Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Trivia Q&A: November 26

 We had a smaller crowd for Trivia this week, as the Thanksgiving holiday kept some folks away. But eight teams took part, and we had a close contest though the evening. The top three teams were separated by five points heading into IQ Trivia. But the team in second place and four points behind, The Coastal Camel Toes, got 4 of 5 correct in the final round to pull out the victory with 39 points. Congratulations to Anthony, Victor and Vinny on their win, on their first time in Professor Thom's and playing trivia.

Second place went to Team 7 with 35 points, and third place went to Who Is Bowen Taylor? with 30 points.

Current Events
1. What R&B/rap star was nominated for eight 2020 Grammy Awards last week, the most of any artist, including Record and Song of the Year?
2. What NBA and sports commentator issued an apology last week after saying to a female reporter "I don't hit women but if I did it would be you?"
3. What small European country is set to become the world's first nation to make all of its public transportation free next summer?
4. An asteroid was named after what late classic rock star last week, on the occasion of what would have been his 70th birthday?
5. On a recent "Tonight Show", Will Ferrell said that what Oscar-winning actor told him that the infamous Saturday Night Live sketch "More Cowbell" "ruined his life", as overzealous fans once brought cowbells to his theater performances?
6. What tuna maker filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last week and the company is also facing civil lawsuits related to price-fixing?
7. What pop singer was named Artist of the Decade at the American Music Awards last Sunday night?

Thanksgiving Trivia
1. Which 20th century US president proclaimed that the fourth Tuesday in November to be Thanksgiving Day?
2. In what current US state was the first Thanksgiving held?
3. What West African country also celebrates a Thanksgiving Day every November?
4. Which giant balloon character has flown in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade more times than any other?
5. Which midwestern US state has the most number of live turkeys in production in America?
6. Name 1 of the 2 NFL teams that traditionally host a football game on Thanksgiving.
7. WPIX Channel 11 in NYC traditionally shows what classic 1934 film every Thanksgiving Day?

The Q Train: Saturday Night Live Characters Trivia
1. Wayne Campbell
2. Alex Trebek
3. Mary Catherine Gallagher
4. Mr. Robinson
5. Debbie Downer
6. Hanukkah Harry
7. Matt Foley
8. The Church Lady
9. Emily Litella
10. Bill Clinton

General Knowledge
1. Who was the Greek god of the sea? ( 1 pt)
2. What was the name of Jack Sparrow's ship in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films? ( 1 pt)
3. Badminton originated in what country? ( 1 pt)
4. The first hospital in the US was founded in 1751 in what eastern city? ( 2 pt)
5. In 1971, who was the first actor to ever refuse an Oscar for Best Actor? ( 2 pt)
6. In the film franchise "Transformers", what planet are the Transformers from? ( 2 pt)
7. In 1960, what was the first animated sitcom to air on prime time TV? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. Cabo San Lucas sits at the tip of what peninsula? ( 4 points)
2. The movie "Jurassic Park" is based on a novel written by what acclaimed American author? ( 3 points)
3. What US government agency owns and operates the GPS (Global Positioning System)? ( 4 points)
4. In what Asian country is Labor Thanksgiving Day celebrated every November 23? ( 4 points)
5. Tommy Bolt, winner of the 1958 US Open, is the only golfer to be fined by the PGA for committing what bodily infraction on the course, and is probably the only athlete to be fined doing this in any sport? ( 5 points)

Answers
Current Events
1. Lizzo; 2. Charles Barkley; 3. Luxembourg; 4. Freddie Mercury; 5. Christopher Walken; 6. Bumble Bee; 7. Taylor Swift.

Thanksgiving Trivia
1. FDR; 2. Massachusetts; 3. Liberia; 4. Snoopy ( 40 times); 5. Minnesota; 6. Lions and Cowboys; 7. "March of the Wooden Soldiers."

The Q Train: Saturday Night Live Characters
1. Mike Myers; 2. Will Ferrell; 3. Molly Shannon; 4. Eddie Murphy; 5. Rachel Dratch; 6. Jon Lovitz; 7. Chris Farley; 8. Dana Carvey; 9. Gilda Radner; 10. Phil Hartman and Darrell Hammond.

General Knowledge
1. Poseidon; 2. The Black Pearl; 3. England; 4. Philadelphia; 5. George C. Scott; 6. Cybertron; 7. "The Flintstones."

IQ Trivia
1. Baja, California; 2. Michael Crichton; 3. US Air Force; 4. Japan; 5. Farting.

Monday, November 25, 2019

We Give Thanks On Tuesday

Trivia will be happening this Tuesday night, November 26th at 8:30 PM, with "Thanksgiving Trivia" as the Special Category. It will be seven questions connected to that grand American holiday coming up this Thursday in history and pop culture. The Q Train lightning round will be "Saturday Night Live Characters Trivia." I will give you the names of ten characters that were portrayed on the NBC late night show, and you have to tell me the actor or actress who played that character.

The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
"Who was the Greek god of the sea?"

We've been seeing more and more folks coming to Trivia Night, and that's great to see. I look forward to seeing many of this Tuesday night for another great night of Trivia!

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Trivia Q&A: November 19

We had a nice turnout last night, with 11 teams participating, and a lot of folks in the bar, as most teams had a large number of players, and it was a great atmosphere as well. We had the top four teams separated by just four points, but one of the teams tied for third, Impossible Club, got 4 of 5 correct in IQ Trivia to pull out the win with 42 points. Congratulations to Bob and Cato on a nice come from behind win.

We had a tie for second place, with both Deez Nutz+ and Impeaches & Cream at 41 points. We broke the tie with this question: “As of 2019, what is the current population of the nation of Lebanon?” Deez Nutz+ was closest to the answer (6.68 million) and took second.

Best Team Name: Trader Hoes

Current Events
1. A fan is suing what female pop singer after the star changed the start time of an upcoming Miami concert 2 hours later and other fans of hers are angry over her lateness at shows of her current tour?
2. Evo Morales, former president of what South American country, resigned last week and fled the country, getting asylum in Mexico?
3. What longtime daytime soap opera went on an indefinite hiatus this month, and might be ending its 55-year run on TV?
4. What singer was chosen People’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2019?
5. What rock singer revealed last week he built an epic model railway city in his home for 23 years, even building skyscrapers and other scenery while on tour?
6. What Italian city has been experiencing its second worst flooding on record, with 85% of the city flooded?
7. What female pop singer says that owners of her song catalog won’t allow her to perform her songs at the upcoming AMAs and won’t allow the songs to be used in a Netflix documentary about her career?

Disney Movie Trivia
1. What Disney Movie was the first full-length animated feature to be produced in the US? a. Snow White; b. Bambi; c. Pinocchio; d. Steamboat Willie.
2. What popular Disney character makes a cameo appearance as a stuffed animal in Frozen? a. Dumbo; b. Donald Duck; c. Mickey Mouse; d. Stitch.
3. What Disney movie was the first full-length animated feature to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture? a. Lion King; b. Beauty and the Beast; c. Little Mermaid; d. Jungle Book.
4. The soundtrack of which Disney animated feature includes 7 Elvis Presley songs? a. Lilo and Stitch; b. Treasure Planet; c. Jungle Book; d. Hercules.
5. In the movie Finding Nemo, which country has Nemo been taken to? a. Japan; b. New Zealand; c. USA; d. Australia.
6. What is the name of The Lion King? a. Scar; b. Simba; c. Mufasa; d. Shenzi.
7. In The Jungle Book, what kind of animal is Shere Khan? a. Tiger; b. Lion; c. Bear; d. Panther.

The Q Train: Classic TV Trivia
1. The Sopranos
2. Hill Street Blues
3. Law and Order
4. Star Trek
5. M*A*S*H
6. Arrested Development
7. Blue Bloods
8. Seinfeld
9. The Honeymooners
10. Lost

General Knowledge
1. How many squares are there on a standard chess board? (1 pt)
2. The musical “The King and I” takes place in what modern day country? (1 pt)
3. What color is liquid oxygen? (1 pt)
4. Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win an Oscar for Best Director for what film in 2009? (2 pt)
5. Between zombies, werewolves and vampires, which monster dies the Center for Disease Control have a preparedness page devoted for? (2 pt)
6. What is the name for a second full moon appearing in a calendar month? (2 pt)
7. What is the Scottish drink made from whiskey and heather honey called? (3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. What TV show, the number 1 American comedy of 1979-80, was based on the British sitcom “Man   About the House?” (4 points)
2. In 1920, KDKA became the first commercial radio station in the US, airing from what eastern city? ( 5 points)
3. What 1986 comedy/horror film featured cameos by Bill Murray, Steve Martin, John Candy And Jim Belushi? (3 points)
4. What is the only Middle Eastern country with French as an official language? ( 4 points)
5. What fictional character was also known as Lord Greystoke? (4 points)

Answers
Current Events
1. Madonna; 2. Bolivia; 3. “Days of Our Lives;” 4. John Legend; 5. Rod Stewart; 6. Venice; 7. Taylor Swift.

Disney Movie Trivia
1. a; 2. c; 3. b; 4. a; 5. d; 6. b (I also accepted c); 7. a.

The Q Train: Classic TV Trivia
1. 1990s (1999); 2. 1980s (1981); 3. 1990s (1990); 4. 1960s (1966); 5. 1970s (1972); 6. 2000s (2003); 7. 2010s (2010); 8. 1980s (1989); 9. 1950s (1955); 10. 2000s (2004).

General Knowledge
1. 64; 2. Thailand; 3. Blue; 4. “The Hurt Locker;” 5. Zombies; 6. Blue moon; 7. Drambuie.

IQ Trivia
1. “Three’s Company;” 2. Pittsburgh; 3. “Little Shop of Horrors;” 4. Lebanon; 5. Tarzan.

Monday, November 18, 2019

Test Your Disney Knowledge

Trivia will be happening this Tuesday night, November 19th at 8:30 PM with “Disney Movie Trivia” as the Special Category. It will be seven questions connected to films made by the Disney company down through the years, and the questions will be multiple choice. The Q Train lightning round will be “Classic TV Trivia.” I will give you the names of ten classic TV shows from down through the years, and you have to tell me what decade the show made its original debut.

The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
“How many squares are there on a standard chess board?”

Our friends from DIMS will be taking the week off, so I look forward to seeing many of you on Tuesday night for another great night of Trivia!

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Trivia Q&A: November 12

It was a rather cold night in New York City on Tuesday night, but we had a good crowd turn out for Trivia, as 11 teams played. Our friends from DIMS got off to a great start, and were leading with what appeared to be a comfortable lead of six points thought the first three rounds. But the team of Walt Quizney pulled off a great comeback, coming from fourth place and nine points down after the Q Train lightning round and had the best score in the last two rounds to pull out a victory, with 42 points. My congratulations to Roxanne, Patti, Nancy and Trevor on winning on their first night ever at Trivia Night. And it was a double victory, as they also had the Best Team Name as well.

DIMS finished in second place with 40 points, and third place went to The Clinton Murder Mystery Dinner with 36 points.

Current Events
1. What iconic actor, who died in 1955, will be "cast" in an upcoming Vietnam era action-drama film, and his performance will be constructed using full body CGI and using actual footage and photos?
2. What European airline's cabin crew and other workers walked out on strike last week over pay and other issues?
3. What retail chain, which has been in major financial trouble over many years, announced last week they will close more than a third of their stores, leaving it with 182 stores nationwide?
4. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced he would be running for his old Senate seat next year in what US state?
5. What longtime game show host was hospitalized last week to correct a blocked intestine, thus canceling tapings of his show?
6. Two Republican NYC councilmen plan to introduce legislation this month to create a task force to examine the feasibility of which borough to secede from New York City?
7. According to Forbes, what film is now the most profitable comic book movie ever?

November Trivia
1. In November 1967, what Paul Newman film was released, which featured the classic line, "What we have here is failure to communicate?"
2. In November 2012, Google's Gmail became the world's most popular email service. Who was the leader before that?
3. On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, how many years after it was originally constructed?
4. In November 1984, what billionaire bought Leonardo daVinci's book "Codex Leicester" for $30.8 million, a record for a book or manuscript?
5. Mariner 9 became the first spacecraft to orbit what planet in November 1971?
6. In November 1981, the wedding of Luke and Laura on what TV soap opera was one of the most watched TV weddings in history?
7. The controversial episode called "The Contest" from what sitcom aired on November 18, 1992, and was later named the number one episode of all-time by TV Guide?

The Q Train: DeNiro, Pacino and Pesci Trivia
1. Easy Money
2. Ronin
3. The Insider
4. Mean Streets
5. The Super
6. Phil Spector
7. Silver Linings Playbook
8. JFK
9. Cop Land
10. Glengarry Glen Ross

General Knowledge
1. What is the minimu temperature that is considered a high-grade fever in an adult? ( 1 pt)
2. South by Southwest Festival takes place each year in what city? ( 1 pt)
3. What fairytale is the Disney film "Tangled" based on? ( 1 pt)
4. What male film star had the starring role in two films based on video game: "Doom" and "Rampage?" ( 2 pt)
5. Who was the ancient Greek god of dreams? ( 2 pt)
6. What future Oscar-winning director was a co-writer of the screenplay for the 1983 film "Scarface?" ( 2 pt)
7. Name 1 of the 3 Monopoly pieces that were removed from the game in 2017. ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1.Since 2001, what snack food from Pepperidge Farms has gone by the catchphrase "The snack that smiles back"? ( 4 points)
2. Since 2015, what famous American businessman and entrepreneur has been portrayed in commercials by such stars as Rob Lowe, Jason Alexander and George Hamilton? ( 3 points)
3. What rock group did Neil Young found with Stephen Stills in the mid-1960s before the band split and Young went on to a successful solo career? ( 4 points)
4. The third oldest MLB ballpark currently after Fenway Park and Wrigley Field is located in what US city? ( 4 points)
5. What US state has the most cattle per person in the United States, more than four times as many cattle as they do people? ( 5 points)

Answers
Current Events
1. James Dean; 2. Lufthansa; 3. Sears; 4. Alabama; 5. Pat Sajak; 6. Staten Island; 7. "The Joker."

November Trivia
1. "Cool Hand Luke;" 2. Microsoft Hotmail; 3. 28 years; 4. Bill Gates; 5. Mars; 6. "General Hospital;" 7. "Seinfeld."

The Q Train: DeNiro, Pacino and Pesci Trivia
1. Pesci; 2. DeNiro; 3. Pacino; 4. DeNiro; 5. Pesci; 6. Pacino; 7. DeNiro; 8. Pesci; 9. DeNiro; 10. Pacino.

General Knowledge
1. 103 degrees; 2. Austin, TX; 3. Rapunzel; 4. Dwayne Johnson; 5. Morpheus; 6. Oliver Stone; 7. Boot, wheelbarrow and thimble.

IQ Trivia
1. Goldfish; 2. Col. Harlan Sanders; 3. Buffalo Springfield; 4. Los Angeles (Dodger Stadium); 5. South Dakota.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Gangster Legends This Week

Trivia will be happening this Tuesday night, November 12th at 8:30 PM< with "November Trivia" as the Special category. It will be seven questions connected to the month of November in history and pop culture. The Q Train lightning round will be "DeNiro, Pacino and Pesci Trivia." In honor of the new film "The Irishman" that just opened earlier this month that stars Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci, I will give you the names of ten films that starred one of these iconic stars, and you have to tell me which one. (Each film will include just one star, none contain two or more.)

The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
"The South by Southwest Festival takes place each year in what city?"

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

Wednesday, November 06, 2019

Trivia Q&A: November 5

We had a nice turnout on Tuesday night, as the bar had Celtics, Bruins and a Michigan basketball game on, and 12 teams played Trivia. We had a nice little celebration for our beloved bartender Gigi, who was celebrating her birthday last night, and the bar gave her a nice round of "Happy Birthday." We also had a close race to the finish, but the team of Whose Dick Hertz? emerged as the winner, rolling up 46 points and the victory. Congrats to Ken of DIMS who was playing solo last night, and entered the winners circle alone (we get very few solo winners on Trivia Night). Second place went to We're Here For The Basketball with 41 points, and third place went to Happy Birthday Gigi, Epstein Didn't Kill Himself with 38 points (and they also won for Best Team Name). 

Current Events
1. Alberto Fernandez was elected president of what South American country last week?
2. Katie Hill, a Democratic Congresswoman from what US state, resigned from the House amid an ethics investigation into a sexual relationship she had with a staffer?
3. Saad Hariri, the prime minister of what Middle Eastern country, announced he would resign after two weeks of anti-government protests over the country's economic crisis?
4. What social media outlet said last week thqat they are banning political ads from its platform?
5. What Democratic presidential candidate ended his campaign last Friday, dropping the field to 17 candidates?
6. What fast-food chain apologized last week for offering a "Sundae Bloody Sundae" Halloween promotion in Portugal, the term referring to the murder of 14 people in Northern Ireland by British soldiers in 1972?
7. The corner or Ryerson Street and DeKalb Avenue was renamed last week in honor of what immortal 19th century poet who lived on that Brooklyn street?

Election Trivia
1. What US president was elected with most lopsided vote in history in terms of electoral votes?
2. What state did Richard Nixon unsuccessfully run for governor in 1962, and memorably said, "You won't have Nixon to kick around any more?"
3. What is the earliest possible day that Election Day can be held in November?
4. In 1984, Geraldine Ferraro was the first female vice-presidential candidate. What state did she represent in Congress?
5. How many times has New York senator Chuck Schumer been elected to the US Senate?
6. What number amendment to the Constitution lowered the minimum age to 18?
7. Who was the last man elected mayor of New York City three times?

The Q Train: 1-25 Trivia
1. This is the number of wives King Henry VIII had.
2. Ancient Rome had this many days in a week.
3. This is the number of frames per second at which motion picture film is usually produced.
4. Abraham Lincoln was this number US president.
5. This is the number needed to win a game of badminton or table tennis.
6. The right fielder in baseball is this number player.
7. Jim Carrey starred in a 2007 film about an obsession with this number.
8. A heptagon had this number of sides.
9. In Harry Potter's universe, this is the number for the coming of age of wizards.
10. Aquarius is this number sign of the Zodiac.

General Knowledge
1. Who played God in the 2003 film "Bruce Almighty?" ( 1 pt)
2. The images described in "The Star Spangled Banner" are from what war? ( 1 pt)
3. What famous American said "I regret that I have only one life to give to my country?" ( 1 pt)
4. Which of the four main characters in "Sex and the City" was the oldest? ( 2 pt)
5. How many colors are in a standard bag of M&Ms? ( 2 pt)
6. Feta cheese originated in what European country? ( 2 pt)
7. On what day of the year does the Meteorological Winter begin? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. Montana-born Jeannette Rankin was the first American woman to do what in 1917? ( 5 points)
2. In which 2017 film does Helen Mirren play Jason Statham's mother? ( 4 points)
3. What 20th century US president was the last one who never attended college? ( 4 points)
4. In 1980, the New Jersey legislature proposed a resolution to make what 1975 classic rock song "the unofficial theme song of our state's youth?" ( 3 points)
5. What European artist was known as "The Divine?" ( 4 points)

Answers
Current Events
1. Argentina; 2. California; 3. Lebanon; 4. Twitter; 5. Beto O'Rourke; 6. McDonald's; 7. Walt Whitman.

Election Trivia
1. Ronald Reagan; 2. California; 3. November 2; 4. New York; 5. four; 6. 26; 7. Michael Bloomberg.

The Q Train: 1-25 Trivia
1. 6; 2. 8; 3. 24; 4. 16; 5. 21; 6. 9; 7. 23; 8. 7; 9. 17; 10. 11.

General Knowledge
1. Morgan Freeman; 2. War of 1812; 3. Nathan Hale; 4. Samantha Jones; 5. six; 6. Greece; 7. December 1st.

IQ Trivia
1. Serve in Congress; 2. "Fate of the Furious;" 3. Harry S. Truman; 4. "Born to Run;" 5. Michelangelo.

Monday, November 04, 2019

Cast Your Vote With Trivia On Tuesday

Trivia will be happening this Tuesday night, November 5th at 8:30 PM, with "Election Trivia" as the Special category. It will be seven questions connected to American elections throughout the years, in honor of this Tuesday being Election Day. (And don't forget to vote!) The Q Train lightning round will be "1-25 Trivia." I will give you ten general knowledge statements, and each answer will be a number from 1 to 25. (And every answer will be a different number.)

The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
"The images described in 'The Star Spangled Banner' are from what war?"

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