Pun People are Fun People! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Isaac Asimov

Isaac Asimov (born Isaak Ozimov, died 1992) liked to joke about dying, heaven and hell, and how to spend life productively. Asimov wrote "Those Amazing Electric Thinking Machines!: An Anthology of Robot and Computer Stories", "I, Robot", and over 500 other books, making him one of most prolific writers of all time.

"Those people who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do".

Answer: Somerset Maugham

William Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) is the only Englishman among the answer options, though he was born in France. A prolific author, very popular in the 1930s, "Of Human Bondage" and "The Razor's Edge" are among his greatest works. Maugham first studied medicine, which suggests he spoke with experience here:

"Death is a very dull, dreary affair, and my advice to you is to have nothing whatever to do with it".

Answer: Will Rogers

Will Rogers (1879-1935) was a humorist, writer, actor and advocate for many humanitarian causes. He was born in "Indian Territory" (now Oklahoma), worked the rodeo, joined a circus, traveled the world, appeared in many films, and made people laugh. His humble manner and quick wit brought him to international fame. He was the first to make a name using political jokes, and even ran for President as the "bunkless candidate" of the Anti-Bunk Party. He was a friend of Charles Lindbergh, and a model for Bob Hope. Roy Rogers was a popular television personality, singer, and dancer; Ginger Rogers a dancer and actress; and Kenny Rogers a singer.

"If stupidity got us in this mess, why can't it get us out?"

Answer: Phyllis Diller

An American, Diller (1917-2012), wrote a 2005 autobiography entitled, "Like a Lampshade in a Whorehouse". She was a journalist, author, actress and, surprise, under the pseudonym "Dame Illya Pillya", she performed as solo pianist with symphony orchestras. She had a trademark cackle, and wore some very strange outfits. Her longtime manager said she died peacefully, at age 95, a smile on her face.

"What I don't like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day".

Answer: Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes' (b. 1964) first job after college was with the national intelligence agency, which is funny right there. She started performing standup in 1987, then joined the writing team for "The Chris Rock Show". She won the American Comedy Award for "Outstanding Female Stand-Up Comic", she won "Funniest TV Actress", and numerous awards for her television work. She also performed at the White House.

"Seriously, I don't need a gun. I'm easily annoyed. I would shoot people in my house that I invited over."

Answer: Steve Martin

Comedian, actor, producer, and musician Steve Martin (b. 1945) started at "Disneyland" and then moved on to juggling and magic. He won his first Emmy at 23 as a writer for the "Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour", and became a regular on "The Tonight Show". In 1981 he branched into acting and music. He adapted "Cyrano de Bergerac" to the film "Roxanne", starred in "The Jerk" and was "Father of the Bride". In 2004 he was 6th on the Comedy Central list of "100 Greatest Stand-up Comics". His autobiography, "Born Standing Up" tells of his sadness. In 2013 he toured with a bluegrass band, "The Steep Canyon Rangers".

"A celebrity is anyone who looks like he spends more than two hours working on his hair".

Answer: Bob Hope

Bob Hope (1903-2003) made 57 tours to entertain military troops, and hosted the "Academy Awards" 14 times. Although he teamed with Bing Crosby in film, dance, singing and business investments, they were not social friends. Bob was said to be mean-spirited if crossed, and had a great many extramarital affairs. In humor however, he was a legend.

"People who throw kisses are hopelessly lazy". "Bing Crosby doesn't pay income tax. He just calls the government and says, 'How much do you boys need?'"

Answer: Lily Tomlin

Lily Tomlin (b. 1939) was a comedian and actress. Some of her best known quotes were spoken by her character in the one-woman play, "The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe". She won a Tony Award for her stage work in that play (1986) and the movie that followed also won awards. Though her lines were written by playwright Jane Wagner, the tongue-in-cheek delivery was all Tomlin.

"The trouble with the rat race is even if you win, you're still a rat".

Answer: Ellen Degeneres

Ellen DeGeneres (b.1958) won the Saturn Award for "Best Supporting Actress" as the voice of Dory the forgetful fish in "Finding Nemo". Degeneres began as a waitress, bartender, house painter, clerical worker and retail store clerk in New Orleans, but by 1982 she was named Showtime's "Funniest Person in America". "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" began in 2003 and was under contract until 2017. In November 2001 the "Emmy Awards" needed a host sensitive to the recent terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers, and DeGeneres earned several standing ovations there.

"What would bug the Taliban more than seeing a gay woman in a suit surrounded by Jews"?

Answer: Steven Wright

Steven Wright (b. 1955) was a comedian, writer and actor, whose big break came in 1982 on "The Tonight Show", where he impressed Johnny Carson. In 1985 he was nominated for "Best Comedy Album" and in 1989 he won an Academy Award. He was also the first inductee into the "Boston Comedy Hall of Fame". Wright is known for one-liners, a deadpan voice and a paraprosdokian style--which means an unexpected shift in meaning at the end. Hugh Laurie often uses this form of speech as House, M.D. Here's some Steven Wright examples:

"All those who believe in psychokinesis raise my hand".
"If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried."
"I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder".