Friday, April 24, 2020

Trivia Q&A: April 23

Our third edition of "Facebook Live Trivia Night" brought in another big crowd, with the high of 35 watching at the highest point. The night belonged to my old friend and fellow Red Sox fanatic Ruth Montilla and her Aussie boyfriend, who rolled up 45 points and got the win. It was another enjoyable night, and thanks to all of you who took part. See you next Thursday night at 8 PM ET on Facebook Live!

Pop Music Trivia
1. "Frank" was the 2003 debut album from what female pop singer?
2. What Boston-based rock band won MTV's first Best Video Award in 1984?
3. What hit Michael Jackson song did Eddie Van Halen play lead guitar on?
4. In 1987, who became the first female artist to debut on the Billboard album charts at Number 1?
5. What was Madonna's first number 1 US Billboard hit single?
6. Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker were what 1960s rock band?
7. For what album did the Beatles win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year?
8. What female pop singer founded the Lilith Fair music festival?
9. "Say It Right" was a number 1 hit in over 20 different music charts worldwide in 2006 for what female artist?
10. Dave Grohl rose to fame in the early 1990s as a member of what rock band?

The Q Train: True or False Trivia
1. Top-performing companies are called "blue chips" after the costliest chips in casinos.
2. Italian is NOT an official language of Switzerland.
3. The Davis Cup is awarded in the sport of golf.
4. Dallas is the largest city by population in the state of Texas.
5. George Orwell got the title for his novel "1984" by reversing the last two numbers, as it was written in 1948.
6. A silverfish is actually a fish colored silver.
7. Jerry Stiller, aka Frank Costanza, is the father of actor Ben Stiller.
8. The temperature of Absolute Zero is minus 459 degrees Fahrenheit.
9. Coca-Cola at one time actually contained cocaine.
10. The host of the children's TV show "Blue's Clues", Steve Burns, died of a heroin overdose.

General Knowledge
1. In what country is most of the world's coffee produced? ( 1 pt)
2. The 1812 Overture was written by what 19th century composer? ( 1 pt)
3. Michelangelo's Statue of David is located in what Italian city? ( 1 pt)
4. What large US state has the biggest state fair? ( 2 pt)
5. Between blue, orange and purple, which color property gives you the best odds of winning Monopoly? ( 2 pt)
6. The main headquarters for Lego is found in what European country? ( 2 pt)
7. What fruit is traditionally eaten at midnight on New Year's Eve in Mexico? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. In what midwestern state would you find the largest US cities beginning with the letters "X" and "Z"? ( 5 points)
2. What current country is the French navigator Jacques Cartier famous for exploring in the 16th century? ( 3 points)
3. "Think", written in 1964, is the theme song to what current iconic TV show? ( 4 points)
4. In 1901, what became the first billion-dollar company in US history? ( 4 points)
What object does Tom Cruise's character use as a microphone while dancing in his underwear in the movie "Risky Business?" ( 4 points)

Answers
Pop Music Trivia
1. Amy Winehouse; 2. The Cars; 3. "Beat It;" 4. Whitney Houston; 5. "Like a Virgin;" 6. Cream; 7. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band;" 8. Sarah MacLachlan; 9. Nelly Furtado; 10. Nirvana.

The Q Train: True or False Trivia
1. True; 2. false; 3. false, tennis; 4. false, Houston; 5. true; 6. false, it is a wingless insect; 7. true; 8. true; 9. true; 10. false, it is an urban legend.

General Knowledge
1. Brazil; 2. P.I. Tchaikovsky; 3. Florence; 4. Texas; 5. Orange; 6. Denmark; 7. grapes.

IQ Trivia
1. Ohio (Xenia and Zanesville); 2. Canada 3. "Jeopardy;" 4. US Steel; 5. Candlestick.

Friday, April 17, 2020

Trivia Q&A: April 16

Our second edition of "Facebook Live Trivia Night" was another great success, as we had another great turnout of folks last night who took part and played. The highest number I saw at any one time online live was 49. And some old friends from my first stint as Trivia host at Professor Thom's turned up: Joe, Gillian and Mariangela, some of my hardcore Trivia players from the late 2000s and early 2010s. And they were the winners last night, rolling up 50 points using that classic team name "I Wish This Microphone Were a Penis"! Congrats to them on their victory.

We took out the Current Events round, as I figured with this pandemic there isn't a whole lot else going on, so we played just four rounds. I am considering returning to five rounds next Thursday by adding another Special Category. I'll let you all know early next week what we'll be doing.

Seinfeld Trivia
1. How many seasons was Seinfeld on NBC?
2. Kramer frequently sought the counsel of an attorney who was based on what real-life lawyer?
3. What celebrity did Jerry decline his request to help him move?
4. George was fired from Pendant Publishing after he was caught by his boss sleeping with whom?
5. Kramer rescued the set of what talk show from a dumpster and set it up in his apartment?
6. Kramer once got involved with a street gang whose namesake was what 19th century US president?
7. In season six, Jerry was incredulous about what guest star's unusual nickname "The Velvet Fog?"
8. What state did Jerry's parents live in?
9. Jerry was once caught making out with his girlfriend watching what movie?
10. What was Newman's first name?

The Q Train: Foreign Born Celebrities (Name the Country They Born)
1. Pamela Anderson
2. Colin Farrell
3. Russell Crowe
4. Dave Matthews
5. Salma Hayek
6. Naomi Watts
7. Bjork
8. Eddie Van Halen
9. Natalie Portman
10. Bruce Willis

General Knowledge
1. National Arbor Day occurs in the US every year in what month? ( 1 pt)
2. The Mississippi River begins in what northern US state? ( 1 pt)
3. What 19th century US president was the smallest, at 5'4"? ( 1 pt)
4. The nation of Brunei is located in what continent? ( 2 pt)
5. Alexandria is a major seaport in what Middle Eastern country? ( 2 pt)
6. The private eye Philip Marlowe was created by what author? ( 2 pt)
7. What is the home planet of the superhero Thor? ( 3 pt)
 
IQ Trivia
1. In England, what government official occupies Number 11 Downing Street? ( 5 points)
2. What movie franchise, begun in 1995 and still going with its fourth installment in 2019, begins its films in the small town of Brantford, NH, but never stays there for long? ( 4 points)
3. Civil War nurse Clara Barton founded what humanitarian organization in 1881? ( 4 points)
4. If you are playing with Soundwave, Ironhide and Starscream, what toys are you playing with? ( 4 points)
5. Of the original 13 colonies, which was the only one that did not border the Atlantic Ocean? (3 points)

Answers
Seinfeld Trivia
1. Nine; 2. Johnnie Cochran; 3. Keith Hernandez; 4. The cleaning lady; 5. The Merv Griffin Show; 6. Martin Van Buren; 7. Mel Torme; 8. Florida; 9. Schindler's List; 10. It was never mentioned.

The Q Train: Foreign Born Celebrities
1. Canada; 2. Ireland; 3. New Zealand; 4. South Africa; 5. Mexico; 6. England; 7. Iceland; 8. Netherlands; 9. Israel; 10. Germany.

General Knowledge
1. April; 2. Minnesota; 3. James Madison; 4. Asia; 5. Egypt; 6. Raymond Chandler; 7. Asgard.

IQ Trivia
1. Chancellor of the Exchequer: 2. "Jumanji;" 3. American Red Cross; 4. Transformers; 5. Pennsylvania.

Friday, April 10, 2020

Trivia Q&A: April 9

Yesterday we had our first "Facebook Live Trivia Night", as the country continues to be in shutdown mode with pandemic still going on. So I went to Facebook and did the Trivia Night I would have done on January 21st. As you all know, I was let go from Professor Thom's the previous day, and I decided to hold that night's Trivia as our first online contest. And we had an overwhelming response, as the high number of folks who tuned in was 57. It was a combination of Trivia players, many of my relatives and friends, and others who joined via some shared links. I can't thank you all enough for turning out for it.

I couldn't grade any papers, as there wasn't any, and we all went on the honor system. Everyone told me their scores after each round, and it was the team of Team Covid Obesity that rolled up 50 points and won the night. We played for fun, and I had such a blast doing it. We will be doing it every Thursday night on Facebook Live at Trivia group "The Mighty Quinn's Trivia Empire." So please go there and send me a request to join if you'd like to take part next week. See you then!

Current Events
1. What action film received 11 Oscar nominations in January, the most of any film for 2020?
2. What female pop singer will be singing the title song to the upcoming James Bond film "No Time To Die", the youngest artist in history to sing a Bond theme?
3. What female pop singer was chosen to sing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl in February?
4. What NFL player slapped the rear end of a New Orleans security officer at the college football championship game last week and a battery warrant was issued for his arrest?
5. What rap star was among the six musical acts chosen for the 2020 class for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
6. A deaf man from Brooklyn is suing what adult website because they don't provide close captioning and he says the site is in violation of federal law?
7. Former congressman Chris Collins, of what eastern state, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for insider trading in January?

Australia Trivia
1. What is the largest city in population in Australia?
2. What is Australia's most popular team sport in terms of attendance?
3. What explorer claimed Australia for England in 1770?
4. What Australian actress has been nominated for 7 Oscars, the most of any Australian actor or actress?
5. What female Australian singer is the highest selling Australian singer of all-time?
6. What is the largest state in Australia by area?
7. What tennins star won last year's Men's singles final at the Australian Open?

The Q Train: Grammy Award Wins Trivia (More or Less than 5)
1. Lady Gaga
2. Metallica
3. Fleetwood Mac
4. Madonna
5. Puff Daddy
6. Tina Turner
7. Elvis Costello
8. Pink
9. Black Eyed Peas
10. Dave Matthews Band

General Knowledge
1. Andy Kaufman starred on what late 1970s sitcom? ( 1 pt)
2. What country was the first to use paper bills as money? (1 pt)
3. What river flows through the Grand Canyon? ( 1 pt)
4. In 1852, Elisha Otis invented what modern transportation device? ( 2 pt)
5. What year did Apple introduce the first iPhone? ( 2 pt)
6. On which continent can you find the most people with a genetic tendency to be lactose intolerant? ( 2 pt)
7. In the film "The Big Lebowski", what is The Dude's favorite drink? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. What iconic solo artist charted 126 Billboard Top 200 Albums in his career, the most ever? ( 4 points)
2. What bodily noise is known medically as an "eructation" ? ( 4 points)
3. What pro sports team was George W. Bush the managing general partner of before becoming president of the United States? ( 3 points)
4. Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar are a trio better known by what name? ( 5 points)
5. What musician, who sang on both of the biggest Christmas songs of 1984, died on Christmas Day three years ago? ( 4 points)

Answers
Current Events
1. "Joker;" 2. Billie Eilish; 3. Demi Lovato; 4. Odell Beckham; 5. Notorious BIG; 6. Pornhub; 7. New York.

Australia Trivia
1. Sydney; 2. Aussie Rules Football; 3. Captain James Cook; 4. Cate Blanchett; 5. Kylie Minogue; 6. Western Australia; 7. Novak Djokovic.

The Q Train: Grammy Award Wins Trivia
1. More (9); 2. more (8); 3. less (2); 4. more (7); 5. less (3); 6. more (8); 7. less (1); 8. less (3); 9. more (6); 10. less (1).

General Knowledge
1. "Taxi;" 2. China; 3. Colorado River; 4. elevator; 5. 2007; 6. Asia; 7. White Russian.

IQ Trivia
1. Elvis Presley; 2. burping; 3. Texas Rangers; 4. The Three Wise Men; 5.George Michael.