Monday, September 14, 2009
Success!
Congratulations to "My Chemical Bromance" who won a whopping $75 pot by just 1 point! Thanks to everyone who showed up on September 1st. We look forward to seeing you again on October 6th. Here are the questions from that night.
ROUND 1
[Cinema] Heath Ledger won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor of 2008 for his role as the Joker in the film, The Dark Knight. Who won Best Supporting Actress in 2008? (Penelope Cruz for her role in Vicky Cristina Barcelona)
[History] Theodore Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for negotiating peace between what two warring countries? (Russia and Japan)
[Sports] What Southland Conference school is planning to renew its football team in 2010 after having disbanded it in 1989? (Lamar)
[Literature] What play by William Shakespeare includes the characters Duncan, Banquo, and Hecate? (Macbeth)
[Local Knowledge] What star of the TV show "Chuck" was born in Lake Charles? (Zachary Levi)
[Politics] One member of the Warren Commission, which investigated the assassination of John F. Kennedy, later himself became President of the United States. Who was he? (Gerald Ford)
[Science & Religion] What disease is caused by the newest strain of the H1N1 virus? (Swine Flu)
[Geography] Including Alaska and Hawaii, what is the largest country, by area, in North America? (Canada)
[Television] What long-running TV show's characters include Professor Frink, Comic Book Guy, and Groundskeeper Willie? (The Simpsons)
[Literature] What author created the fictional detective C. Auguste Dupin? (Edgar Allan Poe)
ROUND 2
[Cinema] This film marks the first (and so far the only time) in animation history that Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny appeared on screen together. (Who Framed Roger Rabbit)
[Science & Religion] Name any two of NASA’s three operational space shuttles. (Atlantis, Discovery, Endeavour)
[Politics] What House Democrat recently asked a protestor at a health care reform meeting, “On what planet do you spend most of your time? (Barney Frank)
[Local Knowledge] In what year was Lake Charles' spring festival "Contraband Days" first held: 1898, 1924, 1957, or 1971? (1957)
[Literature] What author's posthumously published novel "Northanger Abbey" was a parody of Gothic novels? (Jane Austen)
[Sports] What baseball Hall of Famer twice interrupted his career to fly fighter jets for the United States MC, once in Korea and once in World War II? (Ted Williams)
[History] As many as thirty million people died in this colony of Belgium between 1885 and 1908, many of them due to brutal forced labor in the rubber industry. (The Congo)
[Music] Which former Beatle organized the 1971 "Concert for Bangladesh"? (George Harrison)
[Local Knowledge] What LA parish is named for the title character of a Longfellow poem? (“Evangeline”)
[History] What "barbarian" tribe "sacked" Rome in 410 A.D.? (Visigoths)
ROUND 3
[Television] What children’s television show did PBS announce the cancellation last Tuesday, ending its 26 year run? (Reading Rainbow)
[History] The last major Confederate forces to surrender to the Union army did so on May 26, 1865, under the command of General E.K. Smith, in what Southern city? (New Orleans)
[Sports] On this day in 1972, America’s Bobby Fischer beat who in Reykjavik, Iceland to become the World Chess Champion? (Boris Spassky)
[Literature]What novel did Kurt Vonnegut draw on his experience as a POW during the firebombing of Dresden to write? (Slaughterhouse 5)
[Local Knowledge] In 2009, a recruitment effort led to this adult film star and Louisiana native to consider challenging incumbent David Vitter in the 2010 Republican Senate primary. She was also in the news again for her arrest for a domestic-violence misdemeanor in July according to XBIZ. [Stormy Daniels aka Stephanie Clifford]
[Politics] What former member of George W. Bush's cabinet is now a member of the Political Science Department at Stanford University? (Condoleezza Rice)
[Science & Religion] What chemical, formerly used in dry-cleaning, fire extinguishers, and lava lamps has the chemical formula〖 CCl〗_4? (Carbon Tetra Chloride, also accepted tetracholoromethane)
[Music] What was the title of the "King of Pop," Michael Jackson's first solo album in 1972? (“Got to Be There”)
[Literature] What author (who died in 2008) wrote the story collections “Brief Interviews with Hideous Men, and A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never do Again?” (David Foster Wallace)
[Local Knowledge] What is the name of the Destroyer to be berthed in Lake Charles in the upcoming months? (USS Orleck)
ROUND 4
[Music] Which Jazz saxophonist, who composed a widely successful version of “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music, died of liver cancer at the age of 40 in 1967? (John Coltrane)
[Science & Religion] Name one of the two books of the Christian Bible that never mention God. (Song of Solomon (aka Song of Songs) and Book of Esther)
[Politics] Who was the first person elected president of the United States in the 19th century? (Thomas Jefferson)
[Local Knowledge] Who is the President of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury? (Hal McMillin)
[Literature] The works of this Nobel Prize-winning English playwright include The Caretaker, Betrayal, The Dumb Waiter, and Old Times? (Harold Pinter)
[Sports] What two places in the United States have hosted the Olympic Games twice? (Las Angeles, CA in 1932 and 1984 and Lake Placid, NY in 1932 and 1980)
[History] The 1794 Whiskey Rebellion of farmers protesting a federal tax on grain broke out in what state? (Pennsylvania)
[Geography] Within what Kingdom is Greenland? Denmark
[Literature] For what novel did Anne Tyler win the 1989 Pulitzer Prize? (Breathing Lessons)
[Cinema] In the 1973 film The Exorcist, what name does Linda Blair's character, Regan, use to describe the demonic presence during the early stages of her possession? That is, who does Regan tell her mom that she communicates with through her Ouija Board? [Captain Howdy]
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Viva La Drink'n'Think
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Drink'n'Think 4 Eva
Congratulations to the Fighting Curzons for taking home the win last night. Thank you to everyone for supporting DnT these last two years. However, fear not, Muff and Dye will bring Drink'n'Think back in September. Long live banal minutia.
ROUND 1
(Philippines)
[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What spiritual leader turned 74 yesterday?
(Dalai Lama)
[SPORTS] The New Jersey Nets recently traded Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson to the Orlando Magic for three players. Name 1 of the 3
(Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee)
[LITERATURE] Who is the richest character in the Wind in the Willows?
(Mr. Toad)
[POLITICS] The governor of South Carolina is being investigated for using state money in his trips to see his mistress in Argentina. Who is he?
(Mark Sanford)
[MUSIC] Of the 9 children in the Jackson family, who is the youngest?
(Janet Jackson)
[CURRENT EVENTS] What famous Hollywood star died at the age 86 last month?
(Ed McMahon)
[CINEMA/ TELEVISION] Who turned down the role of Danny in Grease for fear of being typecast?
(Henry Winkler - The Fonz)
[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] What rare creature was spotted in Calcasieu Lake again after a long absence?
(Albino or pink dolphin)
[MISCELLANEOUS] One of the world's largest BitTorrent trackers (based in Sweden), confirmed last week that it would be acquired by Global Gaming Factory X for 7.8 million dollars. What is the name of the site?
(Pirate Bay)
ROUND 2
[HISTORY] Who was the 32nd president of the U.S.?
(Franklin D. Roosevelt)
[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What is the heaviest breed of bear?
(Polar)
(roller skating)
[LITERATURE] What musical is based on the play Pygmalion?
(My Fair Lady)
(Car Allowance Rebate System or Cash for Clunkers)
[MUSIC] What musical group originally included LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett?
(Destiny's Child)
[CURRENT EVENTS] According to recent obesity rankings, what state has the highest rate of overweight and obese children at 44.4%?
(Mississippi - followed by Arkansas (37.5%) and Georgia (37.3%)
[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What sport was played by the Mighty Pigs who were coached by Chief Wiggum on The Simpsons?
(hockey)
[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] A recent report in the Houston Business Journal analyzed the top 250 metropolitan area growth patterns. According to their projections, Lake Charles will drop from 207 to where on the list?
A.) 215
B.) 236
C.) 249
(249)
[MISCELLANEOUS] What state after Idaho grow the most potatoes each year?
(Washington)
ROUND 3
[HISTORY] What country made history in 1893 by giving its women the right to vote?
(New Zealand)
[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What nationality was Pope John Paul II?
(Polish)
[SPORTS] Ron Artest is leaving the Houston Rockets to play for what NBA team?
(the Lakers)
[LITERATURE] What D. H. Lawrence novel was originally titled tenderness?
(Lady Chatterley's Lover)
[POLITICS] The 8th United States Secretary of Defense died yesterday. Who was he?
(Robert McNamara)
[MUSIC] Which former member of the Rolling Stones was 47 when he started dating 13-year-old Mandy Smith, his future wife?
(Bill Wyman)
[CURRENT EVENTS] More than five years after its release, Google is removing the "beta" label from what application, signaling that the product is now fully functional?
(Gmail)
[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What war is taking place in the novel Lord of the Flies?
(World War II)
(Juneteenth)
[MISCELLANEOUS] What crazy nickname is given to the Canadian dollar coin due to the bird pictured on it?
(Looney)
ROUND 4
[HISTORY] Who devised the towering framework that supports the Statue of Liberty?
(Alexandre Gustave Eiffel)
[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What does the medical acronym PET stand for?
(Positron emission tomography)
[SPORTS] It is rumored that the Tribune company has sold the Chicago Cubs to the founder of TD Ameritrade for $900 million. Who is he?
(Joe Ricketts)
[LITERATURE] What author is causing a stir in his new book, "Bobbie and Jackie: A Love Story" by claiming that
Jacqueline Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy had a long-term affair after JFK was assassinated?
(C. David Heymann)
[POLITICS] During a June 19th radio debate, what Pennsylvania State Senator repeatedly asserted that same-sex marriage is wrong, dysfunctional, and would lead to polygamy and marrying younger people?
(John Eichelberger)
[MUSIC] What was the Police's biggest selling single?
(Every Breath You Take)
[CURRENT EVENTS] Police arrested 36 activists after clashes at a demonstration against this week's G-8 summit in what city?(Rome)
[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What movie director played the Cook County Assessor's Office Clerk in The Blues Brothers?
(Steven Spielberg)
(We are the Ship)
[MISCELLANEOUS] What is the largest island in the Atlantic?
(Greenland)
Thursday, July 2, 2009
(Au Revoir Edition) Tuesday, July 7th
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Next Drink'n'Think: ?
Congratulations to Necesito otra cerveza for emerging from the pack to claim their first ever Drink'n'Think victory last night. Every team was in contention until the very end.
ROUND 1
(France)
[RELIGION/SCIENCE] America's largest Protestant denomination baptized fewer people in 2008 for the fourth year in a row to reach the lowest level since 1987. What denomination is it?
(Southern Baptist)
[SPORTS] Who did the New Orleans Saint select in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft?
(Malcolm Jenkins - CB Ohio State)
[LITERATURE] What Graham Greene novel, also a movie, begins with the following line, "A story has no beginning or end; arbitrarily one chooses that moment of experience from which to look back or from which to look ahead."
(The End of the Affair)
[POLITICS] Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, recently appearing on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart during her trip to the United States, is the first female president of what African country?
(Liberia)
[MUSIC] What artist performed the theme song to the television series "Buffy The Vampire Slayer"?
A.) Seven Mary Three
B.) Nerf Herder
C.) MXPX
(Nerf Herder)
[CURRENT EVENTS] What former vice presidential candidate died over the weeekend?
(Jack Kemp)
[CINEMA/ TELEVISION] Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich might be dumped into a Costa Rican jungle this summer as part of what upcoming reality TV show on NBC?
(“I’m a celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!”)
[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] With doubled outbound traffic capacity in Lake Charles, the Louisiana Department of Transportation will no longer implement what during hurricane evacuations?
(contraflow)
[MISCELLANEOUS] What national tourist attraction, completed in 1937, is the most popular place to commit suicide in the United States?
(The Golden Gate Bridge)
ROUND 2
[HISTORY] What Danish Philosopher, known for writing under various pseudonyms who present their own distinctive viewpoints in a complex dialogue, was born on this day in 1813?
(Soren Kierkegaard)
[RELIGION/SCIENCE] Is Earth the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th planet from the sun?
(3rd - Mercury, Venus, then Earth)
[SPORTS] Who did the Phillies defeat in the National League Championship Series last year to reach the world series?
(L.A. Dodgers)
[LITERATURE] What female author won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize in fiction for her book, Olive Kitteridge?
(Elizabeth Strout)
(Sean Hannity)
[MUSIC] Three of America's most beloved musical icons are teaming up for the 2009 Ballpark Tour. The jaunt kicks off July 2nd in Sauget, Illinois, with the trio playing minor league baseball stadiums across the country until August 15th. Name 1 of the 3.
(Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and John Mellencamp)
[CURRENT EVENTS] Since the crackdown on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil, close to 6,500 civilians have been killed and many thousands more wounded in the past three months during heavy fighting in what country?
[CINEMA/TELEVISION] WB has announced that this famous comic book character, who possesses a power ring that gives him great control over the physical world, will be adapted into a screenplay and filmed with a $150 million dollar budget.
(The Green Lantern)
[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Name 1 of the 2 former political figures who visited Cameron Parish last month as part of the Coastal Recovery Fund to to assess hurricane damage and recovery progress in Southwest Louisiana following the 2008 hurricane season?
(George H. Bush and James Baker)
[MISCELLANEOUS] What are the two longest rivers in the United States?
(Mississippi and the Missouri)
ROUND 3
[HISTORY] On December 20, 1860, what was the first state to secede from the Union?
(South Carolina)
[RELIGION/SCIENCE] Every year between 2001 and 2008, former President Bush's calendar was cleared on the first Thursday in May to celebrate what national observance organized by James and Shirley Dobson?
(National Day of Prayer)
[SPORTS] The NBA's oldest active player career at age 42 said his lengthy career is finished, after a knee injury knocked him out of the Rockets' playoff game against the Portland Trailblazers. Who is he?
(Dikembe Mutombo)
[LITERATURE] What book did Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez give to President Barack Obama, rocketing it to the No. 2 seller on Amazon.com?
(Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent," by Uruguayan journalist Eduardo Galeano)
[POLITICS] While Obama spoke about creating a consumer-friendly credit card system last month morning, the current National Economic Council Chairman fell asleep. Who is he?
(Lawrence Summers)
[MUSIC] U2's "Angel of Harlem" was written about what singer?
(Billie Holiday)
[CURRENT EVENTS] Police are searching for George Zinkhan after his ex-wife and two other men were shot to death outside a local theater company last month. He is a marketing professor at what university?
(University of Georgia)
[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What actress portrayed Thelma-Mae Crowley Harper on the television show Mama's Family?
(Vicki Lawrence)
(Lake Charles Children's Museum)
[MISCELLANEOUS] What is the third largest submarine sandwich chain in the United States, trailing Subway and Quiznos?
(Blimpie)
ROUND 4
[HISTORY] The 1st US Minimum Wage Law was instituted in 1938, at how much money per hour?
A.) 25 cents
B.) 75 cents
C.) 1 dollar
(25 cents)
[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What is the softest mineral, having a hardness of one (1) on the Mohs Hardness Scale?
(Talc)
[SPORTS] The Los Angeles Galaxy recently received $10 millions dollars to extend the loan of David Beckham to what European soccer club until July?
(A.C. Milan)
[LITERATURE] Although he died in 1977, the author of Pale Fire will have a new novel released this year - The Original of Laura. Who is he?
(Vladimir Nabokov)
[POLITICS] Proposed legislation would place a cap on merit-based TOPS scholarships in Louisiana at an amount that would fully cover tuition costs at every state public college except two. Name them [no partial credit]
(LSU - Baton Rouge and the University of New Orleans)
[MUSIC] With a successful but often tense Pixies reunion tour behind her, Kim Deal and her band, have just self-released the Fate to Fatal EP. What is the name of her band?
(The Breeders)
(Bea Arthur)
[CINEMA/TELEVISION] On April 27th what actress will begin a fast of water only in solidarity with the people of Darfur?
(Mia Farrow)
A.) 99
B.) 108
C.) 112
(112)
[MISCELLANEOUS] Keanu Reeves plays former Ohio State Quarterback Johnny Utah in what 1991 film?
(Point Break)
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Next Drink'n'Think: Tuesday, May 5th
Lazy Genius barely pulled out the victory last night, beating the Nutcutters by two points. A special thanks to Michael Crawford for producing a much needed IPOD cable. Thanks to everyone for playing and we will see you next month on Cinco De Mayo.
The questions from last night:
ROUND 1
[HISTORY] On what date in history did King George III of England note in his diary: "Nothing of importance happened today."
(July 4, 1776)
[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What constellation points to the south celestial pole?
(The Southern Cross)
[SPORTS] At 11 national titles, UCLA currently holds the record for the most NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championships. The University of Kentucky is second, with 7 national titles. Who is third with 5 national titles?
(Indiana University/UNC)
[LITERATURE] Born on July 24, 1895 this English poet, translator, and novelist produced over 140 works, including "I, Claudius" and "King Jesus."
(Robert Graves)
[POLITICS] The longest-serving U.S. Senator in Kentucky’s history, and the current Senate Republican Leader in the 111th Congress, was quoted as saying, "President Bush had become extremely unpopular, and politically he was sort of a millstone around our necks in both '06 and '08." Who is he?
(Mitch McConnell)
[MUSIC] A Northern Georgia District judge sentenced what rapper to 1 year and 1 day in prison on Friday, March 27 for felony weapons charges stemming from his October 2007 arrest on the eve of the BET Hip-Hop Awards?
(T.I.)
[CURRENT EVENTS] What global event, organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature, was held on March 28th and asked households and businesses to turn off their electricity for one hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change?
(Earth Hour)
[CINEMA/ TELEVISION] What sci-fi channel show's series finale aired last month, but has a spin-off (Caprica) and a movie in the works.
(Battlestar Gallactica)
[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] What band, best known for their early-nineties hit "Santa Monica", will play L'auberge on May 7th?
(Everclear)
[MISCELLANEOUS] Is Roger Moore the actor who portrayed James Bond in seven films beginning with Live and Let Die alive or dead?
(alive - 81 years old)
ROUND 2
[HISTORY] On this day in 1947, what automotive pioneer died at age 83.
(Henry Ford)
[RELIGION/SCIENCE] Labeled as heretics by the Church of Rome in the 5th Century for believing that Christ had only a single divine nature, the members of the this denomination of Christianity number one million and constitute 60% of all Christians in Egypt?
(Coptic Church)
[SPORTS] What university's football team played in the first seven Holiday Bowls?
(Brigham Young University)
[LITERATURE] What Irish, Nobel Prize winning poet recently won the David Cohen Prize for Literature (worth 40,000 pounds) for lifetime achievement?
(Seamus Heaney)
[POLITICS] After President Obama's dismissal of a pot-related question during a recent town hall meeting, the country's leading marijuana advocacy group saw its donations quadruple 24 hours later. What is the name of the group?
(The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws)
[MUSIC] What pop star recently adopted a Malawian girl last week?
(Madonna)
[CURRENT EVENTS] Last week, an appeals court said a Pennsylvania police department was justified in firing an officer because he permanently lost which 1 of his 5 senses following an off-duty motorcycle accident?
(His sense of smell) - The court said the firing was valid because police need their sense of smell to detect substances like drugs, alcohol, hazardous materials
[CINEMA/TELEVISION] Jennifer Jason Leigh was approached to play the part of Libby on what current ABC television show, but she declined.
(LOST)
[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Last month, a text message circulated around the lake area warning residents that a gang initiation would be taking place at what store?
(Wal-Mart)
[MISCELLANEOUS] What is nation's longest interstate highway, connecting Boston and Seattle?
(I-90)
ROUND 3
[HISTORY] Who told Winston Churchill "that the French regard him as the reincarnation of Joan of Arc"?
(Charles de Gaulle)
[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What part of the brain is often referred to as the fear center, helping us decide whether to fight, take flight, or be afraid?
(The amygdala)
[SPORTS] Whose number 4 was the first number ever retired in major league baseball, in 1939?
(Lou Gerhig).
[LITERATURE] What Russian novel's opening line reads, "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."
(Anna Karenina by Tolstoy)
[POLITICS] What Texan ended up with one delegate after spending $12 million of his own money running for president in 1980?
(John Connally)
[MUSIC] What song was recently voted the best karaoke song for men by Askmen.com? It’s repetitive, it doesn’t require a lot of work, and most men associate it with Easy Rider.
(Born to Be Wild by Steppenwolf)
[CURRENT EVENTS] What prestigous, London-based medical journal openly accused the Pope of distorting scientific evidence to promote Catholic doctrine on the issue of condoms and HIV/AIDS?
(The Lancet)
[CINEMA/TELEVISION] Nominated for 10 academy awards this film was set in the mid 1800s, around the time of the U.S. Civil War and Tammany Hall political corruption, and featured Bill "The
Butcher" Cutting.
(Gangs of New York)
[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] What member of this year's American Idol final 10 was born and raised in Sulphur, Louisiana?
(Michael Sarver)
[MISCELLANEOUS] What was the first U.S service academy to admit women?
(The Coast Guard Academy in July of 1976)
ROUND 4
[HISTORY] What markswoman did Sitting Bull dub "Little Sure Shot?
(Annie Oakley)
[RELIGION/SCIENCE] Though perhaps best known for portraying the Hindu saint Gandhi, this British actor is a member of the Religious Society of Friends.
(Ben Kingsley)
[SPORTS] Last month, what goalie reached a record 552nd win, passing Hall of Famer Patrick Roy for the most career victories in NHL history?
(Martin Brodeur)
[LITERATURE] Using the pen name J.D. Robb, What popular romance novelist branched out into the world of detective fiction with her book series "In Death"?
(Nora Roberts)
[POLITICS] On a recommendation from the California Air Resources Board, The Golden State is currently considering legislation to restrict what consumer option on new automobiles?
(Color - Apparently, the California Air Resources Board figures that the climate control systems of dark colored cars need to work harder than their lighter siblings – using more
energy)
[MUSIC] Metallica will be inducted into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame with all of its former members except the one who currently fronts the band Megadeth. Who is he?
(Dave Mustaine)
[CURRENT EVENTS] Relics of 39 saints were found in a 12th-century German portable altar by the the staff at what museum, last month?
(The British Museum). The altar had been donated in 1902, but had not been opened until today
[CINEMA/TELEVISION] Name any 1 of the 5 original MTV VJ's.
(Martha Quinn, J.J. Jackson, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter and Nina Blackwood)
[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] What blues legend was "discovered" by musicologist John Lomax in 1930 while serving time in the Angola Prison Farm (Louisiana State Penitentiary)?
(Lead Belly or Huddie William Ledbetter)
[MISCELLANEOUS] In the banking world, what does FDIC stand for?
(Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation)
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Next Drink'n'Think: April 7th, 2009
Congratulations to the Dirty Briefs for bringing home the victory and creeping their way up the all-time leader board. Thanks to everyone for coming out and playing. A big thanks to Brock for the drink specials and ipod cable!
Here are the questions from last night:
ROUND 1
[HISTORY] On this day in 1933, what acclaimed movie premiered in New York featuring Fay Wray as leading lady? A remake was released in 2005.
(King Kong)
[RELIGION/SCIENCE] Last month Apple announced the public beta test of which product, said to be the world's fastest and most innovative web browser?
(Safari 4)
[SPORTS] In last month's NBA All-Star game, the traditional game of H-O-R-S-E was renamed after the events sponsor. What was the name of the sponsor?
(GEICO)
[LITERATURE] What famous author, who wrote "The Edible Woman" in 1969, recently declined an invitation to the international Dubai literary festival after a romantic novel by Britain's Geraldine Bedell (The Gulf Between Us) was reportedly banned from the festival?
(Margaret Atwood)
[POLITICS] Who is the current governor of Idaho?
(C.L. "Butch" Otter)
[MUSIC] Last month, what band announced both a tour with Jane's addiction and temporary retirement after 2009? The lead singer is quoted as saying, "2009 marks the 20th anniversary of our first release. I've been thinking for some time now it's time to disappear for a while."
(Nine Inch Nails)
[CURRENT EVENTS] Manuel Uribe, dubbed the world's fattest man by the Guiness Book of World Records, weighed 1,257 pounds at his heaviest. In the past two years, however, he has lost how much weight in preparation for marriage?
A.) 360 lbs
B.) 480 lbs
C.) 570 lbs
(570 lbs)
[CINEMA/ TELEVISION] Name one of the two years in which the Oscar ceremony was delayed because of a national political crisis.
(1968: Martin Luther King Jr. assassination. 1981: President Ronald Reagan assassination attempt.)
[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Name the sister city of Lake Charles.
(Sioux city, Iowa)
[MISCELLANEOUS] What country has approved a 1.7 billion dollar plan to launch its first astronauts into space by 2015?
(India)
ROUND 2
[HISTORY] On this day in 2005, what now deceased adventurer became the first person to fly a plane solo, non-stop around the globe without refuelling?
(Steve Fossett)
[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What Christian denomination restricts the consumption of pork or other unclean meat as identified in the book of Leviticus and adheres to the teachings of Ellen G. White?
(Seventh-day Adventists)
[SPORTS] What is the last name of the 7-foot twins who played basketball at Stanford and currently play in the NBA for the New Jersey Nets and Phoenix Suns?
(Brook and Robin Lopez)
[LITERATURE] In a soon to be filmed biopic actor James Franco is slated to play what young poet, who published "Howl" at the age of twenty-nine?
(Ginsberg)
[POLITICS] According to a report by the Department of Health and Human Services, health care will cost the average american what amount this year?
A.) $7,000
B.) $8,000
C.) $9,000
($8,000)
[MUSIC] What group won a 2009 Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album?
(Radiohead for "In Rainbows")
[CURRENT EVENTS] What computer company recently put a $250,000 bounty on the Conficker computer worm's creator?
(Microsoft)
[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What early nineties television show featured Stephen Baldwin as William F. Cody and Josh Brolin as James Butler Hickok?
(Young Riders)
[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Last month at Fort Polk, workers were exposed to a mystery substance after a back hoe broke open three, buried glass vials. What was the mystery substance?
(Diluted mustard and blistering agent used to decontaminate harmful chemicals during World War II)
[MISCELLANEOUS] According to a recent 60 minutes segment, more than 100 college presidents, including the heads of Dartmouth, Virginia Tech and Duke have signed a declaration to reverse what law instituted in the mid-1980s that was intended to reduce highway fatalities.
(National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 - raising the drinking age from 18 to 21)
ROUND 3
[HISTORY] On this day in 1966 what American rapper and actor (most notably for his role as Emilio in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective) was born?
(Tone Loc - Anthony Terrell Smith)
[RELIGION/SCIENCE] How long does a nanosecond last?
(one billionth of a second)
[SPORTS] The United States is in Pool D of the World Baseball Classic (staring in 2 days!). Name 1 of the 3 other teams in this pool.
(Venezuela, Italy, Canada)
[LITERATURE] What university's three-year Master of Fine Arts writing program is the best-funded MFA program in the United States? Endowed by the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist James A. Michener, the program provides all of its students with a $25,000 non-teaching fellowship, plus an average of $2,000 each summer.
(University of Texas, Austin)
[POLITICS] What former G.W. Bush cabinet member has agreed to a three-book deal with Crown Publishers, starting with a memoir in 2010?
(Condoleeza Rice)
[MUSIC] This band, famously known for their 1989 video that ended with a fish flopping around and gasping for air, is reuniting in 2009.
(Faith No More)
[CURRENT EVENTS] On March 16th, two men will go to court to settle a long-standing dispute over the authenticity of their respective windows from this famous building in Dallas, Texas.
(Texas Schoolbook Depository Building - now the Dallas County Administration Building)
[CINEMA/TELEVISION] In the movie "Child's Play" what is Chucky's full name? It is derived from the names of three notorious killers.
(Charles Lee Ray - Charles Manson, Lee Harvey Oswald, James Earl Ray)
[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] What city in Louisiana hosts the Railroad Days festival every April?
(DeQuincy)
[MISCELLANEOUS] Last year, five employees of the health-care provider New Zealand Care resigned when the company ordered them to provide what service to patients who requested it?
(assistance in masturbation)
ROUND 4
[HISTORY] Grand Rapids, Michigan was the 1st US city to fluoridate its water in what year?
A.) 1943
B.) 1945
C.) 1947
(1945)
[RELIGION/SCIENCE] Serena and Venus Williams support the presidency of Barak Obama, but they didn't vote...at all. This is because they are followers of what religion that discourages involvement in politics?
(Jehovah's Witnesses)
[SPORTS] Last week the the Saints released their franchise rushing leader (6,069 yards). Who is he?
(Deuce McAllister)
[LITERATURE] The New York Post's celebrity and gossip supplement recently named 2 authors to the 50 "hottest bachelors" in New York City. Name 1 of the 2. Hint: one is 61 years old the other is 33 years old.
(Salman Rushdie and Keith Gessen)
[POLITICS] Researchers at the New England Historic Genealogical Society found that Barack Obama is a distant cousin of what actor, recently nominated for best actor in a leading role?
(Brad Pitt)
[MUSIC] How were Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison when they died?
(27 years old)
[CURRENT EVENTS] Electronic Arts' is soon to release a video game based on what famous 14th-century epic poem?
(The Divine Comedy. The game will be called Dante's Inferno starring Dante as a warrior slashing his way through hell)
[CINEMA/TELEVISION] Who is the first character to speak in Star Wars?
(C3PO)
[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Secretary of State Jay Dardenne says his office is working on plans for a 30,000-square-foot expansion for what museum located in Monroe, Louisiana?
(the Chennault Air and Military Museum of Louisiana)
[MISCELLANEOUS] Is American author Ray Bradbury alive or dead?
(alive - 88 years old)