So far, me and others have tested our trivia “mettle” in the topics of 1970s and 1990s pop culture. Here is my best effort at a question set – two regular rounds – two mystery rounds – and two final questions – based on pop culture from the 1980s! I used same categories as the questions we had about 1970s and 1990s pop culture. Let’s see how you do on these!
1) TV Sisters – Denise, Rudy and Vanessa were sisters on what NBC series that aired from 1984 to 1992?
2) Sports Stars – What MLB team is associated with the phrase “Bless You Boys,” mainly because of their World Series success?
3) Video Games – In what Atari arcade game released in 1985 could you play characters named Thyra, Thor, Merlin or Questor?
4) Non-Video Games – What category would you have been asked about if you landed on an orange square in the original version of Trivial Pursuit?
5)#1 Songs – With 27 total, Michael Jackson songs ranked first during the decade of the 1980s for the length of time his songs were #1 on the charts. Name any one of the other three top artists whose songs spent at least 16 weeks in the #1 position.
6) Animated Movies – What was the first Disney Animation Studios movie released during the decade of the 1980s (released in 1981)?
7) Commercials – Clara Peller was the elderly pitchwoman for what fast food company’s advertisements featuring the phrase “Where’s the beef?”
8) Rappers – What rapper is mentioned by name in the 1980 Blondie song “Rapture?”
9) Computers – Within one, in what year in the 1980s was the computer the winner of Time magazine’s “person of the year?”
10) TV Movies – Actress Cynthia Gibb played what real-life singer – who died of complications of an eating disorder in 1983 – in a biographical film released in 1989?
MYSTERY: For this mystery round, your team can give four answers and can put them in any order you choose. You will receive two points for each correct answer.
Of the 30 highest grossing films released in the 1980s, eight of them were stand-alone movies and not part of any franchise. Name four of those films (besides E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial).
FINAL: The Grammys
Female singer Bonnie Raitt won the 1989 Grammy Award for Album of the Year for her album “Nick of Time.” Name any three of the other five female artists whom were nominated for that same Grammy Award – but did not win during the decade of the 1980s (not counting collaborative albums).
1. Musicals – Name any two of the four Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals to have had Broadway runs originating in the decade of the 1980s.
2. Purchases – For what popular toy did buyers pay an “adoption fee?”
3. Graphics – What street artist – who died of AIDS complications in 1990 – created the “Crack is Wack” mural in New York City?
4. Toys – Barbie the doll has had a number of pets over the years, including a horse, dogs, cats, a panda and a zebra, among others. What was the name of the Barbie’s blonde palomino horse little girls in the 1980s could beg their parents to buy for them?
5. Animals – What was the animal-inspired nickname of 1980s movie character Mick Dundee?
6. Songs – What singer-songwriter sang about the exploits of the young lovers Jack and Diane?
7. Movies – How do the characters played by Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin die in the 1988 movie Beetlejuice?
8. Athletes – What household appliance served as the nickname for defensive lineman William Perry – who played for the Bears in the 1980s – and later – the Eagles?
9. TV Themes – Jan Hammer wrote the instrumental theme for what crime series that aired on NBC from 1984 to 1990?
10. Video Games – Within one, in what year did the Ms. Pacman video game make her debut?
Mystery Round – From Group to Solo
The 1980s saw the beginning of a number of artists who launched solo careers after being in popular groups. Based on the release years and titles of their solo hits in the 1980s, name at least one of the GROUPS for which they were previously a member before having their 1980s hits.
M1 – 1987 – “Heaven is a Place on Earth.”
M2 – 1987- “I’ve Got My Mind Set On You.”
M3 – 1988 – “My Prerogative.”
M4 – 1983 – “Some Guys Have All The Luck.”
Final Category – Candy
Name any three of the five flavors of Runts candy from their original 1982 lineup.
1) TV Sisters – Denise, Rudy and Vanessa were sisters on what NBC series that aired from 1984 to 1992? COSBY SHOW
2) Sports Stars – What MLB team is associated with the phrase “Bless You Boys,” mainly because of their World Series success? TIGERS
3) Video Games – In what Atari arcade game released in 1985 could you play characters named Thyra, Thor, Merlin or Questor? GAUNTLET
4) Non-Video Games – What category would you have been asked about if you landed on an orange square in the original version of Trivial Pursuit? SPORTS
5)#1 Songs – With 27 total, Michael Jackson songs ranked first during the decade of the 1980s for the length of time his songs were #1 on the charts. Name any one of the other three top artists whose songs spent at least 16 weeks in the #1 position. LIONEL RICHIE PAUL MCCARTNEY GEORGE MICHAEL
6) Animated Movies – What was the first Disney Animation Studios movie released during the decade of the 1980s (released in 1981)? FOX AND THE HOUND
7) Commercials – Clara Peller was the elderly pitchwoman for what fast food company’s advertisements featuring the phrase “Where’s the beef?” WENDY’S
8) Rappers – What rapper is mentioned by name in the 1980 Blondie song “Rapture?” FAB FIVE FREDDY
9) Computers – Within one, in what year in the 1980s was the computer the winner of Time magazine’s “person of the year?” 1982
10) TV Movies – Actress Cynthia Gibb played what real-life singer – who died of complications of an eating disorder in 1983 – in a biographical film released in 1989? KAREN CARPENTER
MYSTERY: For this mystery round, your team can give four answers and can put them in any order you choose. You will receive two points for each correct answer.
Of the 30 highest grossing films released in the 1980s, eight of them were stand-alone movies and not part of any franchise. Name four of those films (besides E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial).
Top Gun, Rain Man, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Fatal Attraction, Coming to America, Dead Poets Society, Out of Africa, Twins
FINAL: The Grammys
Female singer Bonnie Raitt won the 1989 Grammy Award for Album of the Year for her album “Nick of Time.” Name any three of the other five female artists whom were nominated for that same Grammy Award – but did not win during the decade of the 1980s (not counting collaborative albums).
Barbra Streisand, Kim Carnes, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Tracy Chapman
1. Musicals – Name any two of the four Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals to have had Broadway runs originating in the decade of the 1980s. CATS STARLIGHT EXPRESS ASPECTS OF LOVE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
2. Purchases – For what popular toy did buyers pay an “adoption fee?” CABBAGE PATCH KIDS
3. Graphics – What street artist – who died of AIDS complications in 1990 – created the “Crack is Wack” mural in New York City? KEITH HARING
4. Toys – Barbie the doll has had a number of pets over the years, including a horse, dogs, cats, a panda and a zebra, among others. What was the name of the Barbie’s blonde palomino horse little girls in the 1980s could beg their parents to buy for them? DALLAS
5. Animals – What was the animal-inspired nickname of 1980s movie character Mick Dundee? CROCODILE
6. Songs – What singer-songwriter sang about the exploits of the young lovers Jack and Diane? JOHN COUGAR or any other name he has used in the past…
7. Movies – How do the characters played by Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin die in the 1988 movie Beetlejuice? DROWNING
8. Athletes – What household appliance served as the nickname for defensive lineman William Perry – who played for the Bears in the 1980s – and later – the Eagles? REFRIGERATOR
9. TV Themes – Jan Hammer wrote the instrumental theme for what crime series that aired on NBC from 1984 to 1990? MIAMI VICE
10. Video Games – Within one, in what year did the Ms. Pacman video game make her debut? 1981
Mystery Round – From Group to Solo
The 1980s saw the beginning of a number of artists who launched solo careers after being in popular groups. Based on the release years and titles of their solo hits in the 1980s, name at least one of the GROUPS for which they were previously a member before having their 1980s hits.
M1 – 1987 – “Heaven is a Place on Earth.” GO-GOS
M2 – 1987- “I’ve Got My Mind Set On You.” BEATLES
M3 – 1988 – “My Prerogative.” NEW EDITION
M4 – 1983 – “Some Guys Have All The Luck.” MULTIPLE ANSWERS FOR THIS ONE NOT LISTING THEM ALL BUT THE GUY IS ROD STEWART
Final Category – Candy
Name any three of the five flavors of Runts candy from their original 1982 lineup.
BANANA CHERRY STRAWBERRY ORANGE LIME