Trivia One

Think you know your election trivia? - CNN.com

2008-11-03T13:04:00.002-06:00

For this election eve, here's some election trivia from CNN. Some highlghts:

"Either John McCain or Obama will be the first incumbent member of Congress to be elected president since John F. Kennedy in 1960."

"If McCain wins, he will have headed the first successful GOP presidential ticket in 80 years that did not include someone named Bush or Nixon."

"Democrats controlled both houses of Congress from 1955 to 1981. This 26-year stretch is the longest any single party has controlled both chambers of Congress. (The GOP took control of the Senate in 1981.)"

Best of the comments, Re: George Takei's wedding on Wil Wheaton's blog

2008-09-16T08:57:00.000-05:00

WWdN: In Exile: congratulations, george and brad!

Best comment:

by dake: "What I always say is, if gay marriage is a threat to your marriage, then the problem in your marriage ISN'T gay marriage."

Question > Music

2008-09-02T09:29:00.000-05:00

Who had the distinction of being the only recording artist with a song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 before being signed by a label?

Question > Literature

2008-05-14T14:31:00.002-05:00

What author of an oft-censored novel learned about the meat business in Austria, is a veteran of the D-Day invasion at Utah Beach, and once dated a future wife of Charlie Chaplin?

Answer: J.D. Salinger, author of oft-censored The Catcher in the Rye

Question > Movies

2008-04-29T13:24:00.001-05:00

On what silver screen character's arm would you find a tattoo heart with the inscription "To Be Filled In Later"?

Answer: Bellini, from Mr Magorium's Emporium

Question > Music

2008-04-24T14:19:00.002-05:00

What singer had a number 1 hit in 1973, but is perhaps better known from her Emmy-award winning roles on a sketch comedy show, and the subsequent spin-off sitcom?

Answer: Vicki Lawrence. The song was "The Night the Lights Went out in Georgia". The Emmy was for "The Carol Burnett Show", from which her show "Mama's Family" was spun-off.

Fruitcake Trivia

2007-12-12T09:32:00.000-06:00

OK... long hiatus... yada yada... busy... blah blah... life changes.

Anyway, this is good enough to being me back for at least one post:

Fruitcake Trivia from the Duluth News Tribune.

Good stuff! Enjoy!

Question > Movies

2007-09-25T14:15:00.000-05:00

What 1966 film features opening credits which are spoken aloud, rather than appearing printed on the screen?

Question > History

2007-09-24T08:55:00.000-05:00

Who's epitaph reads: "In Loving Memory of my Beloved Son, Murdered by a Traitor and Coward Whose Name is not Worthy to Appear Here"?

UPDATE: Answer: Jesse James

Question > General Trivia

2007-09-21T08:42:00.000-05:00

Hurricanes, tropical storms, and typhoons are known by what two-word meteorological term?

UPDATE: Answer: Tropical Cyclone

Question > Sports

2007-09-20T11:49:00.000-05:00

What is the name and nickname of the former boxer who was Executive Director of the Association in the Defense of the Wrongly Convicted from 1993 to 2005?

UPDATE: Answer: Ruben "Hurricane" Carter

Question > History

2007-09-19T21:45:00.000-05:00

What was destroyed off the Florida coast in 1715 because of a hurricane?

UPDATE: Answer: The Spanish Treasure Fleet

Question > History

2007-09-18T05:50:00.000-05:00

What year saw the deadliest Atlantic Hurricane ever with over 22,000 killed?

UPDATE: Answer: 1780

Question > Sports

2007-09-17T15:17:00.001-05:00

We'll try another theme week... the answer to this question should help you determine the theme...

What is the nickname of the college football team which suffered a 100-6 loss by Houston in 1968?

UPDATE: Answer: (The University of Tulsa) Golden Hurricane

Question > Comics

2007-09-14T08:59:00.000-05:00

And thus ends back to school week...

What is the name of Linus Van Pelt's beloved school teacher?

UPDATE: Answer: Miss Othmar (later Mrs. Hagemeyer)

Question > Movies

2007-09-13T20:42:00.000-05:00

Back to school week continues...

What silver screen teacher critiqued a student's poem by saying: "Congratulations. You may have just written the first poem to get a negative score on the Pritchard scale."?

UPDATE: Answer: John Keating from Dead Poet's Society

Question > Literature

2007-09-12T18:10:00.000-05:00

More back to school Trivia:

What novel features the History and Civics lessons of teacher Mr. Dubois?

UPDATE: Answer: Starship Troopers

Question > History

2007-09-11T21:28:00.000-05:00

We continue back to school week...

Who was the first U.S. Secretary of Education?

UPDATE: Answer: Shirley Hufstedler, appointed by Jimmy Carter in 1979.

Prior to this, Education was part of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

Question > Television

2007-09-10T14:11:00.000-05:00

Welcome to back to school week!

What fictional town would you be visiting if you saw a High School football game with the visitors playing against the "Steeplejacks"?

UPDATE: Answer: The Steeplejacks were the mascots of Twin Peaks High School, from the 90s TV Show "Twin Peaks".

Question > General Trivia

2007-09-07T08:40:00.000-05:00

What was the code name for Apple's 20th Anniversary Macintosh?

UPDATE: Answer: Spartacus

Question > Movies

2007-09-06T08:28:00.000-05:00

What is the name of the boat that takes the Man in the Yellow Hat to Africa in the 2006 movie, Curious George?

UPDATE: Answer: H.A. Rey (named after the original Curious George illustrator)

Question > Television

2007-09-05T14:04:00.000-05:00

What actor played the 50's and 60's TV western character Rowdy Yates?

UPDATE: Answer: Clint Eastwood

Question > Literature

2007-09-04T17:10:00.000-05:00

What author has written books which have been turned into movies starring John Cusack and Hugh Grant?

UPDATE: Answer: Nick Hornby (author of High Fidelity and About a Boy, respectively)

Question > General Trivia

2007-08-30T16:17:00.000-05:00

Where would you find the Sami?

UPDATE: Answer: Northern Scandinavia (portions of Finland, Sweden, Norway and Russia. They are a native people of the region with a unique and distinctive culture.)

Question > History

2007-08-29T07:31:00.000-05:00

In what year did the U.S. elect it's first president who was born after the Declaration of Independence was adopted?

UPDATE: Answer: 1836 (Martin Van Buren, born 1782)

Question > Games

2007-08-28T10:31:00.000-05:00

What video game would you be playing if you heard an ominous voice speak "Wizard needs food badly!"?

UPDATE: Answer: Gauntlet

Question > Movies

2007-08-27T12:02:00.000-05:00

What is the name of the Oscar-winning actor whose numerous roles included a samurai-like hitman, a security system installer turned criminal, and an African dictator?

UPDATE: Answer: Forest Whitaker (in Ghost Dog, Panic Room, and Last King of Scotland respectively)

Back again?

2007-08-27T11:56:00.000-05:00

Another long hiatus. And sitemeter says I've been getting visitors in the meantime. Inspiration is hitting again - maybe it's the sunshine after two weeks of rain... I want to bring light to the clutter in my mind as well.

So hopefully here comes a better string of consistent posting.

Please comment or email. Any feedback would be appreciated. First correct for each question answer wins all the marbles*.

*Marbles not included.

Question > Television

2007-06-07T16:54:00.000-05:00

What Comedy Central show featured an animation technique called "Squigglevision"?

UPDATE: Answer: Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist

The technique created by Tom Snyder and his company Soup2Nuts was also used on an ABC Saturday morning show called "Squigglevision" (earlier season was called "Science Court"), as well as the Cartoon Network show "Home Movies".

Question > Television

2007-06-04T16:42:00.000-05:00

What 1980 TV show featured a Japanese singing duet (who was wildly popular in Japan, but only generated one Top 40 hit in the US)?

UPDATE: Answer: Pink Lady and Jeff. (Often cited as the worst TV show ever.)

Question > Movies

2007-05-31T10:26:00.000-05:00

What is the name of the actor who has played a King of Jerusalem, a neo-Nazi skinhead, and a ex-con card shark?

UPDATE: Answer: Edward Norton (in Kingdom of Heaven, American History X, and Rounders, respectively)

Question > Games

2007-05-29T11:06:00.000-05:00

What was the base of operations for the Dark Trooper project in the Star Wars Universe?

UPDATE: Answer: The imperial ship Arc Hammer

Another daily trivia site...

2007-05-29T10:54:00.000-05:00

Jon Pike of the Beer Pigs trivia team (from the World's Largest Trivia Contest) has his own daily trivia question blog called "In Search of Trivia". Check it out!

Question > Movies

2007-05-16T19:10:00.000-05:00

What is the first and last name of the movie character who said: "When I was your age they used to say you could become cops or criminals. What I'm saying to you is this... When you're facing a loaded gun, what's the difference?"?

EDIT: Answer: Frank Costello in The Departed

Back from hiatus

2007-05-16T18:47:00.000-05:00

I took a break from Trivia writing and research for The World's Largest Trivia Contest... and ended up staying away longer than I had hoped. But I'm back now, and will be working this back into our schedule.

Trivia (the contest) was a blast, as usual. Freshly Squeezed (my Trivia team) is a great group of people and we all know how to have fun even while we're striving for the top ten. We placed 15th this year. Last year was our all time high of 13th, and even though we slipped for the first time in 12 years, we're pretty pleased that we stayed closed to where we were last year.

There are over 400 teams that compete in the contest, so top 20 is a good level to reach. Top 10 get a trophy. Top 5 is nearly impossible and are typically held by the same teams with slight ordering changes each year.

The weekend of 54 hours of Trivia is fun, but exhausting. The following days or weeks are filled with conversations and reminiscences and planning for next year. All of that got me distracted from what I was trying to do here. Maybe I should define that better. But really, all you, as a reader, need to know is that I want to entertain people with a similar interest in trivial information.

So now back to Trivia One. Have fun!

Trivia Bee with the Jeopardy King

2007-04-14T05:41:00.000-05:00

This sounds like a good time:

The 11th annual Trivia Bee drew a record crowd Friday night, selling enough tickets to fill Bellingham High School’s auditorium.

...

Thirty-one teams of three people each competed at this year’s event, testing their knowledge on topics including sports, history and literature.

And Ken Jennings was there!

I've been reading more an more about other contests and events out there. These charity fundraising events seem like a great time. Feel free to share your experiences, or send me the details so I can post about it here.

Question > Movies

2007-04-13T09:01:00.000-05:00

In the movie Fargo, where does Norm Gunderson say his painting will be printed?

UPDATE: Answer: The 3 cent stamp.

Question > Music

2007-04-12T09:02:00.000-05:00

What rocker's come-back album in the 90s featured artists such as Tom Petty, Elvis Costello, and Michael Penn as well as the actress Kimmy Robertson?

UPDATE: Answer: Roger McGuinn's "Back from Rio"

Question > Music

2007-04-10T21:57:00.000-05:00

What 1960s rocker created a on-stage shtick complete with turban and robe and extended it to carrying his band equipment around in a 1952 Packard Hearse?

UPDATE: Answer: Domingo “Sam” Samudio from Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs

Question > General Trivia

2007-04-08T16:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a little bunny trivia to honor the holiday. Name the movie, song, tv show, or play from which the following bunny-related quotes come:

1) "That's the most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered rodent you ever set eyes on! [...] Look, that rabbit's got a vicious streak a mile wide! It's a killer!"

2) "I was walking down along the street and I heard this voice saying, 'Good evening, Mr. [...].' Well, I turned around and here was this big six-foot rabbit leaning up against a lamp-post. Well, I thought nothing of that because when you've lived in a town as long as I've lived in this one, you get used to the fact that everybody knows your name."

3) "And if you go chasing rabbits, and you know you're going to fall, tell 'em a hookah smoking caterpillar has given you the call."

4) "Kill the rabbit, kill the rabbit, kill the rabbit!"

5) "Attention! Attention! Ladies and gentlemen, attention! There is a herd of killer rabbits headed this way and we desperately need your help!"

UPDATE: Answer:

1) Tim the Enchanter, Monty Python and the Holy Grail
2) Elwood P. Dowd, Harvey
3) Jefferson Airplane, White Rabbit
4) Elmer Fudd, What's Opera Doc?
5) Officer Lopez, Night of the Lepus

Triva. THE Trivia. It's coming!

2007-04-06T22:09:00.000-05:00

First article to appear in the lead up to Trivia in two weeks:

For 37 years, the self-proclaimed world's largest trivia contest has attracted thousands of fun-loving players to central Wisconsin. It will again _ thanks to some extra grit from the guru who writes the questions.

It goes into some personal information about Jim Oliva, the main contest writer, that he had alluded to in official communiques. Interesting to us long time players, I'm sure.

Less than two weeks now... it's getting busy here with preparations in full force.

Question > Comics

2007-04-06T05:48:00.000-05:00

What costumed hero flew an owl-shaped vehicle named Archie after Archimedes the Owl in Disney's The Sword in the Stone?

UPDATE: Answer: Nite-Owl (version 2) from The Watchmen

Question > Sports

2007-04-03T11:46:00.000-05:00

What is the oldest trophy for which North American-based athletes still compete?

UPDATE: Answer: The NHL's Stanley Cup has been awarded since 1892. It started as an award to the top amateur hockey club in Canada, but evolved into the professional championship trophy over time.

Question > Movies

2007-04-02T15:47:00.000-05:00

The submarine in Raiders of the Lost Ark was featured in what other 1981 movie?

UPDATE: Answer: The submarine has been built for Das Boot, the WWII submarine drama.

Question > Music

2007-03-29T11:55:00.000-05:00

At the age of 14, Paul McCartney played songs for John Lennon as an impromptu audition. McCartney sang the lyrics all the way through, which impressed John Lennon since he could never remember lyrics and often made up his own. McCartney even wrote out the lyrics for two songs, and showed Lennon the chords. As a result of this meeting, Lennon asked McCartney to join his band, The Quarry Men. What were these two songs?

UPDATE: Answer: Be-Bop-A-Lula by Gene Vincent and Twenty Flight Rock by Eddie Cochran

Kids' Jeopardy

2007-03-26T21:15:00.000-05:00

Having taken the online qualification test for adults this year, I think that this reporter might be doing something slightly against the rules... This Hagerstown, Maryland reporter writes about her son's attempt at the Jeopardy online qualifying test for 10 to 12 year olds.

When my son heard about the test, he was all for trying to be on the show.
After all, it was just 30 questions, 20 seconds allowed for each - 10 minutes, and you're done.
If all tests were this fast, scores would be golden.
Well, maybe not. There is something to be said for the value of reflection.
My son had two words to describe the test.
Hard. Fast.

She then goes on to list 20 of the 30 questions. I wish I would have had some of these questions when I took the test. I've been accused of storing some useless knowledge, but apparently it's the wrong useless knowledge as I missed the typical qualifying score by about 4 questions, from what I could remember.

These 20 questions, though, are a nice little mix of typical kids-level Jeopardy stuff. Have fun!

Questions > Music

2007-03-26T20:48:00.000-05:00

Last week ended up being all about sitcoms. How about a new theme this week? Let's try Rock n' Roll.

What early rock n' roller from St. Louis created a new version of the traditional tune called "Ida Red", renamed it, and had it go to number 5 on the Billboard charts?

UPDATE: Answer: Chuck Berry rewrote the song and called it "Maybellene"

Question > Television

2007-03-25T21:55:00.000-05:00

What song played during Ross and Rachel's romantic escapades at the museum?

UPDATE: Answer: "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak

The couple were trying to spend their first intimate evening together, but Ross was called in to help fix an exhibit. He saved the night by taking her to an auditorium/planetarium in the museum, putting on the star show, and Chris Isaak. They ended up waking naked in the prehistoric man exhibit in front of a visiting class of school children.

Question > Television

2007-03-22T22:04:00.000-05:00

Continuing the theme of classic sitcoms, why did Jim Caldwell change his last name to Ignatowski?

UPDATE: Answer: He thought is was "Star Child" backwards.

Animation trivia quizes!

2007-03-20T21:15:00.000-05:00

The Animation World Network posts weekly trivia quizzes on animation topics. These are pretty tough, which I suppose is only fair since they come from a trade-specific group. This week's quiz is about Pixar. Other quizzes accessible through the drop-down menu at the bottom of the page include TV, Disney, and Claymation, among many many others.

Answer the questions, and then click submit. You'll get results and a chance to answer the one's you got wrong again. When the correct answers are shown, you get more information on that question. Great stuff!

Question > Television

2007-03-20T16:35:00.000-05:00

What was the original name of the sitcom that became "The Dick Van Dyke Show"?

UPDATE: Answer: Head of the Household

Carl Reiner wrote the scripts for what he intended to be his own show. He starred in the initial rejected pilot. Reiner did appear in the series as Alan Brady, the star from whom Van Dyke's Rob Petrie wrote. The series' end saw Alan Brady considering leaving his show to star in his own sitcom, based on Petrie's autobiography!

Question > Television

2007-03-19T21:19:00.000-05:00

What vaudeville performer performed a skit while working with Lucille Ball which may have been an inspiration for her "Vitameatavegamin" scene?

UPDATE: Answer: Red Skelton

Question > Music

2007-03-14T07:31:00.000-05:00

What singer/songwriter had two actor brothers, a director father, and once played with a band called "The Pull"?

UPDATE: Answer: Michael Penn

Question > General Trivia

2007-03-12T10:16:00.000-05:00

What author and former Star Trek actor has performed in several comedy and improv groups, including one named "Earnest Borg 9"?

UPDATE: Answer: Wil Wheaton

His blog, where he relates his experiences as an actor, writer, and step-father, has been an internet favorite for years.

Question > General Trivia

2007-03-09T07:29:00.000-06:00

What nation was the first to adopt a Daylight Savings Time in 1916?

(U.S. folks: REMEMBER to set your clocks ahead Sunday night / Saturday morning. DST is earlier this year!)

UPDATE: Answer: Germany

Question > Movies

2007-03-08T22:41:00.000-06:00

What movie and comic book character is primarily portrayed as hidden behind a Guy Fawkes mask?

UPDATE: Answer: V, from V for Vendetta

Question > General Trivia

2007-03-07T10:33:00.001-06:00

What is a puggle?

UPDATE: Answer: A baby monotreme (echidna, platypus, etc)

Question > Movies

2007-03-05T20:46:00.000-06:00

What does Stingo read aloud at the end of the 1982 film Sophie's Choice?

UPDATE: Answer: Emily Dickinson's "Ample Make This Bed"

Question > Music

2007-03-01T20:29:00.000-06:00

What member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers left the band in the 1980s only to return in 2002?

UPDATE: Answer: Ron Blair

Question > Television

2007-02-28T22:20:00.000-06:00

Prior to his election as President, what state did David Palmer serve and in what capacity?

UPDATE: Answer: Senator from Maryland

Question > Movies

2007-02-26T21:18:00.000-06:00

Martin Scorsese just won the Best Director Oscar for directing The Departed, a remake of the Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs. Name the other films in his repartee that are also remakes.

UPDATE: Answer: Cape Fear and The Age of Innocence

Question > TV

2007-02-23T18:22:00.000-06:00

Who does the vocals on the Sesame Street classic "Pinball Number Count" (one-two-three-FOUR-five....)?

UPDATE: Answer: The Pointer Sisters

Question > TV

2007-02-21T14:11:00.000-06:00

What was the name of the ghostly companion of TV's The Real Ghostbusters?

UPDATE: Answer: Slimer

Question > Music

2007-02-19T23:12:00.000-06:00

What composer wrote music used for beef commercials, an academy awards show, and Democratic National Conventions?

UPDATE: Answer: Aaron Copland

The "Hoe-Down" from his Rodeo ballet was used for the 78th Academy Awards and in the the "Beef... it's what's for dinner" campaign. "Fanfare for the Common Man" has opened Democratic National Conventions.

Question > TV

2007-02-16T07:37:00.000-06:00

According to Lisa's recollection of Mr Burns' recollection of a letter written by Moe, what was Snake's profession prior to turning to a life of crime?

UPDATE: Answer: Archaeologist

Question > History

2007-02-14T22:26:00.000-06:00

Who attempted to change the Latin alphabet with the introduction of new letters, two of which were the equivalent to the modern W and Y?

UPDATE: Answer: The Emperor Claudius

Question > TV

2007-02-13T13:04:00.000-06:00

As of the end of 2006, what three original cast members are still playing their original roles on Sesame Street?

UPDATE: Answer: Bob McGrath (Bob), Loretta Long (Susan), and Caroll Spinney (Oscar the Grouch)

Caroll Spinney still plays Big Bird, which he has since the first season. However, during the first few episodes, Big Bird was performed by Daniel Seagren as Spinney was ill.

Question > Literature

2007-02-09T06:27:00.000-06:00

In what book would you find the characters John Nike, Billy NRA, and Buy Mitsui?

UPDATE: Answer: Jennifer Government by Max Barry

The dystopian near future satire features a capitalistic culture pervaded so totally by corporations that people adopt the last name of their employer.

You Don't Know Jack - Back?

2007-02-07T16:31:00.000-06:00

Funny. I was recently as a month ago at jellyvision.com checking things out, reminiscing about the the old days playing You Don't Know Jack (produced by Jellyvision). You see, I was You Don't Know Jack fan. I had all the games available for the Mac. I played online in exciting semi-anonymous head-to-head games against others on the 'net. I even checked out the TV Show hosted by a character played by Paul Rubens.

Then, the net version went away. The TV show didn't quite make it (I think it lasted one episode). And I pretty much stopped playing computer games.

But, through some random searching on line last week, I found that there's a You Don't Know Jack DOT Com complete with a daily "Dis or Dat" flash-based game! They even have Cookie, one of the old computer game hosts! Wow! Brings back the memories.

Dis or Dat is a trivia game where they ask if an item is one of two categories. For example: Is it a character played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, or one of his cabinet members? Is it a PETA stunt, or a Jackass stunt? (examples taken from Feb 5 and Feb 2 games).

Pretty funny, and very fun to play. Jack is even more fun as a multi-player game, so I'm looking forward to hinted-at projects to bring back multi-player play online. Dis or Dat was an occasional feature of the YDKJ games, which featured more multiple choice style questions and other mini-game-like features. They are really fun games. While we wait for the next incarnation, you can get the games for your computer (no Mac version available anymore!), or just play Dis or Dat online.

High School Trivia Hunt

2007-02-06T20:52:00.000-06:00

I'm experienced in a couple of different weekend-long trivia challenges, but the Millard Fillmore Trivia Hunt sounds pretty cool. Here's an article about it:

The event, hosted by Carlmont [high school], starts on a Friday, when Hunter presents the teams from each school with a long list of questions, many of which would stump the best of trivia buffs. The students must find the answers as well as proof to back up their answer. They also are given a list of "bring-in" items. For example, one item they were asked to find
Advertisement

this year was a ticket stub from a showing of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."
Everything must be turned in by Sunday afternoon, and on Monday night, teams assign some of their members to be "lawyers," so they can defend their answers before the "judge."

So not only do you have to answer a bunch of questions, but you have to defend your answers with proof. Pretty intense, and a bit different than just calling in your answer. Of course, that's usually calling in answers 8 times or so an hour for 54 hours. That's pretty intense, too.

Question > Literature

2007-02-06T20:44:00.000-06:00

What short story writer and novelist passed his time in 1996 writing speeches for presidential candidate Bob Dole?

UPDATE: Answer: Mike Helprin

St Cloud Trivia in the news

2007-02-02T23:19:00.000-06:00

St. Cloud Times published an article about KVSC Trivia today. My trivia team, Freshly Squeezed, is mentioned in the article, which is mostly about the influence of the internet on the contest. Freshly Squeezed plays KVSC Trivia remotely - we have no players in St. Cloud. This means we'll probably never get the local questions. The local questions are a pretty small number, but enough that it'll keep us out of the very top teams.

But it's a good contest. We have lots of fun playing, and it gets us primed for the World's Largest Trivia Contest in April.

Question > Literature

2007-02-02T23:04:00.000-06:00

What author's short story collection includes several about Michigan man, Nicholas Adams?

UPDATE: Answer: Ernest Hemingway

Question > General Trivia

2007-01-30T23:11:00.000-06:00

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

UPDATE: Answer: Bill Cosby

Question > History

2007-01-29T14:30:00.000-06:00

Who was the second man to walk on the moon?

UPDATE: Answer: Buzz Aldrin

Another place for Trivia

2007-01-26T09:46:00.000-06:00

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

2007-01-26T09:40:00.000-06:00

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

2007-01-23T22:09:00.000-06:00

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

2007-01-22T22:02:00.000-06:00

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

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

Question > TV

2007-01-18T23:42:00.000-06:00

What two actresses played Catwoman in the Batman Television series?

UPDATE: Answer: Julie Newmar and Eartha Kitt

Question > Movies

2007-01-17T13:54:00.000-06:00

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

2007-01-16T07:14:00.000-06:00

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

2007-01-16T07:11:00.000-06:00

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

2007-01-15T12:21:00.000-06:00

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

2007-01-12T06:59:00.000-06:00

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

2007-01-11T22:59:00.000-06:00

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

2007-01-11T06:39:00.000-06:00

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

2007-01-10T06:59:00.000-06:00

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

2007-01-08T21:52:00.000-06:00

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

2007-01-04T10:38:00.000-06:00

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

2007-01-03T20:49:00.000-06:00

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

2007-01-02T22:36:00.000-06:00

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

2007-01-01T14:20:00.000-06:00

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)

Question > History

2006-12-28T20:28:00.000-06:00

What art and craft movement featured such note-ables as Kandinsky, Meis van der Rohe, and Gropius?

UPDATE: Answer: Bauhaus
(Highlight above to reveal answer.)

Question > Music

2006-12-27T11:28:00.001-06:00

What entertainer changed his name so as not to be confused with the Monkee's member, Davy Jones?

UPDATE: Answer: David Bowie, born David Robert Jones
(Highlight above to reveal)

Question > Literature

2006-12-22T06:47:00.000-06:00

From what poem comes the line: "Theirs not to reason why. Theirs but to do and die."?

UPDATE: Answer: The Charge of the Light Brigade, by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Question > Sports

2006-12-21T13:22:00.000-06:00

The "Madden Curse" refers to bad luck befalling NFL players after they are featured on the cover of the "Madden" series of football computer games. Who was the first player to be featured on the cover of a Madden NFL game?

UPDATE: Answer: Barry Sanders

Sanders was pictured on the last cover to feature Madden (Madden 2000). Sanders retired abruptly before the start of the season. Dorsey Levins was placed on subsequent packaging of the game.
(Highlight above to reveal.)

KVSC Trivia

2006-12-20T15:27:00.000-06:00

KVSC Trivia registration is now open! There's a registration form on the site you can download and mail in along with your $40 fee.

This is a fun 50 hour contest. Some people like it even more that 90fm's World's Largest Trivia Contest, but I think that's blasphemy! ;)

Nothing beats Point Trivia, but KVSC does a good job putting together a competitive and entertaining contest. And it's not too often you can stay up for 50 hours and get to call into St Cloud MN with thousands of guesses while you try to stay awake listening to the best (and worst) that college radio has to offer in between the questions.

Good luck to all the KVSC Trivia teams, and to the Trivia coordinators. If you happen by here leave a salutation, threat, or boast in the comments section.

Some Holiday Trivia

2006-12-19T19:49:00.000-06:00

Joe Holleman's trivia column has some good questions this week, including this one:

"5. This former punk rocker of the 1970s plays the Ghost of Christmas Past in "Scrooged.""

That's probably the toughest out of the bunch, but check it out for yourself.

Question > History

2006-12-19T19:45:00.000-06:00

Coffee originated in what country?

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