Musings of a Dead Parrot

THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. What item are there two of in British cricket and six of in American croquet? wickets
2. Name two of the four "majority-minority" U.S. states--states in which less than half the population is non-Hispanic white. California, Arizona. I guess the other two would be Hawaii and New Mexico.
3. Despite their names, Daniel Florence O'Leary and Bernardo O'Higgins are heroes on what continent? a limited number of choices available. Probably not Europe given the wording of the question. North America seems too obvious. That leaves Africa, Asia, South America and Australia. Are they South African rugby players? Australian cricketers? I will guess Australia since I don't know if a South African rugby player is a continental hero.
4. What TV host gives out the annual "Fierce Awards"? Is this something from Animal Planet? Do they have a reality show? I'll guess the only reality show host I know on basic cable - Tyra Banks. I am monitoring the America's Next Top Model program because a Reading to Kids volunteer is competing. Go Analeigh!
5. How many Bennet sisters are there in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice? No idea. But I can guess. Three.
6. The most famous tree in California's White Mountains bristlecone pine forest is named for what biblical figure? Methuselah
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these performers? Phil Hartman, Don Knotts, Roddy McDowall, Zero Mostel, Paul Newman, John Ritter, Jimmy Stewart, Orson Welles. They are all dead. Maybe that is not unusual enough. Something about their deaths?

LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What is the martingale system used for? Gambling--assuming you want to lose badly. The martingale is the age-old system of doubling your bet each time you lose in hopes of earning back your losses. Betting limits at modern casinos make it unworkable. never heard this one before
2. According to most Hindu art, what color is the skin of the god Vishnu? Vishnu is "new-cloud-like-blue" but we accepted just "blue." Also: he has four arms! correct
3. What Best Picture-winning film bears a dedication in its closing credits to Sergio Leone and Don Siegel? Hopefully Sergio Leone reminded you of "spaghetti westerns" and Don Siegel reminded you of Dirty Harry. The answer is the Clint Eastwood western Unforgiven. correct
4. What Internet verb meaning "to fraudulently solicit personal information" also names a recently reunited rock band? Phish! What's worse, cybercrime or a jam band? You make the call. correct
5. What common household alloy must contain, by law, at least 11.5% chromium? Chromium is what makes stainless steel stainless. why is stainless steel a household alloy?
6. The French call it Lac Leman, and it makes up about 50 miles of the French border. But what's it more commonly called across the border? Lac Leman is known in the rest of the world as Lake Geneva. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these U.S. states--in this order--and no others? California, Kansas, Maine, Washington. These are the only four states that have been represented by an all-female Senate delegation: two woman senators seated at the same time. No chance for a fifth state to join the list this November either.