A trio of ‘Pods visited Tower Inn Cafe for its Sporcle Live scene Tuesday, won a $20/first place in game one. But the even bigger news is…I think we’ve finally found “the” trivia spot! We’ve been kind of “exploring” a few trivia spots virtually this entire season, and have opted not to be in tournament contention in either the Sporcle Live or My Trivia Live leagues. For now, Tower Inn appears to be a good spot for us – the night works for at least 2-3 of our players, the drink prices are decent, and most importantly, it’s close to home! Interestingly enough, it’s right next door to the Wurst Bar, where we previously played in the MTL league – winning semifinal spots eight consecutive times. Speaking of MTL, we had given thought to trying out a MTL spot when its new season begins around the end of November, but have decided to hold off on that for now. As for Original Gravity, we’ll see how the last two games of the season shake out, and take the winter season off from playing there – and revisit the bar in the spring.

There was a palpable election night energy to Tower Inn on this night, as people in the back room could be heard cheering when election result predictions were showing on the screen. It kind of reminded me of a trivia night at Red Rock back in 2012 when we’d finished a trivia game and sat at the bar watching the returns come in.

On to the game…

Game One
1. Amendments – The 15th, 19th and 26th amendments to the Constitution all involve prohibiting the denial of what right to people? 10

2. You’re Fired! – In October, 2018, what journalist and political commentator was fired from the third hour of Today for making insensitive on-air comments? 9

3. Movie Titles – Name either of the cities completing the titles of films released in 1981 and 1997 – An American Werewolf in (blank)? Name both for a “nerd” bonus point. Got this for 8 plus the bonus.

4. U.S. States – What U.S. state has used the nicknames Bear State, Land of Opportunity and the Natural State, among other nicknames? FB clue, 7

5. Numbers – What is the two-word term used for writing out numbers that are either too large or too small – using exponents? Miss for 1.

6. Teams – In 2018, Forbes rated what soccer team the most valuable team in the world for the second consecutive year? We debated between two including the one that was correct, picked the wrong one for 3.

Silly meme I made a while back incorporating a still from In the Name of the Father and a line from the song of the same name played in the opening scenes of the film. The song is performed by Bono and Gavin Friday…my God…Gavin Friday has SUCH a sexy voice in this song! I want him to read audiobooks to me! 🙂 You can listen to this song by clicking here

7. Authors – William Peter Blatty was the author of what 1971 novel and also wrote the screenplay for the 1973 film on which the novel was based? My teammates asked how I knew this one – I said “How do you forget a name like Blatty?” And doesn’t it sound like something someone might blurt out while in the throes of demonic possession? Yes, I know I probably gave a clue to the answer here – but so what? 

8. Cosmetics – What is the name for the French cosmetics line that includes hair products sold under the name Fructis – among others? We were a little worried about this category, but thankfully I use one of these hair products! At least I think I do… 5

9. Cards – What is the name for individual hands in Bridge, Spades and Euchre? Miss for 2. Card sharks we’re not, apparently!

10. Singers – What rapper released albums called In My Mind and Girl, one of which included his biggest hit single Happy? Yay a rap question I knew the answer to! BTW, this song actually sounds quite good when played on a decent sound system…it actually has more depth to it than you would think! Not that I would go out of my way to listen to what is essentially the modern day version of Bobby McFerrin’s Don’t Worry Be Happy – but if it comes on the radio in my car I might not necessarily change the station!

Mystery- Quickfire
Name the four closest world capitals to London. Got all four. Thanks guys for talking me out of the one that shares its name with a tobacco brand!

Scores: Three teams (more showed for game two) – 45 points, 58 points and us in 61.

Final Category – Music on TV

Jazz musician Vince Guaraldi is best-known for writing the score to over a dozen TV programs based around characters created by what person?

As soon as this guy’s name was mentioned…commence my “triviagasm” moment!

Sad trivia note, Vince Guaraldi was only 47 when he died – dropping dead of either a heart attack or aneurysm.

 

Final standings: Let’s Rob a Bank, 62; ‘Pods, 79.

Game Two

1. Winners – What MLB team won four world Series titles in the 21st century, most recently doing so in October, 2018? 10

2. Movie Actors – Audio clue of two highest-grossing films featuring a particular actor. Let’s see, how about a hint? He’s also a “Dapper Dan Man” in a 2000 film… 9

I need to try mimicking this photo with me and others from my trivia team (whom always want to look away from the camera). Can you name the two highest-grossing films of the fella on the left? The scene shown here is NOT one of those movies!

3. Girl Groups – Nicole Scherzinger, Carmit Bachar, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta, Melody Thornton, and Kimberly Wyatt were members of what girl group who released albums in 2005 and 2008? Miss for 1.

4. Birds – The last confirmed sighting of a dodo occurred in what century? Who knows the name of the island nation where this happened? One of my recent trivia “obsessions,” got this for 8. Brad and I joked – “How’s about I lay all of my eggs on the ground – what’s the worst that could happen?” We are nerds…and we LOVE talking about extinct animals!

5. Video Games – What video game franchise included playable boards including Luigi’s Island, among others? There was more to this question, but I didn’t write it all down, Mike was on the right track, but we missed for 3.

6. TV Actresses – What TV actress played the title character in Veronica’s Closet, which aired from 1997 to 2000? 7

7. Book Characters – Greenleaf, Brandybuck, Wormtongue and Gamgee are all surnames of characters in books by what author? Mike’s triviagasm time… – he wrote down the answer and handed it in without consulting with us – imagine if either of us tried doing the same thing #youcanhavethepointsslipwhenyoupryitoutofmycolddeadhands 6

8. Asia – When this category was read, we wondered if it would be about the continent – or the arena rock band (no joke) – thankfully it was about the continent…Within one, not including Kashmir, how many different countries share a land border with India? Got this not exactly but within one, 4.

The cover of Asia’s 1996 album Arena. Their highest-charting songs are Heat of the Moment (#4, 1982) and Don’t Cry (#10, 1983). I went on one date with a guy in college who was a fan of this band. This was the last date I went on with this guy…I think we saw The Doors? Honestly, it wasn’t his taste in music (or lack thereof) that made me not want to date him again, though my husband likes to tease me about this! I actually had to cut the date short because I was coming down with the flu (I couldn’t make this up). I just wasn’t attracted to the guy, though he did keep calling me after that one date.

9. Months – Which month’s Latin name is derived from the Latin word for “ten?” 5

10. Sweets – Again, we wondered whether this would about goodies – or luxurious hotel rooms…it was not about hotel rooms! A blondie is a version of what popular dessert that uses vanilla instead of cocoa? Yum…2

Mystery –

Missed #2.

Scores: Eight teams, scores 25 to 57, with us and the Cat Burglars tied for first.

Final Category – Art

We almost always bet too confidently on this category…and ooops..we did it again!

Only five paintings are known to have sold for at least 200 million dollars. Name one of the five artists who are the attributed artists of those five paintings.

Betting zero would have put us in second…

Did not write down the names of the game winners – only one team managed to get this.

Until next time, which will be Thursday at Original Gravity. Weather permitting… As always, Go Pods, and stay classy, Megyn Kelly!