Totally Random Trivia - 2026

Posted by: @zwak

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Questions for
Tuesday, April 7, 2026

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

1. What sovereign Asian republic is the only place in the world where the country, its capital, and the island where it’s located all have the same name?

2. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire killed 146 garment workers in 1911. Twenty-two years later, eyewitness Frances Perkins became the first woman to be appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt to which Cabinet position?

3. What Pittsburgh playwright insisted that any adaptations of his work be done by Black filmmakers, making Denzel Washington a natural choice to direct “Fences” in 2016?

4. What landmark of Delhi, India was built by Shah Jahan in the mid-17th century and gets its name from the trademark color of the sandstone in its 75-foot-high walls?

5. Sylens in “Horizon Zero Dawn” and Commander Zavala in “Destiny” are just a few of the video game roles played by what “John Wick” franchise regular, who sadly passed away in 2023?

1.  Singapore

3.  August Wilson

5 Lance Riddick 

Answers to Tuesday,
April 7, 2026

1. What sovereign Asian republic is the only place in the world where the country, its capital, and the island where it’s located all have the same name?

Singapore

2. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire killed 146 garment workers in 1911. Twenty-two years later, eyewitness Frances Perkins became the first woman to be appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt to which Cabinet position?

Secretary of Labor

3. What Pittsburgh playwright insisted that any adaptations of his work be done by Black filmmakers, making Denzel Washington a natural choice to direct “Fences” in 2016?

August Wilson

4. What landmark of Delhi, India was built by Shah Jahan in the mid-17th century and gets its name from the trademark color of the sandstone in its 75-foot-high walls?

Red Fort (Complex)

5. Sylens in “Horizon Zero Dawn” and Commander Zavala in “Destiny” are just a few of the video game roles played by what “John Wick” franchise regular, who sadly passed away in 2023?

Lance Reddick

Questions for
Wednesday, April 8, 2026

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

1. Originally marketed as “Fruit Smack,” what non-carbonated beverage is the official soft drink of Nebraska, where it was invented in 1927?

2. During World War II, brassiere manufacturer Maidenform created tiny vests designed for what animals, which were widely used for delivering messages over hostile territory?

3. The “Midnight” book series was written by activist Lisa Williamson, better known by what familial name?

4. What all-pro basketball player produced and voices a minor role in the animated sports movie “Goat”?

5. On what Nick Jr. show will you hear, “No job is too big, no pup is too small,” before Marshall, Rubble, Skye, and/or Everest will be there on the double to help their community?

5. "Paw Patrol" (I have grandkids)

1 Kool Aid

2 Pigeons

4) Stephen Curry

Answers to Wednesday,
April 8, 2026

1. Originally marketed as “Fruit Smack,” what non-carbonated beverage is the official soft drink of Nebraska, where it was invented in 1927?

Kool-Aid

2. During World War II, brassiere manufacturer Maidenform created tiny vests designed for what animals, which were widely used for delivering messages over hostile territory?

Pigeons
(Homing/carrier pigeons, specifically)

3. The “Midnight” book series was written by activist Lisa Williamson, better known by what familial name?

Sister Souljah

4. What all-pro basketball player produced and voices a minor role in the animated sports movie “Goat”?

Stephen Curry

5. On what Nick Jr. show will you hear, “No job is too big, no pup is too small,” before Marshall, Rubble, Skye, and/or Everest will be there on the double to help their community? 

“Paw Patrol”

Questions for
Theme Thursday, April 9, 2026

Shhhhh: This round is all about being quiet.

Answers in tomorrow’s email. 

1. What 1929 novel was turned into a film one year later, 50 years later, and 93 years later, with that most recent production tying the record for most Oscars for a non-English-language film?

2. When he was 21, Paul Simon went to his bathroom late one night, turned off all the lights, and wrote a song. What song was it?

3. What heavy metal band had its biggest hit in 1983 with a cover of the song “Cum On Feel the Noize”?

4. Emily Blunt starred in two of the 20 highest-grossing movies worldwide in 2021. One was “Jungle Cruise.” What was the other?

5. What classic corn-based Southern side dish shares its name with a casual footwear brand?

2.  The Sounds Of Silence

3.  Quiet Riot

5. Hush Puppies?

1. All Quiet On The Western Front

4. A Quiet Place II

Answers to Thursday, April 9, 2026

Shhhhh: This round is all about being quiet.

1. What 1929 novel was turned into a film one year later, 50 years later, and 93 years later, with that most recent production tying the record for most Oscars for a non-English-language film?

“All Quiet on the Western Front”

2. When he was 21, Paul Simon went to his bathroom late one night, turned off all the lights, and wrote a song. What song was it?

“The Sound of Silence”

3. What heavy metal band had its biggest hit in 1983 with a cover of the song “Cum On Feel the Noize”?

Quiet Riot

4. Emily Blunt starred in two of the 20 highest-grossing movies worldwide in 2021. One was “Jungle Cruise.” What was the other?

“A Quiet Place Part II”

5. What classic corn-based Southern side dish shares its name with a casual footwear brand?

Hushpuppies

Questions for Friday, April 10, 2026

Five questions to wake up your noodle.

1. Quit While You’re Ahead: There are nine reality TV shows that aired on VH1 in the 2000s that contained the word “love” in the title. Name as many of those shows as you can for one point each. Zero points total if you get any incorrect.
2. “White Coat Syndrome” is the informal name for a real medical condition in which a person’s blood pressure rises whenever they do… what?
3. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to create what harmful precipitation?
4. What sci-fi film franchise dedicated its 1986 entry to “the men and women of the spaceship Challenger, whose courageous spirit shall live to the 23rd century and beyond”?
5. Today is April 10. Happy birthday to what actor and singer who broke out with her 1999 debut single "Candy," and has since received Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for her role on “This Is Us”?

3.  Acid Rain

4. Star Trek IV

2. visit the doctor

5. Mandy Moore

Answers to Friday, April 10, 2026

1. Quit While You’re Ahead: There are nine reality TV shows that aired on VH1 in the 2000s that contained the word “love” in the title. Name as many of those shows as you can for one point each. Zero points total if you get any incorrect.

“Strange Love,” “Flavor of Love,” “I Love New York,” “Rock of Love with Bret Michaels,” “I Love Money,” “Real Chance of Love,” “For the Love of Ray J,” “Daisy of Love,” “Tough Love”

2. “White Coat Syndrome” is the informal name for a real medical condition in which a person’s blood pressure rises whenever they do… what?

Visit the doctor

3. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to create what harmful precipitation?

Acid rain

4. What sci-fi film franchise dedicated its 1986 entry to “the men and women of the spaceship Challenger, whose courageous spirit shall live to the 23rd century and beyond”?

“Star Trek”  (“Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home”)

5. Today is April 10. Happy birthday to what actor and singer who broke out with her 1999 debut single "Candy," and has since received Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for her role on “This Is Us”?

Mandy Moore

Questions for Monday, April 13, 2026

Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in tomorrow’s email. Answers to Friday’s questions below.

1. Jessica Lange, Beverly D'Angelo, and Megan Hilty are among the actors who have portrayed what country music icon, known for songs like “Walkin' After Midnight” and “I Fall to Pieces”?
2. “At a time when digital techniques can show us almost anything, this is a reminder that what really scares us is the stuff we can't see.” That's Roger Ebert describing what found-footage film, which premiered at Sundance in 1999?
3. The reign of what king from 1643 to 1715 is often referred to as “Le Grand Siècle” or “the Great Century”? Name and regnal number needed, s'il vous plaît.
4. What Canadian sketch TV series helped launch the careers of Andrea Martin, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, and John Candy in the 1970s?
5. Koolickles are a sweet-and-sour treat popular in the Mississippi Delta region of the U.S. They’re made by soaking dill pickles in what packaged food product?

4.  SCTV 

If you have never seen the "Battle Of The PBS Stars" sketch look it up!  John Candy as Julia Child boxing against Eugene Levy as Mr. Rogers is so funny.  

1. Patsy Cline

5. Kool Aid

2 Blair With Project

3 Louis XIV

Answers to Monday, April 13, 2026

1. Jessica Lange, Beverly D'Angelo, and Megan Hilty are among the actors who have portrayed what country music icon, known for songs like “Walkin' After Midnight” and “I Fall to Pieces”?

Patsy Cline

2.  At a time when digital techniques can show us almost anything, this is a reminder that what really scares us is the stuff we can't see.” That's Roger Ebert describing what found-footage film, which premiered at Sundance in 1999?

“The Blair Witch Project”

3.The reign of what king from 1643 to 1715 is often referred to as “Le Grand Siècle” or “the Great Century”? Name and regnal number needed, s'il vous plaît.

Louis XIV

4.  What Canadian sketch TV series helped launch the careers of Andrea Martin, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, and John Candy in the 1970s?

“SCTV”  (“Second City Television”)

5.  Koolickles are a sweet-and-sour treat popular in the Mississippi Delta region of the U.S. They’re made by soaking dill pickles in what packaged food product?

Kool-Aid

Questions for Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Five questions to wake up your noodle.

1. What 1943 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical features such songs as “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’,” “The Surrey with the Fringe on Top,” and “The Farmer and the Cowman”?
2. The athletic teams of the University of Pennsylvania have what nickname, referring to the state’s long association with the Religious Society of Friends?
3. The most famous example probably being the one by Michelangelo in St. Peter’s Basilica, what is the name for a sculpture or painting in Christian art of the Virgin Mary holding the body of the dead Jesus Christ?
4. Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Kimberly Elise play sympathetic bank robbers in what 1996 crime drama film that had a platinum-selling soundtrack album?
5. Acetylsalicylic acid is better known by what seven-letter name that is still a registered trademark of Bayer in some countries, such as Germany?

1.  Oklahoma!

2. Quakers

5. Aspirin

4. Set It Off

3. Pieta

Answers to Tuesday, April 14, 2026

1. What 1943 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical features such songs as “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’,” “The Surrey with the Fringe on Top,” and “The Farmer and the Cowman”?

“Oklahoma!”

2. The athletic teams of the University of Pennsylvania have what nickname, referring to the state’s long association with the Religious Society of Friends?

Quakers

3. The most famous example probably being the one by Michelangelo in St. Peter’s Basilica, what is the name for a sculpture or painting in Christian art of the Virgin Mary holding the body of the dead Jesus Christ?

“Pietà”

4. Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Kimberly Elise play sympathetic bank robbers in what 1996 crime drama film that had a platinum-selling soundtrack album?

“Set It Off”

5. Acetylsalicylic acid is better known by what seven-letter name that is still a registered trademark of Bayer in some countries, such as Germany?   

Aspirin

Questions for Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Five questions to wake up your noodle.

1. Silkroad, a nonprofit that fosters artistic collaboration across world cultures, was founded in 1998 by what Chinese American cellist?

2. Kelaguen, which features finely chopped seafood or meat that has been “cooked” in a citrus-based marinade, is a Chamorro dish popular in which U.S. territory?

3. The Berlin Marathon concludes at what landmark that also served as the backdrop for a 1987 Ronald Reagan speech and a 1989 New Year’s Eve performance by David Hasselhoff?

4. Yes or no: Is there an apostrophe in Walgreen(‘)s?

5. Clayton Snyder says it took more time to turn his curly hair into Ethan’s flowing locks than it did to style the girls’ hair on the set of what 2000s Disney Channel show?

3.  Brandenburg Gate

4. No

1. Yo Yo Ma

4. No apostrophe

Answers to Wednesday, April 15, 2026

1. Silkroad, a nonprofit that fosters artistic collaboration across world cultures, was founded in 1998 by what Chinese American cellist?
Yo-Yo Ma

2. Kelaguen, which features finely chopped seafood or meat that has been “cooked” in a lemon-juice-based marinade, is a Chamorro dish popular in which U.S. territory? Guam

3. The Berlin Marathon concludes at what landmark that also served as the backdrop for a 1987 Ronald Reagan speech and a 1989 New Year’s Eve performance by David Hasselhoff?
Brandenburg Gate

4. Yes or no: Is there an apostrophe in Walgreen(‘)s?
No

5. Clayton Snyder says it took more time to turn his curly hair into Ethan’s flowing locks than it did to style the girls’ hair on the set of what 2000s Disney Channel show?
“Lizzie McGuire”

Questions for Theme Thursday, April 16, 2026

April Showers: Five questions about famous shower scenes from movies.

1. The most famous shower scene in movie history was in 1960’s “Psycho.” What actor took that shower?

2. Emma Stone dances to “Pocketful of Sunshine” in the shower, among other locations, in what 2010 loose literary adaptation?

3. What 1997 movie — based on a 1959 novel by sci-fi author Robert Heinlein — features a now-infamous co-ed shower scene?

4. Brittany Snow walks in on Anna Kendrick in the shower and forces her to harmonize on her “lady jam,” “Titanium.” Name that movie!

5. If you’ve ever gone to a Halloween party dressed as a shower with a red-and-white polka dot curtain, you were paying homage to what 1984 movie?

1. Janet Leigh

4. "Pitch Perfect"

3 Starship Troopers

2. Easy A
5. Karate Kid

Answers to Thursday, April 16, 2026
April Showers: Five questions about famous shower scenes from movies.

1. The most famous shower scene in movie history was in 1960’s “Psycho.” What actor took that shower?
Janet Leigh

2. Emma Stone dances to “Pocketful of Sunshine” in the shower, among other locations, in what 2010 loose literary adaptation?
“Easy A”

3. What 1997 movie — based on a 1959 novel by sci-fi author Robert Heinlein — features a now-infamous co-ed shower scene?
“Starship Troopers”

4. Brittany Snow walks in on Anna Kendrick in the shower and forces her to harmonize on her “lady jam,” “Titanium.” Name that movie!
“Pitch Perfect”

5. If you’ve ever gone to a Halloween party dressed as a shower with a red-and-white polka dot curtain, you were paying homage to what 1984 movie?
“The Karate Kid”

Questions for Friday, April 17, 2026
Five questions to wake up your noodle.

1. Quit While You’re Ahead: Sisters Emily, Anne, and Charlotte Brontë wrote a combined total of seven novels. Name as many of those novels as you can for one point each. Zero points total if you get any incorrect.
2. The most common surname on the Hollywood Walk of Fame begins with a “W.” What is that surname, shared by musicians, actors, comedians, and at least one talk show host?
3. Elizabeth David wrote a book in 1950 that extolled the benefits of eating olives, rosemary, and grapes. It was called “A Book of BLANK Food.” Fill in that blank.
4. What 19th-century microbiologist was a leading proponent of vaccination and germ theory, and developed a technique for treating milk and wine to stop bacterial contamination?
5. Today is April 17. It’s International Bat Appreciation Day! Children’s book author Janell Cannon’s appreciation for bats inspired her to write what 1993 book, whose title character is separated from her mother and raised by birds?

3.  Mediterranean

4. Louis Pasteur

2. Williams

1. Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights...

Answers to Friday, April 17, 2026

1. Quit While You’re Ahead: Sisters Emily, Anne, and Charlotte Brontë wrote a combined total of seven novels. Name as many of those novels as you can for one point each. Zero points total if you get any incorrect.

“Agnes Gray,” “Jane Eyre,” “The Professor,” “Shirley,” “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall,” “Villette,” “Wuthering Heights”

2. The most common surname on the Hollywood Walk of Fame begins with a “W.” What is that surname, shared by musicians, actors, comedians, and at least one talk show host?

Williams
(Pharrell, Billy Dee, Robin, Esther, Wendy, and more)

3. Elizabeth David wrote a book in 1950 that extolled the benefits of eating olives, rosemary, and grapes. It was called “A Book of BLANK Food.” Fill in that blank.

Mediterranean

4. What 19th-century microbiologist was a leading proponent of vaccination and germ theory, and developed a technique for treating milk and wine to stop bacterial contamination?

Louis Pasteur

5. Today is April 17. It’s International Bat Appreciation Day! Children’s book author Janell Cannon’s appreciation for bats inspired her to write what 1993 book, whose title character is separated from her mother and raised by birds?

“Stellaluna”

Questions for
Monday, April 20, 2026

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

1. The British design collective Hipgnosis is perhaps most famous for designing the cover of the album with the most charted weeks on the Billboard Hot 200. Name that 1973 album.

2. “We’re all ears” was an advertising slogan heavily used in jingles for what now-defunct radio network, which operated from November 1996 to April 2021?

3. What store opened in New York City in 1837, calling itself a “stationery and fancy goods emporium”? Eight years later, the company published its first catalog, known to this day as the “Blue Book.”

4. LeBron James couldn’t wear his preferred jersey number when he played for Miami, because the Heat had already retired that number in honor of what player? Hint: It’s one of the only instances of an NBA team retiring the number of a player who didn’t play for that team.

5. What is the technical term for the process in which an animal periodically casts off a part of its body at specific points in their life cycle?

4. The G.O.A.T. - Michael Jordan

1. Dark Side of the Moon