Friends In Low Places Trivia Quiz

Answer: Pumbaa

Pumbaa was the rather obese warthog in "The Lion King". His sweet and unassuming nature was in direct contrast to Timon, the arrogant wise-cracking meerkat. Pumbaa's unpretentious manner could sometimes be mistaken for stupidity. In spite of his size he was often seen following behind the occasionally self-centered Timon.

His problem (of a gaseous nature) was responsible for him being a bit of a loner. Poor Pumbaa "was able to clear the swamp after a meal". However, he was fiercely loyal to his friends and a courageous warrior.

It was at his urging that Timon agreed to befriend Simba, teach him the philosophy of "Hakuna Matata" and raise him to be their friend.

Answer: Joseph P Kennedy

Kennedy was appointed US Ambassador to the Court of St. James in 1938 when tensions in Europe were already running high. Kennedy quickly expressed his support of appeasement and a commitment to US neutrality. He attempted to arrange meetings with Hitler without the approval of the US State Department, in direct conflict with President Roosevelt's efforts to supply aid to Great Britain.

Answer: Dwarf

Having dwarfs in attendance at royal court was fashionable from medieval times and continued to the 18th century. The court dwarf held a position of honor next to the King or Queen as its petite height would make the sovereign appear even more imposing. Often considered entertaining, they sometimes even provided amusement for royal children.

Answer: Joe Pistone

Joe Pistone adopted the persona of "Donnie Brasco" and successfully worked his way into the Bonnano crime family. For six years, using the "Brasco" identity and putting his personal life on hold, he became a trusted associate and confidant of Benjamin "Lefty Guns" Ruggiero in the Bonnano family.

When the FBI pulled Pistone from his cover operation, his evidence led to the imprisonment of over a hundred Mafia leaders.

Answer: Badger

Talk about an odd couple! The symbiotic team track small burrowing animals together. When the prey is above ground the coyote goes in pursuit but if it goes underground the badger steps up. Sometimes coyotes may hunt on their own but when teamed up with badgers they catch an estimated one-third more ground squirrels.

Answer: Sam Giancana

According to official documents, in 1960 the CIA recruited members of Chicago crime families in plans to assassinate Fidel Castro. Declassified reports, informally known as the "Family Jewels", outlined "illegal or inappropriate " actions by the Agency from the 1950s to the 1970s.

The Kennedy administration saw Castro's government as a "political satellite" to the USSR. With the overthrow of Batista's government the Mafia was concerned with their investments in Cuban casinos. Giancana believed US government and the Mafia had different reasons but ultimately a common goal.

After Kennedy's assassination (according to a "secret" memo) President Lyndon Johnson instructed the CIA "get out of the cloak and dagger business."

Answer: Vinnie Terranova

The American crime drama ran from 1987 until 1990. Ken Wahl starred as Vinnie Terranova, an undercover operative in the fictitious Organized Crime Bureau of the FBI. In order to establish a credible back story he spent eighteen months in prison in which time he established connections, as well as his "wiseguy" reputation.

Answer: Androcles

Androcles was a slave who escaped from his master. While hiding in a forest he saw a lion moaning, obviously in great pain. As he approached the lion extended a bleeding swollen paw with a thorn stuck in it. When he removed the the thorn and bound the wound the lion immediately stood up and licked his hand in gratitude. One day Androcles and the lion were captured. Androcles was sentenced to be thrown to the lion (who had been starved for several days).

As he stood in the arena the hungry lion charged at him, but the lion licked his hand and nuzzled affectionately.

The Emperor questioned Androcles and was so impressed with the tale of their "friendship" that he pardoned Androcles and freed them both.

Answer: Bear

Huggy Bear was a character in the TV series "Starsky and Hutch" played by Antonio Vargas. He was flashy with a rather dubious background and associates yet he had a strong sense of right and wrong and provided Starsky and Hutch with valuable information.

In a second season episode, providing a backstory for a possible spinoff, he was introduced as Mr. Huggy Bear Brown, a who partnered with his friend as a private detective. The concept proved unpopular with viewers and the project was shelved

Answer: Lemuel Gulliver

In "Part 1: A Voyage to Lilliput" of "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift, Lemuel Gulliver tells of being shipwrecked and washed ashore on an island known as Lilliput. The Lilliputians were less than six inches tall. At first he was taken prisoner, but later released and became a favorite at court.

Some remained a bit wary of him because of his size and Gulliver thought their political affiliations and customs were sometimes superfluous. (It was said that Swift used this to symbolically satirize Whigs and Tories). Eventually, he fell out of favor, was sentenced to be blinded and starved, but managed to flee and sail back to England.