As alluded to below, I co-hosted the Drunken Smartass Olympics with Janet Rosen last night, filling in for the estimable Tony Hightower (who departed our snowy climes for sunny Florida on a "business trip").
A good scene. Thought you might want to know the questions I asked. (Mouseover the space between the parentheses for the answers.)
Round One: On This Day
1. On this day in 1934, TV weatherman Willard Scott was born. Of course, he’s famous for wishing centenarians a happy birthday during his years on NBC‘s “Today” show. Before that, though, in 1963, Willard Scott created the character of what clown? (Ronald McDonald)
2. On this day in 1938, this pioneering race car driver was born. She was the first woman to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500, in 1977. Who was this racing pioneer? (Janet Guthrie)
3. Happy Birthday also to Bret Easton Ellis, Brat Pack novelist and author of “Less Than Zero”, “Glamorama”, and “The Rules of Attraction”, among others. “American Psycho”, his 1991 novel about a yuppie serial killer, was made into a movie. Who played the lead role of Patrick Bateman? (Christian Bale)
4. There are several events in history referred to as “Bloody Sunday”, but the one that happened on this date in 1965 occurred in Selma, Alabama, where civil rights marchers were brutally assaulted by police. What was the name of the bridge on which the assault took place? (Edmund Pettus Bridge)
5. On this date in 1969, what former Wisconsin schoolteacher was elected as the first female Prime Minister of Israel? (Golda Meir)
6. On this date in 1876, U.S. patent #174,465 was awarded to Alexander Graham Bell for the telephone (though others, including Meucci and Davis also had claims.) According to legend, what were the first words spoken through the telephone? (“Mister Watson, come here, I need you.“)
7. On this date in 1952, NFL Hall of Famer Lynn Swann was born in Alcoa, Tennessee. After his illustrious football career, he worked as a broadcaster, and then entered politics. This past November, he ran as the Republican nominee for governor of what state? (Pennsylvania)
8. Happy Birthday as well to Tammy Faye Messner, born this day in 1942. The former televangelist founded the PTL Network with her then-husband Jim Bakker. What was the name of the Christian theme park that they founded in Fort Mill, SC? (Heritage USA)
9. On this date in 1946, rock ‘n’ roll singer Peter Wolf was born. What band did he front from 1967 to 1982? (J. Geils Band)
10. Happy Birthday to Peter Sarsgaard, born this day in 1971. He starred in “Jarhead” and has appeared in many other movies including “Garden State”, “Boys Don’t Cry”, and “Shattered Glass.” Who is Peter Sarsgaard’s fiancee and babymamma? (Maggie Gyllenhaal.)
Round Two: Audio Round: Put Your Lips Together and Blow
A round of songs with whistling in them. (Listen here.)
Round Four: Bridges
1. The Bridge School in Hillsborough, California teaches children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. What rock musician, who has two children with cerebral palsy, co-founded the Bridge School and plays an annual benefit concert for it? (Neil Young)
2. Speaking of musicians and bridges, this jazz saxophonist used to practice on the Williamsburg Bridge so he wouldn’t annoy his neighbors. He even called his 1962 comeback album “The Bridge.” Who is he? (Sonny Rollins)
3. One of the world’s best-known players of contract bridge is also a highly acclaimed actor who was nominated for a Supporting Actor Oscar for “Lawrence of Arabia” (and also played the title role in “Dr. Zhivago.”) Who is he? (Omar Sharif)
4. The Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the world; its main span measures over 6,500 feet. It connects Awaji Island with the largest Japanese island, the one where Tokyo and Kobe are located. What is the name of the largest Japanese island? (Honshu)
5. “The Bridge on the River Kwai” picked up seven Oscars at the 1958 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. (And Alec Guinness won Best Actor for his portrayal of Lt. Col. Nicholson.) In what present-day country was this movie set? (Burma/Myanmar)
6. I’m going to quote a song, and I'm looking for the song's title:
Got no deeds to do, no promises to keep
I’m dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep
Let the morning time drop all its petals on me
(“The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)”, by Simon and Garfunkel)
7. The Jeffrey’s Hook Lighthouse, also known as the “Little Red Lighthouse”, stands under what New York City bridge? (George Washington Bridge)
8. The actor Jeff Bridges has played the President of the United States in "The Contender", the title role in "Starman", and the Dude in “The Big Lebowski.” Who directed “The Big Lebowski”? (Joel Coen)
9. Who fronts the punk band The Whatchu Talkin' 'Bout Willis Experience? (Todd Bridges)
10. What is the toll on the Triborough Bridge for a normal passenger car when not using EZPass? ($4.50)
This was fun; hopefully Tony'll let me host again next time he's "working" "away" from "the office."
(Drunken Smartass Olympics continues every Wednesday night with Janet Rosen and Tony Hightower at Dempsey's Pub in the East Village. Check it out -- it's a good time.)
