Musings of a Dead Parrot

THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1.  Ninety-five percent of the world's opals come from what country? when I hear "opals," I think of one country.  Australia.
2.  Since 2000, "Alpha" has been the official callsign for what piece of equipment, though the Russians originally lobbied for "Beta"?  the Red Phone?
3.  The last two hosts of CBS's The Late Late Show have had what first name?  Craig (Ferguson and Kilborn)
4.  Who was the first author buried in Westminster Abbey's "Poets' Corner," though his work is more closely associated with a different cathedral?  the Cathedral of Heaven, John Milton?  Wordsworth wrote about Tintern Abbey, but that is not a cathedral.  Dryden?  Donne?  Perhaps Victor Hugo who of course is associated with Notre Dame.
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?  I think another clue would really help.  Trying to think of rock songs that are associated with a state.  The Beach Boys, "California Girls."  The Pretenders from My City Was Gone - "way to go, Ohio."  Bruce Springsteen - "Jungleland." 
6.  Hip, mansard, and gambrel are common styles for what part of a structure?  roof
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.  This is tough.  Nothing apparent yet.  I have considered ownership, stadiums, franchise history, mascots, logos.  The Nuggets are the only NBA team.  The Jets are the only NFL team.  What could be unique about them?

LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1.  What geographic name comes from Sanskrit words meaning "abode of snow"? "Himalaya" --personified in ancient Hindu myth as the mountain-god Himavat.  correct
2.  What possession do the Beatles sing about buying for their girl in two #1 hits of 1964, "Can't Buy Me Love" and "I Feel Fine"?  I'll buy you a diamond ring, my friend.  correct
3.  Five of the six men who raised the famous flag over Iwo Jima were members of which branch of the U.S. Armed Forces?  Marines.  (The sixth was Navy--the Marines had to have someone to drop them off at the island, I guess.)  correct
4.  Florin and Guilder, the two countries in The Princess Bride, are also names for types of what?  Those are medieval coins or currencies.  In fact, the Dutch guilder is still the currency of the Caribbean islands of Curacao and Sint Maarten.  correct
5.  Protium is the only stable isotope in the known universe that does not contain what type of sub-atomic particle?  Protium is regular old one-proton hydrogen, the most abundant thing in the universe.  It's also the only stable atom with no neutron: just one proton and one electron.  I guess "stable" implies that it is not an ion.  I should have gotten this.
6.  The lyric drama form called zarzuela originated in what country?  Zarzuela originated during the baroque period in Spain.  correct
7.  What unusual distinction is shared by these TV shows?  Breaking Bad, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dawson's Creek, Desperate Housewives, Dexter, How I Met Your Mother, Inspector Morse, Lost, The L Word, Rescue Me, Roseanne, and (maybe) The Sopranos.  A major character died (or at least was revealed to have died) in the final episode.  The Sopranos was meant to be a helpful hint, as many fans assume that [SPOILERS] Tony Soprano's death is depicted in the show's ambiguous final seconds.  correct