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Round One
Today’s show starts off with a Companies Trivia question that also ties in some fun portmanteau wordplay. In the context of this question, a portmanteau is a word blending the sounds and combining the meanings of two others. But did you know that a portmanteau is also a large trunk or suitcase? Here are 20 other homonyms that prove that English is a fun — but constantly tricky — language.
Next up, we’re throwing it back to the 1980s for a Movies Trivia question about Revenge of the Nerds. The Trivia Team tries to brainstorm stereotypical jock nicknames to help them come up with an answer, which proves to be a decent strategy, given the infinite number of possibilities. While we’re on the subject of coming up with names, did you know there are some common formulas for naming new cocktails?
Round One wraps up with a Music Videos Trivia question. Do you know which Blink-182 music video parodied the mega-famous boy bands Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC? Spoiler alert: here it is for your viewing pleasure!
Bonus Question
In today’s Bonus Question, we’re taking a closer look at the answer to the Music Videos question from Round One through an iconic pop culture phenomenon of the early 2000s — Total Request Live. Which is a fitting follow-up to the previous question, as the first-ever TRL countdown featured the Backstreet Boys’ “I’ll Never Break Your Heart” and *NSYNC’s “Tearin’ Up My Heart” in the #1 and #2 spots.
Round Two
In Round Two of today’s episode, our theme is Inventors Trivia. So, get ready to shout “eureka!” for all of your correct answers!
Round Two begins with a Landmarks Trivia question that takes us to the top floor of the Eiffel Tower. This spot houses two mannequins, including one of Eiffel himself and one of an American inventor our Trivia Team has to name. P.S., for more info on the (super specific) subcategory of lifesize human likeness displays, click here to learn about the origins of Marie Tussaud’s famous wax museums.
Next up, a History Trivia question asks our Trivia Team to name the inventor of a device created in an attempt to save President Garfield after he was shot by an assassin in 1881. Unfortunately, Garfield did succumb to his wounds just 6 months and 15 days into his term, making him the U.S. President with the second-shortest time in office, after William Henry Harrison.
Round Two concludes with a People Trivia question. Does the vague category have you on the edge of your (airplane) seat in anticipation? We won’t leave you hanging, we’re talking about the Wright Brothers, pre-flight. By the way, did you know there are specific seats located near the wings of airplanes that are sometimes referred to as “William Shatner’s seat?”
Final Question
As usual, we have a multi-part Final Question to close out the game. The category for today’s Final is Music. Remember how it was noted in the very first question of the show that a portmanteau is a homonym? Well, we’re fittingly bookending this show with a question that’s all about homonyms!
In today’s Final Question, the Trivia Team is asked to name five rock bands that also share their name with another specific definition. Here’s a sneak peek of one of the five bands included — can you name the rock band that shares their name with Dorothy Gale’s dog? Here’s a hint!