TOSS UPS by A Few Sprinkles of Genius with a Chance of Doom (Iowa)
1.They recently announced plans to replace Frontier Field with a new 20,000 seat multi-purpose stadium sponsored by PaeTec - which isn't surprising, as they're one of the top drawing soccer teams in the U.S. Of course, considering they ply their trade in the A-League, this is no small feat. This isn't the only way they've beaten MLS - they're also the only non-MLS side to win the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup since MLS came into existence, doing so in 1999. FTP, identify this New York soccer team, A-League champions in 1998, 2000, and 2001.
A: Rochester Rhinos (Accept either)
2.C.M. Coolidge, allegedly the "inventor" of the carnival cut-out photo opportunity, returned from an 1873 trip to Europe with a taste for surrealism and a love of relaxing with his Rochester friends. To wit, he decided he would immortalize one of their gatherings on canvas. Hence, at 1:10 in the morning, the figure to the extreme left is almost broke, the figure in the center is likely intoxicated, judging by the empty bottles to his right, and the two winning players - the only ones with chips in front of them - are passing cards back and forth under the table with their hind paws. FTP, identify this famed work of art depicting canines around a green felt table.
A: Dogs Playing Poker (Accept equivalents)
3.It wasn't available in Illinois at its January 2001 launch - "due to reasons beyond our control" laments the official web site. Brewed in three places: the High Falls Brewing Company in Rochester, N.Y., the City Brewery in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and an old Schaefer brewery in Pennsylvania, the U.S. version contains none of its namesake product - however, if you manage to grab a bottle in Canada, Brazil, England, Ireland, or South Africa, demon vodka will cross your lips. FTP, identify this "malternative" beverage, distributed in the U.S. by Guinness despite it's recognizable vodka-flavored name.
A: SmirnoffIce
4.It is available in Potpourri, Lemon and Pine scents. The drop-in variety should last some fifty days before it needs to be used again, and its unique shape contributes to its rapid dissolution. Mixing it with bleach can form lethal chlorine gas. The active ingredient is benzalkonium chloride, not a little bathtub toy in a tank. FTP, name this toilet cleanser, probably the official toilet cleanser of this tournament.
A: ToiletDuck
5.One of the few NFL players to throw and make an interception in the same game, he took a job with the University of Minnesota as defensive backs coach in 1980, moving to Pittsburgh as an assistant head coach the next year. After three seasons as defensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, he had stints as defensive backs coach in Kansas City and defensive coordinator for the Vikings before becoming the most successful coach in Tampa Bay history. FTP, identify this new head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.
A: Tony Dungy
6.He was convicted of aggravated assault on October 21, 1992 and sentenced to eight years - a term that was extended an additional 10 years when he orchestrated the murder of a Jewish inmate. His son was also an inmate at the same facility, but died of a mysterious drug overdose while in solitary. Another son was killed at the request of Tobias Beecher, an inmate with whom this man had a forced intimate relationship. Ahh, prison. FTP, identify this resident of Emerald City, Prisoner #92S110, the balding head of the Aryans on HBO's Oz.
A: Vernon Schillinger
7.His first film role came in 1968's The Promise, but he would appear mostly in television adaptations of stage plays until 1981, when he played D.H. Lawrence in Priest of Love. He played Death in Last Action Hero, Geoffrey in Six Degrees of Separation, and Dr. Lane in The Shadow, but roles in Cold Comfort Farm and Apt Pupil cemented his reputation in America. FTP, identify this star of Richard III, Gods and Monsters, and Lord of the Rings.
A: Ian McKellen
8.Probably the only person in the country who voted for the Heisman Trophy and the Tony Awards, he earned notoriety for boycotting what he perceived as a racist Heisman vote after Jim Brown finished 5th for the trophy. More recently, he had been working for Disney, offering up Broadway reviews for ABC World News Now while hosting The Sports Reporters Sunday mornings on ESPN. FTP, identify this journalist who passed away from complications following hip surgery in December, 2001.
A: Dick Schaap (Prompt: Schaap)
9.While growing up in Baton Rouge, he formed the Spades and after a meeting with Alan Freed, he adopted his stage name. After working Bill Gazzari's club, he was offered a contract to perform on opening night at the Whisky A Go-Go. A live performance at the club became his debut album, which featured his cover of "Memphis." FTP, name this "Rockin' Pneumonia" artist who is most known for performing the theme to "Secret Agent Man."
A: Johnny Rivers
10."There's a place that is magical and full of rain. But now it needs help because it is in pain. Protecting the earth is a mighty big chore, they're spreading awareness like never before!" But after a visit to Costa Rica, they change their tune and decide "to tell you things you might not like to hear. You only fight these causes 'cause caring sells, all you activists can go fuck yourselves." FTP, name this kids' chorus, to which Stan, Kyle, Kenny, and Cartman briefly belonged.
A: GettingGayWithKids
11.In the aftermath of the Italian invasion of Greece, an Italian artillery garrison is left to occupy a remote Greek island. The title character, an Italian officer, initially offends the local villagers, but begins to adopt their customs and use his charm to win them over. When the beautiful Pelagia's fiancé heads off to war, her friendship with the officer becomes something more, and the officer begins to question why he wanted to fight in the first place. FTP, identify this 2001 story of love and war starring Penelope Cruz and Nicholas Cage.
A: CaptainCorelli'sMandolin
12.Johnny Hot Body won it first, beating Larry Winters, but had to vacate the belt exactly one month later when he broke his ankle. Glenn Osbourne then beat The Sandman in a tournament final to claim the strap. Vacated in early 1993, it was reactivated when Jimmy Snuka beat Osbourne in another tourney to win the title. Terry Funk, Sabu, Taz, J.T. Smith and The Pit Bull won it in relatively quick succession before Mikey Whipwreck made it the first jewel of his ECW triple crown. FTP, identify this second-most prestigious ECW singles title, unified with the World Championship by Rhino shortly before ECW closed down permanently.
Answer: ECW World Television Title (TV title is acceptable)
13.A performer on "Message to the World", a charity song for Kosovar war refugees, he made his first appearance on the Redd Foxx Comedy Hour. He returned, along with sidekick Fuji, in a 2000 video release, performing "death-defying life-threatening acts of daredevilry, the likes of which had never been seen before and have absolutely never been equaled by anyone living or dead." FTP, name this stuntman played by Bob Einstein, a regular on Showtime's comedy series "Bizarre.'
A: SuperDave Osborne (Prompt on Osborne)
14.Amongst people the narrator encounters are: a local man who says he doesn't know where a man might find a bed; Carmen - who refuses to go downtown - walking side by side with the Devil; old Luke, who asks the narrator to stay and keep Anna-Lee company, and Crazy Chester, who leaves the narrator with his dog Jack despite the fact that the narrator is a peaceful man. The one person we never meet is Fanny, who sent him there with regards for everyone. FTP, identify this song from The Band about a trip to Nazareth, with a narrator lamenting, "Take a load off, Fanny - and you put the load right on me."
A: "The Weight"
15.They originated in 1989 as Charred Goosebeak, a sketch comedy group at Colgate. They reformed in New York City in 1991, enjoying extended runs with shows such as "Fishwhimsy" and "The Return of the Biscuit Champion." Their first film was 1994's The Tinfoil Monkey Agenda, a 30 minute film which became a launching pad for their first full-length feature, Puddle Cruiser. FTP, identify this group made up of Steve Lemme, Kevin Heffernan, Jay Chandrasekhar, Paul Soter, and Erik Stolhanske, the driving force behind the comedy Super Troopers.
A: BrokenLizard
16.The first time luckless bookseller William Thacker meets actress Anna Scott, she's in his book shop. The next meeting involved William spilling orange juice on Anna, and Anna accepting an invitation to change at his nearby flat. This not only leads to romance - a romance made almost too difficult by Anna's fame - but to the paparazzi meeting William's roommate Spike, the oddest Welshman the world had ever known. FTP, identify this 1999 romantic comedy starring Rhys Ifans, Julia Roberts, and Hugh Grant.
A: Notting Hill
17.The tone for the novel is set when Kathleen, the oldest daughter of the Piper clan, dies at the age of 19 while giving birth to twins. Mercedes is her responsible sister, who takes charge of the family after her mother's death. Frances is the rebellious one whose alcoholism claims her life at an early age - and Lily? We're not sure what she does after she leaves Nova Scotia. FTP, identify this Ann-Marie MacDonald-penned tale of life in the coal mining towns of eastern Canada, the first 2002 entry into the Oprah Book Club.
A: FallonYourKnees
18.The show kicks off with the host interviewing an expert on the evening's subject, to "bring the audience up to speed." Then the suit coat is shed in favor of a really classy cardigan sweater, as the host assembles a panel of "People Just Like You" to discuss their views on the topic. A second expert then comes on for some debate on the topic, and finally the host takes e-mails and phone calls from the audience, and comments on comments made in the chat room, which might be the first instance of meta-meta-meta journalism. FTP, identify this new prime time talk show on MSNBC, hosted by erstwhile presidential candidate Alan Keyes.
A: Alan Keyes Is MakingSense
19.He began his career at Time magazine, and was assigned to the Saigon bureau, where he covered sports. He moved on to ABC, where he made a name for himself by traveling to the world's hotspots, but his career nearly ended in 1988 when, while interviewing the governor of Vermont from the floor of the GOP convention, his headset caught fire - trapped in his trademark helmet, he was badly burned. Undoubtedly best known for his 1980 election eve expedition into Ronald Reagan's brain, he is, FTP, what current CNN reporter, a constant on TV screens in the world of Doonesbury.
A: Roland Burton Hedley III (Also accept: Roland)
20.Filmed by D.A. Pennebaker, it was thought successful enough that a second one was planned, but when organizers went looking for the profits, it was discovered they had disappeared, along with the bookkeeper. Organized by Lou Adler and John Phillips, the joke has always been that as good as things were on the stage, the real action was at the bar, as record executives began to realize the 60s sound was commercially viable. Featuring the large-concert debuts of The Who, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and Janis Joplin this was, FTP, what 1967 California music festival, the first commercial American rock festival.
A: The First Annual Monterey International Pop Music Festival
21.They opened their latest herb garden in Pontresina, Switzerland, recently, giving them five such gardens across Switzerland. The original garden was started in 1940 by Emil Richterich, but while the offices in Laufen have been joined by a headquarters in New Jersey and another in Singapore, the business still remains in the hands of the Richterich family, and the same blend of herbs that went into the lozenges in 1940 goes in today. FTP, identify this Swiss cough drop behemoth, whose ads normally feature an alpine horn and a sing-song calling of the company name.
A: Ricola
22.Brought to the American marketplace by George Blaisdell in 1931, the museum to this functional collectible is located in Bradford, Pennsylvania. Examples on display include a commemorative Reagan/Gorbachev Summit model as well as a video loop of recent placements of the product in Hollywood films -- including Die Hard and Charlie's Angels. News stories of working models being found in stomachs of Northern pike and a dead bear hang on the walls while the world's largest model sits outside, open and spouting a large neon flame. FTP, identify cultural icon, which can't really be used in its own museum, since the building is a non-smoking area.
A: Zippo Lighters (Prompt: Lighter)
23.He began his current gig in 1951, broadcasting from Chicago. He’d started out at KVOO in Tulsa, moving to KOMA in Oklahoma City to take a news casting job. He spent a few years at KXOK in St. Louis before the war broke out, when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Discharged in 1944, he took a job with WENR in Chicago, but in 1951 his News & Comment was picked up nationally. Page Two! FTP, prove you know the rest of the story and identify this largest one-man radio network in the United States.
A: PaulHarvey
24.Later additions to the show included "Rockin' with Rory" and the Huggles. Other segments included Speed Reader, who reviewed books for the young viewers, and music videos starring Roy, Fran, and Danny. Together, the humans left Earth each episode to mingle with puppets like Knock-Knock, Edison, M.T. Promises, and Goriddle Gorilla. FTP, identify this children's show, airing from 1981-1986, most popular for "no g-news, is good g-news, with Gary Gnu."
A: "The GreatSpaceCoaster"
25.This Montville, New Jersey native got his start performing at the Cafe Largo in Los Angeles, attracting the attention of film producer Bradley Thomas. Thomas asked for some demos, and the Farrelly Brothers later asked him to compose the score to "Me, Myself, and Irene." Soon after his debut album, musicforthemorningafter, was released, he joined the long list of people who have dated Winona Ryder. FTP, name this singer/songwriter whose songs include "Strange Condition" and "Life on a Chain."
A: Pete Yorn
BONI by A Few Sprinkles of Genius with a Chance of Doom(Iowa)
1.Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee claims to be the birthplace of rock and roll - and for good reason. Stars such as Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Roy Orbison all made their debut recordings on the Sun label. Answer the following, 5-10-15.
5 -- Sun’s most famous alumnus was this man, whose debut single “That’s All Right” was played 15 times the first night local Memphis DJ Dewey Phillips got his hands on the song. Within a few years, he would purchase an estate in Memphis
A: Elvis Presley
10 -- Sun owner, Sam Phillips, sold Elvis’s contract to RCA in order to promote Sun’s first million selling album - this man’s “Blue Suede Shoes.”
A: Carl Perkins
15 -- Sun also released what many music historians consider the first rock and roll single of all time - this single from Jackie Brenston and the Delta Cats which starts with the lyrics “You women have heard of jalopies, you’ve heard the noise they make.”
A: “Rocket 88”
3.Sometimes the writers of “Star Trek” feel a need to explain to the audience how their characters and equipment can defy all known science. Usually they create a device that breaks the rules for them. Identify these magical gizmos from descriptions FTPE.
A. This thingy makes sure that even species that our heroes encounter for the very first time will speak English, and presumably uses holographic masking to prevent the show from looking like a dubbed kung fu movie.
A: Universal Translator
B. This prevents the incredible acceleration and deceleration involved in warp travel from smooshing the crew against the bulkheads of the ship, although it does not keep the crew from jostling about whenever they’re hit by weapons.
A: Inertial Dampers or Inertial Damping Field or IDF
C. Transporters are only possible if one knows both the position and the motion of a particle. Hence, these thingamajigs.
A: Heisenberg compensators
4. Before there were computer games that would, you know, pick your nose and walk your dog for you, there was an industry leader - Sierra On-Line, whose adventure games have achieved legendary status amongst people who used computers before the intranet. Given a plot description, identify the Sierra game for ten points. You’ll get five if you have the right line of games, but the wrong number (i.e. if you say Space Quest V and the answer is Space Quest III, you’ll get five.)