Totally Random Trivia - 2026

Answers to Friday, September 18, 2026

1. Quit While You’re Ahead: Kirsten, Samantha, and Molly, the first American Girl dolls, debuted in 1986. The next five historical American Girl dolls were released from 1991 to 2002. Name as many of those dolls as you can for one point each. Zero points total if you get any incorrect.

Felicity (Merriman), Addy (Walker), Josefina (Montoya), Kit (Kittredge), Kaya'aton'my (or Kaya)

2. In 1975, plans for a 10-hour film adaptation starring Salvador Dalí were scrapped. In 1984, a two-hour adaptation featuring Sting was released. And in a couple months, the third film in a three-part adaptation will be released. Name that 1965 novel!

“Dune”

3. In the 1940s, maître d’ Ignacio Anaya invented and lent his nickname to a snack dish that didn't become widely popular until decades later, when it began being served at ballparks in Texas. By what name do we know this dish today?

Nachos

4. The longest river in China is also the third-longest river in the world. Name that river!

Yangtze

5. Today is September 18. This day in 1964 featured the premiere of what TV series, starring Carolyn Jones as the matriarch of the titular family?

“The Addams Family”

Questions for
Monday, September 21, 2026

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

1. When you search Wikipedia for a term that is too vague, the website directs you to a page labeled with what 14-letter word?

2. 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?

3. Sarah McLachlan’s 1998 hit “Angel” was written in response to recent deaths in the music industry, but it may now be better known as the theme song for a tear-jerking ad campaign for what nonprofit?

4. The scientist who discovered penicillin, a ’60s era figure skater, and the comedian behind “Sick Jan” and “Company Is Coming” all share what surname?

5. Gerald Ford was vice president for the final eight months of the Nixon presidency. Who was the vice president immediately before him?

2. James Caan

4. Fleming

5. Spiro Agnew

3.  ASPCA

1. Disambiguation

Answers to Monday,
September 21, 2026

1. When you search Wikipedia for a term that is too vague, the website directs you to a page labeled with what 14-letter word?

“Disambiguation”

2. 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

3. Sarah McLachlan’s 1998 hit “Angel” was written in response to recent deaths in the music industry, but it may now be better known as the theme song for a tear-jerking ad campaign for what nonprofit?

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

4. The scientist who discovered penicillin, a ’60s era figure skater, and the comedian behind “Sick Jan” and “Company Is Coming” all share what surname?

Fleming
(Alexander, Peggy, and Chris, respectively)

5. Gerald Ford was vice president for the final eight months of the Nixon presidency. Who was the vice president immediately before him?

Spiro Agnew

Questions for
Tuesday, September 22, 2026

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

1. Leading up to World War I, what peninsula between Italy and Türkiye was nicknamed “the powder keg of Europe”?

2. What folk-dancing song contains such lyrics as “I lost my partner, what’ll I do?” and “I’ll get another, pretty as you”?

3. Before Quinta Brunson gained fame for the Emmy-winning show “Abbott Elementary,” she starred in what other Emmy-nominated and straightforwardly named HBO comedy series, alongside Robin Thede and Ashley Nicole Black?

4. The Latina princess Rebecca of Galonia was introduced as Disney’s first official Jewish princess in the 2019 Hanukkah episode of what animated kids’ show?

5. The Yankees play in the Bronx. In which borough do the Mets play?

1.  Balkan

5.  Queens

2. Skip To My Lou

Answers to Tuesday,
September 22, 2026

1. Leading up to World War I, what peninsula between Italy and Türkiye was nicknamed “the powder keg of Europe”?

Balkan Peninsula

2. What folk-dancing song contains such lyrics as “I lost my partner, what’ll I do?” and “I’ll get another, pretty as you”?

“Skip to My Lou”

3. Before Quinta Brunson gained fame for the Emmy-winning show “Abbott Elementary,” she starred in what other Emmy-nominated and straightforwardly named HBO comedy series, alongside Robin Thede and Ashley Nicole Black?

“A Black Lady Sketch Show”

4. The Latina princess Rebecca of Galonia was introduced as Disney’s first official Jewish princess in the 2019 Hanukkah episode of what animated kids’ show?

“Elena of Avalor”

5. The Yankees play in the Bronx. In which borough do the Mets play? 

Queens

Questions for
Wednesday, September 23, 2026

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

1. Rachel McAdams portrays the titular spouse in a 2009 film adaptation of what sci-fi romance novel published earlier that decade?

2. Yellow diamonds are caused by the presence of what element — atomic number seven — during formation?

3. Jackie Chan voiced Master Splinter in what 2023 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film that got high marks on Rotten Tomatoes for its playful animation style?

4. Earlier this year, Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman to win the Cinematography Oscar for what Ryan Coogler/Michael B. Jordan vampire film?

5. What 1970s-era car’s name is in the dictionary as “a small gnome responsible for equipment malfunction,” while AMC’s marketing defined it as “a pal to its friends and an ogre to its enemies”?

5.  Gremlin

4. Sinners

2. Nitrogen 

1.  Time Travelers Wife?

3 Mutant Mayhem

Answers to Wednesday,
September 23, 2026

1. Rachel McAdams portrays the titular spouse in a 2009 film adaptation of what sci-fi romance novel published earlier that decade?

“The Time Traveler’s Wife”

2. Yellow diamonds are caused by the presence of what element — atomic number seven — during formation?

Nitrogen

3. Jackie Chan voiced Master Splinter in what 2023 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film that got high marks on Rotten Tomatoes for its playful animation style?

“Mutant Mayhem”

4. Earlier this year, Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman to win the Cinematography Oscar for what Ryan Coogler/Michael B. Jordan vampire film?

“Sinners”

5. What 1970s-era car’s name is in the dictionary as “a small gnome responsible for equipment malfunction,” while AMC’s marketing defined it as “a pal to its friends and an ogre to its enemies”?

Gremlin

Questions for
Theme Thursday, September 24, 2026

Blank the Blank: All answers this round will take the form “BLANK the BLANK.”

Answers in tomorrow’s email. 

1. What Depression-era children's game has a name that, in the 1980s, became a common metaphor for legislative inaction?

2. In 1762, Peter III was overthrown and, most likely, murdered in a coup d'état orchestrated by his own wife. What was her name?

3. In 1990, a record store owner in Fort Lauderdale was arrested for selling a 2 Live Crew album. The CEO of Virgin Records responded by forming what group, whose stated mission is “to engage and build the political power of young people”?

4. The hip-hop scene in Houston has produced musical artists such as Slim Thug, Scarface, and what “Hot Girl Summer” rapper?

5. Before John Boyega was cast as Finn in the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy, and before Jodie Whittaker was cast as the 13th Doctor, they co-starred in what cult 2011 movie about a street gang who defend South London from an alien invasion?

2.  Catherine The Great

1. Kick the can

4. Megan thee Stallion

3. Rock The Vote

Answers to Thursday,
September 24, 2026

Blank the Blank: All answers this round will take the form “BLANK the BLANK.” 

1. What Depression-era children's game has a name that, in the 1980s, became a common metaphor for legislative inaction?

Kick the Can
(shortened from “kick the can down the road”)

2. In 1762, Peter III was overthrown and, most likely, murdered in a coup d'état orchestrated by his own wife. What was her name?

Catherine the Great

3. In 1990, a record store owner in Fort Lauderdale was arrested for selling a 2 Live Crew album. The CEO of Virgin Records responded by forming what group, whose stated mission is “to engage and build the political power of young people”?

Rock the Vote

4. The hip-hop scene in Houston has produced musical artists such as Slim Thug, Scarface, and what “Hot Girl Summer” rapper?

Megan Thee Stallion

5. Before John Boyega was cast as Finn in the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy, and before Jodie Whittaker was cast as the 13th Doctor, they co-starred in what cult 2011 movie about a street gang who defend South London from an alien invasion?

“Attack the Block”

Questions for Friday,
September 25, 2026

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

1. Quit While You’re Ahead: According to the Federal Reserve Bank website, there are four remaining bank holidays in the U.S. for this calendar year. Name as many of those holidays as you can for one point each. Zero points total if you get any incorrect.

2. Billy Joel’s classic “New York State of Mind” was originally included on what 1976 album, named for something that riders of the NYC subway system encounter upon entering?

3. Excluding Antarctica, which is not a country, the largest country by area that the Prime Meridian passes through is in North Africa. What is it? 

4. The original Bop-It game, released in 1996, required players to do one of three things to “it.” One, of course, was “bop it.” Name one of the other two commands. 

5. Today is September 25. Three years after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka that racial segregation in schools was unconstitutional, nine Black students walked into their new school in what capital city on this day in 1957?

1. Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day

3. Algeria

2. Turnstiles

4. Twist it and pull it

5. Little Rock

1. Quit While You’re Ahead: According to the Federal Reserve Bank website, there are four remaining bank holidays in the U.S. for this calendar year. Name as many of those holidays as you can for one point each. Zero points total if you get any incorrect.

Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day

2. Billy Joel’s classic “New York State of Mind” was originally included on what 1976 album, named for something that riders of the NYC subway system encounter upon entering?

“Turnstiles”

3. Excluding Antarctica, which is not a country, the largest country by area that the Prime Meridian passes through is in North Africa. What is it? 

Algeria

4. The original Bop-It game, released in 1996, required players to do one of three things to “it.” One, of course, was “bop it.” Name one of the other two commands. 

“Twist it,” “pull it”

5. Today is September 25. Three years after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka that racial segregation in schools was unconstitutional, nine Black students walked into their new school in what capital city on this day in 1957?

Little Rock (Arkansas)

Questions for
Monday, September 28, 2026

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

1. Comedian Jenny Slate plays a role in 2026’s “Forgotten Island,” but she got her start voice acting in a short film about what character made from a hermit crab’s home who was also the subject of an Oscar-nominated feature-length release in 2021?

2. During a 1960 conference at Shaw University, activist Ella Baker founded what civil rights group, best known by its four-letter abbreviation?

3. The Mississippi state tree and state flower both have the same name. What is it?

4. What Swedish animated creature, originally known as “the Annoying Thing,” topped music charts across the world with a cover of the theme from “Beverly Hills Cop” in 2005?

5. Radio broadcasts usually weren’t taped in 1937, but a well-timed experiment with recording captured broadcaster Herbert Morrison's cries of “Oh, the humanity!” while reporting on a disaster involving what vessel?

5. Hindenburg

3. Magnolia 

2. I know she had a huge hand in the NAACP but obviously that doesn't count so....

2. SCLC - Southern Christian Leadership Conference

4. Crazy Frog

1. Marcel the Shell

Answers to Monday,
September 28, 2026

1. Comedian Jenny Slate plays a role in 2026’s “Forgotten Island,” but she got her start voice acting in a short film about what character made from a hermit crab’s home who was also the subject of an Oscar-nominated feature-length release in 2021?

Marcel the Shell (with Shoes On)

2. During a 1960 conference at Shaw University, activist Ella Baker founded what civil rights group, best known by its four-letter abbreviation?

SNCC
(Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee)

3. The Mississippi state tree and state flower both have the same name. What is it?

(Southern) Magnolia

4. What Swedish animated creature, originally known as “the Annoying Thing,” topped music charts across the world with a cover of the theme from “Beverly Hills Cop” in 2005?

Crazy Frog

5. Radio broadcasts usually weren’t taped in 1937, but a well-timed experiment with recording captured broadcaster Herbert Morrison's cries of “Oh, the humanity!” while reporting on a disaster involving what vessel?

Hindenburg

Questions for
Tuesday, September 29, 2026

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

1. What China-based online marketplace made a big splash in the U.S. in 2024, with Super Bowl ads inviting bargain hunters to “shop like a billionaire”?

2. A 24-foot-long sculpture of a fist in downtown Detroit honors what boxer, who learned his trade there before the storied career that earned him the nickname “The Brown Bomber”?

3. On the New York Times bestseller list for more than 40 weeks, what initially self-published novel by Allen Levi follows a visitor who buys artwork depicting the residents of a fictional Southern town in exchange for hearing them tell their stories?

4. If you burn wood chips or sawdust and then capture the vapor and condense it, you've made what staple of barbecue champions nationwide?

5. While playing for Norway on the international level, Erling Haaland plays his club football for what Premier League team?

1. Temu

2. Joe Louis

4. Liquid Smoke

5. Man City although not possibly for much longer

Quote: Zwak

2. A 24-foot-long sculpture of a fist in downtown Detroit honors what boxer, who learned his trade there before the storied career that earned him the nickname “The Brown Bomber”?

 

 

 

 

Some useless information for those interested, Joe Louis and Lee Marvin are buried next to each other at Arlington National Cemetery.  You can see their headstones at the intersection of the main path leading uphill from the entrance and the path that leads to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

Answers to Tuesday,
September 29, 2026

1. What China-based online marketplace made a big splash in the U.S. in 2024, with Super Bowl ads inviting bargain hunters to “shop like a billionaire”?

Temu

2. A 24-foot-long sculpture of a fist in downtown Detroit honors what boxer, who learned his trade there before the storied career that earned him the nickname “The Brown Bomber”?

Joe Louis

3. On the New York Times bestseller list for more than 40 weeks, what initially self-published novel by Allen Levi follows a visitor who buys artwork depicting the residents of a fictional Southern town in exchange for hearing them tell their stories?

“Theo of Golden”

4. If you burn wood chips or sawdust and then capture the vapor and condense it, you've made what staple of barbecue champions nationwide?

Liquid smoke

5. While playing for Norway on the international level, Erling Haaland plays his club football for what Premier League team?

Manchester City

Questions for
Wednesday, September 30, 2026

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

1. What Canadian comedian, who appears as a radio DJ on The Weeknd’s “Dawn FM” album, released three singles back in the ’90s: “Ace Is in the House,” “Cuban Pete,” and a cover of Queen’s “Somebody to Love”?

2. The U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Washington, D.C. recreates a World War II photograph of six U.S. Marines raising a flag over what South Pacific island?

3. What avoidable ’80s advertising mascot's Wikipedia page describes his occupation as “Pizza Destroyer”?

4. Which came first: the Bronze Age or the Iron Age? 

5. When the “Terminator” film franchise was adapted for television in 2008, that series was given what subtitle?

2. Iwo Jima

3. The Noid

1. Jim Carrey

4. The Bronze Age

5 The Sarah Connor Chronicles

Answers to Wednesday,
September 30, 2026

1. What Canadian comedian, who appears as a radio DJ on The Weeknd’s “Dawn FM” album, released three singles back in the ’90s: “Ace Is in the House,” “Cuban Pete,” and a cover of Queen’s “Somebody to Love”?

Jim Carrey
(Correction Corner: Thank you to Host Melissa, who noted that the song is actually a cover of Jefferson Airplane’s “Somebody to Love.” Trivia Mafia regrets the error.)

2. The U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Washington, D.C. recreates a World War II photograph of six U.S. Marines raising a flag over what South Pacific island?

Iwo Jima

3. What avoidable ’80s advertising mascot's Wikipedia page describes his occupation as “Pizza Destroyer”?

The Noid

4. Which came first: the Bronze Age or the Iron Age? 

Bronze Age

5. When the “Terminator” film franchise was adapted for television in 2008, that series was given what subtitle? 

“The Sarah Connor Chronicles”

Questions for
Theme Thursday, October 1, 2026

Whose Line Is It Anyway?: Five questions about lines.

Answers in tomorrow’s email. 

1. Until it was surpassed by “Cats” in 1997, what 1975 musical had the longest run of any Broadway production?

2. When the Korean peninsula was divided into North Korea and South Korea in 1948, what line of latitude was used as the border?

3. In film, it refers to people like the actors and director. In advertising, it refers to mass media promotions. In accounting, it’s a deduction you take to figure out your adjusted gross income. What is that three-word phrase?

4. If you’re a baseball player, you don’t want to be on the wrong side of the “Mendoza Line,” named for former Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Mario Mendoza. It means your batting average is below… what?

5. An extremely expensive — and ultimately ineffective — series of concrete bunkers called the “Maginot Line” was built in the 1930s between France and Germany. When the line failed, France’s army became cut off from its British allies, who were forced to retreat north to what French harbor town?

2.  38th Parallel

5.  Dunkirk