General Nuisance Five Trivia Quiz

Answer: Cooperstown, New York

Cooperstown in mid-state New York is the site of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Springfield, MA hosts the Basketball Hall of Fame. The Football Hall of Fame is in Canton, Ohio. Austin, Minnesota, however, has the SPAM Museum.

Answer: Never included Black performers

Although minstrel shows dwindled at the dawning of the twentieth century, 'black-face' did not, as such popular performers as Al Jolson and Eddie Cantor reverted to the gimmick. Even on radio, Amos and Andy carried on a modified minstrel show, played by two white men. Black performers, often wearing 'white face' had their own version of the minstrel show.

The typical show had jokes, skits, music, and singing, most of the time portraying Black Americans in an unfavorable light. With enlightenment, the general public found less and less amusement with this entertainment form and it was replaced with vaudeville.

Answer: Lord North

Frederick North, Earl of Guilford, was a public servant who had served as Home Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer before being appointed Prime Minister in 1770. Although he had success using naval power to thwart Spanish interest in the Falkland Islands, he was not as successful with the colonies.

He delegated much of the authority to conduct the war. When a European coalition supported the Americans, and the defeat of English forces at Yorktown reached England, North's days in power were numbered.

He became the first English Prime Minister to receive a no-confidence vote from Parliament. He has been referred to as the 'man who lost America'. After he left office, he went blind and died in 1780 at age 60.

Answer: Neil Diamond

Few artists from 1960 through 1990 had as much success as Diamond. He has continued to perform and pack arenas for decades. Diamond had a brief movie career in 1980 starring in the role that Al Jolson created in the "Jazz Singer" (1927) for which he received both a Razzie nomination for a bad performance and a Golden Globe for best performance.

He began his career as a songwriter. The Monkees, Deep Purple, Elvis Presley, and Lulu recorded his creations.

Answer: At least 100,000 French and German children were involved

Some historians believe that the Children's Crusade is largely apocryphal. There is some evidence that about 30,000 children from France and 7,000 from Germany were involved, but never 100,000. The belief was that when they reached the Mediterranean Sea, the sea would part and the children would march with love and convert the Muslims. None reached the Holy Land; some went home, and others died at sea or became slaves.

Some historians believe that these people were not children, but rather bands of homeless adults.

Answer: Sue Grafton

Grafton has the character Kinsey Milhone, Gerritsen has Jane Rizzoli, Evanovich has Stephanie Plum, and Cornwell has Kay Scarpetta. Who needs Sherlock or Hercule or Spade?

Answer: She was murdered

In 1995, a note was found on the door of the American Atheist, saying she (O'Hair), her son and granddaughter would be gone for a few days. Then there were stressful phone calls from the trio and requests for a certain financial transaction.

A year later, the three were reported as missing persons. All the monies owned by the three were withdrawn and their credit cards were maxed. As it unraveled, David Waters, office manager at American Atheist, had masterminded the whole disappearance and he and his associates had spent the money.

In January 2001, Waters led law enforcement to a shallow grave in Texas where the bodies were found. Because of her views, O'Hair was often referred to as the most hated person in America. Rumors have continued to float around the Internet, warning people that O'Hair is coming after some religious icon or group. Thousands of people, for instance, became upset about the rumor that she was going to get the TV show "Touched By An Angel" off the air--even though she had been dead for several years.

Answer: Frogs fall out of the sky

The 'frog' incident is in the film, but not in the opening sequence. "Magnolia" is one of the finest example of ensemble acting on film. Tom Cruise won supporting actor awards from both the Academy and Golden Globe. Paul Thomas Anderson was the writer, producer, and director. The film won twenty domestic and international awards.

Answer: Genetics

By planting thousands of pea plants, Mendel was able to explore 'laws' that would predict the characteristics of pea plants. In an over-simplified explanation, of four plants, one would be 'pure', two would be hybrids, and one would have recessive characteristics.

His studies were not appreciated during his time, but later became the basis of a new science. Also, in his later years, he became an administrator of the church and did not promote his findings.

Answer: A caffeine-like substance found in Brazilian soft drinks

The guarana berry contains twice as much caffeine as a coffee bean. In South America, and particularly Brazil, it is used in many soft drinks and can create a 'high'. Many Brazilians prefer guarana to alcohol for extended celebrations, such as weddings or Carnaval.