Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - November 29
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. What annual sports event is nicknamed "the Frozen Four"? NCAA hockey championships
2. What is the national fruit of China, despite its close association in the West with a different nationality? my guess - kiwi (aka Chinese gooseberry)
3. Who was the first U.S. president voted for by women nationwide, leading critics of suffrage to claim that his good looks had won him the election? I believe that women got the right to vote in 1920. I think that Coolidge won that year.
4. What organization uses an E-meter in its auditing? Church of Scientology (thanks for the Scientology education, South Park)
5. What Iberian dance, mentioned in a Queen song, also provided the original title for Maurice Ravel's Bolero? Scaramouche, Scaramouche will you do the fandango
6. Besides white, what color is on every national flag of Central America? Mexico's colors are white, red and green. I seem to recall Costa Rica is red, white and blue. I'll say red.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these actors? Roberto Benigni, Kate Capshaw, Johnny Depp, Hugh Grant, Anthony Hopkins, Christopher Lee, Rebecca Pidgeon, Meg Ryan.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What common household item was made of "All-Cotton Elastic" when Oscar Schwidetzky invented it in 1918? This is how the "ACE bandage" got its acronymic name. dadgummit. I know that KJ loves acronyms and I still did not pick up on the clue.
2. James Sullivan's 2008 book The Hardest Working Man tells, according to its subtitle, "How" what man "Saved Soul the America"? Sullivan's book is about the famous concert James Brown gave in Boston the night of the Martin Luther King assassination. correct
3. What's the only U.S. state to have a chronic vog problem? Vog is a portmanteau word, like smog--it means "volcanic fog." In the U.S., only the Big Island of Hawaii has vog issues. I thought vog might be an animal or an alien race like the bad poetry-writing Vogons
4. What two actors share the same first name *and* share the screen in three Coen brothers films: Barton Fink, The Big Lebowski, and O Brother Where Are Thou? These are two Johns: Goodman and Turturro. Say what you like about the tenets of Tuesday Trivia, at least it's an ethos. correct
5. What is the last part of Lewis Carroll's Cheshire Cat to disappear? His smile goes last. correct
6. Thanks to the efforts of five different tennis champions, what country has won 11 of the last 19 men's singles titles at the French Open? Thanks to Sergi Bruguera, Carlos Moya, Albert Costa, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and now Rafael Nadal, Spain has a chokehold on the French Open. Not literally, of course. That's a misconduct penalty. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these countries, and no others? Bolivia, Brunei, Eritrea, Kuwait, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Samoa, Vatican City, and--probably most famously--Israel? These are all the world's countries that are officially the "State of" their short names: the Plurinational State of Bolivia, the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, the State of Israel, and so on. I was in a State of Cluelessness on this Q7
1. What annual sports event is nicknamed "the Frozen Four"? NCAA hockey championships
2. What is the national fruit of China, despite its close association in the West with a different nationality? my guess - kiwi (aka Chinese gooseberry)
3. Who was the first U.S. president voted for by women nationwide, leading critics of suffrage to claim that his good looks had won him the election? I believe that women got the right to vote in 1920. I think that Coolidge won that year.
4. What organization uses an E-meter in its auditing? Church of Scientology (thanks for the Scientology education, South Park)
5. What Iberian dance, mentioned in a Queen song, also provided the original title for Maurice Ravel's Bolero? Scaramouche, Scaramouche will you do the fandango
6. Besides white, what color is on every national flag of Central America? Mexico's colors are white, red and green. I seem to recall Costa Rica is red, white and blue. I'll say red.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these actors? Roberto Benigni, Kate Capshaw, Johnny Depp, Hugh Grant, Anthony Hopkins, Christopher Lee, Rebecca Pidgeon, Meg Ryan.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What common household item was made of "All-Cotton Elastic" when Oscar Schwidetzky invented it in 1918? This is how the "ACE bandage" got its acronymic name. dadgummit. I know that KJ loves acronyms and I still did not pick up on the clue.
2. James Sullivan's 2008 book The Hardest Working Man tells, according to its subtitle, "How" what man "Saved Soul the America"? Sullivan's book is about the famous concert James Brown gave in Boston the night of the Martin Luther King assassination. correct
3. What's the only U.S. state to have a chronic vog problem? Vog is a portmanteau word, like smog--it means "volcanic fog." In the U.S., only the Big Island of Hawaii has vog issues. I thought vog might be an animal or an alien race like the bad poetry-writing Vogons
4. What two actors share the same first name *and* share the screen in three Coen brothers films: Barton Fink, The Big Lebowski, and O Brother Where Are Thou? These are two Johns: Goodman and Turturro. Say what you like about the tenets of Tuesday Trivia, at least it's an ethos. correct
5. What is the last part of Lewis Carroll's Cheshire Cat to disappear? His smile goes last. correct
6. Thanks to the efforts of five different tennis champions, what country has won 11 of the last 19 men's singles titles at the French Open? Thanks to Sergi Bruguera, Carlos Moya, Albert Costa, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and now Rafael Nadal, Spain has a chokehold on the French Open. Not literally, of course. That's a misconduct penalty. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these countries, and no others? Bolivia, Brunei, Eritrea, Kuwait, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Samoa, Vatican City, and--probably most famously--Israel? These are all the world's countries that are officially the "State of" their short names: the Plurinational State of Bolivia, the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, the State of Israel, and so on. I was in a State of Cluelessness on this Q7
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - November 22
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. What common household item was made of "All-Cotton Elastic" when Oscar Schwidetzky invented it in 1918? Q tips
2. James Sullivan's 2008 book The Hardest Working Man tells, according to its subtitle, "How" what man "Saved Soul the America"? James Brown!
3. What's the only U.S. state to have a chronic vog problem? what the heck is vog?
4. What two actors share the same first name *and* share the screen in three Coen brothers films: Barton Fink, The Big Lebowski, and O Brother Where Are Thou? John Goodman and John Turturro
5. What is the last part of Lewis Carroll's Cheshire Cat to disappear? his teeth/grin
6. Thanks to the efforts of five different tennis champions, what country has won 11 of the last 19 men's singles titles at the French Open? Spain (I think)
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these countries, and no others? Bolivia, Brunei, Eritrea, Kuwait, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Samoa, Vatican City, and--probably most famously--Israel?
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. Quetzaltenango, also called "Xela," is the second largest city in what country? The quetzal is the national symbol--and currency--of Guatemala. correct
2. Who are Blanche Devereaux, Rose Nylund, Dorothy Zbornak, and Sophia Petrillo? They are "The Golden Girls." For those not familiar, this is a fanciful television comedy about four retired women living together in Florida, not one of whom is Jewish. correct
3. What obvious physical trait demonstrates that Curious George, the "curious little monkey," probably isn't a monkey at all, but some type of ape? Monkeys generally have tails, unlike apes (and unlike George). Maybe the Man with the Yellow Hat, evil colonialist that he is, chopped off George's tail when he stole him from paradise. correct
4. What opera's title object protects Tamino and Pamina from the ordeals of fire and water in the Temple of Sarastro? If you were facing terrible fiery and watery ordeals, wouldn't you want a flute to help out? What if it was a MAGIC flute? NOW how much would you pay? correct
5. What up-and-coming movie star was taunted with the nickname "Baking Soda Boy" by clever classmates as a child? Pity poor Armie Hammer (of The Social Network and J. Edgar fame) for having a name that sounded much like a popular brand of baking soda. It's so sad when incredibly good-looking heirs to a bajillion-dollar petroleum fortunes have to face that kind of cruel bullying. never heard of this guy until now. Armand Hammer's great grandson? Maybe he and Balthazar Getty should work together.
6. After his 1947 death, Congressman Andrew Volstead donated to the Minnesota Historical Society the seven boxes of hate mail he had received over what issue? Volstead's namesake act introduced America to the gangsteriffic wonders of Prohibition. correct
7. What is the unusual significance of this group of songs, listed in this order? Albert King's "Born Under a Bad Sign," the Young Rascals' "Good Lovin'," the Black Kids' "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You," XTC's "Senses Working Overtime," Jonathan Richman's "Roadrunner," the Beatles' "You Never Give Me Your Money," the Who's "Slip Kid," Public Enemy's "Shut 'Em Down," Stevie Wonder's "Do Yourself a Favor." All these songs contain count-offs--in increasing order of length. In other words, "Born Under a Bad Sign" begins with a "one-two," "Good Lovin'" begins "One! Two! Three!" and so on up through the "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10" in the Stevie Wonder song. I couldn't find a good candidate for eleven--can anyone help? correct
1. What common household item was made of "All-Cotton Elastic" when Oscar Schwidetzky invented it in 1918? Q tips
2. James Sullivan's 2008 book The Hardest Working Man tells, according to its subtitle, "How" what man "Saved Soul the America"? James Brown!
3. What's the only U.S. state to have a chronic vog problem? what the heck is vog?
4. What two actors share the same first name *and* share the screen in three Coen brothers films: Barton Fink, The Big Lebowski, and O Brother Where Are Thou? John Goodman and John Turturro
5. What is the last part of Lewis Carroll's Cheshire Cat to disappear? his teeth/grin
6. Thanks to the efforts of five different tennis champions, what country has won 11 of the last 19 men's singles titles at the French Open? Spain (I think)
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these countries, and no others? Bolivia, Brunei, Eritrea, Kuwait, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Samoa, Vatican City, and--probably most famously--Israel?
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. Quetzaltenango, also called "Xela," is the second largest city in what country? The quetzal is the national symbol--and currency--of Guatemala. correct
2. Who are Blanche Devereaux, Rose Nylund, Dorothy Zbornak, and Sophia Petrillo? They are "The Golden Girls." For those not familiar, this is a fanciful television comedy about four retired women living together in Florida, not one of whom is Jewish. correct
3. What obvious physical trait demonstrates that Curious George, the "curious little monkey," probably isn't a monkey at all, but some type of ape? Monkeys generally have tails, unlike apes (and unlike George). Maybe the Man with the Yellow Hat, evil colonialist that he is, chopped off George's tail when he stole him from paradise. correct
4. What opera's title object protects Tamino and Pamina from the ordeals of fire and water in the Temple of Sarastro? If you were facing terrible fiery and watery ordeals, wouldn't you want a flute to help out? What if it was a MAGIC flute? NOW how much would you pay? correct
5. What up-and-coming movie star was taunted with the nickname "Baking Soda Boy" by clever classmates as a child? Pity poor Armie Hammer (of The Social Network and J. Edgar fame) for having a name that sounded much like a popular brand of baking soda. It's so sad when incredibly good-looking heirs to a bajillion-dollar petroleum fortunes have to face that kind of cruel bullying. never heard of this guy until now. Armand Hammer's great grandson? Maybe he and Balthazar Getty should work together.
6. After his 1947 death, Congressman Andrew Volstead donated to the Minnesota Historical Society the seven boxes of hate mail he had received over what issue? Volstead's namesake act introduced America to the gangsteriffic wonders of Prohibition. correct
7. What is the unusual significance of this group of songs, listed in this order? Albert King's "Born Under a Bad Sign," the Young Rascals' "Good Lovin'," the Black Kids' "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You," XTC's "Senses Working Overtime," Jonathan Richman's "Roadrunner," the Beatles' "You Never Give Me Your Money," the Who's "Slip Kid," Public Enemy's "Shut 'Em Down," Stevie Wonder's "Do Yourself a Favor." All these songs contain count-offs--in increasing order of length. In other words, "Born Under a Bad Sign" begins with a "one-two," "Good Lovin'" begins "One! Two! Three!" and so on up through the "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10" in the Stevie Wonder song. I couldn't find a good candidate for eleven--can anyone help? correct
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - November 15
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. Quetzaltenango, also called "Xela," is the second largest city in what country? Guatemala?
2. Who are Blanche Devereaux, Rose Nylund, Dorothy Zbornak, and Sophia Petrillo? the Golden Girls
3. What obvious physical trait demonstrates that Curious George, the "curious little monkey," probably isn't a monkey at all, but some type of ape? I don't think CG has a tail which would qualify him as an ape vs. monkey
4. What opera's title object protects Tamino and Pamina from the ordeals of fire and water in the Temple of Sarastro? the Magic Flute
5. What up-and-coming movie star was taunted with the nickname "Baking Soda Boy" by clever classmates as a child? current up-and-coming movie star? Someone named Armand like Arm and Hammer baking soda? Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate with a chemical formula of NaCO2 (I think). Don't see a name in that formula.
6. After his 1947 death, Congressman Andrew Volstead donated to the Minnesota Historical Society the seven boxes of hate mail he had received over what issue? what would motivate people to send boxes of hate mail to a congressman in the pre-internet era? Prohibition
7. What is the unusual significance of this group of songs, listed in this order? Albert King's "Born Under a Bad Sign," the Young Rascals' "Good Lovin'," the Black Kids' "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You," XTC's "Senses Working Overtime," Jonathan Richman's "Roadrunner," the Beatles' "You Never Give Me Your Money," the Who's "Slip Kid," Public Enemy's "Shut 'Em Down," Stevie Wonder's "Do Yourself a Favor." I believe that each song's lyrics count up from 1. Example - XTC - "1 2 3 4 5, Senses working overtime." Then Beatles - "1 2 3 4 5 6 7, all good children go to heaven."
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What snack's latest varieties are Coconut (just green, white, and brown) and Pretzel (all the regular colors except yellow, for some reason)? These are the latest additions to the M&M empire, now desperate to seem as edgy as its hip-hop namesake. correct
2. What Indian dynasty took its name from the fact that it originated in the southwestern part of Genghis Khan's empire? The Moghul Empire was named, in a roundabout way, for the Mongol one. correct
3. What software product saw its market share fall below 50% last week, for the first time since 1998? Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browser. If you got this wrong and/or have no idea what I'm talking about...you are probably using Internet Explorer. correct
4. When it debuted on Broadway in 2003, what musical's cast included Sesame Street puppeteers John Tartaglia and Stephanie D'Abruzzo? Avenue Q, despite show-stopping numbers like "The Internet Is for Porn" and "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist," was staffed largely by Sesame Street veterans during its Broadway run. correct
5. What architectural term provides the most popular state/provincial nickname for both Manitoba and Pennsylvania? If you get the Keystone Province and the Keystone State confused, just remember: Manitobans are the ones who HAVEN'T been rioting this past week in defense of institutional pedophilia. correct
6. What artist borrowed some of his most famous lyrics from a Marcus Garvey speech that included the sentence, "We are going to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery because whilst others might free the body, none but ourselves can free the mind"? More people have probably come across these thoughts in Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" than ever saw them in the Garvey text. now I can hear Bob Marley singing those lines
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these famous people? Marie Antoinette, Lord Carnarvon, Kurt Cobain, William Henry Harrison, Margaux Hemingway, Robert Kennedy, Pedro Martinez, Sal Mineo, Michael Vick, Lindsey Vonn. In a late nod to Halloween, all are alleged victims of famous "curses": respectively, the Hope Diamond, Tutankhamen's Curse, the "27 Club," the Tippecanoe Curse, the Hemingway Curse, the Kennedy Curse, the Curse of the Bambino, the Rebel Without a Cause Curse, the Madden Curse, and the Sports Illustrated cover jinx. These are, of course, all real things that have been proven by science. BEWARE! curses, foiled again
1. Quetzaltenango, also called "Xela," is the second largest city in what country? Guatemala?
2. Who are Blanche Devereaux, Rose Nylund, Dorothy Zbornak, and Sophia Petrillo? the Golden Girls
3. What obvious physical trait demonstrates that Curious George, the "curious little monkey," probably isn't a monkey at all, but some type of ape? I don't think CG has a tail which would qualify him as an ape vs. monkey
4. What opera's title object protects Tamino and Pamina from the ordeals of fire and water in the Temple of Sarastro? the Magic Flute
5. What up-and-coming movie star was taunted with the nickname "Baking Soda Boy" by clever classmates as a child? current up-and-coming movie star? Someone named Armand like Arm and Hammer baking soda? Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate with a chemical formula of NaCO2 (I think). Don't see a name in that formula.
6. After his 1947 death, Congressman Andrew Volstead donated to the Minnesota Historical Society the seven boxes of hate mail he had received over what issue? what would motivate people to send boxes of hate mail to a congressman in the pre-internet era? Prohibition
7. What is the unusual significance of this group of songs, listed in this order? Albert King's "Born Under a Bad Sign," the Young Rascals' "Good Lovin'," the Black Kids' "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You," XTC's "Senses Working Overtime," Jonathan Richman's "Roadrunner," the Beatles' "You Never Give Me Your Money," the Who's "Slip Kid," Public Enemy's "Shut 'Em Down," Stevie Wonder's "Do Yourself a Favor." I believe that each song's lyrics count up from 1. Example - XTC - "1 2 3 4 5, Senses working overtime." Then Beatles - "1 2 3 4 5 6 7, all good children go to heaven."
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What snack's latest varieties are Coconut (just green, white, and brown) and Pretzel (all the regular colors except yellow, for some reason)? These are the latest additions to the M&M empire, now desperate to seem as edgy as its hip-hop namesake. correct
2. What Indian dynasty took its name from the fact that it originated in the southwestern part of Genghis Khan's empire? The Moghul Empire was named, in a roundabout way, for the Mongol one. correct
3. What software product saw its market share fall below 50% last week, for the first time since 1998? Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browser. If you got this wrong and/or have no idea what I'm talking about...you are probably using Internet Explorer. correct
4. When it debuted on Broadway in 2003, what musical's cast included Sesame Street puppeteers John Tartaglia and Stephanie D'Abruzzo? Avenue Q, despite show-stopping numbers like "The Internet Is for Porn" and "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist," was staffed largely by Sesame Street veterans during its Broadway run. correct
5. What architectural term provides the most popular state/provincial nickname for both Manitoba and Pennsylvania? If you get the Keystone Province and the Keystone State confused, just remember: Manitobans are the ones who HAVEN'T been rioting this past week in defense of institutional pedophilia. correct
6. What artist borrowed some of his most famous lyrics from a Marcus Garvey speech that included the sentence, "We are going to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery because whilst others might free the body, none but ourselves can free the mind"? More people have probably come across these thoughts in Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" than ever saw them in the Garvey text. now I can hear Bob Marley singing those lines
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these famous people? Marie Antoinette, Lord Carnarvon, Kurt Cobain, William Henry Harrison, Margaux Hemingway, Robert Kennedy, Pedro Martinez, Sal Mineo, Michael Vick, Lindsey Vonn. In a late nod to Halloween, all are alleged victims of famous "curses": respectively, the Hope Diamond, Tutankhamen's Curse, the "27 Club," the Tippecanoe Curse, the Hemingway Curse, the Kennedy Curse, the Curse of the Bambino, the Rebel Without a Cause Curse, the Madden Curse, and the Sports Illustrated cover jinx. These are, of course, all real things that have been proven by science. BEWARE! curses, foiled again
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - November 8
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. What snack's latest varieties are Coconut (just green, white, and brown) and Pretzel (all the regular colors except yellow, for some reason)? what snack comes in multiple colors and lots of flavors? Life savers? Tootsie pops? Starburst? How about M&Ms!
2. What Indian dynasty took its name from the fact that it originated in the southwestern part of Genghis Khan's empire? Only Indian dynasty I can name is the Moghul dynasty
3. What software product saw its market share fall below 50% last week, for the first time since 1998? Internet Explorer
4. When it debuted on Broadway in 2003, what musical's cast included Sesame Street puppeteers John Tartaglia and Stephanie D'Abruzzo? Avenue Q
5. What architectural term provides the most popular state/provincial nickname for both Manitoba and Pennsylvania? keystone
6. What artist borrowed some of his most famous lyrics from a Marcus Garvey speech that included the sentence, "We are going to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery because whilst others might free the body, none but ourselves can free the mind"? John Lennon?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these famous people? Marie Antoinette, Lord Carnarvon, Kurt Cobain, William Henry Harrison, Margaux Hemingway, Robert Kennedy, Pedro Martinez, Sal Mineo, Michael Vick, Lindsey Vonn. Sal Mineo was a model for a painting that is now in the Guggenheim. There is a painting of Pedro Martinez in the National Portrait Gallery. Lindsey Vonn, Michael Vick, Margeaux Hemingway must have modeled for paintings. I'm not finding any other common threads so far.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What very American sports company has been run by three men with the not-so-American surname of "France"? The France family has run NASCAR since Bill France, Sr. co-founded it in 1937. Although, for a brief period after 9/11, they did patriotically change their surname to "Freedom Surname." correct
2. The recent mystery novel New York to Dallas is the first entry in J. D. Robb's bestselling series not to have what word in the title? These are the "In Death" books. "J. D. Robb" is actually a pseudonym for the bajillion-selling Nora Roberts. death, murder. Put that in a book title and sell millions.
3. What kind of animal was Bert, the mascot of the 1950s "Duck and Cover" nuclear safety campaign? He was a turtle. Nice hard shell--no good in a nuclear first strike, sadly. a turtle? as in "slow as a . . ."?
4. In 1873, pharmacist Charles Henry Phillips invented an antacid composed of the hydroxide of what metal? This is Phillips Milk of Magnesia, so the salt in question is magnesium hydroxide. correct
5. Last month, the season premiere of a Georgia-set TV series smashed a basic-cable TV ratings record held by another series about a Georgia-born title character. Name both series. The Walking Dead destroyed The Closer's record among the coveted 18-49 demographic. Who like zombies more than lady cops, I guess. correct on both
6. The bulk of the Italo-Abyssinian Wars were fought in what modern-day country? Abyssinia is Ethiopia today. Well, except for the little bit that's Eritrea, but whatever. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these movies? Almost Famous, The Aviator, The Book of Eli, The Debt, The Hangover, Lolita, Marmaduke, Natural Born Killers, Risky Business, The Terminator. All these movies' original posters featured a main character or two in sunglasses. You had to mention the poster in particular--obviously, "sunglasses" are a pretty obvious link between Risky Business and The Terminator, but they're ubiquitous in the movies and not big plot points in some of those listed here. I apologize to anyone who rented Marmaduke in an attempt to research this question. correct!
1. What snack's latest varieties are Coconut (just green, white, and brown) and Pretzel (all the regular colors except yellow, for some reason)? what snack comes in multiple colors and lots of flavors? Life savers? Tootsie pops? Starburst? How about M&Ms!
2. What Indian dynasty took its name from the fact that it originated in the southwestern part of Genghis Khan's empire? Only Indian dynasty I can name is the Moghul dynasty
3. What software product saw its market share fall below 50% last week, for the first time since 1998? Internet Explorer
4. When it debuted on Broadway in 2003, what musical's cast included Sesame Street puppeteers John Tartaglia and Stephanie D'Abruzzo? Avenue Q
5. What architectural term provides the most popular state/provincial nickname for both Manitoba and Pennsylvania? keystone
6. What artist borrowed some of his most famous lyrics from a Marcus Garvey speech that included the sentence, "We are going to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery because whilst others might free the body, none but ourselves can free the mind"? John Lennon?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these famous people? Marie Antoinette, Lord Carnarvon, Kurt Cobain, William Henry Harrison, Margaux Hemingway, Robert Kennedy, Pedro Martinez, Sal Mineo, Michael Vick, Lindsey Vonn. Sal Mineo was a model for a painting that is now in the Guggenheim. There is a painting of Pedro Martinez in the National Portrait Gallery. Lindsey Vonn, Michael Vick, Margeaux Hemingway must have modeled for paintings. I'm not finding any other common threads so far.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What very American sports company has been run by three men with the not-so-American surname of "France"? The France family has run NASCAR since Bill France, Sr. co-founded it in 1937. Although, for a brief period after 9/11, they did patriotically change their surname to "Freedom Surname." correct
2. The recent mystery novel New York to Dallas is the first entry in J. D. Robb's bestselling series not to have what word in the title? These are the "In Death" books. "J. D. Robb" is actually a pseudonym for the bajillion-selling Nora Roberts. death, murder. Put that in a book title and sell millions.
3. What kind of animal was Bert, the mascot of the 1950s "Duck and Cover" nuclear safety campaign? He was a turtle. Nice hard shell--no good in a nuclear first strike, sadly. a turtle? as in "slow as a . . ."?
4. In 1873, pharmacist Charles Henry Phillips invented an antacid composed of the hydroxide of what metal? This is Phillips Milk of Magnesia, so the salt in question is magnesium hydroxide. correct
5. Last month, the season premiere of a Georgia-set TV series smashed a basic-cable TV ratings record held by another series about a Georgia-born title character. Name both series. The Walking Dead destroyed The Closer's record among the coveted 18-49 demographic. Who like zombies more than lady cops, I guess. correct on both
6. The bulk of the Italo-Abyssinian Wars were fought in what modern-day country? Abyssinia is Ethiopia today. Well, except for the little bit that's Eritrea, but whatever. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these movies? Almost Famous, The Aviator, The Book of Eli, The Debt, The Hangover, Lolita, Marmaduke, Natural Born Killers, Risky Business, The Terminator. All these movies' original posters featured a main character or two in sunglasses. You had to mention the poster in particular--obviously, "sunglasses" are a pretty obvious link between Risky Business and The Terminator, but they're ubiquitous in the movies and not big plot points in some of those listed here. I apologize to anyone who rented Marmaduke in an attempt to research this question. correct!
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - November 1
Happy All Saints Day! The favorite holiday of New Orleans' NFL team and its fans.
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. What very American sports company has been run by three men with the not-so-American surname of "France"? The Frances run NASCAR
2. The recent mystery novel New York to Dallas is the first entry in J. D. Robb's bestselling series not to have what word in the title? completely unfamiliar with his work so a guess - "murder"
3. What kind of animal was Bert, the mascot of the 1950s "Duck and Cover" nuclear safety campaign? Gaah. Paul Paquet just had a question about this on triviahalloffame.com. I got the answer correct but do not remember what kind of animal Bert was. Don't think it was a duck. A bear?
4. In 1873, pharmacist Charles Henry Phillips invented an antacid composed of the hydroxide of what metal? milk of magnesia --> magnesium
5. Last month, the season premiere of a Georgia-set TV series smashed a basic-cable TV ratings record held by another series about a Georgia-born title character. Name both series. The Walking Dead is the show from last month. Set in and around Atlanta. The Closer's Brenda Johnson sounds like she is from Georgia and I seem to recall that it is the most popular basic-cable show.
6. The bulk of the Italo-Abyssinian Wars were fought in what modern-day country? Ethiopia
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these movies? Almost Famous, The Aviator, The Book of Eli, The Debt, The Hangover, Lolita, Marmaduke, Natural Born Killers, Risky Business, The Terminator. I generally don't like movie Q7s because the answer requires an intimate knowledge of a specific scene, or the credits or some other minute detail. But this one is pretty easy - sunglasses on the movie poster.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. According to the ubiquitous t-shirts in the film Napoleon Dynamite, whom should you "vote for"? For Pedro! All your wildest dreams will come true. correct
2. In what Normandy city would you find the Musee de la Tapisserie, home to one of the most famous pieces of artwork in history? The Bayeux Tapestry, a famous depiction of the Norman Conquest, is probably the only reason people go to the tapestry museum in Bayeux, France. correct
3. A lavalier is a portable type of what electronic device? It's one of those little wireless microphones you see people wearing on TV. It's named for a lavalier, a type of pendant necklace. I thought it might be named for Mike Lavalliere, former catcher for the St Louis Cardinals.
4. What U.S. athlete was called "La Gazzella Negra" by the hometown crowds watching her great Olympic success? That means "the Black Gazelle" in Italian, and the American hero of the 1960 Rome Olympics was the great Wilma Rudolph. correct
5. Elvis and the Spinners both had hits singing about what action, which Aerosmith declared "hard on the knees"? Falling in love (is hard on the knees). The Spinners and Elvis songs are "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love" and "Can't Help Falling in Love." correct (it was my best guess)
6. Of the eight nations whose names end with the letter 'Y', name the only two that aren't at least partly in Europe. The other two are in South America: Uruguay and Paraguay. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these famous people? Roberto Bolano, Albert Brooks, Anthony Burgess, John Dos Passos, Newt Gingrich, Mark Twain, Gore Vidal. They are the respective authors of 2666, 2030, 1985, 1919, 1945, 1601, and 1876: all books named for Rush albums. No, wait, that's not right. Books named for years. correct!!
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. What very American sports company has been run by three men with the not-so-American surname of "France"? The Frances run NASCAR
2. The recent mystery novel New York to Dallas is the first entry in J. D. Robb's bestselling series not to have what word in the title? completely unfamiliar with his work so a guess - "murder"
3. What kind of animal was Bert, the mascot of the 1950s "Duck and Cover" nuclear safety campaign? Gaah. Paul Paquet just had a question about this on triviahalloffame.com. I got the answer correct but do not remember what kind of animal Bert was. Don't think it was a duck. A bear?
4. In 1873, pharmacist Charles Henry Phillips invented an antacid composed of the hydroxide of what metal? milk of magnesia --> magnesium
5. Last month, the season premiere of a Georgia-set TV series smashed a basic-cable TV ratings record held by another series about a Georgia-born title character. Name both series. The Walking Dead is the show from last month. Set in and around Atlanta. The Closer's Brenda Johnson sounds like she is from Georgia and I seem to recall that it is the most popular basic-cable show.
6. The bulk of the Italo-Abyssinian Wars were fought in what modern-day country? Ethiopia
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these movies? Almost Famous, The Aviator, The Book of Eli, The Debt, The Hangover, Lolita, Marmaduke, Natural Born Killers, Risky Business, The Terminator. I generally don't like movie Q7s because the answer requires an intimate knowledge of a specific scene, or the credits or some other minute detail. But this one is pretty easy - sunglasses on the movie poster.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. According to the ubiquitous t-shirts in the film Napoleon Dynamite, whom should you "vote for"? For Pedro! All your wildest dreams will come true. correct
2. In what Normandy city would you find the Musee de la Tapisserie, home to one of the most famous pieces of artwork in history? The Bayeux Tapestry, a famous depiction of the Norman Conquest, is probably the only reason people go to the tapestry museum in Bayeux, France. correct
3. A lavalier is a portable type of what electronic device? It's one of those little wireless microphones you see people wearing on TV. It's named for a lavalier, a type of pendant necklace. I thought it might be named for Mike Lavalliere, former catcher for the St Louis Cardinals.
4. What U.S. athlete was called "La Gazzella Negra" by the hometown crowds watching her great Olympic success? That means "the Black Gazelle" in Italian, and the American hero of the 1960 Rome Olympics was the great Wilma Rudolph. correct
5. Elvis and the Spinners both had hits singing about what action, which Aerosmith declared "hard on the knees"? Falling in love (is hard on the knees). The Spinners and Elvis songs are "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love" and "Can't Help Falling in Love." correct (it was my best guess)
6. Of the eight nations whose names end with the letter 'Y', name the only two that aren't at least partly in Europe. The other two are in South America: Uruguay and Paraguay. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these famous people? Roberto Bolano, Albert Brooks, Anthony Burgess, John Dos Passos, Newt Gingrich, Mark Twain, Gore Vidal. They are the respective authors of 2666, 2030, 1985, 1919, 1945, 1601, and 1876: all books named for Rush albums. No, wait, that's not right. Books named for years. correct!!
