Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - March 25
THIS WEEK'S QUIZ
1. What ruler was born around 1167 with the name "Temujin"? it sounds like Tamerlane. But I think he was later. The only ruler I can think of in that time frame is Ghengis Khan.
2. What major event have you won if you receive a round trophy topped with thirty gold-plated flags? The World Series. I actually touched the trophy.
3. What menu item does McDonald's often discount during Lent? Filet of fish sandwich for those who have given up meat
4. What late actress is one of only two people ever to wear the celebrated Tiffany Yellow Diamond? it may be celebrated but I have not heard of it.
5. Why has Madelyn Dunham, an 85-year-old woman living alone in a Honolulu condo, been in the news recently? Is she Barack Obama's grandmother? The one he cited in his race speech?
6. Besides the platypus, what's the only other living mammal that lays eggs? Platypuses are monotremes. What are other monotremes?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these novels and plays? Happy Days, Howards End, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Little Woman, Mary Poppins, Robinson Crusoe, A Sentimental Education, and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. Out of every set of 24, six are false and four are floating. What are they? A set of (human) ribs. correct
2. Since 1988, L.A.'s Griffith Park Observatory has featured, alongside its astronomy exhibits, a monument to what actor? James Dean, who famously filmed the finale of Rebel Without a Cause at the observatory. "I got the bullets!" really, really tough
3. In legend, what name was given to the tailor struck blind for looking at Lady Godiva? The very first "Peeping Tom." correct
4. What South American capital city was named for the feast day it was founded: August 15, 1537? August 15 is the feast of the Virgin Mary's Assumption, so this is Asuncion, Paraguay. correct
5. On TV's My Name Is Earl, what NBC network-mate does Earl Hickey believe invented the concept of "karma"? Carson Daly. Impossible if you have never seen the show.
6. What iconic food brand also owns Prego, Pepperidge Farms, Pace, and V8? Campbell's makes more than soup nowadays. Dadgummit. I knew this but had forgotten.
7. What distinction is shared by these nations and--as far as I can tell--no others? Canada, Egypt, Germany, Iran, Malta, Morocco, Russia, the Ukraine, the U.K., and the U.S.? These national ones always turn out to be harder than I expect. These are the modern-day countries that hosted summits of Allied leaders during World War II: the Yalta conference in modern-day Ukraine, Potsdam in Germany, etc. I thought maybe the Iran-Morocco combo of Teheran and Casablanca would be a good hint, but maybe not.
1. What ruler was born around 1167 with the name "Temujin"? it sounds like Tamerlane. But I think he was later. The only ruler I can think of in that time frame is Ghengis Khan.
2. What major event have you won if you receive a round trophy topped with thirty gold-plated flags? The World Series. I actually touched the trophy.
3. What menu item does McDonald's often discount during Lent? Filet of fish sandwich for those who have given up meat
4. What late actress is one of only two people ever to wear the celebrated Tiffany Yellow Diamond? it may be celebrated but I have not heard of it.
5. Why has Madelyn Dunham, an 85-year-old woman living alone in a Honolulu condo, been in the news recently? Is she Barack Obama's grandmother? The one he cited in his race speech?
6. Besides the platypus, what's the only other living mammal that lays eggs? Platypuses are monotremes. What are other monotremes?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these novels and plays? Happy Days, Howards End, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Little Woman, Mary Poppins, Robinson Crusoe, A Sentimental Education, and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. Out of every set of 24, six are false and four are floating. What are they? A set of (human) ribs. correct
2. Since 1988, L.A.'s Griffith Park Observatory has featured, alongside its astronomy exhibits, a monument to what actor? James Dean, who famously filmed the finale of Rebel Without a Cause at the observatory. "I got the bullets!" really, really tough
3. In legend, what name was given to the tailor struck blind for looking at Lady Godiva? The very first "Peeping Tom." correct
4. What South American capital city was named for the feast day it was founded: August 15, 1537? August 15 is the feast of the Virgin Mary's Assumption, so this is Asuncion, Paraguay. correct
5. On TV's My Name Is Earl, what NBC network-mate does Earl Hickey believe invented the concept of "karma"? Carson Daly. Impossible if you have never seen the show.
6. What iconic food brand also owns Prego, Pepperidge Farms, Pace, and V8? Campbell's makes more than soup nowadays. Dadgummit. I knew this but had forgotten.
7. What distinction is shared by these nations and--as far as I can tell--no others? Canada, Egypt, Germany, Iran, Malta, Morocco, Russia, the Ukraine, the U.K., and the U.S.? These national ones always turn out to be harder than I expect. These are the modern-day countries that hosted summits of Allied leaders during World War II: the Yalta conference in modern-day Ukraine, Potsdam in Germany, etc. I thought maybe the Iran-Morocco combo of Teheran and Casablanca would be a good hint, but maybe not.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - March 18
THIS WEEK'S QUIZ
1. Out of every set of 24, six are false and four are floating. What are they? ribs
2. Since 1988, L.A.'s Griffith Park Observatory has featured, alongside its astronomy exhibits, a monument to what actor? didn't Leonard Nimoy donate money to help repair the Observatory? Monument to the actor who played Mr. Spock. That would make sense.
3. In legend, what name was given to the tailor struck blind for looking at Lady Godiva? Peeping Tom
4. What South American capital city was named for the feast day it was founded: August 15, 1537? Asuncion. That sounds like a good Catholic feast day.
5. On TV's My Name Is Earl, what NBC network-mate does Earl Hickey believe invented the concept of "karma"? Never watched the show. Current or former NBC network-mate? Jerry Seinfeld. Jay Leno. Matt Lauer. A sports personality perhaps?
6. What iconic food brand also owns Prego, Pepperidge Farms, Pace, and V8? Pillsbury? Kraft General Foods? General Mills? Quaker Oats?
7. What distinction is shared by these nations and--as far as I can tell--no others? Canada, Egypt, Germany, Iran, Malta, Morocco, Russia, the Ukraine, the U.K., and the U.S.?
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. The cold weather of the 17th century is often associated with the Maunder Minimum, a dramatic decrease in what astronomical phenomenon? The so-called "Little Ice Age" of the 17th century was accompanied by an almost total lack of sunspots. And some signs point to a new round of solar cooling starting up now, so maybe you can buy that Hummer after all. correct
2. Actor John O'Hurley is also now a major owner of what mail-order company? O'Hurley, who played "J. Peterman" on Seinfeld, helped bail out the real Peterman company a few years back, and now sits on the board. I tried without success to remember the name of the mail order company they spoofed on Seinfeld
3. What dog breed comes from a German word meaning "to splash"? The poodle was bred as a water-dog, and took its name from the word "pudlen." Yup, the same place we get the word "puddle." this is real trivia
4. What fictional character celebrated her 30th birthday by appearing on the first cover of Ms. magazine? It was Wonder Woman on the very first Ms. You go, girl. who knew?
5. The principal mountain range of New Zealand is named in honor of what overseas range? The Southern Alps are named for the (northern) Alps. correct
6. Who died after being stabbed 23 times, though only one stab wound was lethal? Suetonius tells us that only one of Julius Caesar's 23 stab wounds (by his count) was fatal--the second one to the chest. Et tu, second one to the chest? correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these songs? "The Boy Is Mine," "Chim Chim Cher-ee," "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love," "Embraceable You," "Happy Birthday to You," "Hey Little Cobra," "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," and "Summer in the City." All were written by siblings-- famous ones like the Gershwins in some cases ("Embraceable You") and not-famous ones like Patty and Mildred Hill ("Happy Birthday") in others.
1. Out of every set of 24, six are false and four are floating. What are they? ribs
2. Since 1988, L.A.'s Griffith Park Observatory has featured, alongside its astronomy exhibits, a monument to what actor? didn't Leonard Nimoy donate money to help repair the Observatory? Monument to the actor who played Mr. Spock. That would make sense.
3. In legend, what name was given to the tailor struck blind for looking at Lady Godiva? Peeping Tom
4. What South American capital city was named for the feast day it was founded: August 15, 1537? Asuncion. That sounds like a good Catholic feast day.
5. On TV's My Name Is Earl, what NBC network-mate does Earl Hickey believe invented the concept of "karma"? Never watched the show. Current or former NBC network-mate? Jerry Seinfeld. Jay Leno. Matt Lauer. A sports personality perhaps?
6. What iconic food brand also owns Prego, Pepperidge Farms, Pace, and V8? Pillsbury? Kraft General Foods? General Mills? Quaker Oats?
7. What distinction is shared by these nations and--as far as I can tell--no others? Canada, Egypt, Germany, Iran, Malta, Morocco, Russia, the Ukraine, the U.K., and the U.S.?
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. The cold weather of the 17th century is often associated with the Maunder Minimum, a dramatic decrease in what astronomical phenomenon? The so-called "Little Ice Age" of the 17th century was accompanied by an almost total lack of sunspots. And some signs point to a new round of solar cooling starting up now, so maybe you can buy that Hummer after all. correct
2. Actor John O'Hurley is also now a major owner of what mail-order company? O'Hurley, who played "J. Peterman" on Seinfeld, helped bail out the real Peterman company a few years back, and now sits on the board. I tried without success to remember the name of the mail order company they spoofed on Seinfeld
3. What dog breed comes from a German word meaning "to splash"? The poodle was bred as a water-dog, and took its name from the word "pudlen." Yup, the same place we get the word "puddle." this is real trivia
4. What fictional character celebrated her 30th birthday by appearing on the first cover of Ms. magazine? It was Wonder Woman on the very first Ms. You go, girl. who knew?
5. The principal mountain range of New Zealand is named in honor of what overseas range? The Southern Alps are named for the (northern) Alps. correct
6. Who died after being stabbed 23 times, though only one stab wound was lethal? Suetonius tells us that only one of Julius Caesar's 23 stab wounds (by his count) was fatal--the second one to the chest. Et tu, second one to the chest? correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these songs? "The Boy Is Mine," "Chim Chim Cher-ee," "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love," "Embraceable You," "Happy Birthday to You," "Hey Little Cobra," "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," and "Summer in the City." All were written by siblings-- famous ones like the Gershwins in some cases ("Embraceable You") and not-famous ones like Patty and Mildred Hill ("Happy Birthday") in others.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - March 11
THIS WEEK'S QUIZ
1. The cold weather of the 17th century is often associated with the Maunder Minimum, a dramatic decrease in what astronomical phenomenon? sun spots
2. Actor John O'Hurley is also now a major owner of what mail-order company?
3. What dog breed comes from a German word meaning "to splash"? German? how about schnauzer
4. What fictional character celebrated her 30th birthday by appearing on the first cover of Ms. magazine? Barbie (this is a guess)
5. The principal mountain range of New Zealand is named in honor of what overseas range? doesn't New Zealand have a mountain range called the Alps?
6. Who died after being stabbed 23 times, though only one stab wound was lethal? Julius Caesar is the most famous stab victim I can think of
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these songs? "The Boy Is Mine," "Chim Chim Cher-ee," "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love," "Embraceable You," "Happy Birthday to You," "Hey Little Cobra," "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," and "Summer in the City."
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. Complete this analogy: strawberries and cream : Wimbledon :: mint juleps and burgoo :: ______. Whatever burgoo is, you have to eat it at the Kentucky Derby. I think, by tradition, the recipe usually includes last year's winner. correct
2. What rock act is a duo made up two men, one named Russell, the other surnamed Russell? Graham Russell met Russell Hitchcock, formed Air Supply! Now there's two less lonely people in the world. I guess you can make music out of nothing at all with just two people
3. Name the nutrient *and* the disease that both take their name from the Latin word "scorbutus." Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is so named because it fights scurvy. correct
4. The American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout event is held annually one week before what holiday? It's the Thursday before Thanksgiving. correct
5. What future head of state, in office from 1945 to 1969, was a baker at Boston's Parker House Hotel in 1913? Ho Chi Minh is easily the best baker among all Communist icons, though I hear Che Guevara made a mean flan. not correct
6. What 1678 work's full title includes the clause "From This World to That Which Is to Come"? That's the full title of Pilgrim's Progress, so you should really punctuate it "The Pilgrim's Progress..." with the ellipsis, like that one Fiona Apple album. not correct even though Paradise Lost mostly fit the clue
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these U.S. locations? Amarillo, TX; Chimney Rock, NE; Greenwich, CT; Moscow, ID; Pensacola, FL; Sitka, AK; Wheeling, WV. They're all found in the "panhandle" of their respective states. (I used smaller cities and left out Oklahoma altogether to make this a little harder to Google.) correct. this was pretty much a layup even without Oklahoma.
1. The cold weather of the 17th century is often associated with the Maunder Minimum, a dramatic decrease in what astronomical phenomenon? sun spots
2. Actor John O'Hurley is also now a major owner of what mail-order company?
3. What dog breed comes from a German word meaning "to splash"? German? how about schnauzer
4. What fictional character celebrated her 30th birthday by appearing on the first cover of Ms. magazine? Barbie (this is a guess)
5. The principal mountain range of New Zealand is named in honor of what overseas range? doesn't New Zealand have a mountain range called the Alps?
6. Who died after being stabbed 23 times, though only one stab wound was lethal? Julius Caesar is the most famous stab victim I can think of
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these songs? "The Boy Is Mine," "Chim Chim Cher-ee," "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love," "Embraceable You," "Happy Birthday to You," "Hey Little Cobra," "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," and "Summer in the City."
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. Complete this analogy: strawberries and cream : Wimbledon :: mint juleps and burgoo :: ______. Whatever burgoo is, you have to eat it at the Kentucky Derby. I think, by tradition, the recipe usually includes last year's winner. correct
2. What rock act is a duo made up two men, one named Russell, the other surnamed Russell? Graham Russell met Russell Hitchcock, formed Air Supply! Now there's two less lonely people in the world. I guess you can make music out of nothing at all with just two people
3. Name the nutrient *and* the disease that both take their name from the Latin word "scorbutus." Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is so named because it fights scurvy. correct
4. The American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout event is held annually one week before what holiday? It's the Thursday before Thanksgiving. correct
5. What future head of state, in office from 1945 to 1969, was a baker at Boston's Parker House Hotel in 1913? Ho Chi Minh is easily the best baker among all Communist icons, though I hear Che Guevara made a mean flan. not correct
6. What 1678 work's full title includes the clause "From This World to That Which Is to Come"? That's the full title of Pilgrim's Progress, so you should really punctuate it "The Pilgrim's Progress..." with the ellipsis, like that one Fiona Apple album. not correct even though Paradise Lost mostly fit the clue
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these U.S. locations? Amarillo, TX; Chimney Rock, NE; Greenwich, CT; Moscow, ID; Pensacola, FL; Sitka, AK; Wheeling, WV. They're all found in the "panhandle" of their respective states. (I used smaller cities and left out Oklahoma altogether to make this a little harder to Google.) correct. this was pretty much a layup even without Oklahoma.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Jim Henson's Computer Monster video for IBM circa 1967
From the Muppet wikia:
"In 1965, information technology company IBM commissioned a set of films for their sales meetings. Jim Henson worked on these films with David Lazer, the head of IBM's film and television division; Lazer went on to leave the company and work for Henson, producing many of the Muppet productions over the next twenty years, including The Muppet Show and The Muppet Movie.
"One of the IBM films, "Coffee Break Machine", features an early version of Cookie Monster . . . This film was so successful that Henson performed the sketch in 1967 for The Ed Sullivan Show, and it was remade as a Muppet Show sketch."
This video is the version that aired on the Ed Sullivan Show.
"In 1965, information technology company IBM commissioned a set of films for their sales meetings. Jim Henson worked on these films with David Lazer, the head of IBM's film and television division; Lazer went on to leave the company and work for Henson, producing many of the Muppet productions over the next twenty years, including The Muppet Show and The Muppet Movie.
"One of the IBM films, "Coffee Break Machine", features an early version of Cookie Monster . . . This film was so successful that Henson performed the sketch in 1967 for The Ed Sullivan Show, and it was remade as a Muppet Show sketch."
This video is the version that aired on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around . . .
. . . does anyone hear it? And if you remove the character Garfield from the comic strip but leave everything else, what is left? An existential statement that might be a mix of Satre and Groening's Life in Hell.
I had completely abandoned Garfield because it was not funny, but I find this tremendously compelling. It is now on my daily reading list.
http://garfieldminusgarfield.tumblr.com/
I had completely abandoned Garfield because it was not funny, but I find this tremendously compelling. It is now on my daily reading list.
http://garfieldminusgarfield.tumblr.com/
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia March 4
THIS WEEK'S QUIZ
1. Complete this analogy: strawberries and cream : Wimbledon :: mint juleps and burgoo :: ______. Kentucky Derby
2. What rock act is a duo made up two men, one named Russell, the other surnamed Russell?
3. Name the nutrient *and* the disease that both take their name from the Latin word "scorbutus." ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and scurvy
4. The American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout event is held annually one week before what holiday? Thanksgiving
5. What future head of state, in office from 1945 to 1969, was a baker at Boston's Parker House Hotel in 1913? I don't know the answer, but I think the dates correspond to the term of Charles DeGaulle as one of France's leaders.
6. What 1678 work's full title includes the clause "From This World to That Which Is to Come"? The timing and the title fit "Paradise Lost" by John Milton.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these U.S. locations? Amarillo, TX; Chimney Rock, NE; Greenwich, CT; Moscow, ID; Pensacola, FL; Sitka, AK; Wheeling, WV. I think this has something to do with panhandles. Maybe each is the largest city/town in the panhandle of its state. But Chimney Rock is a national monument in the Nebraska panhandle, not a town.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What legendary label-mate wrote Mary Wells's "My Guy" and the Temptations' "My Girl"? Smokey Robinson wrote both songs, but gave them away to fellow Motown artists. Well, the Miracles probably wouldn't have recorded "My Guy" anyway... ah, yes. The other Motown lead male besides Barry Gordy.
2. What nickname is shared by South Dakota, Florida, and Australia's Queensland? All three like to think of themselves as the "Sunshine State." South Dakota?! who knew?
3. What pastime is technically termed "rhinotillexis"? Rhinotillexis is what you should call nose-picking, should you ever want to write a dissertation on the subject. ("Rhinotillexis in the Comedy of Gilda Radner," etc. etc.) I would not describe nose picking as a pastime
4. What star of a TV megahit is also a department chair at Parsons The New School for Design in New York City? Tim Gunn of Project Runway, their fashion design chair. One correction: Gunn left Parsons for Liz Claiborne in 2007. Project Runway is a megahit? By what standard? Don't you have to be on a broadcast network to be a megahit?
5. What are "all alike," according to the famous first sentence of Anna Karenina? "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." I think I got this one reversed.
6. What movie classic almost produced a sequel called Brazzaville, set exactly 3,000 miles to the southeast? Casablanca ends with Rick and Louis pondering a getaway to Brazzaville.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these people? Tony Danza, Berry Gordy Jr., Sammy Hagar, Ed "Too Tall" Jones, Nelson Mandela, Harry Reid, Roy Scheider, and George Wallace. All were former boxers. Wouldn't you like to see Mandela and Tony Danza go head to head? Or, even better, Mandela and George Wallace? (It was Wallace the segregationist, by the way, not the stand-up comedian.) Yea!! I got a Q7 correct. Very uncommon for me.
1. Complete this analogy: strawberries and cream : Wimbledon :: mint juleps and burgoo :: ______. Kentucky Derby
2. What rock act is a duo made up two men, one named Russell, the other surnamed Russell?
3. Name the nutrient *and* the disease that both take their name from the Latin word "scorbutus." ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and scurvy
4. The American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout event is held annually one week before what holiday? Thanksgiving
5. What future head of state, in office from 1945 to 1969, was a baker at Boston's Parker House Hotel in 1913? I don't know the answer, but I think the dates correspond to the term of Charles DeGaulle as one of France's leaders.
6. What 1678 work's full title includes the clause "From This World to That Which Is to Come"? The timing and the title fit "Paradise Lost" by John Milton.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these U.S. locations? Amarillo, TX; Chimney Rock, NE; Greenwich, CT; Moscow, ID; Pensacola, FL; Sitka, AK; Wheeling, WV. I think this has something to do with panhandles. Maybe each is the largest city/town in the panhandle of its state. But Chimney Rock is a national monument in the Nebraska panhandle, not a town.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What legendary label-mate wrote Mary Wells's "My Guy" and the Temptations' "My Girl"? Smokey Robinson wrote both songs, but gave them away to fellow Motown artists. Well, the Miracles probably wouldn't have recorded "My Guy" anyway... ah, yes. The other Motown lead male besides Barry Gordy.
2. What nickname is shared by South Dakota, Florida, and Australia's Queensland? All three like to think of themselves as the "Sunshine State." South Dakota?! who knew?
3. What pastime is technically termed "rhinotillexis"? Rhinotillexis is what you should call nose-picking, should you ever want to write a dissertation on the subject. ("Rhinotillexis in the Comedy of Gilda Radner," etc. etc.) I would not describe nose picking as a pastime
4. What star of a TV megahit is also a department chair at Parsons The New School for Design in New York City? Tim Gunn of Project Runway, their fashion design chair. One correction: Gunn left Parsons for Liz Claiborne in 2007. Project Runway is a megahit? By what standard? Don't you have to be on a broadcast network to be a megahit?
5. What are "all alike," according to the famous first sentence of Anna Karenina? "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." I think I got this one reversed.
6. What movie classic almost produced a sequel called Brazzaville, set exactly 3,000 miles to the southeast? Casablanca ends with Rick and Louis pondering a getaway to Brazzaville.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these people? Tony Danza, Berry Gordy Jr., Sammy Hagar, Ed "Too Tall" Jones, Nelson Mandela, Harry Reid, Roy Scheider, and George Wallace. All were former boxers. Wouldn't you like to see Mandela and Tony Danza go head to head? Or, even better, Mandela and George Wallace? (It was Wallace the segregationist, by the way, not the stand-up comedian.) Yea!! I got a Q7 correct. Very uncommon for me.
