Talk, Talk, Talk, It's Only Talk

Trivia will be happening this Tuesday night, July 31st at 8:30 PM, with "Memorable Talk Show Appearances Trivia" as the Special Category. It will be seven questions concerning famous people who made appearances on American talk shows still talked about today, and mostly from the last 30 years or so. The Q Train lightning round will be "US Cities and States Nicknames Trivia." I will give you ten well-known nicknames of US cities and states and you tell me the city or state I'm talking about.

The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
"What breed of dog is the standard for the US military's working dogs unit?"

I'm looking forward to seeing many of you for a great night of Trivia Q&A on Tuesday!

Trivia Q&A: July 24

We had 11 teams in on a hot night in New York last night. The crowd was really into the Trivia, which is always a great thing. The first two rounds were tough as the scores were a bit on the lower side, but they picked up as we got to the Q Train lightning round. I also goofed on a question last night, and tossed it out. In "2017 Trivia", I thought the first question about the Album of the Year caused some confusion, and when that happens, I throw the question out and award everyone a point.

The top four teams were separated by six points going into the final round, and the top two were neck and neck with just one-point between them. But it was a night for DIMS to return to the winners' circle, as they got 4 of 5 correct in IQ Trivia to end the night with 47 points and the victory. Congrats to Ken and Michael on their win. Second place went to The Jabooties with 42 points, and third place went to Team Nachos with 41 points.

Best Team Name: Sophisticated Hippies

Current Events
1. A New Jersey woman was charged last week with hacking the email accounts of what female singer/actress and is facing multiple felony identity theft and fraud counts?
2. What corporate CEO apologized last week after tweeting that one of the Thai cave rescuers was a pedophile, and the man is considering legal action against him?
3. Adrian Cronauer, a one-time airman in the US Air Force, died last week at the age of 79. He was the inspiration for what 1987 movie that starred Robin Williams?
4. What late comedian's belongings will be featured at auction this fall at Sotheby's and will include his scripts, awards, props and wardrobe?
5. 17 people died when a duck boat capsized on a lake in what US state last Thursday, with 9 members of one family among the victims?
6. What rock group was listed number one on Billboard magazine's 2018 list as the top music moneymaker, bringing in $54.4 million?
7. James Gunn was fired last Friday as the writer/director of what wildly successful movie series' second sequel after tweets from a decade ago surfaced showing him joking about rape and pedophilia?

2017 Trivia
1. What pop singer won the Grammy for Album of the Year for 2017?
2. What film led the way with six Academy Awards at the 2017 Oscars?
3. In September 2017, what city was selected to host the 2024 Summer Olympics?
4. What female pop singer performed at halftime of the Super Bowl in February 2017?
5. What male pop singer had the biggest selling album in the US in 2017?
6. What MLB team won their first-ever World Series championship in 2017?
7. Siesta Beach was ranked the top beach in the US for 2017 by the expert "Dr. Beach." In what state is Siesta Beach located?

The Q Train: 1, 2, 3 or 4 Trivia
1. France won this number of soccer World Cups in its history.
2. The first baseman in baseball is this number.
3. In Astrology, Aries is this number sign of the Zodiac.
4. The total number of Oscars won by Robert DeNiro in his film career.
5. This is the total number of films in the Lethal Weapon series.
6. This is the number of Catholics that have been vice-president of the US.
7. The total number of official languages of Switzerland.
8. Actor Tom Cruise has been married this number of times.
9. This is the number of states bordering Texas.
10. The TV series “Billions” has currently aired this many seasons on Showtime.

General Knowledge
1. Who painted the late 15th century mural "The Last Supper?" ( 1 pt)
2. The lowest point in the United States can be found in what state? ( 1 pt)
3. Diamonds are almost entirely of what element? ( 1 pt)
4. Rock legend Jimi Hendrix was born in what West Coast city? ( 2 pt)
5. The original Orient Express traveled between Paris and what other city? ( 2 pt)
6. A group of crows is called what? ( 2 pt)
7. In the famous diner scene in "When Harry Met Sally", what type of sandwich is Sally eating? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. What country is home to the most 7-Eleven convenience stores in the world? ( 4 points)
2. Uther Pendragon was the father of what legendary figure? ( 4 points)
3. The ancient ruins of the city of Carthage can be found in what country? ( 3 points)
4. What 1980s Oscar-winning film holds the record for the most extras in one scene, over 400,000? ( 4 points)
5. A young businessman named Abe Saperstein founded what famous sports team in Chicago in 1926? ( 5 points)

Answers
Current Events
1. Selena Gomez; 2. Elon Musk; 3. "Good Morning Vietnam"; 4. Robin Williams; 5. Missouri; 6. U2; 7. "Guardians of the Galaxy."

2017 Trivia
1. Adele; 2. "La La Land;" 3. Paris; 4. Lady Gaga; 5. Ed Sheeran; 6. Houston Astros; 7. Florida.

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

General Knowledge
1. Leonardo daVinci; 2. California; 3. carbon; 4. Seattle; 5. Istanbul; 6. murder; 7. pastrami.

IQ Trivia
1. Japan; 2. King Arthur; 3. Tunisia; 4. "Gandhi;" 5. Harlem Globetrotters.

Do You Remember 2017? It was Just a Year Ago.

Trivia will be happening this Tuesday night, July 24th at 8:30 PM, with "2017 Trivia" as the Special Category. It will be seven questions connected to the year that just passed in music, sports, pop culture and more. The Q Train lightning round will be "1,2,3 or 4 Trivia." I will ask you ten general knowledge questions where the answer will be one of those four numbers.

The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
"Who painted the late 15th century mural 'The Last Supper'?"

I look forward to seeing many of you for what will be a great night of Trivia on Tuesday night!

Trivia Q&A: July 17

Despite the rainy weather in New York last night, we had a good crowd of 13 teams in for Trivia. And a rare event occurred at the finish: a team jumped from fourth place to win the night. The team of Quinn-cidental Winners got off to a slow start at first, but had three solid round going into IQ Trivia, and were five points back. But they made their move, running the table to get 46 points and the win. Congratulations to Adam and his friends on their first ever Tuesday Night Trivia win.

Second place went to Bed, Bath & Beyonce (who also won for Best Team Name) with 40 points, and third place went to Team Will Do with 39 points.

Current Events
1. What Oscar-winning actor was injured in a motorbike accident in Italy last week but was not seriously hurt?
2. London Breed was sworn in last Wednesday as the first black female mayor of what US city?
3. What Asian nation was hit with some of the worst flooding disasters in decades, with at least 179 deaths caused by them?
4. What drama series led the way with the most nominations, 22, for the Primetime 2018 Emmy Awards announced last Thursday?
5. A judge in what western state halted an execution of a twice-convicted killer by lethal injection after a NJ-based drugmaker didn't want its product used in a "botched" execution?
6. Angelique Kerber won her first Wimbledon women's singles title last Saturday, and became the first woman from what country to win that title since 1996?
7. Mike Matheny of what NL team became the first MLB manager to be fired in the 2018 season last Saturday night?

Movie Quotes Trivia
1. You can tell her that when you found me, I was with the only brothers I had left. (1998)
2. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die. (1987)
3. Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son. (1978)
4. That's a negative, Ghost Rider, the pattern is full. (1986)
5. I picked a hell of a day to quit drinkin'. (1996)
6. And all y'all will get me 100 Nazi scalps, taken from the heads of 100 dead Nazis.(2009)
7. Get off my lawn! (2008)

The Q Train: Baseball Movies Trivia
1. A League of Their Own
2. The Natural
3. Moneyball
4. Field of Dreams
5. 42
6. Pride of the Yankees
7. Bang the Drum Slowly
8. The Sandlot
9. Fever Pitch
10. The Bad News Bears

General Knowledge
1. In what state is the sounthernmost point of the continental United States? ( 1 pt)
2. What US president made the first phone call to the moon? ( 1 pt)
3. Haggis is the national dish of what country? ( 1 pt)
4. Around what planet does the moon Ganymede orbit? ( 2 pt)
5. What artist created the sculpture "The Thinker?" ( 2 pt)
6. Lisa Vanderpump is part of what "Real Housewives" cast? ( 2 pt)
7. What bone in the human body is the hardest? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. What is the northernmost country in Africa? ( 4 points)
2. A costermonger is a British seller of what type of product? ( 5 points)
3. Who has won two of the last five most recent "Worst Actress" Razzie awards, despite not being a female actress? ( 4 points)
4. What is the most tweeted-about film in history, garnering more than 35 million tweets just a month after its release? ( 4 points)
5. The Bada-Bing was a strip club featured on what 2000s TV series? ( 3 points)

Answers
Current Events
1. George Clooney; 2. San Francisco; 3. Japan; 4. "Game of Thrones;" 5. Nevada; 6. Germany; 7. St. Louis Cardinals.

Movie Quotes Trivia
1. Saving Private Ryan; 2. The Princess Bride; 3. Animal House; 4. Top Gun; 5. Independence Day; 6. Inglourious Basterds; 7. Gran Torino.

The Q Train: Baseball Movies Trivia
1. 1990s (1992); 2. 1980s (1984); 3. 2010s (2011); 4. 1980s (1989); 5. 2010s (2013); 6. 1940s (1942); 7. 1970s (1973); 8. 1990s (1993); 9. 2000s (2005); 10. 1970s (1976).

General Knowledge
1. Florida; 2. Richard Nixon; 3. Scotland; 4. Jupiter; 5. Auguste Rodin; 6. Beverly Hills; 7. jawbone (mandible).

IQ Trivia
1. Tunisia; 2. Fruit and vegetables; 3. Tyler Perry; 4. "Black Panther;" 5. "The Sopranos."

Baseball Films & Movie Quotes Take Center Stage

Trivia will be happening this Tuesday night, July 17th at 8:30 PM, with “Movie Quotes Trivia” as the Special Category. I will give you ten famous quotes from movies mostly from the last 40 years, along with the year of its original release, and you tell me the film. The Q Train lightning round will be “Baseball Movies Trivia” in honor of the All-Star Game being played on Tuesday. I will give you the names of ten films that had baseball in them, and you tell me the decade of the film’s original release.

The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
“In what state is the southernmost point in the continental United States?”

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

Trivia Q&A: July 10

It was a hot night in New York last night, and many of the regulars were not in for Trivia. I'm guessing many are on vacation or just took a break for now. We had 8 teams in, and it got off to a slow start, as the scores were rather low for the first two categories. But the boys from DIMS got rolling after that, and won handily, getting 49 points and the victory. Congrats to Ken and Darek on their win.

Second place went to The Djoubooties (my softball buddies) with 35 points, and third place went to Oops, I Did It A-Quinn (who also won for Best Team Name) with 31 points.

Current Events
1. What Oscar-nominated actor was dropped by his talent agency by email on July 4th over what he feels is the conservative views he posts on his Twitter account?
2. A new study released by Durham University in the UK confirmed that some of the odd attributes of what planet were caused by being struck by an object twice the size of Earth?
3. What retail giant last week yanked shirts saying "Impeach 45" from its onlin store after a Twitter uproar and threats of a boycott?
4. Scott Pruitt, head of what government agency, resigned last week after ethics officials had been pushing for individual investigations of his tenure?
5. What rock star canceled the remainder of his European tour last week after undergoing surgery for removal of a malignant tumor?
6. What often-controversial talk show announced it is ending its run after 27 years and over 4000 shows?
7. What rapper's new album generated 745 million on-demand audio streams in the US for its songs in its release week, a new record?

Pop Music Trivia
1. "The A-Team" was a 2011 hit song by what pop singer about an addicition to crack cocaine?
2. Pop singer Alecia Moore was born in Puerto Rico in 1979 and by what one-word name is she known by?
3. In 1985, what British pop duo became the first Western pop group to perform in China?
4. Cameron Crowe's 2011 documentary "Twenty" is a film about what rock band?
5. John Bonham was what classic rock band's drummer?
6. In 1988, what future female pop star was runner-up on "Star Search" with a version of Whitney Houston's "The Greatest Love of All"?
7. "Your Love Is King" was the first hit single in 1984 from what female soul singer?

The Q Train: Celebrity Country of Birth Trivia
1. Hugh Jackman
2. Penelope Cruz
3. Rhianna
4. Albert Pujols
5. Roger Federer
6. Eddie Van Halen
7. Ryan Reynolds
8. Gloria Estefan
9. Cristiano Ronaldo
10. Christoph Waltz

General Knowledge
1. What NBA legend played the co-pilot in the classic comedy film "Airplane"? ( 1 pt)
2. Who was the first solo female host of the Academy Awards ceremony? ( 1 pt)
3. What blood type do you need to be a universal donor? ( 1 pt)
4. What world capital city was once known as Edo? ( 2 pt)
5. What is the only continent without a desert? ( 2 pt)
6. The featured characters in the children's book "Watership Down" are what type of animal? ( 2 pt)
7. What European country flies the oldest continuously used national flag, nearly 800 years? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. What country is located on the Anatolian Peninsula? ( 5 points)
2. The Rosetta Stone can be found in what museum? ( 4 points)
3. What is the deadliest animal in Africa, which kills over 3,000 people a year? ( 3 points)
4. What denomination of US money was first printed in 1862, discontinued in 1966, and ordered again in 1976? ( 4 points)
5. A failed 1944 German conspiracy called "The July Plot" inspired what Tom Cruise 2008 film? ( 4 points)

Answers
Current Events
1. James Woods; 2. Uranus; 3. Walmart; 4. EPA; 5. Elvis Costello; 6. Jerry Springer Show; 7. Drake.

Pop Music Trivia
1. Ed Sheeran; 2. Pink; 3. Wham; 4. Pearl Jam; 5. Led Zeppelin; 6. Christina Aguilera; 7. Sade.

The Q Train: Celebrity Country of Birth
1. Australia; 2. Spain; 3. Barbados; 4. Dominican Republic; 5. Switzerland; 6. Netherlands; 7. Canada; 8. Cuba; 9. Portugal; 10. Austria.

General Knowledge
1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; 2. Whoopi Goldberg; 3. O; 4. Tokyo; 5. Europe; 6. rabbits; 7. Denmark.

IQ Trivia
1. Turkey; 2. The British Museum; 3. hippopotamus; 4. $2 bill; 5. "Valkyrie."

Pop Goes The Music On Tuesday

Trivia will be happening this Tuesday night, July 10th at 8:30 PM, with "Pop Music Trivia" as the Special Category. It will be seven questions connected to popular music down through the years (mostly in recent years however). The Q Train lightning round will be "Celebrity Country of Birth Trivia." I'll give you the names of ten current celebrities, from music, movies, sports, etc., who were born outside the USA, and you have to tell me what nation they were born in, and every answer will be a different country.

The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
"Who was the first solo female host of the Academy Awards ceremony?"

We've had some great crowds this summer, and you may want to get in a bit earlier to grab a good seat or table. I look forward to seeing many of you on Tuesday night!

Trivia Q&A: July 3

It was a hot night on the day before America's holiday, and the crowd was down a bit from last week, as we had 10 teams in for Trivia last night. But it certainly was a very spirited crowd, really into the Trivia. We had a terrific race to the finish, but it was the team of Y'All Goin' To The Second Civil War Tomorrow? pulling out a one-point victory over DIMS, getting 4 of 5 correct in IQ Trivia and finishing with 45 points and their first victory in a long while. Congrats to Peter and his friends on the win.

DIMS finished in second place with 44 points, and Big Momma finished third with 43 points.

Current Events
1. What Oscar-winning actor has signed on to play the late Fox News chief Roger Ailes in an eight episode series about his fall from the news business amid sexual harassment allegations?
2. What Asian country eliminated Germany from the World Cup last week, the first time the Germans were knocked out in the group stage since 1938?
3. Collin Martin became the only active openly gay man in American sports last Friday. What sport does he play?
4. Sony Music signed a deal with the estate of what late pop singer last week for nearly $30 million to distribute 35 of his previously released albums?
5. What retail chain officially closed all of its stores last Friday after being in business for more than 70 years?
6. What was the number one film in America for the second straight week, grossing over $60 million in North America last weekend?
7. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador was elected president of what country on Sunday, the first leftist elected there in many decades?

July 4th Trivia
1. Which two presidents, both signers of the Declaration of Independence, died on July 4, 1826?
2. What Asian country was granted their independence by the US on July 4, 1946?
3. Ron Kovic, a Vietnam vet and peace activist, was born on July 4, 1946. What Hollywood actor portrayed him in a movie based on his life?
4. "Alice's Adventures In Wonderland", this author's famous work, was published on July 4, 1865.
5. Israeli commandoes, on July 4, 1976, raided Entebbe Airport in what African country and rescued hostages being held by Palestinian terrorists?
6. The Battle of Vicksburg was won by the Union during the Civil War on July 4, 1863. What sounthern state is Vicksburg located in?
7. What playwright, who authored such plays as "The Odd Couple" and "Lost In Yonkers", was born on July 4, 1827?

The Q Train: True or False Trivia
1. The headliners for the Super Bowl halftime shows work for free.
2. Isaac Stern is famous for playing the piano.
3. Rochambo is another name for the game "Rock, Paper, Scissors."
4. Mount Rushmore is located in the state of North Dakota.
5. From the film "Lord of the Rings," the character Gollum is a hobbit.
6. Amtrak began its service in the late 1950s.
7. WWI began in 1914 when Austria-Hungary declared war on Germany.
8. A goldfish has a memory span of just three seconds.
9. A standard business card measures 2" by 3.5".
10. San Jacinto Day is a holiday in the state of California.

General Knowledge
1. What city will host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games? ( 1 pt)
2. The Statue of Liberty is made of what material? ( 1 pt)
3. How many chambers are there in the human heart? ( 1 pt)
4. What is the longest river in Asia? ( 2 pt)
5. In the film "Good Will Hunting", Matt Damon's character is a janitor at what institution? ( 2 pt)
6. A limerick contains a minimum of how many lines? ( 2 pt)
7. Which South American country has had the most Miss Universe winners, with 7? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. What US president officially named the White House "the White House?" ( 4 points)
2. Art Fleming was the original host of what TV game show? ( 3 points)
3. What 20th century artist's work has been stolen more than any other's, with over 500 of his works listed as missing? ( 5 points)
4. What country was once known as "New Holland?" ( 4 points)
5. In 1993, what late comedian regularly called the cast of the film "Schindler's List" to "cheer them up?' ( 4 points)

Answers
Current Events
1. Russell Crowe; 2. South Korea; 3. soccer; 4. Prince; 5. Toys R Us; 6. "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom;" 7. Mexico.

July 4th Trivia
1. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson; 2. The Philippines; 3. Tom Cruise; 4. Lewis Carroll; 5. Uganda; 6. Mississippi; 7. Neil Simon.

The Q Train: True or False Trivia
1. True; 2. false, violin; 3. true; 4. false, South Dakota; 5. true; 6. false, 1971; 7. false, Serbia; 8. true; 9. true; 10. false, Texas.

General Knowledge
1. Tokyo; 2. copper; 3. four; 4. Yangtze; 5. MIT; 6. five; 7. Venezuela.

IQ Trivia
1. Theodore Roosevelt; 2. "Jeopardy!"; 3. Pablo Picasso; 4. Australia; 5. Robin Williams.

A Lot of Stuff Happened On July 4th

Trivia will be happening this Tuesday night, July 3rd at 8:30 PM, with "July 4th Trivia" as the Special Category. I will be seven questions about stuff that has happened in history on the day of our independence. (Yes, a lot more than you think has happened on July 4th.) The Q Train lightning round will be "True or False Trivia."

The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
"What city will host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games?"

The crowds have been steadily increasing as we have passed into summer, so make sure you get in early enough to get a good seat or table. I look forward to seeing many of you on Tuesday night!