It was a “rainy, let’s stay indoors” night. So my better half and I signed on for a virtual trivia game – but wound up playing two (not really). We got kicked out of the first game we signed up for, so signed on for a later game so we could finish things out. Interesting set of questions! There was only one we had an issue with (#2, for inquiring minds).

1. Actresses – What actress has credited roles in all of the following films?

Death at a Funeral, Avatar, and Guardians of the Galaxy

When discussing the answer, I said, “Remember? She was Smurfette in Avatar!” Then we got into a discussion about where Unobtainium is a stupid word or not (I say it is). He said it’s not. There are worse things for couples to bicker about!

2. Flags – How many colors are on the rainbow flag currently associated with the LGBTQ community? We had no idea that there was an “official” flag for this. Apparently a lot of other players didn’t know this either. The first host we played with (long story, technical difficulties, yada yada) said she would have accepted either the numbers 6 OR 11. Not any of the numbers in between (?). This is kind of a tell that maybe…just maybe – this question should have been not asked – or reworded to be more specific.

3. Video Games – Michael, Trevor, and Franklin are the three lead characters that players control in what 2013 video game published by Rockstar Games?

4. Long-Running TV – Who hosted a long-running CBS variety show that was originally called Toast of the Town when it debuted in 1948?

5. Humor – Deep Thoughts; Deeper Thoughts: All New, All Crispy; and Deepest Thoughts: So Deep They Squeak are all books by what humorist? Miss, we thought this was Al Franken.

6: Top Songs – In May 2021, what country won the Eurovision Song Contest with a song that has a title that translates into English as “Be Quiet and Behave”? Miss.

7. Cars – What automaker has produced models including the Justy and the Legacy? Mike said to me – “How do know Justy?” I said, “How do you not? They were really cute!”

8. Food – What type of fish is used in an unagi roll? Thankfully Mike knew this…

9. Stadiums – Fenway Park and Wrigley Field are by far the two oldest stadiums currently used by Major League Baseball teams, opening in 1912 and 1914, respectively. Which stadium is next oldest on the list, having opened in 1962?

NERD POINT: Which MLB team plays its home games in the newest stadium?

We tried…and failed on both parts of this.

10. Military – The U.S. Air Force facility commonly known as Area 51 is located in which state? Mike the Army brat steered us right here.

Mystery – Billy Joel song initials

Name the hit song by Billy Joel that has a two-word title with the same initials as the first and last names of the person described in each of the clues.

Give the full name of the song, NOT the person’s name or initials!

Example: If I said, “Ohio-born inventor of the phonograph who is also known as the Wizard of Menlo Park,” the answer would be “The Entertainer” because Thomas Edison = TE = “The Entertainer”

I got really excited and started writing down two-word Billy Joel song titles right away. Two of the ones I wrote down wound up being the answers we needed. I’m always excited to answer questions about Billy Joel songs as long as they’re not THAT song (you KNOW the 1989 song I mean – the one that is way overused for trivia questions). I HATE THAT SONG! Not just because we’ve failed in trivia questions about the song – but because I think that song is a waste of his talents. I mean – you have one of the best living rock pianists – and he’s plunking out pentatonic melodies like some dumb kid playing a family member’s piano while they all cringe and hope he gets bored with it really soon (Excedrin headache #47)?

Rant over… 🙂

M1. Actress and director known for her role as Laverne DeFazio on Laverne & Shirley

M2. 18th president of the United States

M3. Actor who co-starred with Will Smith as Marcus Burnett in the Bad Boys film franchise

M4. Author of Dracula

Final Category – Companies

What West Coast-based retail company, established in its current form in 1983, has over 800 locations worldwide, including in all but five U.S. states?
The company is the first in the world to go from zero to three billion dollars in sales in under six years.

We’re 50/50 on questions in this category. Really, it’s more like 25/75. 10/90? That’s more accurate! Yeah, this just isn’t our category…miss.

There was a tiebreaker question which was as follows:

As of April 2021, how many Sam’s Club locations are there?

Still no idea when we’ll venture back to “indoor trivia.” It’s still a “wait and see” thing. We’ll continue doing the virtual games when the itch demands scratching!

As always, Go Pods, and stay classy, Ed Sullivan!