Bad “MF”s: Five questions about people whose initials are “M.F.”
Answers in tomorrow’s email.
1. In 1977, a baker named Debbi opened her first cookie shop in Palo Alto, California. Today, her namesake store features around 250 locations worldwide, largely in malls and airports. What name is Debbi better known by?
2. What former “The Electric Company” actor earned his first Oscar nomination for the 1987 film “Street Smart,” 17 years before his first Oscar win for “Million Dollar Baby”?
3. On July 4, 1850, President Zachary Taylor cooled off after visiting the construction site of the Washington Monument by drinking cold milk and eating a large quantity of cherries. The combination likely gave him gastroenteritis, and he was dead within a week. Who was his vice president at the time?
4. What actor’s four biggest box office hits found her starring opposite CGI space robots in 2007 and 2009, and CGI turtles in 2014 and 2016?
5. What Nobel Prize-winning economist, who advised both Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, believed that, “underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself”?
Bad “MF”s: Five questions about people whose initials are “M.F.”
1. In 1977, a baker named Debbi opened her first cookie shop in Palo Alto, California. Today, her namesake store features around 250 locations worldwide, largely in malls and airports. What name is Debbi better known by?
Mrs. Fields
2. What former “The Electric Company” actor earned his first Oscar nomination for the 1987 film “Street Smart,” 17 years before his first Oscar win for “Million Dollar Baby”?
Morgan Freeman
3. On July 4, 1850, President Zachary Taylor cooled off after visiting the construction site of the Washington Monument by drinking cold milk and eating a large quantity of cherries. The combination likely gave him gastroenteritis, and he was dead within a week. Who was his vice president at the time?
Millard Fillmore
4. What actor’s four biggest box office hits found her starring opposite CGI space robots in 2007 and 2009, and CGI turtles in 2014 and 2016?
Megan Fox
5. What Nobel Prize-winning economist, who advised both Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, believed that, “underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself”?
Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in Monday’s email.
1. Quit While You’re Ahead: There are five interlocked rings on the Olympic flag. Each ring is a different color. Name as many of the Olympic ring colors as you can for one point each. Zero points total if you get any incorrect.
2. What metal-focused music festival got its start in 1996, after its headliner and namesake was rejected from joining the Lollapalooza tour?
3. In both physics and mechanics, rotational force is known by what six-letter word, also symbolized by the lowercase Greek letter tau?
4. The most-used energy source in the U.S. that does not come from fossil fuels generates about 19 percent of the country's electricity. What is it?
5. Today is September 12. Happy National Video Games Day! The gaming term “survival horror” was coined to describe what 1996 zombie attack video game, which has spawned nearly 30 sequels and remakes, as well as a long-running film franchise?
1. Quit While You’re Ahead: There are five interlocked rings on the Olympic flag. Each ring is a different color. Name as many of the Olympic ring colors as you can for one point each. Zero points total if you get any incorrect.
Blue, black, red, yellow, green
2. What metal-focused music festival got its start in 1996, after its headliner and namesake was rejected from joining the Lollapalooza tour?
Ozzfest
3. In both physics and mechanics, rotational force is known by what six-letter word, also symbolized by the lowercase Greek letter tau?
Torque
4. The most-used energy source in the U.S. that does not come from fossil fuels generates about 19 percent of the country's electricity. What is it?
Nuclear energy
5. Today is September 12. Happy National Video Games Day! The gaming term “survival horror” was coined to describe what 1996 zombie attack video game, which has spawned nearly 30 sequels and remakes, as well as a long-running film franchise?
Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in tomorrow’s email.
1. In 1980, the G. Heileman Brewing Company of La Crosse, Wisconsin launched what nonalcoholic beverage named for a river on Wisconsin's western border, whose sales have boomed in the last decade?
2. Granite and pumice are examples of which of the three types of rock, formed from cooling magma or lava?
3. Matt Damon fans might know that in Greek mythology, mortals go to Hades when they die — unless they are related to the gods, or establish themselves as heroes during their lifetimes. Heroes go… where?
4. Which sea takes its name from an ancient group of people who occupied modern-day Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan in the fourth and fifth centuries?
5. “Live every week like it’s Shark Week” and “Never go with a hippie to a second location,” are two pieces of advice dispensed to the staff of “The Girlie Show” on what NBC comedy?
“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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I was thinking the same thing when I stopped at the grocery store as my last stop before getting home and unloading my car vs what I answered in the hotel bed this morning...
Today's question: What time, if at all, will the trivia questions email be sent? I've been looking, as I'm sure @zwak has, but nothing yet....
“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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1. In 1980, the G. Heileman Brewing Company of La Crosse, Wisconsin launched what nonalcoholic beverage named for a river on Wisconsin's western border, whose sales have boomed in the last decade?
La Croix
2. Granite and pumice are examples of which of the three types of rock, formed from cooling magma or lava?
Igneous (the other types are metamorphic and sedimentary)
3. Matt Damon fans might know that in Greek mythology, mortals go to Hades when they die — unless they are related to the gods, or establish themselves as heroes during their lifetimes. Heroes go… where?
Elysium
4. Which sea takes its name from an ancient group of people who occupied modern-day Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan in the fourth and fifth centuries?
Caspian
5. “Live every week like it’s Shark Week” and “Never go with a hippie to a second location,” are two pieces of advice dispensed to the staff of “The Girlie Show” on what NBC comedy?
Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in tomorrow’s email.
1. There used to be two Canadas: Upper Canada and Lower Canada. Their names reflected their location relative to the headwaters of what river?
2. Method Man of Wu-Tang Clan fame has carved out an extensive acting career, perhaps most notably as Cheese Wagstaff, the nephew of an East Baltimore kingpin on what show, which tabbed Method to host its 20th anniversary podcast in 2022?
3. What mythical character links song titles by the Chordettes, Ed Sheeran, A$AP Rocky, and Metallica?
4. Eighteen-year-old soccer phenom Lamine Yamal was recently given the number 10 by his new soccer club — the same number Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, and Diego Maradona wore for the same club. This team is located in what city?
5. Starring Robert De Niro as a former president, what mini-series dropped on February 20, 2025, and became Netflix’s second-most-watched show of that week?
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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Today's question: What time, if at all, will the trivia questions email be sent? I've been looking, as I'm sure @zwak has, but nothing yet....
9:35AM for those playing at home.
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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1. There used to be two Canadas: Upper Canada and Lower Canada. Their names reflected their location relative to the headwaters of what river?
St. Lawrence
2. Method Man of Wu-Tang Clan fame has carved out an extensive acting career, perhaps most notably as Cheese Wagstaff, the nephew of an East Baltimore kingpin on what show, which tabbed Method to host its 20th anniversary podcast in 2022?
“The Wire”
3. What mythical character links song titles by the Chordettes, Ed Sheeran, A$AP Rocky, and Metallica?
The Sandman
4. Eighteen-year-old soccer phenom Lamine Yamal was recently given the number 10 by his new soccer club — the same number Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, and Diego Maradona wore for the same club. This team is located in what city?
Barcelona (FC Barcelona)
5. Starring Robert De Niro as a former president, what mini-series dropped on February 20, 2025, and became Netflix’s second-most-watched show of that week?
Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in tomorrow’s email.
1. In making “The Matrix,” the Wachowskis were heavily influenced by what 1995 anime film that eventually got a live-action adaptation controversially starring Scarlett Johansson?
2. A baseball inning in which the pitcher strikes out all three batters while throwing only nine total pitches is known by what 10-letter word, often associated with the Bible?
3. There was only one period in history when the papal name of the pope and the first name of the president of the United States were the same. It ended when they both died the same year. What was that name?
4. What five-letter Brazilian dance and musical style is on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List as a protected cultural art form?
5. According to Guinness World Records, what aluminum-capped structure is the world’s tallest obelisk?
“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
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. In making “The Matrix,” the Wachowskis were heavily influenced by what 1995 anime film that eventually got a live-action adaptation controversially starring Scarlett Johansson?
“Ghost in the Shell”
2. A baseball inning in which the pitcher strikes out all three batters while throwing only nine total pitches is known by what 10-letter word, often associated with the Bible?
“Immaculate”
3. There was only one period in history when the papal name of the pope and the first name of the president of the United States were the same. It ended when they both died the same year. What was that name?
John (Pope John XXIII, John F. Kennedy)
4. What five-letter Brazilian dance and musical style is on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List as a protected cultural art form?
Samba (Samba de Roda; also acceptable: frevo)
5. According to Guinness World Records, what aluminum-capped structure is the world’s tallest obelisk?
Two's Company: This round imagines five real-life companies as though, based on their names alone, they were founded by celebrities. I’ll give you a clue about the celebrities; you name the company. Example: If the late Duke of Edinburgh joined forces with the lead singer of The Time to manufacture tobacco products, they could call their company... what? Answer: Philip Morris (Prince Philip, Morris Day).
Answers in tomorrow’s email.
1. A comedian slated to star as Louis Armstrong in an as-yet unproduced biopic partners with a bluegrass banjo player named Ralph to form a giant investment firm. What do they call that company?
2. If the composer of “Switched-on Bach” made burgers with a longtime TV host whose talk show ended in 2022, they could call their company... what?
3. If the former basketball player who owns a portion of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the former wrestler who owned a portion of the XFL team up to form a pharmaceutical company, they could call it... what?
4. If the star of “Kung Fu Panda” teams up with a swimsuit model who shares her name with a New York borough to create power tools, they could call their company... what?
5. If the actor who played Daniel in “The Karate Kid” made clothes with the actor who married Humphrey Bogart in 1945, they could call their company... what?
Two's Company: This round imagines five real-life companies as though, based on their names alone, they were founded by celebrities. I’ll give you a clue about the celebrities; you name the company. Example: If the late Duke of Edinburgh joined forces with the lead singer of The Time to manufacture tobacco products, they could call their company... what? Answer: Philip Morris (Prince Philip, Morris Day).
1. A comedian slated to star as Louis Armstrong in an as-yet unproduced biopic partners with a bluegrass banjo player named Ralph to form a giant investment firm. What do they call that company?
Morgan Stanley (Tracy Morgan, Ralph Stanley)
2. If the composer of “Switched-on Bach” made burgers with a longtime TV host whose talk show ended in 2022, they could call their company... what?
Wendys (Wendy Carlos, Wendy Williams)
3. If the former basketball player who owns a portion of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the former wrestler who owned a portion of the XFL team up to form a pharmaceutical company, they could call it... what?
Johnson & Johnson (Magic Johnson, Dwayne Johnson)
4. If the star of “Kung Fu Panda” teams up with a swimsuit model who shares her name with a New York borough to create power tools, they could call their company... what?
Black + Decker (Jack Black, Brooklyn Decker)
5. If the actor who played Daniel in “The Karate Kid” made clothes with the actor who married Humphrey Bogart in 1945, they could call their company... what?
Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in Monday’s email.
1. Quit While You’re Ahead: Name as many of the last five baseball teams to win the World Series as you can for one point each. Zero points total if you get any incorrect. Hint: One team won twice and none of them are the Minnesota Twins.
2. Talk show host and media mogul Merv Griffin reportedly earned $100 million in royalties for writing a song titled “Think!” It’s best known as the theme to what TV show, which he also created?
3. In French, it's a “diagramme en camembert.” In Italian, it's a “grafico a torta.” What is it called in English?
4. Wayne Knight has been in films like “Jurassic Park,” “Space Jam,” and “Basic Instinct,” but you probably know him best as a ’90s sitcom villain. What was that frequently sneered character’s name?
5. Today is September 19. On this day in 1955, what Argentine president resigned after a three-day revolt by his army and navy?
Though I had a coworker who is an World Series encyclopedia. You just name the year (any year)... he'll tell you the two teams and how many games the WS went and other misc. stats from the WS.
Though I had a coworker who is an World Series encyclopedia. You just name the year (any year)... he'll tell you the two teams and how many games the WS went and other misc. stats from the WS.
“Quit While You’re Ahead: Name as many of the last five baseball teams to win the World Series as you can for one point each. Zero points total if you get any incorrect. Hint: One team won twice and none of them are the Minnesota Twins.”
Though I had a coworker who is an World Series encyclopedia. You just name the year (any year)... he'll tell you the two teams and how many games the WS went and other misc. stats from the WS.
“Quit While You’re Ahead: Name as many of the last five baseball teams to win the World Series as you can for one point each. Zero points total if you get any incorrect. Hint: One team won twice and none of them are the Minnesota Twins.”
It is the last five teams, not last five winners.
The fifth team is the team formerly known as the Montreal Expos!
“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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1. Quit While You’re Ahead: Name as many of the last five baseball teams to win the World Series as you can for one point each. Zero points total if you get any incorrect. Hint: One team won twice and none of them are the Minnesota Twins.
Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Talk show host and media mogul Merv Griffin reportedly earned $100 million in royalties for writing a song titled “Think!” It’s best known as the theme to what TV show, which he also created?
“Jeopardy!”
3. In French, it's a “diagramme en camembert.” In Italian, it's a “grafico a torta.” What is it called in English?
Pie chart
4. Wayne Knight has been in films like “Jurassic Park,” “Space Jam,” and “Basic Instinct,” but you probably know him best as a ’90s sitcom villain. What was that frequently sneered character’s name?
Newman
5. Today is September 19. On this day in 1955, what Argentine president resigned after a three-day revolt by his army and navy?
Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in tomorrow’s email.
1. What comic book and cartoon character was created in 1984, and was originally named “Grate Man,” because he was inspired by a cheese grater?
2. What chemical element is typically added to silver to make sterling silver?
3. Magical dust that allows humans to fly was added to the script of what 1904 stage play after reports of children going home and injuring themselves jumping off of their beds?
4. What name is shared by a Greek poet, a fictional safety inspector, and the mascot of the country’s largest home improvement retailer?
5. Refried beans are usually made with what type of bean, which means “painted” in Spanish?
