We missed questions about U.S. history, African history and Japanese casino games in our most recent bout of virtual trivia. My brain was cooperative enough to know the city and year in which Robert Kennedy was assassinated, but not cooperative enough to know the city where another important event took place that same year! Well, sometimes you can’t have it all on trivia nights, can ya? Wasn’t there some old ’60s song where they sing about not knowing much about history – and other school subjects? Or is that too old of a pop culture reference?

We wound up finishing with 60 total points and in fourth place overall. The game’s “How did you know that” moment was when my trivia pardner asked me about a female athlete’s nickname, which was the same as a male athlete’s nickname. Damn, I have to answer SO many questions on trivia nights, don’t I? Woe is me (LOL)!

Round One

1) Internet – What web browser developed by the Mozilla Foundation was first introduced in 2002 under the code name “Phoenix?”

2) Boy Bands – What boy band formed in 1993 is made up of members named AJ, Howie, Nick, Kevin, and Brian?

NERD POINT: What was the name of this group’s first Las Vegas concert residency?

Missed the nerd bonus point, but made the right guess for the band (whew)! I don’t know much about boy bands! Maybe I’ll have to do my own “I don’t know much about…” song.

3) Star Trek – What humanoid species in the Star Trek universe is associated with the “mind meld” and “nerve pinch?” To miss this would be illogical.

4) Mythology – What was the name of Venus’ counterpart in Greek mythology?

Mystery One – Geography Changes

Name the decade in which the given geography-changing events took place.

M1. Arizona and New Mexico become U.S. states AND Czechoslovakia is formed

M2. Serbia and Montenegro become separate countries AND Burj Khalifa becomes the world’s tallest building after being topped-out

M3. Seventeen African countries gain independence during the “Year of Africa” AND Brasilia becomes the new capital of Brazil

M4. The Soviet Union breaks up AND East and West Germany are formally reunited

Missed #3, we were off by one decade, though we did discuss the right one.

Round Two

5) U.S. History – The 1968 Democratic National Convention, held amidst anti-Vietnam War protests and police violence, was held in what U.S. city? Robert Kennedy would not be one to sing that Randy Newman song “I Love L.A.,” would he? Too soon? Miss.

6) 1970s Movies – In the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Mr. Slugworth, a supposed rival of Wonka, approaches each of the Golden Ticket winners to bribe them to steal what revolutionary candy invention while on the factory tour? Oh the candy espionage…

7) Nicknames – Considered one of the greatest athletes of all time, Mildred Didrikson Zaharias was commonly known by what nickname that she shared with another notable athlete? I may have remembered her nickname, but I wasn’t so sure on her sport (can’t get everything in a trivia game sometimes).

Question Eight – Same Name – What type of pinball-like gaming device lends its name to a 2017 novel by Min Jin Lee and a 2022 Apple TV+ adaptation of that novel? Miss, never watched this and have never set foot inside a Japanese casino.

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.

Name the cities that are considered the “Big Four” fashion capitals in the 21st century.

Every team aced this round. The top team had 48 points going into the final, we were in fourth with 45 points, tied with one other team.

Final Category – Animals

What critically endangered animal has a name derived from Malay meaning “forest person,” and has three known species—Bornean, Sumatran, and Tapanuli?

I think most teams got this. Our standings unchanged.

As always, Go Pods, and stay classy, Sirhan Sirhan.