2. House of Cards
Hard work will beat talent, if talent doesn't work hard.
Answers to Wednesday,
September 18, 2024
1. What product was invented in 1953 following 39 failed attempts to create a substance that effectively displaced water?
WD-40
(it stands for “water displacement, 40th attempt”)
2. One of the first Netflix original series went on to become the first online-only show to receive a major Primetime Emmy nomination. Name that 2013 show.
“House of Cards”
3. What New England town is best known for being the site of a battle that kicked off the American Revolution, followed closely by its fruit cultivation?
Concord (Massachusetts)
(that’s where Concord grapes are from)
4. In 2019, the daughter of what Wendy’s founder revealed that before his 2002 death, he apologized for naming the fast-food chain after her?
Dave Thomas
5. What 11-letter word was coined by John Milton in “Paradise Lost” to describe the center of Hell, where all demons live? Today, it describes any raucous situation, and is also a word for a group of parrots.
“Pandemonium”
(it means “all demons”)
Questions for
Theme Thursday, September 19, 2024
“W.E.” the People: All answers this round will be two words or names. The first will begin with “W,” and the second will begin with “E.” Weeee!
Answers in tomorrow’s email.
1. Before its monopoly was broken up, AT&T only allowed phones made by a certain manufacturer to operate on its network. Not surprisingly, AT&T also owned this company. Name it!
2. LeBron James revealed his “slam-dunk cellar” in May of 2021 when he appeared on the cover of what magazine?
3. What two words precede the “Forum” that meets every January in Davos, Switzerland?
4. What are the middle and last names of the Transcendentalist writer who published his foundational essay “Nature” in 1936?
5. One of the comic book industry’s most prestigious awards is named after an early comic artist, famous for creating “The Spirit” in the 1940s and popularizing the term “graphic novel” in 1978. Name that comic book artist!
2. Wine Enthusiast
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
1 Bell Telephone
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
4. I think the year is wrong. I suspect it should be 1836 and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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3. World Economic
DOH! Western Electric
I really need to stop doing these before my morning coffee.
Or after your morning whiskey. 🤣 😮 😲 🤣
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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That's not a thing on days I need to work, other than in the form of Baileys added to previously-mentioned coffee during the holiday seasonDOH! Western Electric
I really need to stop doing these before my morning coffee.
Or after your morning whiskey. 🤣 😮 😲 🤣
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
5. Will Eisner
Answers to Thursday, September 19, 2024
“W.E.” the People: All answers this round will be two words or names. The first will begin with “W,” and the second will begin with “E.” Weeee!
1. Before its monopoly was broken up, AT&T only allowed phones made by a certain manufacturer to operate on its network. Not surprisingly, AT&T also owned this company. Name it!
Western Electric
2. LeBron James revealed his “slam-dunk cellar” in May of 2021 when he appeared on the cover of what magazine?
Wine Enthusiast
3. What two words precede the “Forum” that meets every January in Davos, Switzerland?
“World Economic”
4. What are the middle and last names of the Transcendentalist writer who published his foundational essay “Nature” in 1936?
Waldo Emerson
(first name: Ralph)
5. One of the comic book industry’s most prestigious awards is named after an early comic artist, famous for creating “The Spirit” in the 1940s and popularizing the term “graphic novel” in 1978. Name that comic book artist!
Will Eisner
(the award is the Eisner Award)
Questions for
Friday, September 20, 2024
Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in Monday’s email.
1. Quit While You’re Ahead: Discounting the city-state of Monaco, there are five countries with capital cities whose English-language names begin with the letters “Mo.” Name as many of those capital cities as you can for one point each. Zero points total if you get any incorrect.
2. Just two drivers have won both the Indy 500 and the Daytona 500: A.J. Foyt, and what better-known Italian American racer?
3. What is the incisive name of the Muppet that was partially inspired by the New Orleans music legend Dr. John?
4. What American basketball player and shoe salesman is responsible for the design of the second-best selling basketball shoe in history?
5. Today is September 20. On this day in 1886, what city, part of the Gauteng province in South Africa, was founded following the discovery of gold in the region?
2 Mario Andretti
3 Dr Teeth
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
4. Chuck Taylor
1. Moscow, Mogadishu, Montevideo, Monrovia, ???
1. Moscow, Mogadishu, Montevideo, Monrovia, ???
Had to look it up. I’ll be really impressed if someone gets the last one.
That's putting it mildly. I'd mostly forgotten that the country in question existed, and pretty sure I never knew the capital name.I’ll be really impressed if someone gets the last one.
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
1) Moroni
Note: Due to inflation dirty deeds will no longer be done dirt cheap.
Answers to Friday, September 20, 2024
1. Quit While You’re Ahead: Discounting the city-state of Monaco, there are five countries with capital cities whose English-language names begin with the letters “Mo.” Name as many of those capital cities as you can for one point each. Zero points total if you get any incorrect.
Mogadishu (Somalia), Monrovia (Liberia), Montevideo (Uruguay), Moroni (Comoros), Moscow (Russia)
2. Just two drivers have won both the Indy 500 and the Daytona 500: A.J. Foyt, and what better-known Italian American racer?
Mario Andretti
3. What is the incisive name of the Muppet that was partially inspired by the New Orleans music legend Dr. John?
Dr. Teeth
4. What American basketball player and shoe salesman is responsible for the design of the second-best selling basketball shoe in history?
Chuck Taylor
(Nike Air Jordans are No. 1)
5. Today is September 20. On this day in 1886, what city, part of the Gauteng province in South Africa, was founded following the discovery of gold in the region?
Johannesburg
Questions for
Monday, September 23, 2024
Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in tomorrow’s email.
1. “The Tipping Point,” “Blink,” and “Outliers” are books by what Canadian journalist, who now hosts the “Revisionist History” podcast?
2. One of Impressionist painter Mary Cassatt’s closest friends in the arts community was what French painter and sculptor, best known for his many depictions of ballet dancers?
3. René Lacoste was a tennis player who was known by what reptilian nickname?
4. Burger King introduced a non-fried chicken sandwich in 1990, and it quickly became one of the most successful product introductions in fast food history. Name that sandwich.
5. In 2005, Britain’s Channel 4 compiled a list of the top 300 comedians of all time. All six members of Monty Python made the list. Which Python member was ranked the highest, at No. 2 overall?
5. John Cleese?
1. Malcolm Gladwell
3. le Crocodile
4. BK Broiler Chicken Sandwich
2. Degas
Hard work will beat talent, if talent doesn't work hard.
Answers to Monday, September 23, 2024
1. “The Tipping Point,” “Blink,” and “Outliers” are books by what Canadian journalist, who now hosts the “Revisionist History” podcast?
Malcolm Gladwell
2. One of Impressionist painter Mary Cassatt’s closest friends in the arts community was what French painter and sculptor, best known for his many depictions of ballet dancers?
Edgar Degas
3. René Lacoste was a tennis player who was known by what reptilian nickname?
The Crocodile
(that’s why the Lacoste logo is a crocodile)
4. Burger King introduced a non-fried chicken sandwich in 1990, and it quickly became one of the most successful product introductions in fast food history. Name that sandwich.
BK Broiler
(or the “Chicken Whopper,” as it was later called)
5. In 2005, Britain’s Channel 4 compiled a list of the top 300 comedians of all time. All six members of Monty Python made the list. Which Python member was ranked the highest, at No. 2 overall?
John Cleese
Questions for
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in tomorrow’s email.
1. In 2023, Alan Joyce retired as CEO of Qantas, an airline founded as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services. It's the flagship airline of what country?
2. What egg preparation method — called “fried eyeball” in Japan, “cow’s eye” in Indonesia, and “mirror egg” in Germany — involves cooking the egg without flipping or breaking its yolk?
3. “Perfect Strangers,” “Full House,” and “Sister, Sister” were three of the TV shows that made up what programming block on ABC, whose name comes from the initials of a popular phrase?
4. What Kansas military fort, home to the “Intellectual Center of the Army,” was built in 1827, making it the oldest active U.S. Army post west of the Mississippi?
5. Bobby Jindal served as the first Indian American governor in the U.S. He was born and served in which capital city, located in the most populous parish in the state?
1 Australia
4 Fort Leavenworth
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
2. Sunny side up
5. Baton Rouge
3. TGIF
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
3. TGIF. I cheated and asked my kids who never missed these shows growing up.
3. TGIF. I cheated and asked my kids who never missed these shows growing up.
I only knew it because I was a big fan of Perfect Strangers.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Answers to Tuesday, September 24, 2024
1. In 2023, Alan Joyce retired as CEO of Qantas, an airline founded as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services. It's the flagship airline of what country?
Australia
2. What egg preparation method — called “fried eyeball” in Japan, “cow’s eye” in Indonesia, and “mirror egg” in Germany — involves cooking the egg without flipping or breaking its yolk?
Sunny-side up
3. “Perfect Strangers,” “Full House,” and “Sister, Sister” were three of the TV shows that made up what programming block on ABC, whose name comes from the initials of a popular phrase?
“TGIF”
4. What Kansas military fort, home to the “Intellectual Center of the Army,” was built in 1827, making it the oldest active U.S. Army post west of the Mississippi?
Fort Leavenworth
5. Bobby Jindal served as the first Indian American governor in the U.S. He was born and served in which capital city, located in the most populous parish in the state?
Baton Rouge
Questions for
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in tomorrow’s email.
1. An ornamental grass, several species of fish, an eel, two species of shark, a mussel, a slug, a lizard, a Little Debbie snack cake, a spider, and a butterfly are named after what distinctive land mammal?
2. Before “The Simpsons” made its full-length TV debut in 1989, it began as an animated short on what FOX sketch comedy series?
3. The majority of snap-style mousetraps sold in the United States are made by a company whose name is synonymous with “winner.” Name that company.
4. What series won a Webby People’s Voice Award for Humor in 2020 after author Gary Larson started publishing new installments online following a 25-year hiatus?
5. In addition to his comedy and film work, Jerry Lewis was known for his telethons, all of which raised money and awareness for what group of diseases?
1. Zebra
4. The Far Side
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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3. Victor
5.Muscular Dystrophy
2. The Tracey Ullman Show
2. Tracey Ullman
Answers to Wednesday,
September 25, 2024
1. An ornamental grass, several species of fish, an eel, two species of shark, a mussel, a slug, a lizard, a Little Debbie snack cake, a spider, and a butterfly are named after what distinctive land mammal?
Zebra
2. Before “The Simpsons” made its full-length TV debut in 1989, it began as an animated short on what FOX sketch comedy series?
“The Tracey Ullman Show”
3. The vast majority of snap-style mousetraps sold in the United States are made by a company whose name is synonymous with “winner.” Name that company.
Victor
4. What series won a Webby People’s Voice Award for Humor in 2020 after author Gary Larson started publishing new installments online following a 25-year hiatus?
“The Far Side”
5. In addition to his comedy and film work, Jerry Lewis was known for his telethons, all of which raised money and awareness for what group of diseases?
Muscular dystrophy
Questions for
Theme Thursday, September 26, 2024
TV Pitches: I’ll tell you how a TV show was pitched to its network or star. You name the show.
Answers in tomorrow’s email.
1. What NBC sitcom, which ran from 1993 to 2004, was only green-lit after its producers promised the lead actor that the show would be set as far from Boston as possible?
2. NBC ran a promotional skit for “Miami Vice” called “Miami Nice,” featuring Selma Diamond and Doris Roberts. Neither actor was included when the network turned the premise into what series?
3. Chris Carter pitched what series to Fox drawing inspiration from “The Twilight Zone” and “Night Gallery,” as well as a study on the percentage of Americans who believe they had been abducted by aliens?
4. What TV show was pitched to NBC as a fictional version of the 1964 movie “A Hard Day’s Night”?
5. What award-winning FX series was pitched by its star and creator as “‘Twin Peaks’ for rappers”?
3. The X Files
4. The Monkees?
1. Frasier
5. Atlanta
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Answers to Thursday, September 26, 2024
TV Pitches: I’ll tell you how a TV show was pitched to its network or star. You name the show.
1. What NBC sitcom, which ran from 1993 to 2004, was only green-lit after its producers promised the lead actor that the show would be set as far from Boston as possible?
“Frasier”
2. NBC ran a promotional skit for “Miami Vice” called “Miami Nice,” featuring Selma Diamond and Doris Roberts. Neither actor was included when the network turned the premise into what series?
“Golden Girls”
3. Chris Carter pitched what series to Fox drawing inspiration from “The Twilight Zone” and “Night Gallery,” as well as a study on the percentage of Americans who believe they had been abducted by aliens?
“The X-Files”
4. What TV show was pitched to NBC as a fictional version of the 1964 movie “A Hard Day’s Night”?
“The Monkees”
5. What award-winning FX series was pitched by its star and creator as “‘Twin Peaks’ for rappers”?
“Atlanta”
Questions for
Friday, September 27, 2024
Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in Monday’s email.
1. Quit While You’re Ahead: The 2016 reboot of “Ghostbusters” directed by Paul Feig stars four comedic actors that have received Emmy nominations for their acting work on “Saturday Night Live,” either as regular cast members or as host. Name as many of those actors as you can for one point each. Zero points total if you get any incorrect.
2. What chef, the first to sell bottled stir-fry sauces in the U.S., also came up with the idea of a numbered menu to allow for easier communication between English-speaking and non-English speaking customers and staff at her Cambridge, Massachusetts restaurants?
3. Pop fans know Troye Sivan for hits like “My My My!” and “One of Your Girls.” Comics fans may know him from a 2009 role as the young version of James Howlett, better known as what superhero?
4. In physics, mass times acceleration equals force. What is obtained by multiplying mass times velocity?
5. Today is September 27. On this day in 1954, Steve Allen debuted as the host of what long-running TV program?