Musings of a Dead Parrot

THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1.  What popular ornamental garden shrub is named for the shape of its flowers, from Greek words for "water vessel"?  no idea.  several clues but none are helpful to me.  Shape?  Greek words for water vessel?  I'll guess azalea just because the time of year makes me think of azaleas.
2.  In March, what two actors became the first father-and-son team ever to win Razzies for their appearance in the same movie?  Will and Jaden Smith?
3.  Last weekend, Adam Scott of Australia had the chance to take over the world #1 ranking in what sport from its injured holder?  golf
4.  The River Liffey is a minor waterway, only 75 miles long, but it's well-known for passing through what national capital?  Dublin
5.  After a 105-year-run, McCall's magazine ceased publication in 2002 after a year of being renamed for what TV personality, its new editorial director?  Oprah
6.  The Crimean War began in 1853 when what power, no longer found on maps, attacked Russia?  Prussia?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these U.S. presidents, and no others?  Taylor, Pierce, Buchanan, Benjamin Harrison, Wilson, Truman, Eisenhower, Ford, Carter, Clinton.  Another tough Q7.  Nothing coming to me so far.

LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1.  Ninety-five percent of the world's opals come from what country?  Opal is the national gemstone of Australia.  correct
2.  Since 2000, "Alpha" has been the official callsign for what piece of equipment, though the Russians originally lobbied for "Beta"?  The International Space Station--which, in the eyes of the Russian "Mir" team, was decidedly not the first of its kind.  that's a pretty big "piece of equipment"
3.  The last two hosts of CBS's The Late Late Show have had what first name?  Craig Ferguson and Craig ("I host shows before they get popular and good") Kilborn share a first name.  correct
4.  Who was the first author buried in Westminster Abbey's "Poets' Corner," though his work is more closely associated with a different cathedral?  Geoffrey Chaucer most famously wrote some tales about a pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral, but he's not buried there.  not correct, but this is a really good question
5.  Until the plate was retired for 2014, what was the only U.S. state to name-check a rock song on its official license plate?  Alabama's plates said "Sweet Home Alabama" for eight years.  Skynyrd shout-out!  Alex got this one.  I guess that I have not seen an Alabama license plate in a while to be reminded of what may be the best rock song about a state.
6.  Hip, mansard, and gambrel are common styles for what part of a structure?  The roof.  correct
7.  What unusual distinction is shared by these teams in the four major North American sports organizations, and no others?  The Baltimore Orioles, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Twins, New York Jets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Phoenix Coyotes.  All these teams once went by a name that's now used by a DIFFERENT team in their organization: the Baltimore Orioles were once the "Milwaukee Brewers," the Nuggets were once the "Rockets," and so on. wow, that was really tough. I knew that the Orioles were formerly the St Louis Browns.  But also the Milwaukee Brewers?!?  The Yankees were the Highlanders.  But also they were the Baltimore Orioles?!?