Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - April 29
THIS WEEK'S QUIZ
1. What Cincinnati rabbi opened his first matzo bakery in 1888, though his company didn't own a vineyard until the 1940s? Baron Herzog
2. If you find yourself in "gen pop," where are you?
3. The specialized neurons in what part of your body come in two distinct types: cylindrical and flask-shaped? flask-shaped? if it is the liver, that is the best evidence I have heard for intelligent design
4. What longtime PBS hit is currently hosted by The X-Files's Gillian Anderson? Masterpiece Theater or Mystery. I think Russell Baker hosts Masterpiece Theater so I'll guess Mystery.
5. In 1959, a British engineer led Jumbo from Montmelian, France, to her home at the Turin zoo, in an attempt to recreate the historical route taken by whom? Hannibal
6. What body of water does the Jordan River end by flowing into? the Red Sea
7. Based on the unusual distinction they share, who's the only U.S. president who could be added to this list--and why? Winston Churchill, Charles Dickens, Mel Gibson, James Joyce, Lisa Kudrow, Justin Morneau, Samuel Morse, and James Whistler? Yes, I did research this question. But that is how one is supposed to answer Q7s. Correct answer - George Herbert Walker Bush. He, like all of the others, has two middle names.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What world capital temporarily changed its name to "Middle Earth" for a week in 2001? Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, where the Lord of the Rings movies were made. correct
2. What Baseball Hall of Famer saw his old team kept out of the playoffs in 2007 thanks to a pinch-hit triple hit against them by his own son? That was Tony Gwynn, Jr., cruelly sinking the playoff hopes of his dad's longtime team, the Padres. correct
3. What Johnny Nash hit did Ray Charles once perform, with no apparent irony, on Saturday Night Live? "I Can See Clearly Now." correct
4. What term did the late photojournalist Dith Pran coin for the brutal Khmer Rouge regime in his native Cambodia? Dith Pran, the subject of the film The Killing Fields, actually coined the phrase "the killing fields" himself. correct
5. What two U.S. states have the largest airlines named for them? Alaska Air and Hawaiian Airlines are the ones I had in mind...though we also accepted "Wisconsin," believe it or not, on a technicality. US Airways uses a carrier called "Air Wisconsin" pretty extensively, even though flights aren't branded under that name. correct
6. What one metal is alloyed to make both bronze and brass? Copper, which is mixed with tin to make bronze and zinc to make brass.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these famous people? Tycho Brahe, Johnny Cash, Hernan Cortes, Tina Fey, Harrison Ford, Ernest Hemingway, Harriet Tubman, and Nick Van Exel. Not too hard this week, as it turned out: all have (or had) facial scars. My favorite story here is Hemingway's: on a drunken bender in Paris one night, he pulled a skylight down on his head thinking he was flishing his toilet!
1. What Cincinnati rabbi opened his first matzo bakery in 1888, though his company didn't own a vineyard until the 1940s? Baron Herzog
2. If you find yourself in "gen pop," where are you?
3. The specialized neurons in what part of your body come in two distinct types: cylindrical and flask-shaped? flask-shaped? if it is the liver, that is the best evidence I have heard for intelligent design
4. What longtime PBS hit is currently hosted by The X-Files's Gillian Anderson? Masterpiece Theater or Mystery. I think Russell Baker hosts Masterpiece Theater so I'll guess Mystery.
5. In 1959, a British engineer led Jumbo from Montmelian, France, to her home at the Turin zoo, in an attempt to recreate the historical route taken by whom? Hannibal
6. What body of water does the Jordan River end by flowing into? the Red Sea
7. Based on the unusual distinction they share, who's the only U.S. president who could be added to this list--and why? Winston Churchill, Charles Dickens, Mel Gibson, James Joyce, Lisa Kudrow, Justin Morneau, Samuel Morse, and James Whistler? Yes, I did research this question. But that is how one is supposed to answer Q7s. Correct answer - George Herbert Walker Bush. He, like all of the others, has two middle names.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What world capital temporarily changed its name to "Middle Earth" for a week in 2001? Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, where the Lord of the Rings movies were made. correct
2. What Baseball Hall of Famer saw his old team kept out of the playoffs in 2007 thanks to a pinch-hit triple hit against them by his own son? That was Tony Gwynn, Jr., cruelly sinking the playoff hopes of his dad's longtime team, the Padres. correct
3. What Johnny Nash hit did Ray Charles once perform, with no apparent irony, on Saturday Night Live? "I Can See Clearly Now." correct
4. What term did the late photojournalist Dith Pran coin for the brutal Khmer Rouge regime in his native Cambodia? Dith Pran, the subject of the film The Killing Fields, actually coined the phrase "the killing fields" himself. correct
5. What two U.S. states have the largest airlines named for them? Alaska Air and Hawaiian Airlines are the ones I had in mind...though we also accepted "Wisconsin," believe it or not, on a technicality. US Airways uses a carrier called "Air Wisconsin" pretty extensively, even though flights aren't branded under that name. correct
6. What one metal is alloyed to make both bronze and brass? Copper, which is mixed with tin to make bronze and zinc to make brass.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these famous people? Tycho Brahe, Johnny Cash, Hernan Cortes, Tina Fey, Harrison Ford, Ernest Hemingway, Harriet Tubman, and Nick Van Exel. Not too hard this week, as it turned out: all have (or had) facial scars. My favorite story here is Hemingway's: on a drunken bender in Paris one night, he pulled a skylight down on his head thinking he was flishing his toilet!
Friday, April 25, 2008
"To the vector belong the spoils"
Thursday, April 24, 2008
A Passover song for the rest of us
For those of you who are tired of the same old Passover songs every year, here is the perfect new song to add to the haggadah - 20 Things to Do With Matzah
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - April 22nd
THIS WEEK'S QUIZ
1. What world capital temporarily changed its name to "Middle Earth" for a week in 2001? Lord of the Rings was filmed in New Zealand. So probably that would be Wellington.
2. What Baseball Hall of Famer saw his old team kept out of the playoffs in 2007 thanks to a pinch-hit triple hit against them by his own son? Tony Gwynn
3. What Johnny Nash hit did Ray Charles once perform, with no apparent irony, on Saturday Night Live? I Can See Clearly Now
4. What term did the late photojournalist Dith Pran coin for the brutal Khmer Rouge regime in his native Cambodia? the Killing Fields
5. What two U.S. states have the largest airlines named for them? Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. I can't think of any other states with airlines named for them. Air Wisconsin was absorbed by United Express long ago.
6. What one metal is alloyed to make both bronze and brass?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these famous people? Tycho Brahe, Johnny Cash, Hernan Cortes, Tina Fey, Harrison Ford, Ernest Hemingway, Harriet Tubman, and Nick Van Exel.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. According to the title card at the beginning of Martin Scorsese's concert film The Last Waltz, "This film should be played" how? Loud! a bad question to ask about a detail that appeared on screen for a few seconds at the beginning of a movie 30 years ago
2. What delicious item did Iranian bakeries rename as "Roses of the Prophet Muhammad" in 2006? Danishes lost their Scandinavian name in Iran two years ago because of the flap over Danish newspaper cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad. This is the Muslim version of "freedom fries," apparently. what kind of danish? cheese? prune?
3. What late American newspaper fixture had his work collected in books like The Second and Third Letters of the Alphabet Revisited? The second and third letters of the alphabet are B and C: ergo, the answer is B.C. cartoonish Johnny Hart. I'm lighting a menorah for you right now, Johnny. correct
4. Before the rollout of the euro, what scientist appeared both on a 500-franc note and a 20,000-zloty note? Marie Curie, beloved in both France and Poland. correct
5. What popular TV show shared its title with the English name for the "Dalits" of India? The 160 million Dalits are "The Untouchables." correct (with help)
6. "501" and "Cricket" are two of the most popular varieties of what game? Darts.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these biblical figures? Abraham, Daniel, Esther, Jacob, Jethro, Peter, Paul, and Sarah. All received second names in the Bible, in addition to these better known ones. In order: Abram, Belteshazzar, Hadassah, Israel, Reuel, Simon, Saul, and Sarai.
1. What world capital temporarily changed its name to "Middle Earth" for a week in 2001? Lord of the Rings was filmed in New Zealand. So probably that would be Wellington.
2. What Baseball Hall of Famer saw his old team kept out of the playoffs in 2007 thanks to a pinch-hit triple hit against them by his own son? Tony Gwynn
3. What Johnny Nash hit did Ray Charles once perform, with no apparent irony, on Saturday Night Live? I Can See Clearly Now
4. What term did the late photojournalist Dith Pran coin for the brutal Khmer Rouge regime in his native Cambodia? the Killing Fields
5. What two U.S. states have the largest airlines named for them? Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. I can't think of any other states with airlines named for them. Air Wisconsin was absorbed by United Express long ago.
6. What one metal is alloyed to make both bronze and brass?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these famous people? Tycho Brahe, Johnny Cash, Hernan Cortes, Tina Fey, Harrison Ford, Ernest Hemingway, Harriet Tubman, and Nick Van Exel.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. According to the title card at the beginning of Martin Scorsese's concert film The Last Waltz, "This film should be played" how? Loud! a bad question to ask about a detail that appeared on screen for a few seconds at the beginning of a movie 30 years ago
2. What delicious item did Iranian bakeries rename as "Roses of the Prophet Muhammad" in 2006? Danishes lost their Scandinavian name in Iran two years ago because of the flap over Danish newspaper cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad. This is the Muslim version of "freedom fries," apparently. what kind of danish? cheese? prune?
3. What late American newspaper fixture had his work collected in books like The Second and Third Letters of the Alphabet Revisited? The second and third letters of the alphabet are B and C: ergo, the answer is B.C. cartoonish Johnny Hart. I'm lighting a menorah for you right now, Johnny. correct
4. Before the rollout of the euro, what scientist appeared both on a 500-franc note and a 20,000-zloty note? Marie Curie, beloved in both France and Poland. correct
5. What popular TV show shared its title with the English name for the "Dalits" of India? The 160 million Dalits are "The Untouchables." correct (with help)
6. "501" and "Cricket" are two of the most popular varieties of what game? Darts.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these biblical figures? Abraham, Daniel, Esther, Jacob, Jethro, Peter, Paul, and Sarah. All received second names in the Bible, in addition to these better known ones. In order: Abram, Belteshazzar, Hadassah, Israel, Reuel, Simon, Saul, and Sarai.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Number Wang
My favorite new tv game show - Number Wang.
Another episode.
And in German.
It even inspired a parody of The Da Vinci Code.
This is a product of a BBC sketch comedy show called That Mitchell and Web Look
Another episode.
And in German.
It even inspired a parody of The Da Vinci Code.
This is a product of a BBC sketch comedy show called That Mitchell and Web Look
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - April 15
THIS WEEK'S QUIZ
1. According to the title card at the beginning of Martin Scorsese's concert film The Last Waltz, "This film should be played" how? a guess - "in stereo." I love the soundtrack from this movie but I don't recall what was written on a single title card that appeared for a second or two at the start of a movie that was released in 1979.
2. What delicious item did Iranian bakeries rename as "Roses of the Prophet Muhammad" in 2006?
3. What late American newspaper fixture had his work collected in books like The Second and Third Letters of the Alphabet Revisited? My guess - Johnny Hart, the cartoon artist who created BC (the 2nd and 3rd letters of the alphabet)
4. Before the rollout of the euro, what scientist appeared both on a 500-franc note and a 20,000-zloty note? Marie Curie
5. What popular TV show shared its title with the English name for the "Dalits" of India? I had to look up what dalit means. They are untouchables in the Indian caste system. The Untouchables.
6. "501" and "Cricket" are two of the most popular varieties of what game?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these biblical figures? Abraham, Daniel, Esther, Jacob, Jethro, Peter, Paul, and Sarah.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. The Road to Cana is the second part of vampire novelist Anne Rice's four-book biography of whom? Jesus Christ. That's right, Anne Rice thinks that her success writing Gothic vampire fables and pseudonymous erotica qualifies her to write a vast fictional biography of Jesus. Sure it does, Anne. close enough
2. Who sometimes signs autographs by writing the notation "Cy 7" beneath his own name? Roger Clemens, who (unlike you and me) has seven Cy Youngs. For the moment... correct
3. What two modern-day nations were joined together as the "United Arab Republic" until 1961? Egypt and Syria, despite pesky countries like Jordan, Israel, and Lebanon sitting in the way of their unification. correct
4. Since 2006, what characters have odd couple Justin Long and John Hodgman been portraying on TV? "I'm a Mac." "I'm a PC." correct
5. What waxy, aromatic substance from an Asian evergreen tree is used in Vicks VapoRub, moth repellent, and embalming fluid? Camphor.
6. What hit film of last year features two protagonists who are only called "Guy" and "Girl"? The main characters of the indie hit Once actually have no names. No wonder that relationship didn't work out. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these songs? "Eight Days a Week" by the Beatles, "Man Out of Time" by Elvis Costello, "More Than a Feeling" by Boston, "New Slang" by the Shins, "Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, "Turn to Stone" by ELO, "Vasoline" by Stone Temple Pilots, "Where the Streets Have No Name" by U2. Fade-outs are common in pop music, but all those songs begin with fade-ins: they begin with silence, and the volume slides up gradually.
1. According to the title card at the beginning of Martin Scorsese's concert film The Last Waltz, "This film should be played" how? a guess - "in stereo." I love the soundtrack from this movie but I don't recall what was written on a single title card that appeared for a second or two at the start of a movie that was released in 1979.
2. What delicious item did Iranian bakeries rename as "Roses of the Prophet Muhammad" in 2006?
3. What late American newspaper fixture had his work collected in books like The Second and Third Letters of the Alphabet Revisited? My guess - Johnny Hart, the cartoon artist who created BC (the 2nd and 3rd letters of the alphabet)
4. Before the rollout of the euro, what scientist appeared both on a 500-franc note and a 20,000-zloty note? Marie Curie
5. What popular TV show shared its title with the English name for the "Dalits" of India? I had to look up what dalit means. They are untouchables in the Indian caste system. The Untouchables.
6. "501" and "Cricket" are two of the most popular varieties of what game?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these biblical figures? Abraham, Daniel, Esther, Jacob, Jethro, Peter, Paul, and Sarah.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. The Road to Cana is the second part of vampire novelist Anne Rice's four-book biography of whom? Jesus Christ. That's right, Anne Rice thinks that her success writing Gothic vampire fables and pseudonymous erotica qualifies her to write a vast fictional biography of Jesus. Sure it does, Anne. close enough
2. Who sometimes signs autographs by writing the notation "Cy 7" beneath his own name? Roger Clemens, who (unlike you and me) has seven Cy Youngs. For the moment... correct
3. What two modern-day nations were joined together as the "United Arab Republic" until 1961? Egypt and Syria, despite pesky countries like Jordan, Israel, and Lebanon sitting in the way of their unification. correct
4. Since 2006, what characters have odd couple Justin Long and John Hodgman been portraying on TV? "I'm a Mac." "I'm a PC." correct
5. What waxy, aromatic substance from an Asian evergreen tree is used in Vicks VapoRub, moth repellent, and embalming fluid? Camphor.
6. What hit film of last year features two protagonists who are only called "Guy" and "Girl"? The main characters of the indie hit Once actually have no names. No wonder that relationship didn't work out. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these songs? "Eight Days a Week" by the Beatles, "Man Out of Time" by Elvis Costello, "More Than a Feeling" by Boston, "New Slang" by the Shins, "Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, "Turn to Stone" by ELO, "Vasoline" by Stone Temple Pilots, "Where the Streets Have No Name" by U2. Fade-outs are common in pop music, but all those songs begin with fade-ins: they begin with silence, and the volume slides up gradually.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - April 8
THIS WEEK'S QUIZ
1. The Road to Cana is the second part of vampire novelist Anne Rice's four-book biography of whom? Bram Stoker? Vlad the Impaler? Nosferatu? Jesus?
2. Who sometimes signs autographs by writing the notation "Cy 7" beneath his own name? Roger Clemens who has 7 Cy Young Awards
3. What two modern-day nations were joined together as the "United Arab Republic" until 1961? Syria and Egypt
4. Since 2006, what characters have odd couple Justin Long and John Hodgman been portraying on TV? I'm a Mac and I'm a PC
5. What waxy, aromatic substance from an Asian evergreen tree is used in Vicks VapoRub, moth repellent, and embalming fluid? eucalyptus oil
6. What hit film of last year features two protagonists who are only called "Guy" and "Girl"? a complete guess - Once, the movie with Glen Hansard and what's her name Irglova
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these songs? "Eight Days a Week" by the Beatles, "Man Out of Time" by Elvis Costello, "More Than a Feeling" by Boston, "New Slang" by the Shins, "Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, "Turn to Stone" by ELO, "Vasoline" by Stone Temple Pilots, "Where the Streets Have No Name" by U2.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. The ballet La Petite Danseuse was inspired by a bronze sculpted by what artist? La Petite Danseuse is the best-known sculpture of ballet-obsessed Impressionist Edgar Degas. correct
2. What TV series' last two winners have had first names derived from Greek sun gods? Apolo Anton Ohno and Helio Castroneves, whose names nod to Apollo and Helios, are the last two winners of Dancing with the Stars.
3. Dubai-based Emirates Airlines was the first airline to allow the in-flight use of what? Cell phones. Qantas is also currently testing a similar technology. good guess! correct
4. What basketball rarity has only been accomplished four times in NBA history--by Nate Thurmond, Alvin Robertson, Hakeem Olajuwon, and David Robinson? These are official "quadruple-doubles"--single-game double-digit totals in points, rebounds, assists, and either blocked shots or steals. Of course, this accomplishment has only been possible since the mid-1970s, when the NBA began keeping steals and blocked shot stats. correct
5. What famous explorer became the first governor of Puerto Rico in 1509? Juan Ponce de Leon, of Fountain of Youth fame. The island's second largest city is named "Ponce" after his family. ah, that was the hidden clue
6. A shoehorn is a first-class one, a diving-board is a second-class one, and a stapler is a third-class one. What are they? These are the three types of levers (which vary according to where the fulcrum and applied force are located). correct
7. Based on the unusual distinction they share, what 1989 film will soon be joining this list of movies? The Blues Brothers, Chinatown, The Godfather Part II, The Hustler, The Last Picture Show, The Odd Couple, Psycho, Terms of Endearment. All these movies spawned their next sequel many, many years (around twenty, in most cases) later. Joining their number this year, after a 19-year gap, will be Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. I hope "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" turns out to be better than The Two Jakes or Blues Brothers 2000.
1. The Road to Cana is the second part of vampire novelist Anne Rice's four-book biography of whom? Bram Stoker? Vlad the Impaler? Nosferatu? Jesus?
2. Who sometimes signs autographs by writing the notation "Cy 7" beneath his own name? Roger Clemens who has 7 Cy Young Awards
3. What two modern-day nations were joined together as the "United Arab Republic" until 1961? Syria and Egypt
4. Since 2006, what characters have odd couple Justin Long and John Hodgman been portraying on TV? I'm a Mac and I'm a PC
5. What waxy, aromatic substance from an Asian evergreen tree is used in Vicks VapoRub, moth repellent, and embalming fluid? eucalyptus oil
6. What hit film of last year features two protagonists who are only called "Guy" and "Girl"? a complete guess - Once, the movie with Glen Hansard and what's her name Irglova
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these songs? "Eight Days a Week" by the Beatles, "Man Out of Time" by Elvis Costello, "More Than a Feeling" by Boston, "New Slang" by the Shins, "Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, "Turn to Stone" by ELO, "Vasoline" by Stone Temple Pilots, "Where the Streets Have No Name" by U2.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. The ballet La Petite Danseuse was inspired by a bronze sculpted by what artist? La Petite Danseuse is the best-known sculpture of ballet-obsessed Impressionist Edgar Degas. correct
2. What TV series' last two winners have had first names derived from Greek sun gods? Apolo Anton Ohno and Helio Castroneves, whose names nod to Apollo and Helios, are the last two winners of Dancing with the Stars.
3. Dubai-based Emirates Airlines was the first airline to allow the in-flight use of what? Cell phones. Qantas is also currently testing a similar technology. good guess! correct
4. What basketball rarity has only been accomplished four times in NBA history--by Nate Thurmond, Alvin Robertson, Hakeem Olajuwon, and David Robinson? These are official "quadruple-doubles"--single-game double-digit totals in points, rebounds, assists, and either blocked shots or steals. Of course, this accomplishment has only been possible since the mid-1970s, when the NBA began keeping steals and blocked shot stats. correct
5. What famous explorer became the first governor of Puerto Rico in 1509? Juan Ponce de Leon, of Fountain of Youth fame. The island's second largest city is named "Ponce" after his family. ah, that was the hidden clue
6. A shoehorn is a first-class one, a diving-board is a second-class one, and a stapler is a third-class one. What are they? These are the three types of levers (which vary according to where the fulcrum and applied force are located). correct
7. Based on the unusual distinction they share, what 1989 film will soon be joining this list of movies? The Blues Brothers, Chinatown, The Godfather Part II, The Hustler, The Last Picture Show, The Odd Couple, Psycho, Terms of Endearment. All these movies spawned their next sequel many, many years (around twenty, in most cases) later. Joining their number this year, after a 19-year gap, will be Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. I hope "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" turns out to be better than The Two Jakes or Blues Brothers 2000.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - April 1
THIS WEEK'S QUIZ
1. The ballet La Petite Danseuse was inspired by a bronze sculpted by what artist? Edgar Degas
2. What TV series' last two winners have had first names derived from Greek sun gods?
3. Dubai-based Emirates Airlines was the first airline to allow the in-flight use of what? cell phones?
4. What basketball rarity has only been accomplished four times in NBA history--by Nate Thurmond, Alvin Robertson, Hakeem Olajuwon, and David Robinson? Alvin Robertson is the giveaway - a quadruple double
5. What famous explorer became the first governor of Puerto Rico in 1509? Columbus?
6. A shoehorn is a first-class one, a diving-board is a second-class one, and a stapler is a third-class one. What are they? levers
7. Based on the unusual distinction they share, what 1989 film will soon be joining this list of movies? The Blues Brothers, Chinatown, The Godfather Part II, The Hustler, The Last Picture Show, The Odd Couple, Psycho, Terms of Endearment.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What ruler was born around 1167 with the name "Temujin"? Genghis Khan. correct
2. What major event have you won if you receive a round trophy topped with thirty gold-plated flags? That's the Commissioner's Trophy, given to the winner of the World Series. (The thirty flags represent the thirty teams in major league baseball.) correct
3. What menu item does McDonald's often discount during Lent? The Filet-O-Fish, aimed at Catholics going meatless. In fact, the Filet-O-Fish was actually conceived, back in 1962, as a way to lure Catholics into McDonald's on "meatless Fridays." correct
4. What late actress is one of only two people ever to wear the celebrated Tiffany Yellow Diamond? In 1961, to promote her new film Breakfast at Tiffany's, Audrey Hepburn became the second woman ever to wear the diamond. so who was the first?
5. Why has Madelyn Dunham, an 85-year-old woman living alone in a Honolulu condo, been in the news recently? She is Barack Obama's "typical white grandmother," mentioned in his recent speech on race. correct
6. Besides the platypus, what's the only other living mammal that lays eggs? The spiny echidna, also of Australia, are the only other surviving "monotremes." I could not remember the spiny echidna, just 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? A toughie, unless you know a few of these works well. All have a crucial scene revolving around an umbrella (brella brella). No, really. Details provided upon request.
1. The ballet La Petite Danseuse was inspired by a bronze sculpted by what artist? Edgar Degas
2. What TV series' last two winners have had first names derived from Greek sun gods?
3. Dubai-based Emirates Airlines was the first airline to allow the in-flight use of what? cell phones?
4. What basketball rarity has only been accomplished four times in NBA history--by Nate Thurmond, Alvin Robertson, Hakeem Olajuwon, and David Robinson? Alvin Robertson is the giveaway - a quadruple double
5. What famous explorer became the first governor of Puerto Rico in 1509? Columbus?
6. A shoehorn is a first-class one, a diving-board is a second-class one, and a stapler is a third-class one. What are they? levers
7. Based on the unusual distinction they share, what 1989 film will soon be joining this list of movies? The Blues Brothers, Chinatown, The Godfather Part II, The Hustler, The Last Picture Show, The Odd Couple, Psycho, Terms of Endearment.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What ruler was born around 1167 with the name "Temujin"? Genghis Khan. correct
2. What major event have you won if you receive a round trophy topped with thirty gold-plated flags? That's the Commissioner's Trophy, given to the winner of the World Series. (The thirty flags represent the thirty teams in major league baseball.) correct
3. What menu item does McDonald's often discount during Lent? The Filet-O-Fish, aimed at Catholics going meatless. In fact, the Filet-O-Fish was actually conceived, back in 1962, as a way to lure Catholics into McDonald's on "meatless Fridays." correct
4. What late actress is one of only two people ever to wear the celebrated Tiffany Yellow Diamond? In 1961, to promote her new film Breakfast at Tiffany's, Audrey Hepburn became the second woman ever to wear the diamond. so who was the first?
5. Why has Madelyn Dunham, an 85-year-old woman living alone in a Honolulu condo, been in the news recently? She is Barack Obama's "typical white grandmother," mentioned in his recent speech on race. correct
6. Besides the platypus, what's the only other living mammal that lays eggs? The spiny echidna, also of Australia, are the only other surviving "monotremes." I could not remember the spiny echidna, just 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? A toughie, unless you know a few of these works well. All have a crucial scene revolving around an umbrella (brella brella). No, really. Details provided upon request.
