Wednesday, April 02, 2014
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - April 1
KJ initially sent a set of questions that were all about My Little Pony. I did not think that he was a brony, but shortly thereafter he said "April Fools" and sent the questions below.
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. From 1958 to 1962, and again from 1965 to 1967, the Nielsen ratings were led by what genre of TV series, which has never again topped the ratings in years since? soap opera? Peyton Place and then something else?
2. What distinctive-smelling chemical was named by the Romans because they first discovered it near a temple to an Egyptian sun-god? distinctive-smelling --> sulfur?
3. What numeric name is sometimes used for the insult-trading game played in black communities since the early 20th century? this question seems cryptic in the absence of any other information. Insult-trading game --> One Up?
4. What city currently has 14 Michelin three-star restaurants, even more than Paris? London?
5. In 1953, who became the second and last woman ever executed by the U.S. federal government? Ethel Rosenberg?
6. What L.A.-based rock band, together since 1992, is named for its frontman's childhood nickname, supposedly due to asthma? asthma is a key clue --> Weezer
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these movies? Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever, Catwoman, Charlie's Angels, The Fall, Missing, Tim's Vermeer, Under the Cherry Moon, W.E. A review of the credits for these movies shows that each has a one-named director.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. A bibliography lists books. An arachniography is a similar resource that lists what? Spiders are arachnids, so it's probably not too hard to see why a list of "web" resources would be called an arachniography. close though not exactly correct
2. What country observes National Sorry Day every May 26, to commemorate the mistreatment of its indigenous population that resulted in a "Stolen Generation" between 1909 and 1969? National Sorry Day is an Australian holiday. If you got this wrong, listen: I am so, so sorry. correct
3. The American sporting goods company that pioneered fiberglass skis in 1961 shares its name with what mountain? The ski company K2 Sports is named both for its founders, the Kirschner Brothers, and for the world's second tallest mountain. Which you should not try to ski down, by the way. correct
4. The firm of McKim, Mead & White, which counted the celebrated Stanford White as one of its partners, led the world at the turn of the 20th century in what field? They were architects. Stanford White designed the Washington Square Arch in New York City, and is mostly remembered today as the murder victim in the first great "Trial of the Century" in American history. correct
5. What, specifically, does an animal known as a "folivore" eat? Koalas, caterpillars, and giraffes are folivores. They eat leaves. not correct. Would kale-obsessed Angelenos be considered folivores too?
6. What video game franchise's installments are set in municipalities like Vice City, Liberty City, and San Andreas? Grand Theft Auto. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these pro sport head coaches or managers, and no others? Al Arbour, Red Auerbach, Toe Blake, Scotty Bowman, Hap Day, Punch Imlach, Phil Jackson, John Kundla, Curly Lambeau, Vince Lombardi, John McCarthy, Casey Stengel, and Joe Torre. These are the only coaches/managers in the four major pro sports organizations who have led a team to a "three-peat"--that is, they won three or more championships in a row. Pat Riley worked so hard to make "three-peat" happen and he's not even on the list. :( correct. Pretty easy Q7 for me.
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. From 1958 to 1962, and again from 1965 to 1967, the Nielsen ratings were led by what genre of TV series, which has never again topped the ratings in years since? soap opera? Peyton Place and then something else?
2. What distinctive-smelling chemical was named by the Romans because they first discovered it near a temple to an Egyptian sun-god? distinctive-smelling --> sulfur?
3. What numeric name is sometimes used for the insult-trading game played in black communities since the early 20th century? this question seems cryptic in the absence of any other information. Insult-trading game --> One Up?
4. What city currently has 14 Michelin three-star restaurants, even more than Paris? London?
5. In 1953, who became the second and last woman ever executed by the U.S. federal government? Ethel Rosenberg?
6. What L.A.-based rock band, together since 1992, is named for its frontman's childhood nickname, supposedly due to asthma? asthma is a key clue --> Weezer
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these movies? Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever, Catwoman, Charlie's Angels, The Fall, Missing, Tim's Vermeer, Under the Cherry Moon, W.E. A review of the credits for these movies shows that each has a one-named director.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. A bibliography lists books. An arachniography is a similar resource that lists what? Spiders are arachnids, so it's probably not too hard to see why a list of "web" resources would be called an arachniography. close though not exactly correct
2. What country observes National Sorry Day every May 26, to commemorate the mistreatment of its indigenous population that resulted in a "Stolen Generation" between 1909 and 1969? National Sorry Day is an Australian holiday. If you got this wrong, listen: I am so, so sorry. correct
3. The American sporting goods company that pioneered fiberglass skis in 1961 shares its name with what mountain? The ski company K2 Sports is named both for its founders, the Kirschner Brothers, and for the world's second tallest mountain. Which you should not try to ski down, by the way. correct
4. The firm of McKim, Mead & White, which counted the celebrated Stanford White as one of its partners, led the world at the turn of the 20th century in what field? They were architects. Stanford White designed the Washington Square Arch in New York City, and is mostly remembered today as the murder victim in the first great "Trial of the Century" in American history. correct
5. What, specifically, does an animal known as a "folivore" eat? Koalas, caterpillars, and giraffes are folivores. They eat leaves. not correct. Would kale-obsessed Angelenos be considered folivores too?
6. What video game franchise's installments are set in municipalities like Vice City, Liberty City, and San Andreas? Grand Theft Auto. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these pro sport head coaches or managers, and no others? Al Arbour, Red Auerbach, Toe Blake, Scotty Bowman, Hap Day, Punch Imlach, Phil Jackson, John Kundla, Curly Lambeau, Vince Lombardi, John McCarthy, Casey Stengel, and Joe Torre. These are the only coaches/managers in the four major pro sports organizations who have led a team to a "three-peat"--that is, they won three or more championships in a row. Pat Riley worked so hard to make "three-peat" happen and he's not even on the list. :( correct. Pretty easy Q7 for me.
