06/18/2026
Thank you guys for showing up for trivia! Hope to see you back next week ❤️
Here's something I really appreciate about hosting trivia games that I also create: many of the players seem to have some sense of ownership in the games. They value having a game that is not a run-of-the-mill ordinary contest. They enjoy the spirited competition and applaud other teams when only one squad gets an answer. They know that I spend a lot of time writing and thinking about the structure of the games and try to find a balance between easy, middle, and challenging questions. I also want a mix of pop culture and more scholarly categories and try to appeal to all age groups. And in every game I hope to have something that folks will carry with them as a little pearl of trivia they can share with other people. Here endeth today's humble brag.
Our return to action brought thirty-one players on six teams to Cliff's Taphouse. At halftime, the five-person crew of "Outrage!" and the quartet of "Jewish Space Lasers" were tied for first place with 570 points each. "Liver Let Die," the evening's largest squad with eight players, was just ten points behind in third place with 560. "Smartinis," a seven-person assemblage, was in fourth place with 450. The duo of "3 and a Half Men" had 310 in fifth place. And "Shots on Goal," a foursome for most of the night, which added a player late in the second round, had 250.
The top three teams remained fairly closely grouped throughout the second half, but "Outrage!" managed to extend its lead and finished in first place with 1330. "Jewish Space Lasers" finished regulation in second place with 1110. "Liver Let Die" broke the 1,000 points barrier with 1060. "Smartinis" just missed the mark with 990. "Shots on Goal," with the late addition staged a comeback of sorts and finished in fifth place with 950. And "3 and a Half Men" had 590.
The category for the Final Question was "From Screen to Stage."
What 1992 surrealist black comedy fantasy film...
-which was directed by Robert Zemeckis
-which starred two Academy Award-winning actresses and an Emmy Award-winning actor
-which won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects..was adapted into a 2024 Broadway musical, which will close on June 28, 2026, after 27 previews and 666 performances? (Answer below)
Here's a sampling of other questions from the game:
Category: "Candy" (30 points)
Within three years, plus or minus, when was Reese's Pieces introduced in the U.S.?
Category: "Brush Strokes" (40 points)
What toothpaste, now owned by Church & Dwight in the U.S., is famous for its 1950s slogan/jingle: "You'll wonder where the yellow went, when you brush your teeth with __________________."?
Category: "Viruses" (20 points)
The same virus which causes which common childhood disease can cause a painful case of shingles later in life?
Category: "Nicknames" (20 points)
Which state's official nickname is "The PIne Tree State"?
Category: "____________ of _____________" (40 points)
(Example-Helen of Troy)
What iconic American apparel brand, known for its provocative curve-enhancing lingerie, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2015 and closed all of its stores?
Category: "Hodgepodge" (100 points)
According to the Social Security Administration, of these names, which was most popular for girls born in 2025?
A) Isabella
B) Amelia
C) Mia
D) Evelyn
ANSWERS:
FQ-"Death Becomes Her"
1. 1978 (so the range was 1975-1981)
2. Pepsodent
3. chickenpox
4. Maine
5. Fredericks of Hollywood
6. B-Amelia (it was the 4th-most popular overall)
Four of the six teams answered the Final Question correctly. "Outrage!" closed out the win with a bet of 891 points to finish with 2221 and won $74 in cash. "Jewish Space Lasers" wagered 1090 points and took second with 2200, good for $50 in cash. The $25 gift certificate to Cliff's Taphouse was claimed by "Liver Let Die," which went all-in and bet 1060 and ended with a score of 2120.
A big and sincere thank you to everyone who came out to play and to the folks at Cliff's Taphouse for deciding to have us back sooner rather than later. I'll see you next Wednesday!
