own On Tuesday
The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
"Pinot noir is what color wine?"
I hope to see many of you on Tuesday night for another great night of Trivia Q&A!
Wednesday, November 08, 2017
Trivia Q&A: November 7
It was a cold and rainy night in New York City last night, and it looked like that was going to keep many of the Trivia regulars away. We started off small, but fortunately people started coming into Professor Thom's as the Trivia Night progressed. We had 10 teams in all, and I thank you all who braved the miserable weather to come out and have a good time.
The team of DIMS dominated most of the night, and were actually working on a prefect night going into General Knowledge. They got one question incorrect in that round, but still had a seven-point lead going into IQ Trivia. But the team in second place, The B Team, had a perfect final round to win by just one point. They had 47 points to claim the victory, and my congratulations to Cato and Bob on a terrific win.
DIMS finished second with 46 points and Tom Petty and the Heart Attacks finished third with 32 points.
Current Events
1. What pizza company said last week that its sales are down because of the NFL's decreased TV ratings and the protests surrounding the league, as they are an official sponsor?
2. What Oscar-winning actor was accused of sexual harassment by a female production assistant when he worked on a TV movie from 1985, and she said he groped her and talked sex with her?
3. What rap star released a new album with an image on the cover of him standing over a dead body with a toe-tag with President Trump's name on it?
4. Prime Minister Saad Hariri, of what Middle Eastern country, resigned last Saturday while making a televised address in Saudi Arabia, saying his life was in danger?
5. What Republican senator was assaulted at his home last Friday by a neighbor as he was mowing his lawn?
6. What American actor allegedly showed up drunk at a London premiere of his new movie last weekend and then showed some odd behavior on a British TV show the next night?
7. What outspoken actor said last weekend he was stepping away from his Twitter account following a backlash from his remarks about women settling sexual harassment suits?
Election Trivia
1. When he ran for president in 1992, Ross Perot received how many electoral votes in total?
2. What number constitutional amendment set the minimum voting age at 18 for federal elections?
3. Who was the last Republican presidential candidate to win the vote in New York state?
4. In 1984, Geraldine Ferrero was the first female vice-presidential candidate. What state did she represent in Congress?
5. Who the only man to be elected president and vice-president two times each?
6. Who was the last sitting vice-president to be elected president?
7. Who won more states in the last two presidential elections, Barack Obama in 2012 or Donald Trump in 2016?
The Q Train: True or False Trivia
1. "Three's Company", the 1970s sitcom, was based on a successful British series.
2. John Adams was defeated for re-election by his own vice-president.
3. Apples are the world's most popular fruit.
4. There is a man named John Rambo on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.
5. Leonardo daVinci famously cut off his ear and gave it to his girlfriend.
6. Florida is larger in land area than the entire nation of Japan.
7. In the book "The Wizard of Oz", Dorothy wears silver and not ruby slippers.
8. One of every two Americans lives within 50 miles of where they were born.
9. Walt Disney was cryogenically frozen after his death.
10. Count Dracula was based on a real person.
General Knowledge
1. The rover called Sojourner explored what planet in 1997? ( 1 pt)
2. On the TV series "Friends", how many times did the character Ross get married? (1 pt)
3. What does an ornithologist study? ( 1 pt)
4. Boko Harem is the militant Islamic group currently based in what country? ( 2 pt)
5. Arbor Day is the last Friday in what month? ( 2 pt)
6. How many black keys are there on a standard piano? ( 2 pt)
7. A fletcher is a person who makes what type of product? ( 3 pt)
IQ Trivia
1. What country issued the first postage stamp in 1840? ( 3 points)
2. In the 1995 comedy film "Mars Attacks", the music of what country musician eventually killed off the Martians when they heard it and repelled the invasion? ( 4 points)
3. In May 2014, Eric Garcetti became the first ever Jewish mayor of what US city? ( 5 points)
4. Who is the only Roman Catholic to be Vice-President of the United States? ( 4 points)
5. In 2002, what TV series was named the best television show of all-time by TV Guide? ( 4 points)
Answers
Current Events
1. Papa John's; 2. Dustin Hoffman; 3. Snoop Dogg; 4. Lebanon; 5. Rand Paul; 6. Johnny Depp; 7. Alec Baldwin.
Election Trivia
1. None; 2. 26; 3. Ronald Reagan; 4. New York; 5. Richard Nixon; 6. George H.W. Bush; 7. Donald Trump (30-26)
The Q Train: True or False Trivia
1. true; 2. true; 3. false, tomatoes; 4. true; 5. false, Vincent Van Gogh; 6. false, Japan is 3 times larger; 7. true; 8. true; 9. false, he was cremated; 10. true.
General Knowledge
1. Mars; 2. three; 3. birds; 4. Nigeria; 5. April; 6. 36; 7. arrows.
IQ Trivia
1. England; 2. Slim Whitman; 3. Los Angeles; 4. Joe Biden; 5. "Seinfeld."
The team of DIMS dominated most of the night, and were actually working on a prefect night going into General Knowledge. They got one question incorrect in that round, but still had a seven-point lead going into IQ Trivia. But the team in second place, The B Team, had a perfect final round to win by just one point. They had 47 points to claim the victory, and my congratulations to Cato and Bob on a terrific win.
DIMS finished second with 46 points and Tom Petty and the Heart Attacks finished third with 32 points.
Current Events
1. What pizza company said last week that its sales are down because of the NFL's decreased TV ratings and the protests surrounding the league, as they are an official sponsor?
2. What Oscar-winning actor was accused of sexual harassment by a female production assistant when he worked on a TV movie from 1985, and she said he groped her and talked sex with her?
3. What rap star released a new album with an image on the cover of him standing over a dead body with a toe-tag with President Trump's name on it?
4. Prime Minister Saad Hariri, of what Middle Eastern country, resigned last Saturday while making a televised address in Saudi Arabia, saying his life was in danger?
5. What Republican senator was assaulted at his home last Friday by a neighbor as he was mowing his lawn?
6. What American actor allegedly showed up drunk at a London premiere of his new movie last weekend and then showed some odd behavior on a British TV show the next night?
7. What outspoken actor said last weekend he was stepping away from his Twitter account following a backlash from his remarks about women settling sexual harassment suits?
Election Trivia
1. When he ran for president in 1992, Ross Perot received how many electoral votes in total?
2. What number constitutional amendment set the minimum voting age at 18 for federal elections?
3. Who was the last Republican presidential candidate to win the vote in New York state?
4. In 1984, Geraldine Ferrero was the first female vice-presidential candidate. What state did she represent in Congress?
5. Who the only man to be elected president and vice-president two times each?
6. Who was the last sitting vice-president to be elected president?
7. Who won more states in the last two presidential elections, Barack Obama in 2012 or Donald Trump in 2016?
The Q Train: True or False Trivia
1. "Three's Company", the 1970s sitcom, was based on a successful British series.
2. John Adams was defeated for re-election by his own vice-president.
3. Apples are the world's most popular fruit.
4. There is a man named John Rambo on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.
5. Leonardo daVinci famously cut off his ear and gave it to his girlfriend.
6. Florida is larger in land area than the entire nation of Japan.
7. In the book "The Wizard of Oz", Dorothy wears silver and not ruby slippers.
8. One of every two Americans lives within 50 miles of where they were born.
9. Walt Disney was cryogenically frozen after his death.
10. Count Dracula was based on a real person.
General Knowledge
1. The rover called Sojourner explored what planet in 1997? ( 1 pt)
2. On the TV series "Friends", how many times did the character Ross get married? (1 pt)
3. What does an ornithologist study? ( 1 pt)
4. Boko Harem is the militant Islamic group currently based in what country? ( 2 pt)
5. Arbor Day is the last Friday in what month? ( 2 pt)
6. How many black keys are there on a standard piano? ( 2 pt)
7. A fletcher is a person who makes what type of product? ( 3 pt)
IQ Trivia
1. What country issued the first postage stamp in 1840? ( 3 points)
2. In the 1995 comedy film "Mars Attacks", the music of what country musician eventually killed off the Martians when they heard it and repelled the invasion? ( 4 points)
3. In May 2014, Eric Garcetti became the first ever Jewish mayor of what US city? ( 5 points)
4. Who is the only Roman Catholic to be Vice-President of the United States? ( 4 points)
5. In 2002, what TV series was named the best television show of all-time by TV Guide? ( 4 points)
Answers
Current Events
1. Papa John's; 2. Dustin Hoffman; 3. Snoop Dogg; 4. Lebanon; 5. Rand Paul; 6. Johnny Depp; 7. Alec Baldwin.
Election Trivia
1. None; 2. 26; 3. Ronald Reagan; 4. New York; 5. Richard Nixon; 6. George H.W. Bush; 7. Donald Trump (30-26)
The Q Train: True or False Trivia
1. true; 2. true; 3. false, tomatoes; 4. true; 5. false, Vincent Van Gogh; 6. false, Japan is 3 times larger; 7. true; 8. true; 9. false, he was cremated; 10. true.
General Knowledge
1. Mars; 2. three; 3. birds; 4. Nigeria; 5. April; 6. 36; 7. arrows.
IQ Trivia
1. England; 2. Slim Whitman; 3. Los Angeles; 4. Joe Biden; 5. "Seinfeld."
Monday, November 06, 2017
Vote For Trivia Tomorrow
The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
"The rover called Sojourner explored what planet in 1997?"
We get going at 8:30 on Tuesday night, and I hope many of you can come out to what should be a great night of Trivia then!
Wednesday, November 01, 2017
Trivia Q&A: October 31
It was our first night back on Tuesday nights last night, and that along with the combination of it being Halloween Night brought out just 9 teams, but we did have many folks wearing Halloween costumes who decided not to take part in Trivia. Oh well, their loss.
The team of DIMS returned to the winner's circle last night, as they had a dominant night, getting 54 points, which included a sweep of the IQ Trivia questions. But they had some good competition, with the team of Never Enough Generals snagging second place with 50 points (they also swept through the final round). Third place went to Better Ingredients, Better Pizza, Papadopoulous with 40 points (and they also won Best Team Name).
Current Events
1. A commission in what US state is considering a possible move by that state from the Eastern Time Zone to Atlantic Time Zone, putting it one ahead permanently?
2. What retail chain announced that they will be testing robots in 50 of their stores by the end of next January?
3. Last week, the NAACP issued a warning to travelers to be careful about flying what airline, saying it has a culture of "racial insensitivity?"
4. What country's High Court ruled that the Deputy Prime Minister is ineligible to remain in Parliament, costing the government its one-seat majority in Parliament?
5. What magazine caused a firestorm last week by publishing an opinion piece entitled "Why are all the conservative loudmouths Irish-American?"
6. A Rolex Daytona watch belonging to what late Oscar-winning actor was sold for $17.8 million at auction last week, a new record for a wristwatch?
7. What female celebrity was slammed on Twitter last week after posting a picture of her gawking at Katy Perry and her breasts, and she wrote "It's time to bring out the big balloons!"?
Halloween Trivia
1. In what European country did jack o'lanterns originate?
2. What Halloween tradition originated from a Roman harvest that honors the goddess Pamona?
3. Halloween is October 31st, which is the last day of the year on what calendar?
4. In "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown", who does Linus mistake for the Great Pumpkin?
5. What Michael Jackson song was adapted by director John Landis into a highly successful Halloween themed music video?
6. In the movie, "E.T.", what Halloween costume does E.T. wear?
7. Wiccaphobia is an abnormal and persistent fear of what?
The Q Train: Horror Films Trivia
1. A Nightmare on Elm Street
2. The Omen
3. The Exorcist
4. The Others
5. The Shining
6. Carrie
7. The Blair Witch Project
8. An American Werewolf in London
9. Rosemary's Baby
10. Halloween
General Knowledge
1. Who piloted the Spirit of St. Louis across the Atlantic Ocean? ( 1 pt)
2. The film classics "North By Northwest" and "Vertigo" were
directed by whom? ( 1 pt)
3. Titan is the largest moon of what planet? ( 1 pt)
4. What is the largest bone in the human body? ( 2 pt)
5. What color are black box flight data recorders? ( 2 pt)
6. What US State's name comes from the Spanish word meaning "mountainous?" (2 pt)
7. In mythology, Morpheus was the Greek god of what? ( 3 pt)
IQ Trivia
1. What Agatha Christie play has run continuously in London's West End since 1952, with over 26, 500 performances to date? ( 5 points)
2. The city where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914 is now the capital of what independent nation? ( 4 points)
3. What is the smallest state in the US west of the Mississippi River in land area? ( 3 points)
4. The Fisherman's Ring is worn by what famous person? ( 4 points)
5. What actor won Academy Awards each for playing the characters of Popeye Doyle and Little Bill Daggett in films over 20 years apart? ( 4 points)
Answers
Current Events
1. Massachusetts; 2. Walmart; 3. American Airlines; 4. Australia; 5. Newsweek; 6. Paul Newman; 7. Ellen DeGeneres.
Halloween Trivia
1. Ireland; 2. Bobbing for apples; 3. Celtic; 4. Snoopy; 5. "Thriller;" 6. ghost; 7. witches.
The Q Train: Horror Films Trivia
1. 1980s (1984); 2. 1970s (1976); 3. 1970s (1973); 4. 2000s ( 2001); 5. 1980s (1980); 6. 1970s (1976); 7. 1990s (1999); 8. 1980s (1981); 9. 1960s (1968); 10. 1970s (1978).
General Knowledge
1. Charles Lindbergh; 2. Alfred Hitchcock; 3. Saturn; 4. femur; 5. orange; 6. Montana; 7. dreams.
IQ Trivia
1. "The Mousetrap"; 2. Bosnia; 3. Hawaii; 4. The Pope; 5. Gene Hackman.
The team of DIMS returned to the winner's circle last night, as they had a dominant night, getting 54 points, which included a sweep of the IQ Trivia questions. But they had some good competition, with the team of Never Enough Generals snagging second place with 50 points (they also swept through the final round). Third place went to Better Ingredients, Better Pizza, Papadopoulous with 40 points (and they also won Best Team Name).
Current Events
1. A commission in what US state is considering a possible move by that state from the Eastern Time Zone to Atlantic Time Zone, putting it one ahead permanently?
2. What retail chain announced that they will be testing robots in 50 of their stores by the end of next January?
3. Last week, the NAACP issued a warning to travelers to be careful about flying what airline, saying it has a culture of "racial insensitivity?"
4. What country's High Court ruled that the Deputy Prime Minister is ineligible to remain in Parliament, costing the government its one-seat majority in Parliament?
5. What magazine caused a firestorm last week by publishing an opinion piece entitled "Why are all the conservative loudmouths Irish-American?"
6. A Rolex Daytona watch belonging to what late Oscar-winning actor was sold for $17.8 million at auction last week, a new record for a wristwatch?
7. What female celebrity was slammed on Twitter last week after posting a picture of her gawking at Katy Perry and her breasts, and she wrote "It's time to bring out the big balloons!"?
Halloween Trivia
1. In what European country did jack o'lanterns originate?
2. What Halloween tradition originated from a Roman harvest that honors the goddess Pamona?
3. Halloween is October 31st, which is the last day of the year on what calendar?
4. In "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown", who does Linus mistake for the Great Pumpkin?
5. What Michael Jackson song was adapted by director John Landis into a highly successful Halloween themed music video?
6. In the movie, "E.T.", what Halloween costume does E.T. wear?
7. Wiccaphobia is an abnormal and persistent fear of what?
The Q Train: Horror Films Trivia
1. A Nightmare on Elm Street
2. The Omen
3. The Exorcist
4. The Others
5. The Shining
6. Carrie
7. The Blair Witch Project
8. An American Werewolf in London
9. Rosemary's Baby
10. Halloween
General Knowledge
1. Who piloted the Spirit of St. Louis across the Atlantic Ocean? ( 1 pt)
2. The film classics "North By Northwest" and "Vertigo" were
directed by whom? ( 1 pt)
3. Titan is the largest moon of what planet? ( 1 pt)
4. What is the largest bone in the human body? ( 2 pt)
5. What color are black box flight data recorders? ( 2 pt)
6. What US State's name comes from the Spanish word meaning "mountainous?" (2 pt)
7. In mythology, Morpheus was the Greek god of what? ( 3 pt)
IQ Trivia
1. What Agatha Christie play has run continuously in London's West End since 1952, with over 26, 500 performances to date? ( 5 points)
2. The city where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914 is now the capital of what independent nation? ( 4 points)
3. What is the smallest state in the US west of the Mississippi River in land area? ( 3 points)
4. The Fisherman's Ring is worn by what famous person? ( 4 points)
5. What actor won Academy Awards each for playing the characters of Popeye Doyle and Little Bill Daggett in films over 20 years apart? ( 4 points)
Answers
Current Events
1. Massachusetts; 2. Walmart; 3. American Airlines; 4. Australia; 5. Newsweek; 6. Paul Newman; 7. Ellen DeGeneres.
Halloween Trivia
1. Ireland; 2. Bobbing for apples; 3. Celtic; 4. Snoopy; 5. "Thriller;" 6. ghost; 7. witches.
The Q Train: Horror Films Trivia
1. 1980s (1984); 2. 1970s (1976); 3. 1970s (1973); 4. 2000s ( 2001); 5. 1980s (1980); 6. 1970s (1976); 7. 1990s (1999); 8. 1980s (1981); 9. 1960s (1968); 10. 1970s (1978).
General Knowledge
1. Charles Lindbergh; 2. Alfred Hitchcock; 3. Saturn; 4. femur; 5. orange; 6. Montana; 7. dreams.
IQ Trivia
1. "The Mousetrap"; 2. Bosnia; 3. Hawaii; 4. The Pope; 5. Gene Hackman.