We had 19 teams come out to Professor Thom's on a rainy night in Manhattan. I figured we'd still get a good turnout, with Thanksgiving weekend on the horizon.
Thanksgiving Trivia showed some mixed results, but the numbers were generally pretty strong for True or False Trivia and General Knowledge. Going into IQ Trivia, we had five teams within two points of each other.
But the team of Jerry's Kids, who was in first place, got all five correct in the final round to ice the victory with 53 points to win by five. Congratulations to them on their first ever Trivia Night win. Second place went to Scott Pilgrim Vs. The Indians with 48 points, and we had a tie for third place with 47 points between I Last Longer Than The NBA Lockout and Life's a Taco.
Best Team Name: Shopping For a Turkey? The Supercommittee's Got 12!
Current Events
1. What 36-year-old actor was selected by People magazine as it's "Sexiest Man Alive" for 2011?
2. What actor/comedian was named host of January's Golden Globe Awards after his much talked-about appearance from earlier this year?
3. The latest survey from Public Policy Polling had what candidate now in first place among the Republican presidential candidates?
4. Mario Monti became prime minister of what country last week?
5. Finland is currently in a fight over the "ownership" of the Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights, with what other European country, as both countries believe they are mostly closely associated with it?
6. Greg Halman, a 23-year-old MLB prsopect from the Netherlands, was stabbed to death yesterday by his brother in his native country. Which AL team did he play 35 games for in 2011?
7. What rock superstar announced on his website on Monday that he will embark on his first tour in three years in 2012, with a new album coming out next year as well?
Thanksgiving Trivia
1. What US president issued the "Thanksgiving Proclamation" making the last Thursday in November the holiday?
2. In which decade did the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade take place?
3. Which West African country also celebrates a Thanksgiving Day every November?
4. How many days did the first Thanksgiving last in 1621?
5. The first Thanksgiving celebration in America took place in what state?
6. Which US president in the 20th century standardized the Thanksgiving holiday by making it the 4th Thursday in November?
7. What folk singer recorded "Alice's Restaurant", about a memorable Thanksgiving Day in his life?
True or False Trivia ("The Q Train")
1. Top-performing companies are called "blue chips" after the costliest chips in casinos.
2. Italian is not an official language of Switzerland.
3. The Davis Cup is awarded in the sport of golf.
4. Dallas is the largest city by population in the state of Texas.
5. George Orwell got the title for his novel "1984" by reversing the last two numbers, as it was written in 1948.
6. A silverfish is actually a fish colored silver.
7. Jerry Stiller, aka Frank Costanza, is the father of actor Ben Stiller.
8. The temperature of Absolute Zero is -459 degrees Fahrenheit.
9. Coca-Cola at one time actually contained cocaine.
10. The host of the children's TV show, "Blue's Clues", Steve Burns, died of a heroin overdose.
General Knowledge
1. Rocky Marciano was a world champion in what sport? ( 1 pt)
2. The meat stew called goulash comes from what European country? ( 1 pt)
3. How many seconds are there in one hour? ( 1 pt)
4. In 1978, Gerry Rafferty had a Top 10 hit song about what famous London street? ( 2 pt)
5. In what country would you cross the longest suspension bridge in the world? ( 2 pt)
6. According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2011 is the year of what animal? ( 2 pt)
7. In what European country is the International Olympic Committee headquarters located? (3 pt)
IQ Trivia
1. Seven women have held what presidential cabinet post, the most ever held by women? ( 4 points)
2. "United States-Vietnam Relations: 1945-1967" is the official name of what famous documents? ( 5 points)
3. Name 1 of the 2 actors who have been nominated for best Actor and Best Director Oscars in the same film on two different occasions? ( 4 points)
4. What director, known mostly for comedy films, directed Michale Jackson's "Thriller" video? ( 3 points)
5. "Expect Great Things" is the current slogan of what department store? ( 4 points)
Answers
Current Events
1. Bradley Cooper; 2. Ricky Gervais; 3. Newt Gingrich; 4. Italy; 5. Norway; 6. Seattle Mariners; 7. Bruce Springsteen.
Thanksgiving Trivia
1. Abraham Lincoln; 2. 1920s (1924); 3. Liberia; 4. three; 5. Massachusetts; 6. Franklin D. Roosevelt; 7. Arlo Guthrie.
True or False Trivia ("The Q Train")
1. true; 2. false; 3. false, tennis; 4. false, Houston; 5. true; 6. false, its a wingless insect; 7. true; 8. true; 9. true; 10. false, it's an urban legend.
General Knowledge
1. boxing; 2. Hungary; 3. 3600; 4. Baker Street; 5. Japan; 6. rabbit; 7. Switzerland.
IQ Trivia
1. Secretary of Labor; 2. The Pentagon Papers; 3. Clint Eastwood and Warren Beatty; 4. John Landis; 5. Kohl's.