Friday, June 24, 2011
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - June 21
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. What short-lived TV series titled almost half its episodes with rhyming pairs like "Beers and Weirs," "Tests and Breasts," and "Noshing and Moshing"? I think "rhyming pairs" is the important clue. Freaks and Geeks
2. The world "ball speed record," once held by jai alai, has since been reclaimed by players of what much more popular sport? tennis
3. The drug levonorgestrel is marketed as "Plan B," under the assumption that "Plan A" is what? contraception
4. In the Bible, what kind of bird saved Elijah's life but was singularly unhelpful to Noah? unhelpful to Noah? I think he sent a raven to look for dry land but the bird was unsuccessful
5. What now-independent island took its former name from the Portuguese for "beautiful island"? Macau?
6. What rock frontman was born May 10, 1960--appropriately enough, just nine days after Francis Gary Powers was shot down over Russia? Francis Gary Powers flew the U2 spy plane --> Bono
7. What unusual (and fairly specific) distinction is shared by all these movies? The Barefoot Contessa, The Brothers McMullen, Frankenstein (1931), Great Expectations (1946), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Night of the Living Dead, Plan 9 from Outer Space, Saving Private Ryan, Under the Volcano, Volver. I don't like questions about specific details of shows or books or movies. But I'll do some research and see if I can spot a pattern somewhere.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. Which sea of the Pacific Ocean is home, appropriately enough, to the Great Barrier Reef? There is a surprising amount of coral in the Coral Sea. correct
2. The only two Vietnam films on the AFI list of the 100 greatest movies are both narrated by actors with what last name? Charlie Sheen's narration of Platoon was probably a bit of an homage to Martin Sheen's narration of Apocalypse Now. Promising young actor, Charlie Sheen...whatever happened to that guy? As a few readers pointed out, there's a goof in this question. The Deer Hunter, a very good Vietnam film, is on the AFI list as well, and I completely missed it. correct
3. In computer science, what does the letter 'C' stand for in both ASCII and BASIC? Both are _c_odes. correct
4. What TV channel has hired Saturday Night Live's Andy Samberg as its "Chief Shark Officer" for 2011? "Shark Week" is, of course, a big part of the Discovery Channel brand. It's important to note that Samberg's office is largely ceremonial; he can still be overruled by their Executive Shark Officer and Shark-in-Chief. correct
5. What kind of seed is missing from "unseeded" rye breads? Well, technically, lots of seeds, I guess. Pumpkin seeds, mustard seeds, etc. But the PURPOSE of the term is to distinguish between caraway-laden rye bread and its caraway-free cousin. correct
6. How many consultations could you afford with Lucy Van Pelt ("Psychiatric help, the doctor is in") for the cost of just one with Encyclopedia Brown ("No case too small")? Encyclopedia Brown charged a quarter (absent expenses), Lucy just a nickel. So Idaville's smartest boy is five times pricier than his Peanuts equivalent. Some of this may be due to inflation, but I blame the Bugs Meany-related physical risks that Lucy never had to dealt with. A quarter. Encyclopedia Brown would charge at least a dollar if the stories were being kept current.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these famous people? Charlie Chaplin, Dom DiMaggio, Marcel Dionne, Stephen Douglas, Hadrian, Fiorello LaGuardia, Bruce Lee, Annie Oakley, Edith Piaf, Martin Van Buren. All were nicknamed the "Little" something by fans and/or detractors. Specifically and respectively: the Little Tramp, the Little Professor, Little Beaver, the Little Giant, the Little Greek, the Little Flower, the Little Dragon, Little Miss Sure Shot, the Little Sparrow, and the Little Magician. I guess I could have added Napoleon or Kim Jones, but I thought they might be too easy. (Wait for it.) Particularly Li'l Kim. correct!
1. What short-lived TV series titled almost half its episodes with rhyming pairs like "Beers and Weirs," "Tests and Breasts," and "Noshing and Moshing"? I think "rhyming pairs" is the important clue. Freaks and Geeks
2. The world "ball speed record," once held by jai alai, has since been reclaimed by players of what much more popular sport? tennis
3. The drug levonorgestrel is marketed as "Plan B," under the assumption that "Plan A" is what? contraception
4. In the Bible, what kind of bird saved Elijah's life but was singularly unhelpful to Noah? unhelpful to Noah? I think he sent a raven to look for dry land but the bird was unsuccessful
5. What now-independent island took its former name from the Portuguese for "beautiful island"? Macau?
6. What rock frontman was born May 10, 1960--appropriately enough, just nine days after Francis Gary Powers was shot down over Russia? Francis Gary Powers flew the U2 spy plane --> Bono
7. What unusual (and fairly specific) distinction is shared by all these movies? The Barefoot Contessa, The Brothers McMullen, Frankenstein (1931), Great Expectations (1946), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Night of the Living Dead, Plan 9 from Outer Space, Saving Private Ryan, Under the Volcano, Volver. I don't like questions about specific details of shows or books or movies. But I'll do some research and see if I can spot a pattern somewhere.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. Which sea of the Pacific Ocean is home, appropriately enough, to the Great Barrier Reef? There is a surprising amount of coral in the Coral Sea. correct
2. The only two Vietnam films on the AFI list of the 100 greatest movies are both narrated by actors with what last name? Charlie Sheen's narration of Platoon was probably a bit of an homage to Martin Sheen's narration of Apocalypse Now. Promising young actor, Charlie Sheen...whatever happened to that guy? As a few readers pointed out, there's a goof in this question. The Deer Hunter, a very good Vietnam film, is on the AFI list as well, and I completely missed it. correct
3. In computer science, what does the letter 'C' stand for in both ASCII and BASIC? Both are _c_odes. correct
4. What TV channel has hired Saturday Night Live's Andy Samberg as its "Chief Shark Officer" for 2011? "Shark Week" is, of course, a big part of the Discovery Channel brand. It's important to note that Samberg's office is largely ceremonial; he can still be overruled by their Executive Shark Officer and Shark-in-Chief. correct
5. What kind of seed is missing from "unseeded" rye breads? Well, technically, lots of seeds, I guess. Pumpkin seeds, mustard seeds, etc. But the PURPOSE of the term is to distinguish between caraway-laden rye bread and its caraway-free cousin. correct
6. How many consultations could you afford with Lucy Van Pelt ("Psychiatric help, the doctor is in") for the cost of just one with Encyclopedia Brown ("No case too small")? Encyclopedia Brown charged a quarter (absent expenses), Lucy just a nickel. So Idaville's smartest boy is five times pricier than his Peanuts equivalent. Some of this may be due to inflation, but I blame the Bugs Meany-related physical risks that Lucy never had to dealt with. A quarter. Encyclopedia Brown would charge at least a dollar if the stories were being kept current.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these famous people? Charlie Chaplin, Dom DiMaggio, Marcel Dionne, Stephen Douglas, Hadrian, Fiorello LaGuardia, Bruce Lee, Annie Oakley, Edith Piaf, Martin Van Buren. All were nicknamed the "Little" something by fans and/or detractors. Specifically and respectively: the Little Tramp, the Little Professor, Little Beaver, the Little Giant, the Little Greek, the Little Flower, the Little Dragon, Little Miss Sure Shot, the Little Sparrow, and the Little Magician. I guess I could have added Napoleon or Kim Jones, but I thought they might be too easy. (Wait for it.) Particularly Li'l Kim. correct!
