Totally Random Trivia: 2022

1. Just came to me after sufficient coffee. Quincy Jones.

NON Correction Corner

Usually we keep the questions out of the news section, but we've had dozens of emails with a "correction" letting us know that Sweden won the silver medal for 1980 Olympic Hockey. I put "correction" in quotes because -- TWIST -- we were right all along.

This is one of my all-time favorite trivia questions. I love it, and these "corrections" show why it's such a great question. They demonstrate a cardinal rule of trivia: When you know half a fact, the half you know will blot out the half you don't and leave you thinking you know the whole fact. A little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing.

You were all correct to point out that the "Miracle on Ice" was not the "gold medal game." This is common knowledge among trivia people, and most think the question ends there: The U.S. beat the Soviets, then played the Finns for the gold medal,* therefore it's an impossibility that the Soviets could have won silver.

(*A lot of people misremember the game following the Miracle on Ice as USA vs Sweden. This is perhaps because Sweden eventually won the bronze medal, for reasons expounded on below.)

But here's the other half of the fact, which most people have completely forgotten: Team USA vs Finland wasn't the "gold medal game" either. There was no "gold medal game." The medals back then were awarded following a sort-of round-robin "Medal Round" in which the top two teams from the tournament's two divisions played each other once, with winners getting two points, ties getting one point, and losers getting zero, with previous inter-division results carrying over. The upshot of this convoluted scoring system was that the U.S. victory over Russia (the "Miracle on Ice") put the team in an excellent position to finish the tournament with the most points, but it needed one more win to guarantee gold. If USA had lost to Finland in their next game, and the USSR beat Sweden, the Soviets would have won gold. As it happened, the U.S. beat the Finns (despite being down a goal heading into the third period; this is what prompted the other famous Herb Brooks speech, aka "Your F***ing Graves"), and the Soviets did indeed beat the Swedes. The U.S. got the gold, USSR got silver, and Sweden won bronze. (Fun fact: If the U.S. had lost to Finland by more than one goal, it's possible they wouldn't have medaled at all.

Answers to Tuesday, February 8

1. “Delight” is the delightful middle name of what legendary record producer, studio executive, and musician, who also co-founded the magazine “Vibe” in 1993?

QUINCY JONES

2. Out of Henry VIII's six wives, how many were named Mary?

ZERO

(three Catherines, two Annes, and one Jane)

3. If you look at the geographic centers of each of the lower 48 states, which state’s center is the furthest west?

OREGON

4. Who was nicknamed “America’s Oldest Teenager” all the way up until his death in 2012?

DICK CLARK

5. Biologist Lynn Margulis developed the theory of symbiogenesis in 1967, greatly expanding our understanding of how species evolve. Despite her pioneering research, she is often better remembered as the ex-wife of what astronomer and astrophysicist, who died in 1996?

CARL SAGAN

Wednesday, February 9

Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in tomorrow's email.

1. Who is the only Deaf person to win any acting Oscar, for 1986’s “Children of a Lesser God”?

2. The term “Chinese cabbage” can refer to two leafy vegetables often used in Chinese cuisine. Name one of them.

3. Alaska’s flag shows the Big Dipper plus the North Star, which means it has how many total stars?

4. The first Nobel Peace Prize was given in 1901 to Henry Dunant for helping to found the International Committee of the Red Cross. Under what symbol, officially adopted in 1929, do Islamic members of this committee work?

5. Shipping magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt provided the initial $1 million endowment to create Vanderbilt University, despite never having set foot in what state capital where it is located?

1) Marlee Matlin

5) Nashville, TN (Go Commodores!)

1. Marlee Matlin

5. Nashville, TN

EDIT: beat by GE :anger:

:gunman:

2. Napa cabbage and bok choy

3. Eight

4 Red Crescent

Related Fun Fact: Alaska's distinctive flag was designed by a 13 year old in a contest for schoolchildren, 30+ years before Alaska became a state.

Answers to Wednesday, February 9

1. Who is the only Deaf person to win any acting Oscar, for 1986’s “Children of a Lesser God”?

MARLEE MATLIN

(love the Oscars? Join us in March for Oscars trivia)

2. The term “Chinese cabbage” can refer to two leafy vegetables often used in Chinese cuisine. Name one of them.

NAPA CABBAGE, BOK CHOY

3. Alaska’s flag shows the Big Dipper plus the North Star, which means it has how many total stars?

EIGHT

4. The first Nobel Peace Prize was given in 1901 to Henry Dunant for helping to found the International Committee of the Red Cross. Under what symbol, officially adopted in 1929, do Islamic members of this committee work?

RED CRESCENT

5. Shipping magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt provided the initial $1 million endowment to create Vanderbilt University, despite never having set foot in what state capital where it is located?

NASHVILLE, TN

Theme Thursday, February 10

Today's theme is: Halls of Fame. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced its nominees last week. Five questions about other halls.

1. What actor and talk show host reprised his role as Semmi in a long-awaited 2021 sequel?

2. According to legend, someone once stopped the famous violinist Jascha Heifetz on the street and asked, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” His single-word response is now known as “The Carnegie Hall Joke.” What was his answer?

3. What Canadian comedy troupe wrote and starred in the 1996 movie “Brain Candy”?

4. The “Marines’ Hymn” includes the lyric, “From the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli.” The “shores of Tripoli” refers to the First Barbary War. What war does the “Halls of Montezuma” refer to?

5. What actor appeared alongside Sanaa Lathan in both of her first two film roles, “The Best Man” and “Love & Basketball,” before going on to her box-office-smashing success in the “Scary Movie” films?

2. Practice

4. Mexican-American War

4) Mexico City

1. Arsenio Hall

3. Kids in the hall

Fun Fact: I'm related to Marlee Matlin through marriage. My wife's uncle is Marlee Matlin's first cousin.

5. Regina Hall?

It's a sign!

(See what I did there? I will show myself out....)

I had a similar one, through his step-daughter my uncle was Niedermeyer's/The Maestro's farther-in-law. He said Mark was a really nice guy.

Answers to Theme Thursday, February 10

1. What actor and talk show host reprised his role as Semmi in a long-awaited 2021 sequel?

ARSENIO HALL

(“Coming 2 America”)

2. According to legend, someone once stopped the famous violinist Jascha Heifetz on the street and asked, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” His single-word response is now known as “The Carnegie Hall Joke.” What was his answer?

“PRACTICE”

3. What Canadian comedy troupe wrote and starred in the 1996 movie “Brain Candy”?

THE KIDS IN THE HALL

4. The “Marines’ Hymn” includes the lyric, “From the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli.” The “shores of Tripoli” refers to the First Barbary War. What war does the “Halls of Montezuma” refer to?

MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR

5. What actor appeared alongside Sanaa Lathan in both of her first two film roles, “The Best Man” and “Love & Basketball,” before going on to her box-office-smashing success in the “Scary Movie” films?

REGINA HALL

Friday, February 11

Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in Monday's email.

1. Quit While You’re Ahead: There are five African countries that touch the Mediterranean Sea. Name as many as you can for one point each. Zero total if you get any wrong.

2. Abraham Lincoln began the “Gettysburg Address” with the words “Four score and seven years ago.” How many years is that?

3. It is supposedly unlucky to say “Macbeth” while inside a theater. What are you supposed to call that play instead?

4. What American basketball coach is best remembered for his time coaching the Boston Celtics from 1950 to 1966, and for his hair color?

5. Today is February 11. Happy 48th birthday to Michael Eugene Archer, a musician and producer who GQ called “the next Marvin Gaye” in 2014 after the release of his album “Black Messiah.” By what mononym is he better known?

1) Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria

4) Red Auerbach

2. 87

5. D'Angelo

3. The Scottish Play

Answers to Friday, February 11

1. Quit While You’re Ahead: There are five African countries that touch the Mediterranean Sea. Name as many as you can for one point each. Zero total if you get any wrong.

ALGERIA, EGYPT, LIBYA, MOROCCO, TUNISIA

2. Abraham Lincoln began the “Gettysburg Address” with the words “Four score and seven years ago.” How many years is that?

87

3. It is supposedly unlucky to say “Macbeth” while inside a theater. What are you supposed to call that play instead?

“THE SCOTTISH PLAY”

(or “the Bard's play”)

4. What American basketball coach is best remembered for his time coaching the Boston Celtics from 1950 to 1966 and his hair color?

RED AUERBACH

5. Today is February 11. Happy 48th birthday to Michael Eugene Archer, a musician and producer who GQ called “the next Marvin Gaye” in 2014 after the release of his album “Black Messiah.” By what mononym is he better known?

D’ANGELO

Monday, February 14

Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in tomorrow's email.

1. The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, exactly five years to the day after what event?

2. When Jean-Luc Picard says, “Make it so, Number One,” what character, played by Jonathan Frakes, is he talking to?

3. The largest taxonomic order of insects contains about 400,000 described species. Name that order.

4. The movie “Misery” tells the story of Annie Wilkes kidnapping a best-selling writer named Paul Sheldon. Kathy Bates played Wilkes. What actor portrayed Paul Sheldon?

5. Of the top 10 longest-running Broadway plays, two are exclusively about characters that aren’t human. Name both of those musicals.

4. James Caan

5. Cats, The Lion King

1) (IIRC) The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

2. Commander William Riker

3. Beetles

Answers to Monday, February 14

1. The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, exactly five years to the day after what event?

THE ASSASSINATION OF FRANZ FERDINAND

2. When Jean-Luc Picard says, “Make it so, Number One,” what character, played by Jonathan Frakes, is he talking to?

WILLIAM RIKER

3. The largest taxonomic order of insects contains about 400,000 described species. Name that order.

BEETLES

(Coleoptera)

4. The movie “Misery” tells the story of Annie Wilkes kidnapping a best-selling writer named Paul Sheldon. Kathy Bates played Wilkes. What actor portrayed Paul Sheldon?

JAMES CAAN

5. Of the top 10 longest-running Broadway plays, two are exclusively about characters that aren’t human. Name both of those musicals.

“CATS,” “LION KING”

Tuesday, February 15

Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in tomorrow's email.

1. The Polynesians expanded their culture across Oceania and the Pacific Ocean in dugout canoes. The southernmost Polynesian culture is the Maori, found today in what country?

2. Which Star Wars actor—whose middle name is “December”—is unusual among middle-initial celebrities in that he actually spells out his middle initial, as opposed to simply using a single letter?

3. Astronomers and crab fans alike probably know that what term is Latin for “cloud”?

4. One of the “mother sauces” of French cooking is made of butter and flour, cooked together and then mixed with warm milk. It was named to flatter an important aide to King Louis XIV. Name that sauce!

5. Which Beatles movie contains an absurd plotline about a cult attempting to kidnap and sacrifice Ringo Starr?

1) New Zealand

4. Roux

2. Billy Dee Williams

3. Nebula

5. Help

4. Bechemel (surly not spelled properly)

BAH good catch. Bechamel. Roux (my answer) plus the milk.

Anyone see this on Jeopardy?

https://www.startribune.com/what-is-duluth-jeopardy-contestants-missed-the-boat-on-final-question-about-minnesotas-port-city/600147013/

Mrs. GE was not happy with the contestants.

One of the easiest Finals ever.

And all three missed it

You almost get the feeling that Ken would not have known that the way he talked about it.

I think the most baffling Final was about a month ago. The clue was this songwriting duo wrote most of the Beatles songs. All three contestants, including Amy Schneider, guessed Simon and Garfunkel.

Norm wrote:

I think the most baffling Final was about a month ago. The clue was this songwriting duo wrote most of the Beatles songs. All three contestants, including Amy Schneider, guessed Simon and Garfunkel.

The exact clue was:

"Of their July 1957 first meeting at a church fair, one of this pair recalled: "I was a fat schoolboy and… he was drunk""

I think naming a well-known musical duo whose first single was released in 1957 and whose most famous song is about a fair is an entirely reasonable guess.

I was watching it and my very first reaction was how easy it was. Right after that I realized I’d have been really impressed if someone got it if they didn’t have a connection to the Great Lakes area

Answers to Tuesday, February 15

1. The Polynesians expanded their culture across Oceania and the Pacific Ocean in dugout canoes. The southernmost Polynesian culture is the Maori, found today in what country?

NEW ZEALAND

(or Aotearoa)

2. Which Star Wars actor—whose middle name is “December”—is unusual among middle-initial celebrities in that he actually spells out his middle initial, as opposed to simply using a single letter?

BILLY DEE WILLIAMS

3. Astronomers and crab fans alike probably know that what term is Latin for “cloud”?

NEBULA

(the Crab Nebula is located in the constellation Taurus)

4. One of the “mother sauces” of French cooking is made of butter and flour, cooked together and then mixed with warm milk. It was named to flatter an important aide to King Louis XIV. Name that sauce!

BÉCHAMEL

5. Which Beatles movie contains an absurd plotline about a cult attempting to kidnap and sacrifice Ringo Starr?

“HELP!”

(Have you made your way to Beatles trivia yet?)

Wednesday, February 16

Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in tomorrow's email.

1. After its introduction in 1982, Diet Coke quickly replaced what soft drink as the Coca-Cola Company’s most popular diet cola?

2. In 1958, a British artist named Gerald Holtom combined the semaphore signals for “N” and “D”—for “Nuclear Disarmament”—and combined them to create… what?

3. Which state gets its name from the plural of the Algonquin word for “at the great hill”?

4. The Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard contains a cabinet of butterfly genitalia collected by what Russian, who, in addition to being one of the most celebrated writers of the 20th century, was also an accomplished lepidopterist, or butterfly collector?

5. Donald Duck’s voice is very specific, but in a 2018 episode of the “DuckTales” revival series, his familiar vocal affect is missing. What actor, known for his atrocious English accent in “Ocean’s Eleven,” voices Donald Duck in this episode?

2. The ‘Peace’ sign

1) Tab

3. Massachusetts