Question > General Trivia

What entertainer attended Temple University on a track and field scholarship after serving in the Navy?

UPDATE: Answer: Bill Cosby

Question > History

Who was the second man to walk on the moon?

UPDATE: Answer: Buzz Aldrin

Another place for Trivia

Ray Hamel, former Trivia Quiz editor for the NYT and current Special Collections and Reference Librarian for the Lawrence Jacobsen Library at the Wisconsin Primate Research Center, has a "Trivia Question of the Day" email list.

Sign up to receive Ray's Question of the day. Respond with the correct answer, and you'll be mentioned in the "kudos" list in the next email.

The Question of the Day is often pretty easy to Google, so I play it like Ken Jennings' suggests on his Trivia Quiz: I only answer when I know it off the top of my head. Even some of Hamel's more challenging questions can often be found with some digging, but my personal rule keeps me from spending half my day trying to find it.

Every so often (when Hamel goes on vacation), Hamel puts together a Super Trivia Challenge when you have to work a series of clues that often fit together some way in a word puzzle to solve. These are especially fun and challenging.

Ray Hamel is also a member of Network, the winningest team at the World's Largest Trivia Contest in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. My own team, Freshly Squeezed, is approaching the top 10 (out of around 450 to 500 teams), but doesn't hold a candle to Network's resources and record of success.

Check out Ray's Question of the Day for some daily trivia fun.

Question > History

What is the name of the Egyptian pharaoh who stands out for his conversion to a monotheistic religion, the worship of the sun god Aten, in opposition to the traditional Egyptian pantheon?

UPDATE: Answer: Akenaten (Amenhotep IV)

This pharaoh's reign corresponds with dramatic changes in Egyptian culture, including in religion and art. He was married to the mythically beautiful Nefertiti and sired the boy-pharaoh Tuthanhkamen (King Tut). Tuthanhkamen was originally named Tuthankaten, but changed his name after over-turning his father's changes and reinstating the traditional Egyptian religion.

Question > Geography

What is the name of the lake on the border of Vermont and New York that is named after a French explorer?

UPDATE: Answer: Lake Champlain

Question > TV

What is the title of the song used as the theme for the TV show Scrubs?

UPDATE: Answer: "Superman" (by Lazlo Bane)

Question > TV

What two actresses played Catwoman in the Batman Television series?

UPDATE: Answer: Julie Newmar and Eartha Kitt

Question > Movies

What actor played characters with these unusual last names in three consecutive movies:

Ipkiss, Christmas, Nygma

?

UPDATE: Answer: Jim Carrey from The Mask, Dumb and Dumber, Batman Forever

Golden Globe Trivia

The Golden Globes were last night. Here is some Golden Globe Trivia as published on PE.com.

One interesting tidbit:

"Only three-way tie: Jodie Foster ("The Accused"), Shirley MacLaine ("Madame Sousatzka"), and Sigourney Weaver ("Gorillas in the Mist") for Best Actress in 1989."

Enjoy!

Question > General Trivia

What was the name of Apple's precursor to the Macintosh?

UPDATE: Answer: LISA
(Highlight above to reveal.)

The device was named after Steve Jobs' daughter and was the first personal computer for the public with a Graphical User Interface, or GUI. It was released in 1983. The initial price point was $9995.

Question > Music

What song by Donovan was remade by Sarah McLachlan in 1991 and features colorful lyrics lyrics such as:

"Color sky havana lake
Color sky rose carmethene
Alizarian crimson"

?

UPDATE: Answer: "Wear your love like heaven"
(Highlight above to reveal.)

Question > TV

At what event was Eric Cartman supposedly conceived?

UPDATE: Answer: The 12th Annual Drunken Barn Dance
(Highlight above to reveal)

The list of possible fathers included Mr. Garrison, Officer (cadet) Barbrady, Chef, and the Denver Broncos.

Question > Movies

Who played JD, the father of main character Eddie, in the 1998 film "Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels"?

UPDATE: Answer: Sting

Question > US History

Who wrote: "In monarchy the crime of treason may admit of being pardoned or lightly punished, but the man who dares rebel against the laws of republic ought to suffer death."?

UPDATE: Answer: Samuel Adams
(Highlight above to reveal.)

These words were written around the time of Shay's Rebellion, when farmers and other working class rebelled against oppressive debt system and taxes. The rebellion, and the struggles the weak federal government had opposing it, helped prompt the dissolution of the Articles of Confederation and the creation of our existing Constitution.

Question > Comics

What is the name of the unstoppable fighting machine that killed Superman in Superman #75?

UPDATE: Answer: Doomsday
(Highlight above to reveal.)

In 1993, in a successful attempt to bolster sales, DC created a multi-part storyline when Superman fought a seemingly unstoppable fighting machine to each others' deaths. Of course, iconic heroes never really seem to die...

Question > Music

What is the name of the singer who took Michelle Phillips' place in the Mama's and the Papa's on most of the album The Mama's and the Papa's?

UPDATE: Answer: Jill Gibson
(Highlight above to reveal)

Michelle was kicked out of the band after alleged infedelities led to her estrangement with bandmate and husband John Phillips. Jill's membership with the band was temporary and didn't last through the release of the album. Michelle returned prompting a rerecording of two songs prior to the release.

Trivial questions answered

McClatchy Newspapers columnist Ed Brice offers a "Trivia Q&A" column that's a good source of trivial knowledge. I found it here at Fort Wayne's News Sentinel, though it appears that Brice is based from Fort Worth's Star-Telegram.

This week's questions and answers include the lyrics "chew tobacco chew, spit, spit, spit.", and the whereabouts of Frank Serpico.

Enjoy!

Question > Geography

Through what nations does the Moldau pass?

UPDATE: Answer: Czech Republic
(Highlight above to reveal)

The Moldau, also known as the Vltava in Czech, is the subject of a symphonic poem by the composer Smetana.

Question > Literature

Who were the main members of the Inklings?

UPDATE: Answer: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, Owen Barfield
(Highlight above to reveal)

Although it is true that the Inklings began with other original members, including an undergrad founder, as well as additional members throughout the years of it's regular formation, these four members are most recognized as the primary members of the group.

Question > Television

You know Dasher and Dancer...

But do you recall the name of the buzzard who is trying to find Baby New Year in "Rudolph's Shiny New Year", the stop-animation television special?

UPDATE: Answer: Eon
(Highlight above to reveal answer)