Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Trivia Q&A: January 29

It was a chilly and rainy night on Tuesday in New York, but we still had a good crowd turn out for Trivia, with 11 teams taking part. We also had a Michigan-Ohio State basketball game on as well and that brought some fans out, a few who actually played Trivia along with us. It was a close night throughout, but we had something absolutely unprecedented happen at the finish: two sets of ties, one between the top two teams, and another with the next two teams tied for third place. So we broke the ties with the same question: "In his eight Suoer Bowl appearances, how many total years has Tom Brady thrown for?" The answer was 2,576, and the first tie was won by Crispy Critters, who was closest (and they finished the night with 40 points). Congratulations to Cato and Bob on their victory. DIMS finished in second place. The team of Book Hockey was the closest to the answer to break the tie for third (and they finished with 36 points, just edging out Heaps of Pasta.

Best Team Name: Roger Stone's Back Tattoo

Current Events
1. What female pop singer was accused by two rap singers of stealing their lyrics to her newest hit single?
2. What actress was nominated for an Academy Award last week and became the most nominated living person never to win an Oscar, her 7th nomination?
3. Juan Guaido swore himself in as the new interim president of what country and officially recognized by President Trump and many other nations?
4. What TV talk show host revealed last week that Barbra Streisand recently refused to appear on his show because they refused to film her on her "good side?"
5. Michael Ertel, the secretary of state from what southern state, resigned last week after photos of him wearing blackface on Halloween emerged?
6. The most expensive home in US history was recently sold for $238 million to a hedgefunder in what US city?
7. A mining dam collapsed in what South American country last Friday, causing dangerous flooding and mudslides with over 200 people still missing?

Super Bowl Trivia
1. Who did the New England Patriots defeat to win their first Super Bowl in 2002? a. Chicago Bears; b. St. Louis Rams; c. Carolina Panthers; d. Philadelphia Eagles.
2. How many Super Bowls have the Giants and Jets won in their histories combined? a. 3; b. 4; c. 5; d. 6.
3. Which TV network is broadcasting this year's Super Bowl? a. CBs; b. NBC; c. Fox; d. ABC.
4. What team has won the most Super Bowls? a. New England Patriots; b. Dallas Cowboys; c. San Francisco 49ers; d. Pittsburgh Steelers.
5. What player has won the most Super Bowl MVP awards? a. Eli Manning; b. Tom Brady; c. Terry Bradshaw; d. Joe Montana.
6. Which of the following cities has hosted the most Super Bowls? a. New Orleans; b. Los Angeles; c. Atlanta; d. Phoenix.
7. Which of the following teams has never played in a Super Bowl? a. Cincinnati Bengals; b. Detroit Lions; c. Carolina Panthers; d. Tampa Bay Bucs.

The Q Train: Before or After Trivia
1. Google was founded in 2000.
2. The New York Mets won their first World Series in 1967.
3. The first Harry Potter book was published in the UK in 1994.
4. The first Godfather movie was released in 1975.
5. Madonna released her first album in 1981.
6. The Sopranos debuted on HBO in 1997.
7. The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in NYC first opened in 1968.
8. The first iPhone was released in 2009.
9. The last Olympic Games held in the USA was in 1998.
10. The last man walked on the moon in 1974.

General Knowledge
1. Harland Sanders founded what company in 1952? ( 1 pt)
2. In what 2014 film did Matt Damon play a stranded astronaut? ( 1 pt)
3. How many moons does Venus have? ( 1 pt)
4. What actor played Mr. Pink in the 1992 film "Reservoir Dogs?" ( 2 pt)
5. The secret formula to Coca-Cola is located in what American city? ( 2 pt)
6. Between "Cherry Garcia", "Half-Baked" and "Chunky Monkey", which one was Ben & Jerry's top flavor of 2018? ( 2 pt)
7. NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal made his film debut in what 1994 sports film? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. What TV show's finale had the most-watched TV episode of the 1990s? ( 3 points)
2. What civil rights group was founded on the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birthday? ( 4 points)
3. The first commercial airline flight took place in January 1914 and occurred between two cities in what southern US state? ( 4 points)
4. In 2009, what sports network made its TV debut in nearly 50 million cable and satellite homes in the US, the largest debut in cable TV history? ( 4 points)
5. "Piranha 2: The Spawning" was the 1981 film directing debut of what future Oscar-winning director? ( 5 points)

Answers
Current Events
1. Ariana Grande; 2. Glenn Close; 3. Venezuela; 4. Jimmy Kimmel; 5. Florida; 6. New York City; 7. Brazil.

Super Bowl Trivia
1. b; 2. c; 3. a; 4. d; 5. b; 6. a; 7. b.

The Q Train: Before or After Trivia
1. Before, 1998; 2. after, 1969; 3. after, 1997; 4. before, 1992; 5. after, 1983; 6. after, 1999; 7. before, 1964; 8. before, 2007; 9. after, 2002; 10. before, 1972.

General Knowledge
1. Kentucky Fried Chicken; 2. "Interstellar;" 3. none; 4. Steve Buscemi; 5. Atlanta; 6. Half-Baked; 7. "Blue Chips."

IQ Trivia
1. "Cheers;" 2. NCAAP; 3. Florida; 4. MLB Network; 5. James Cameron.

Monday, January 28, 2019

Big Game Trivia on Tuesday

Trivia will be happening this Tuesday night, January 29th at 8:30 PM, with "Super Bowl Trivia" as the Special Category. It will be seven questions on the history of the NFL's big game, and for those of you who aren't big pigskin fans, it will be a multiple choice round, so you can take some educated (or just wild) guesses. The Q Train lightning round will be "Before or After Trivia." I will give you ten general knowledge (from mostly sports, movies, TV and other pop culture) statements that include a year that is incorrect, and you have to tell me whether the correct year is before or after the year in the statement. (And the years will be mostly within the last fifty years.)

The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
"Harland Sanders founded what company in 1952?"

We've been getting some really good crowds on the first three Trivia Nights of 2019, so I would suggest getting in a bit early to assure a good seat or table. I look forward to seeing many of you on Tuesday night!

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Trivia Q&A: January 22

We had another fine turnout on Tuesday night, as 15 teams took part, and it's really encouraging to see the crowds so loyal and enthusiastic to start off 2019. It was a close contest all night long, with no one team dominating. Going into the last round, the top five teams had just four points between them. But it was the team ofg 4 of 5 correct in IQ Trivia to winight, getting 4 of 5 correct in IQ Trivia to win the night by one point, garnering 42 points. Congratulations to Bob and Cato on their return to the winner's circle.

Second place went to You Might Remember Me From Such Trivia Nights As This One with 41 points (nice to see my pal Larry back at Trivia Night) and third place went to Bob Loblaw's Law Blog with 38 points. (They also won for Best Team Name, and I didn't mess up that name even once all night!)

Current Events
1. Julian Castro, the former secretary of housing and mayor of what Texas city, announced last week his intention to run for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020?
2. What broadcaster announced last week that he was leaving NBC after a 40-year career after settling his current contract with the network?
3. What female singer is suing her ex-assistant over her filming the singer in secret and using the videos to blackmail her?
4. What Grammy award-winning female R&B singer was chosen to sing the National Anthem at next month's Super Bowl?
5. Pawel Adamowicz, a big city mayor in what eastern European country, was stabbed to death at a charity event on stage last week?
6. A new study by United Van Lines said that more people moved out of what northeastern US state than any other state in 2018, with over 66% of the moves there were "outbound?"
7. 73 people were killed last Friday in what country when a gas pipeline exploded, thought to have been done by illegal taps by thieves into the pipeline?

Australia Trivia
1. In which city is the Australian Open tennis tournament held each year?
2. Between Nicole Kidman, Heath Ledger and Hugh Jackman, which one was NOT born in Australia?
3. What is Australia's largest city in population?
4. What is Australia's most popular team in sport in term's of fan attendance?
5. What explorer claimed Australia for England in 1770?
6. In what year did Sydney host the Summer Olympics?
7. What Australian-born actress has been nominated for seven Oscars, the most of any Australian?

The Q Train: 11-20 Trivia
1. This number was the title of the debut album from singer Adele.
2. This is the number of checkers each side has at the start of a backgammon game.
3. This is the number of regular season games each NFL team plays.
4. This is the number of face cards in a standard deck of playing cards.
5. The number of players on each side of a soccer match.
6. In the US, this is the number age that a person can enlist in the Armed Forces.
7. This is the number of days in a fortnight.
8. The highest number on a standard dartboard is this number.
9. Alex Rodriguez wore this number in his time with the NY Yankees.
10. The sixth album from American musician Moby in 2002 was this number.

General Knowledge
1. Elton John rewrote what song as a tribute to Princess Diana? ( 1 pt)
2. What male tennis player won the most Grand Slam titles? ( 1 pt)
3. The main character in the 1995 film "Clueless" was named after female singer/actress? ( 1 pt)
4. What South American country did the infamous Jonestown cult live in? ( 2 pt)
5. The 1990s TV series "Family Matters" was a spinoff of what hit sitcom? ( 2 pt)
6. Between hippopotamus, the spider and the mosquito, which animal kills the most humans annually? ( 2 pt)
7. Arthur Curry is the real name of what superhero? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. Archie Griffin is the only person to win what coveted sports award twice? ( 3 points)
2. Beatrice Straight won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1976 for what film, one that she appeared in for only six minutes, the fewest ever for an Oscar-winning actor? ( 4 points)
3. What US president spent 233 days outside the US visiting 134 destinations, both the most of any US president? ( 4 points)
4. What pizza franchise began in the mid-1980s in a converted broom closet? ( 4 points)
5. Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph founded what online company in 1997, which today has 130 million subscribers in over 190 countries? ( 5 points)

Answers
Current Events
1. San Antonio; 2. Bob Costas; 3. Mariah Carey; 4. Gladys Knight; 5. Poland; 6. New Jersey; 7. Mexico.

Australia Trivia
1. Melbourne; 2. Nicole Kidman; 3. Sydney; 4. Aussie Rules Football; 5. Captain James Cook; 6. 2000; 7. Cate Blanchett.

11-20 Trivia
1. 19; 2. 15; 3. 16; 4. 12; 5. 11; 6. 17; 7. 14; 8. 20; 9. 13; 10. 18.

General Knowledge
1. "Candle In The Wind;" 2. Roger Federer; 3. Cher; 4. Guyana; 5. "Perfect Strangers;" 6. mosquito; 7. Aquaman.

IQ Trivia
1. Heisman Trophy; 2. "Network;" 3. Bill Clinton; 4. Papa John's; 5. Netflix.

Monday, January 21, 2019

Test Your Down Under Trivia On Tuesday

Trivia will be happening this Tuesday night, January 22nd at 8:30 PM, with "Australia Trivia" as the Special Category, in honor of the country having their national holiday next weekend. It will be seven questions concerning their history and pop culture. The Q Train lightning round will be "11-20 Trivia." I will give you ten general knowledge questions where the answer will be a number from 11 to 20, and every answer will be a different number.

The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
"Elton John rewrote what song as a tribute to Princess Diana?"


We've been getting some great crowds to begin 2019, so get in early on Tuesday night to assure a good seat or table. I look forward to seeing many of you then!

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Trivia Q&A: January 15

It's been really encouraging to see the crowds growing on Trivia Night as 2019 begins. We had 16 teams in for Trivia last night, and a great race to the finish, with three teams tied for first entering IQ Trivia, all at 28 points. But it was our friends from DIMS, who had a perfect round to end the night, getting the win with 48 points. Congratulations to Ken, Karen and Darek on their victory.

Second place went to Multiple Scorgasms with 44 points, and third place went to Tardy to the Party with 41 points.

With thanks to Brian from Sixpoint Breweries for coming in last night and giving away special prizes for the top three teams.

Best Team Name: Mediocre Yet Enthusiastic Blowjobs

Current Events
1. What country landed a vehicle on the far side of the moon earlier this month, the first country in history to do so?
2. The National Geographic Channel pulled what famous man's long-running show off the air earlier this month due to allegations of sexual misconduct against him?
3. King Muhammad V of what Southeast Asian country announced he was abdicating the throne after 2 years, the first monarch there ever to leave?
4. Prosecutors in Illinois are urging other alleged victims to come forward after several women accused what singer of sexual abuse and domestic violence?
5. President Trump named Andrew Wheeler as his nominee to be the head of what independent agency last week?
6. What iconic NYC building is now up for sale, as the owners sighted rising costs and stiff competition from new towers as reasons for selling?
7. According to a new poll conducted by Morning Consult, what senator was ranked as the most popular US senator for the 11th straight year in 2018?

African American History and Pop Culture Trivia
1. Thurgood Marshall became the first African American Supreme Court justice named by what US president?
2. "Beloved", the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about slavery's aftermath, was written by what author?
3. Who was the first African American actress to win the Academy Award for Best Actress?
4. What historically black university was founded in 1881 by author and educator Booker T. Washington?
5. Larry Doby was the first African American baseball player to play in the American League in 1947 for what team?
6. In 1996, the first Best Rap Album Grammy award went to "Poverty's Paradise" by what group?
7. Last September, Box Office Mojo named what African American actor its most bankable star, calculating he's done over 120 movies that have grossed $13.3 billion worldwide?

The Q Train: True or False Trivia
1. Microsoft was founded in Seattle, WA.
2. Yuengling is the oldest brewery in America.
3. Insect blood is generally colorless.
4. Neptune is the only planet named for a Greek god.
5. The USA grows the most coffee in the world.
6. The US' oldest operating subway tunnel is in Boston.
7. Italy leads the list of the world's most popular countries for tourists to visit.
8. "Suspicious Minds" was Elvis Presley's final Billboard number one hit.
9. "Creed II" was the only film sequel of 2018 that had its number in the title with Roman numerals.
10. The jackrabbit is the fastest animal on land.

General Knowledge
1. Ian Fleming created what iconic movie character? ( 1 pt)
2. What birthstone is associated with the month of January? ( 1 pt)
3. The Apollo 11 mission to the moon was launched in what year? ( 1 pt)
4. How many times has Sylvester Stallone played Rocky in the movies? ( 2 pt)
5. What 16th century European is credited for inventing the thermometer? ( 2 pt)
6. What Harry Potter book has sold the most copies worldwide? ( 2 pt)
7. What was MTV's courtroom-themed game show that ran for two seasons in the late 1990s? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. Sonia Manzano starred on what American TV show for 44 years until her retirement in 2015? ( 5 points)
2. Walter Chauncey Camp is generally credited to be the "father" of what American team sport? ( 4 points)
3. The 1970s NBC series "Night Gallery" was created by what TV legend better known for a similar 1960s TV show? ( 4 points)
4. The novel "Rum Punch" was the basis for what 1997 Quentin Tarantino film? ( 4 points)
5. What iconic late 20th century sports figure appeared on 18 Wheaties cereal boxes, the most ever? ( 3 points)

Answers
Current Events
1. China; 2. Neil deGrasse Tyson; 3. Malaysia; 4. R. Kelly; 5. EPA; 6. Chrysler Building; 7. Bernie Sanders.

African American History and Pop Culture Trivia
1. Lyndon Johnson; 2. Toni Morrison; 3. Halle Berry; 4. Tuskegee University; 5. Cleveland Indians; 6. Naughty By Nature; 7. Samuel L. Jackson.

The Q Train: True or False Trivia
1. False, Albuquerque, NM; 2. true; 3. true; 4. false, Uranus; 5. false, Brazil; 6. true; 7. false, France; 8. true; 9. true; 10. false, cheetah.

General Knowledge
1. James Bond; 2. garnet; 3. 1969; 4. eight; 5. Galileo Galilei; 6. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone;" 7. "The Blame Game."

IQ Trivia
1. "Sesame Street;" 2. football; 3. Rod Serling; 4. "Jackie Brown;" 5. Michael Jordan.

Monday, January 14, 2019

We Celebrate MLK's Birthday On Tuesday

Trivia will be happening this Tuesday night, January 15th at 8:30 PM, and the Special Category will be "African American History and Pop Culture Trivia", in honor of Tuesday being Martin Luther King's birthday. It will be seven questions about black Americans through the years in history, music, movies and sports. The Q Train lightning round will be "True or False Trivia."

The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
"Ian Fleming created what iconic movie character?"

I look forward to seeing many of you this Tuesday night for another great night of Trivia Q&A!

Wednesday, January 09, 2019

Trivia Q&A: January 8

On the first Trivia Night of 2019, we had 11 teams in. It was a terrific night, and we had a great race to the finish between two teams: DIMS and Dumbs. And for the fifth straight Trivia Night, we had to break a tie, as both of those teams finished with 39 points and for the top spot. So, we broke the tie with this question: "How many total items are stored in the Library of Congress?" DIMS guessed 80 million, and they were the closest, as the actual number is 167 million. Congratulations to Ken, Michael and Karen (so nice seeing her back after a long absence from Trivia Night) on their victory.

Third place went to Don't Kid Yourself Would Be a Great Name For a Condom Company with 34 points (They also won for Best Team Name).

I also want to thank everyone in the bar last night who surprised me with a very nice round of "Happy Birthday" before the fifth round, and the very nice chocolate cupcake that was given to me by the lovely Neeru. I love you all!

Current Events
1. Actor Alfonso Ribiero is suing the video game developers Fortnite over the use of a dance his character popularized on what hit 1990s sitcom?
2. Forbes magazine listed what filmmaker as the "Wealthiest Celebrity for 2018", with his estimated wealth of $5.4 billion?
3. What superstar female pop singer set a new single-day streaming record for Spotify with nearly 11 million listens on Christmas Eve?
4. Who did the AP select as their Male Athlete of the Year for 2018, and he became the fourth man to win the award three times?
5. What bankrupt retail chain plans to close 80 stores in March as it faced the possibly being liquidated, but a last-minute deal today keeps it open?
6. What late singer's estate owes $6.3 million in unpaid taxes and $1.5 million in penalties over the last six years of her life?
7. What controversial comedian did a routine in NYC last month that outraged many, including making jokes about the Parkland shooting victims?

2018 Movies Trivia
1. What film won the Academy Award for Best Picture at the 2018 Oscars?
2. What classic HBO crime series is getting a prequel film, it was announced in early 2018?
3. What actor portrayed Scott Lang in the 2018 film "Ant-Man and the Wasp?"
4. What Disney film was the highest-grossing film of 2018 worldwide, grossing over $2 billion?
5. Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett starred together in what hit 2018 film?
6. What Oscar-nominated actor made his directorial debut in the 2018 film "A Star Is Born?"
7. Rami Malek starred in a 2018 movie about what late entertainer?

The Q Train: 1-10 Trivia
1. How many moons does the planet Mars have?
2. How many total "Home Alone" movies were made?
3. Meryl Streep has won this total number of Oscars in her stories career.
4. Jamie Lee Curtis has appeared in how many films in the "Halloween" franchise?
5. The decathlon consists of this many track and field events.
6. Hall of Fame athletes Yogi Berra and Kobe Bryant wore this number.
7. Sagittarius is this number sign of the Zodiac.
8. Tetraphobia is the fear of this number.
9. Nitrogen has this atomic number.
10. This is the number of Super Bowls won by the New York Jets in their history.

General Knowledge
1. "Stayin' Alive" was a 1983 sequel to what hit movie? ( 1 pt)
2. When was the last time the Summer and Winter Olympics were both played in the same year? ( 1 pt)
3. The world's largest library is located in what US city? ( 1 pt)
4. The eve of what holiday is ranked as the biggest drinking night of the year in the US? ( 2 pt)
5. "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here. This is the war room!" is a famous line from what 1960s film? ( 2 pt)
6. How many tablespoons are in a cup in the US? ( 2 pt)
7. At what temperature do Fahrenheit and Celsius match? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. The 14th of July Revolution took place in 1958 in what Middle Eastern country? ( 4 points)
2. What team sport used the term "home run" before baseball? ( 3 points)
3. Who was the first US president to make a declaration of war? ( 4 points)
4. The 1999 film "10 Things I Hate About You" was based on what Shakespeare play? (4 points)
5. Britton Hill, at 345 feet, is the lowest high point of any US state, and is found in what state? ( 5 points)

Answers
Current Events
1. "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air;" 2. George Lucas; 3. Mariah carey; 4. LeBron James; 5. Sears; 6. Aretha Franklin; 7. Louis CK.

2018 Movies Trivia
1. "The Shape of Water;" 2. "The Sopranos;" 3. Paul Rudd; 4. "Avengers: Infinity War;" 5. "Ocean's 8;" 6. Bradley Cooper; 7. Freddie Mercury.

The Q Train: 1-10 Trivia
1. 2; 2. 6; 3. 3; 4. 5; 5. 10; 6. 8; 7. 9; 8. 4; 9. 7; 10. 1.

General Knowledge
1. "Saturday Night Fever;" 2. 1992; 3. Washington, DC; 4. Thanksgiving; 5. "Dr. Stranglove;" 6. 16; 7. -40 degrees.

IQ Trivia
1. Iraq; 2. cricket; 3. James Madison; 4. "The Taming of the Shrew;" 5. Florida.

Monday, January 07, 2019

We Get 2019 Off to a Great Start

Happy 2019 to everyone out there! Our first Trivia Night of the New Year will be this Tuesday night, January 8th at 8:30 PM, with "2018 Movie Trivia" as the Special Category. It will be seven questions connected to movies from last year. The Q Train lightning round will be "1-10 Trivia." I will ask you ten questions where the answer will be a number from 1 to 10, with every answer being a different number.

The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
"'Stayin' Alive'" was a 1983 sequel to what hit movie?"

I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday season, and I look forward to seeing many of you as we kick off a new year of Trivia at Professor Thom's on Tuesday night!