Friday, September 25, 2020

Trivia Q&A: September 24

We had our twenty-fifth edition of Facebook Live Trivia Night on Thursday night, and a good crowd turned out for it. We had a close race to the finish, but we wound up having a tie between Larry Fleisher and Steve Thomas & Mary Reynolds, both teams had 46 points. Congratulations to both teams on a fine night of Trivia and both entering this week's winners circle. Looking forward to seeing many of you next Thursday night!
 
California Trivia
1. Who was the first US president born in California?
2. What year did the California Gold Rush begin?
3. What is the second largest city in California by population after Los Angeles?
4. Who succeeded Gray Davis as California governor after he was recalled in 2003?
5. Between Mt. Whitney, Mt. Rainier and Mt. McKinley, which is located in California?
6. California is the number one of all states in population. What state is second?
7. The Pony Express ran mail in the 1860s between Missouri and what California city?

Baseball Movies Trivia
1. What future Oscar-winning actor played a catcher with Hodgkin's Disease in the 1973 film "Bang the Drum Slowly?"
2. Gary Cooper played what legendary player in the 1942 film "Pride of the Yankees?"
3. Kelly Leak and Tanner Boyle were two of the main characters in what 1976 baseball film?
4. What future Oscar-winning actress was the lead actress in the 1989 film "Bull Durham?"
5. What hapless team was the centerpiece of the 1988 film "Major League?"
6. Who directed the 1992 film "A League of Their Own?"
7. Name 1 of the 2 actors nominated for acting awards in the 2011 film "Moneyball?"

The Q Train: Science Fiction Film Characters (Name the Film)
1. Peter Venkman (1984)
2. Lando Calrissian ( 1980)
3. Ellen Ripley (1979)
4. Rick Deckard (1982)
5. Snake Plissken ( 1981)
6. Sarah Connor (1984)
7. Dr. Robert Neville (2007)
8. Dr. Emmitt Brown (1985)
9. David Bowman (1968)
10. Robert Scott Carey (1957)

General Knowledge
1. What country has the largest air force in the world? ( 1 pt)
2. How many spikes are on the Statue of Liberty's crown? ( 1 pt)
3. Fresh water, 2% of the earth's surface, is made of oxygen and what other element? ( 1 pt)
4. Between bat, octopus and snake, which animal is almost totally deaf? ( 2 pt)
5. What is the traditional color of the sari that a bride wears at an Indian wedding? ( 2 pt)
6. What was the name of the dog in the comic strip "Garfield?"
7. Tennis players Kim Clijsters and Justin Henin were born in what European country? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. What 19th century historical figure died at the Petersen House? ( 3 points)
2. What science fiction film was set on the fictional moon called Pandora? ( 4 points)
3. Robert Rayford, who died in St. Louis in 1969, is now believed to be the first American to have died from what cause? (4 points)
4. Who is the only active NFL quarterback to have defeated all 32 NFL teams in his career? ( 4 points)
5. What Oscar-winning actor/writer/director had directed both a Frankenstein movie and a Dracula movie, the latter his last film as a director? ( 5 points)

Answers
California Trivia
1. Richard Nixon; 2. 1848; 3. San Diego; 4. Arnold Schwarzenegger; 5. Mt. Whitney; 6. Texas; 7. Sacramento.

Baseball Movies Trivia
1. Robert DeNiro; 2. Lou Gehrig; 3. Bad News Bears; 4. Susan Sarandon; 5. Cleveland Indians; 6. Penny Marshall; 7. Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill.

The Q Train: Science Fiction Film Characters
1. Ghostbusters; 2. The Empire Strikes Back; 3. Alien; 4. Blade Runner; 5. Escape From New York; 6. The Terminator; 7. I Am Legend; 8. Back to the Future; 9. 2001: A Space Odyssey; 10. The Incredible Shrinking Man.

General Knowledge
1. USA; 2. Seven; 3. Hydrogen; 4. Octopus; 5. Red; 6. Odie; 7. Belgium.

IQ Trivia
1. Abraham Lincoln; 2. Avatar; 3. AIDS; 4. Drew Brees; 5. Mel Brooks.

Friday, September 18, 2020

Trivia Q&A: September 17

Our twenty-fourth edition of Facebook Live Trivia Night went really well last night, with another fine turnout of folks, with a few I hadn't seen in a little while. It was another close finish, but my sister Maureen Russell was the winner with 50 points, her first ever Trivia title. Congratulations Maureen! Larry Fleisher finished second with 47 points. Looking forward to seeing many of you next Thursday night!
 
Ireland Trivia
1. In what century did Ireland's Potato Famine take place?
2. Larry Mullen Jr. is the drummer for what Irish rock band?
3. To make Irish coffee, what alcohol ingredient would you use?
4. What is the most popular team sport in Ireland?
5. What is Ireland's second largest city in population after Dublin?
6. Which actor who played James Bond was born in Ireland?
7. During which major holiday did the 1916 uprising in Ireland against Great Britain take place?

September Trivia
1. In September 2002, Kelly Clarkson became the first winner on what TV reality show?
2. In September 1991, the name of the Russian city St. Petersburg was restored after it was known by what name since 1924?
3. A lockout began in September 2004 which led to what pro sports league being canceled for one season? 
4. On September 19, 2005, the sitcom "How I Met Your Mother" premiered on what TV network?
5. On September 25, 1980, John Bonham, the drummer of what rock band, died of alcohol asphyxiation?
6. What is the birthstone for the month of September?
7. Name 1 of the 2 US presidents who originally became president in the month of September.

The Q Train: TV Shows Before or After 2010 (When They Started)
1. Homeland
2. Breaking Bad
3. The Americans
4. Modern Family
5. Game of Thrones
6. Shameless
7. Grey's Anatomy
8. The Good Wife
9. American Horror Story
10. Mad Men

General Knowledge
1. Samuel Clemens was the real name of what famous 19th century American? ( 1 pt)
2. What coastal Georgia city is the birthplace of the Girl Scouts? ( 1 pt)
3. Which bill of US currency features a picture of the White House on the back? ( 1 pt)
4. Who played the president of the US in the 2002 film "Love Actually?" ( 2 pt)
5. What American city has the busiest cruise port in the world? ( 2 pt)
6. Between the letters "J", "X" and "W", which is worth the least in a game of Scrabble? ( 2 pt)
7. How many states does the Mississippi River flow through or border? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. What 19th century woman was the first female depicted on an American coin in 1979? ( 4 points)
2. First nominated in 1977, and again in 2016, who holds the record for the longest time between Oscar nominations for portraying the same character? ( 4 points)
3. In 1974, what was the first magazine to sell one billion copies in a single year? ( 5 points)
4. The medical condition known as myopia is better known by what name? ( 4 points)
5. For its 125th anniversary in 2014, what European landmark installed a glass floor 187 feet off the ground? ( 4 points)

Answers
Ireland Trivia
1. 19th Century; 2. U2; 3. Whiskey; 4. Gaelic Football; 5. Cork; 6. Pierce Brosnan; 7. Easter.

September Trivia
1. American Idol; 2. Leningrad; 3. NHL; 4. CBS; 5. Led Zeppelin; 6. Sapphire; 7. Chester A. Arthur and Theodore Roosevelt.

The Q Train: TV Shows Before or After 2010
1. After (2011); 2. Before (2008); 3. After (2013); 4. Before (2009); 5. After (2011); 6. After (2011); 7. Before (2005); 8. Before (2009); 9. After (2011); 10. Before (2007).

General Knowledge
1. Mark Twain; 2. Savannah; 3. $20; 4. Billy Bob Thornton; 5. Miami; 6. W; 7. ten.
 
IQ Trivia
1. Susan B. Anthony; 2. Sylvester Stallone; 3. TV Guide; 4. Nearsightedness; 5. Eiffel Tower.

Thursday, September 10, 2020

The Years Just Fly By



It's that time of year again.
 
It has now been 19 years since our city, country and way of life was so viciously attacked on the morning of September 11, 2001. As many of you who read my blog know, my dear friend Joyce Carpeneto was a tragic victim of that terrible attack, as she worked at General Telecom, which was located on the 83rd floor of the North Tower. She and 12 of her colleagues were lost that morning, and nothing was recovered from any of them.
 
Every year I go to the ceremonies at the World Trade Center, as I am proud to represent everyone who knew and loved Joyce. This year will be a little different, as with the coronavirus, there will undoubtedly be fewer people on hand, and those there will be wearing masks and keeping six feet apart. Also this year, the names will not be read on the memorial by the family members, as every name will be taken from the In Memoriam room of the 9/11 Museum and said that way out loud. 
 
But, a couple of days ago, I received a call from the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, and Matt Memoli, who works for them, asked me if I'd like to read the names of the 9/11 victims at their special reading of the names at Zuccotti Park, which is on Church and Liberty Streets, a short walk from the 9/11 Memorial. I quickly said yes, and I will be reading the names of 24 9/11 victims whose first names begin with the letter S. I am so thrilled and honored to be a part of this. I have wanted to read the names of the 9/11 victims for many years, and I am so grateful to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation for allowing me to do so.

In the afternoon, I will be on the Memorial and I will be reading names of First Responders who have died since September 11, 2001. There will be a viral "Calling of the Names" this year, as St. Paul's Chapel, where the names are normally read, will be closed due to the virus. It can be viewed on YouTube starting at 2 PM on Friday. I am once again proud to take part in the "Calling of the Names."

I honor my dear sweet friend Joyce here every year, and I will continue to do so for as long as I live. I was blessed to call her my friend, and I know she is always with me. Below are the previous years posts if you'd like to check them out. Please say a prayer for all the 9/11 victims today, and especially those First Responders who are ill and dying. God bless them all.
 
2019: 18 

Trivia Q&A: September 10

We had another fine night of Facebook Live Trivia Night on Thursday, and it was nice to see a few friends I haven't seen in a while taking part. It really close going into the final round, but Nancy and Jack Sullivan ( who are my sister and brother-in-law) gained their first Trivia Night victory, rolling up 52 points and getting a well-deserved win. See you all again next Thursday night at 8 PM ET!
 
September 11th Trivia
1. On this day in 1789, what man was appointed the first US Secretary of the Treasury?
2. In 1973, the democratically-elected president Salvador Allende, of what South American country, was overthrown in a coup led by General Augusto Pinochet?
3. What MLB player broke Ty Cobb's hit record for a career on this day in 1985?
4. On this date in 1978, Janet Parker, a British medical photographer, became the last recorded person to die from what disease, which the WHO said was eradicated in 1980?
5. What Emmy-winning actor died on this date in 2003 when he fell ill during a rehearsal for his TV series "8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter?"
6. Johnny Unitas, legendary QB for what NFL team from 1956-72 and three-time NFL MVP, died on this day in 2002?
7. Only once in MLB history has a team won the World Series on September 11th, in 1918 due to WWI travel restrictions. What AL team won it?
 
NFL Trivia
1. Which team defeated the Buffalo Bills by one point to win the Super Bowl in 1991?
2. Name 1 of the 2 teams to go 0-16 in an NFL season since 1978.
3. What was the original nickname of the NY Jets from 1960-63?
4. What NFL city was known as "Titletown USA" in the 1960s?
5. Who broke Jim Brown's all-time rushing record for a career in 1984?
6. What NFL running back just missed breaking the NFL record for rushing yards in a season by 9 in 2015?
7. Name 1 of the 2 players that have been named Super Bowl MVP at least 3 times.
 
The Q Train: 21st Century Oscar-Winning Characters Trivia 
1. Abraham Lincoln
2. June Carter Cash
3. Harvey Milk
4. Stephen Hawking
5. Katherine Hepburn
6. King George VI
7. Idi Amin
8. Ray Charles
9. Margaret Thatcher
10. The Joker
 
General Knowledge
1. According to Instagram, what is the most photographed city in the world? ( 1 pt)
2. In the logo for the TV series "The Sopranos", what letter appears as a gun? ( 1 pt)
3. In 2002, what actor co-founded the Tribeca Film Festival? ( 1 pt)
4. What best-selling author sold copies of his first novel "A Time To Kill" out of the trunk of his car? ( 2 pt)
5. After water, what is the most consumed beverage in the world? ( 2 pt)
6. "The Shipwreck Coast" can be found in what country? ( 2 pt)
7. What was the tallest man-made structure for over 43 centuries? ( 3 pt)
 
IQ Trivia
1. What US state borders three states with Ivy League schools, but has no Ivy League school within its borders? ( 4 points)
2. What city has the longest boardwalk in the world? ( 3 points)
3. What 1992 film holds the record for the best-selling soundtrack of all-time, with over 17 million copies sold? ( 4 points)
4. What current magazine was founded by Briton Hadden and Henry Luce in 1923? ( 5 points)
5. The word "boycott" comes from Charles C. Boycott, who was ostracized in 1880 for not reducing rents of his tenants in what European country? ( 4 points)
 
Answers
September 11th Trivia
1. Alexander Hamilton; 2. Chile; 3. Pete Rose; 4. Smallpox; 5. John Ritter; 6. Baltimore Colts; 7. Boston Red Sox.
 
NFL Trivia
1. New York Giants; 2. Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions; 3. Titans; 4. Green Bay; 5. Walter Payton; 6. Adrian Peterson; 7. Tom Brady and Joe Montana.
 
The Q Train: 21st Century Oscar-Winning Characters
1. Daniel Day-Lewis; 2. Reese Witherspoon; 3. Sean Penn; 4. Eddie Redmayne; 5. Cate Blanchett; 6. Colin Firth; 7. Forest Whitaker; 8. Jamie Foxx; 9. Meryl Streep; 10. Heath Ledger.
 
General Knowledge
1. New York City; 2. R; 3. Robert DeNiro; 4. John Grisham; 5. Tea; 6. Australia; 7. Pyramid at Giza.
 
IQ Trivia
1. Vermont; 2. Atlantic City; 3. The Bodyguard; 4. Time; 5. Ireland.

Friday, September 04, 2020

Trivia Q&A: September 3

We had another terrific night of Trivia on Thursday night, our twenty-second edition of Facebook Live Trivia Night. Yes, we have now been doing Trivia on Facebook for an amazing five months! And I think I made a couple of categories a little on the harder side, but I promise you it won't be as difficult next week! Anyway, we had a tight race to the finish, but Sarah Howe emerged the winner, with 46 points. Congratulations to Sarah on her very first win. Looking forward to seeing all of you next Thursday night!
 
Texas Trivia
1. What is the second largest city in Texas in population after Houston?
2. Name 1 of the 2 US presidents born in the state of Texas.
3. What is the longest river in Texas?
4. What are the nicknames of the sports teams at the University of Texas?
5. Which pro sports team from Texas has been in operation the longest?
6. Which soft drink was invented in Waco, Texas in 1885 by Charles Alderton?
7. What Texas city is often called "the live music capital of the world?"
 
21st Century TV Trivia
1. Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons starred in what 21st century sitcom?
2. What 2000s sitcom was set in the fictional town of Star City, California?
3. Ving Rhames starred in a reboot of what 1970s crime drama?
4. What famous TV star provided the voice of the unseen narrator in the TV series "How I Met Your Mother?"
5. As of August 2020, how many seasons has "60 Minutes" been on the air at CBS?
6. In 2018, what Amazon series won the most Emmy Awards with 5?
7. Jesse Pinkman and Hank Schrader were two of the main characters in what 2010s TV series?

The Q Train: Celebrity Real Names Trivia
1. Shawn Carter (singer)
2. Carlos Estevez (actor)
3. Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (singer)
4. Steveland Judkins (singer)
5. Robert Zimmerman (singer)
6. Anna Mae Bullock (singer)
7. Chan Kong-Sang (actor)
8. Thomas Mapother IV (actor)
9. Caryn Johnson (actress)
10. Stefani Germanotta (singer)

General Knowledge
1. How many colors does a Rubik's Cube have? ( 1 pt)
2. What year did the Berlin Wall fall? ( 1 pt)
3. What TV show featured Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears and Ryan Gosling as kids? ( 1 pt)
4. Who is next in line after the vice-president in terms of presidential succession? ( 2 pt)
5. "Key" and :Kaffir" are what types of fruit? ( 2 pt)
6. "All right ramblers, let's get ramblin'" is a famous line from what Quentin Tarantino film? ( 2 pt)
7. What id the third letter of the Greek alphabet after alpha and beta? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. What family is considered the wealthiest family in the world, worth an estimated $196 billion? ( 4 points)
2. What famous rock band appears at the start of "The Simpsons Movie?" ( 4 points)
3. What two actor friends, best known for co-starring in a hit 2001 musical and then a revival of "The Odd Couple", returned to Broadway together in 2014's "It's Only a Play?" ( 4 points)
4. What pop music duo had a minor hit at the start of their careers under the names "Tom and Jerry?" ( 5 points)
5. What video store chain opened their first store in Dallas, TX in 1985? ( 3 points)
 
Answers
Texas Trivia
1. Dallas; 2. Lyndon Johnson and Dwight D. Eisenhower; 3. Rio Grande; 4. Longhorns; 5. Dallas Cowboys; 6. Dr. Pepper; 7. Austin.
 
21st Century TV Trivia
1. The Big Bang Theory; 2. Malcolm In The Middle; 3. Kojak; 4. Bob Saget; 5. 52; 6. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel; 7. Breaking Bad.
 
The Q Train: Celebrity Real Names Trivia
1. Jay Z; 2. Charlie Sheen; 3. Katy Perry; 4. Stevie Wonder; 5. Bob Dylan; 6. Tina Turner; 7. Jackie Chan; 8. Tom Cruise; 9. Whoopi Goldberg; 10. Lady Gaga.

General Knowledge
1. Six; 2. 1989; 3. All-New Mickey Mouse Club; 4. Speaker of the House; 5. Lime; 6. Reservoir Dogs; 7. Gamma.

IQ Trivia
1. Walton family; 2. Green Day; 3. Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane; 4. Simon and Garfunkel; 5. Blockbuster.