The Daily Teaser — 8-3-2014

It’s got to be said, I recorded the second episode of 37 Days To War, the three part BBC drama about the start of World War One on, at the mo.

It’s amazing stuff: showing us the lead up to the four years of lunacy that engulfed the world on August 4th.

I think I also have to give some plaudits to Ian McDiamuid: who’s playing Sir Edward Grey, the then Foreign Secretary.

And doing so, wonderfully.

Although I HAVE to add … I’m half-expecting him to go seriously Palpatine, and start cackling evilly.

Ho-HUM … !

~≈#≈~

But let’s move on, shall we … ?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in hers answers: and bagging nine out of ten.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions.

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) 8th March is International Women’s Day: marking the day women in Russia went on strike.   Which Russian Revolution did that strike kickstart … ?

Q2) In which Russian city was this … ?

Q3) 8th March, 1010, saw the completion of the Shahnameh: the epic poem describing the mythical history of which country: Iran, Afghanistan or Tajikistan … ?

Q4) 8th March saw tech company, Phillips, introduce the compact disc.   CD’s optical discs: as are DVDs … and what else … ?

Q5) In which year did Phillips release the CD … ?

Q6) 8th March, 1974, saw which airport open in Paris … ?

Q7) Finally … 8th March, 2000, saw the recovery of Donald Campbell’s boat, the Bluebell, from Coniston Water, in the Lake District.   In which English county is Coniston Water … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 7th March, 1994, saw the US Supreme Court rule that parodies were Fair Use, under US law.   Who released a parody version of Beat It, by Michael Jackson: called Eat It … ?

A1) Weird Al Yankovic.

Q2) More to the point, which song — released internationally on 7th March, 1985 — was parodied by the Spitting Image team as We’re Scared Of Bob … ?

A2) We Are The World.

Q3) BBC sitcom, ’Allo ’Allo! took the mickey out of which rather more serious BBC series?

A3) Secret Army.

Q4) Classic Spanish work, Don Quixote, parodies medieval romances.   Who wrote Don Quixote … ?

A4) Miguel de Cervantes: or Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, if you want the full version.

Q5) Which Monty Python film parodies the tales of King Arthur … ?

A5) Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Q6) Gulliver’s Travels, by Jonathan Swift, was a parody of travelers tales popular in the 18th Century.   What’s the book’s full name … ?

A6) Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. In Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, First a Surgeon, and then a Captain of Several Ships.   (Now … BREATHE … !)

Q7) Who, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, was the first person to use the word, parody, in English … ?

A7) Ben Johnson.

Q8) Which parody religious belief is organized by the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster … ?

A8) Pastafarianism.

Q9) Who co-wrote and directed the Star Wars parody, Space Balls … ?

A9) Mel Brooks.

Q10) Finally … Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator, parodied who … ?

A10) Adolf Hitler.

As today is Mickey Dolenz’s birthday, I’ll leave you with this tune … 

And with this observation …

“I can tell you that the one thing I really, really couldn't bear when I was an MP were my constituents.”

Gyles Brandreth, born 8th March, 1948.

Have a good day … !

*        He was cool, Debbi.   But I have to admit, when it comes down to robots, I was always fond of the Cylons … !   WAY cool!

The Friday Question Set — 7-3-2014

Now, THAT’S embarrassing … !

I completely forgot about last Friday’s Friday Question Set … !

Although, play fair, all the excitement about the course I’d started, it went RIGHT out of my head.

What’s more … ?

I’ve not had the chance to add the usual links to this week’s question Set.

All I can do is apologise for that: and dive straight into this week’s Friday Question Set.

Here’s this week’s: covered by the Creative Commons License*

Online 241ROUND ONE.   GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) What word can go before ground, pedal and water?

A1) Back.

Q2) Which tv show features two main characters called Christine & Mary Beth?

Q2) Cagney & Lacey.

Q3) What is the African country of Abyssinia now called?

A3) Ethiopia.

Q4) For how long had David Cameron been an MP, before becoming Conservative party leader?

A4) Four years.

Q5) In which country did the voting to determine the site of the 2012 Olympics take place?

A5) France.

Q6) Which sport did Marco Van Basten play?

A6) Football.

Q7) How would four fifths be shown, as a decimal?

A7) 0.8

Q8) Which singer’s life story was filmed as Sweet Dreams?

A8) Patsy Cline.

Q9) Cu is the chemical symbol for which metal?

A9) Copper.

Q10) Petrology is the study of what?

A10) Rocks.   (As opposed to Geology, which is the study of the Earth.)

ROUND TWO.   SPORTING CHANCES.

Q11) Which Spaniard won the Formula 1 World Championship, in 2005?

A11) Fernando Alonso.

Q12) From 1991, to 1995, Miguel Indurain was the winner, in which French sporting event?

A12) The Tour de France.

Q13) Which Chris was the WBO super-middleweight champion, in 1991?

A13) Chris Eubank.

Q14) Who was the first jockey to go through a seven race card?

A14) Frankie Dettori.

Q15) Which darts player was known as the ‘Crafty Cockney’?

A15) Eric Bristow.

Q16) Which cricketer won Strictly Come Dancing in 2005?

A16) Darren Gough.

Q17) Who was the national Hunt champion jockey, from 1986 to 1992?

A17) Peter Scudamore.

Q18) Which boxer was known as Smokin’ Joe?

A18) Joe Frasier.

Q19) Kelly Sotherton is a comptetitor in which multi-disciplined event?

A19) The Heptathlon.

Q20) Who was the 1st British male to reach Wimbledon’s last 8, during the 90’s?   (Bonus point for the nickname.)

A20) ‘Tiger’ Tim Henman.

ROUND THREE.   MUSIC & LIGHTS.

Q21) Eighth Day was a hit for which 80’s singer?

A21) Hazel O’Connor.

Q22) More to the point, what film was it from?

A22) Breaking Glass.

Q23) What song was Kylie Minougue’s first UK million seller, Can’t Get You Out of My Head, The Locomotion or Confide in Me?

A23) Can’t Get You Out of My Head.

Q24) Cheryl Jones, & Sandra Denton were better known how?

A24) Salt ’n’ Pepa.

Q25) Baggy trousered rapper, Reverend Stanley Burrell was better known how?

A25) MC Hammer.

Q26) Christina Aguilera, Maya and Li’l Kim all co-operated with whom, on a version of Lady Marmalade?

A26) Pink.

Q27) Transformer is considered by many critics to be whose definitive LP?

A27) Lou Reed’s.

Q28) Whose name came before The Mastermixers?

A28) Jive Bunny.

Q29) Which group found 1970’s success with Night Fever?

A29) The Bee Gees.

Q30) Hit album, Tubular Bells, by Mike Oldfield, was the début release on which record label?

A30) Virgin.

ROUND FOUR.   TV DINNERS.

Q31) Tony, Carmela, Meadow and Anthony Junior, belong to which TV family?

A31) The Sopranos.

Q32) Dancing With The Stars is the US version of which TV show?

A32) Strictly Come Dancing.

Q33) Which of the Dimbleby brothers presents BBC show, Question Time?

A33) David Dimbleby.

Q34) Which Geoff presented Gardeners World, until his death, in 1996?

A34) Geoff Hamilton.

Q35) Which chairman A Question of Sport retired in1997?

A35) David Coleman.

Q36) Which daytime soap features the doctors of Cardale?

A36) Peak Practise.

Q37) Who presented What The Ancients Did For Us?

A37) Adam Hart-Davies.

Q38) Is the weather forecast before, or after, the News at Ten?

A38) After.

Q39) What’s the profession of Sam Ryan, in Silent Witness?

A39) Pathologist.

Q40) In which English city does Inspector Morse take place?

A40) Oxford.

ROUND FIVE.   THE MEDIA.

Q41) What does BBC stand for?

A41) British Broadcasting Corporation.

Q42) What’s the Daily Mail’s sister Sunday paper called?

A42) The Mail on Sunday.

Q43) What was Britain’s third terrestrial channel called?

A43) BBC 2.

Q44) What type of information does CNN broadcast?

A44) News.

Q45) What kind of programme is a Drama-Doc?

A45) A Drama Documentary.

Q46) In broadcasting, what did LWT stand for?

A46) London Weekend Television.

Q47) What’s the name of Radio 4’s early morning news programme?

A47) Today.

Q48) Which ITV company was named after a Spanish city?

A48) Grenada.

Q49) What was the first half hour news programme to be broadcast in the UK?

A49) ITV’s News At Ten.

Q50) Which media company does the TV licence Fund?

A50) The BBC.

ROUND SIX.   GENERAL IGNORANCE.

Q51) Aladdin Sane and Let’s Dance were hits for which British Rock icon?

A51) David Bowie.

Q52) Ellison’s Orange is a variety of which fruit?

A52) An apple.

Q53) Where would a Spanish woman wear her Mantilla?

A53) On her head.

Q54) Some people feel embarrassed by their Lentigines; - what are they?

A54) Freckles.

Q55) Syd Barrett was a founder member of which iconic 60’s band?

A55) Pink Floyd.

Q56) Jatarkas are stories about the previous lives of which religious figure?

A56) Buddha.

Q57) In which European city was Europe’s oldest university founded?

A57) Salerno, in Italy.

Q58) Ronnie Kray shot George Cornell in which East End pub?

A58) The Blind Beggar.

Q59) Dr John Camembert invented which world famous fizzy drink?

A59) Coca Cola.

Q60) Michæl Hordern provided the voice for which tv bear?

A60) Paddington.

Enjoy those: I’ll catch you later … 

*        Regulars will know already, but for newcomers … all it means is that you’re free to copy, use, alter and build on each of my quizzes: including the Teasers, Gazette Teasers and the Friday Question Sets.   All I ask in return is that you give me an original authors credit on your event’s flyers or posters, or on the night: and, if you republish them, give me an original authors credit AND republish under the same license.   A link back to the site — and to the Gazette’s, if that’s where you’ve found these — would be appreciated.

The Daily Teaser — 7-3-2014: Parody

Phew … ! 

An early night … 

Which is what I had, night, it has to be said.

I have to say, the course is proving very useful: but being up at five in the morning to get the bus … ?

Well, it’s fun.

But exhausting.

Oy veh … !

~≈Œ≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: and scoring ten out of ten.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License, and video† … 

Q1) 7th March, 1994, saw the US Supreme Court rule that parodies were Fair Use, under US law.   Who released a parody version of Michæl Jackson’s Beat It: called Eat It … ?

Q2) More to the point, which song — released internationally on 7th March, 1985 — was parodied by the Spitting Image team as We’re Scared Of Bob … ?

Q3) BBC sitcom, ’Allo ’Allo! took the mickey out of which rather more serious BBC series?

Q4) Classic Spanish work, Don Quixote, parodies medieval romances.   Who wrote Don Quixote … ?

Q5) Which Monty Python film parodies the tales of King Arthur … ?

Q6) Gulliver’s Travels, by Jonathan Swift, was a parody of travelers tales popular in the 18th Century.   What’s the book’s full name … ?

Q7) Who, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, was the first person to use the word, parody, in English … ?

Q8) Which parody religious belief is organized by the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster … ?

Q9) Who co-wrote and directed the Star Wars parody, Space Balls … ?

Q10) Finally … Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator, parodied who … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 6th March saw Aspirin registered as a trademark.   In which year of the 1890s … ?

A1) 1899.

Q2) More to the point, what was the name of the company that registered it: Schwarz, Bayer or GlaxoSmithKline … ?

A2) Bayer.

Q3) Aspirin famously is supposed to help act as what: an anti-inflammatory, an anti-pyretic (reducing fever) or an analgesic (reducing pain) … ?

A3) Actually, all three.

Q4) The company that registered Aspirin is headquartered in which German city: Dusseldorf, Leverkusen or Cologne … ?

A4) Leverkusen.

Q5) That company also marketed Heroin: in the run up to which World War … ?

A5) World War 1.

Q6) Equally, they marketed Heroin as completely non what … ?

A6) Non-addictive.   (How wrong can you be … ?)

Q7) While we’re on the subject: Heroin is a stronger version of which drug: morphine, cocaine or ecstasy … ?

A7) Morphine.

Q8) Heroin — and its associated drugs — are all made from a version of which flower … ?

A8) The poppy.

Q9) Aspirin ultimately comes from the bark of which tree … ?

A9) The Willow.

Q10) In the film version of The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy, which character says “Now I’ve got a headache …!” … ?

A10) Marvin the Paranoid Android.

I’ll leave you with this thought from the late Larry Hagman …

“After ten or twelve years you can only play something so long and then you start to parody it.”

Larry Hagman.

And, as we’re in parody mode, this tune … 

Have a good day.

*        Actually, since you mention it, Debbi‡, did you know Chicken Tikka Masala’s supposed to have been invented in Glasgow … ?   Which makes it as Indian as the deep-fried Mars Bar … !

†        Actually, today’s Teaser video includes a bad pun: that’s if you work out who that song’s by … 

‡        As you’ve mentioned Marvin, Debbi … 

The Daily Teaser — 6-3-2014: I’ve Got A HEADACHE

THAT’S an annoyance … !

I forgot to tape The Tomorrow People, last night.

Still, I am watching it on Channel Four’s catch up service, 4od.

The only minor irritant … ?

Is that — for whatever reason — it won’t stream to my Apple TV: seemingly because Channel Four haven’t added the relevant functionality.

Yeah … 

Annoyance … 

~≈€≈~

But let’s move on, shall we?   Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: and bagging six out of seven.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s Teaser, shall we?

Here it is, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) 6th March saw Aspirin registered as a trademark.   In which year of the 1890s … ?

Q2) More to the point, what was the name of the company that registered it: Schwarz, Bayer or GlaxoSmithKline … ?

Q3) Aspirin famously is supposed to help act as what: an anti-inflammatory, an anti-pyretic (reducing fever) or an analgesic (reducing pain) … ?

Q4) The company that registered Aspirin is headquartered in which German city: Dusseldorf, Leverkusen or Cologne … ?

Q5) That company also marketed Heroin: in the run up to which World War … ?

Q6) Equally, they marketed Heroin as completely non what … ?

Q7) While we’re on the subject: Heroin is a stronger version of which drug: morphine, cocaine or ecstasy … ?

Q8) Heroin — and its associated drugs — are all made from a version of which flower … ?

Q9) Aspirin ultimately comes from the bark of which tree … ?

Q10) In the film version of The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy, which character says “Now I’ve got a headache …!” … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 5th March, 1975, saw the first meeting of the Homebrew Computer Club: the club that famously inspired Steve Wozniak to design the Apple 1.   In which US state did it meet?

A1) California: in Menlo Park, to be precise.

Q2) More to the point, the club also had phone phreak, John Draper, as a member: Draper was more notoriously known as Captain … who … ?

A2) Captain Crunch.

Q3) 5th March, 1981, saw the ZX81 go on sale.   How much memory did that first version come with?

A3) 1 kilobyte.   (Frankly, my phone is more powerful … !)

Q4) The ZX81 was made by a company led by Sir Clive Sinclair: whosw first company made its money from the Sinclair Executive.   Was the Executive a slide rule, abacus or calculator?

A4) A calculator.

Q5) 5th March, 1999, saw Paul Okalik named as the first Premier of Nunavut.   In which North American country IS Nunavut … ?

A5) Canada: it’s Canada’s newest, and largest, territory.

Q6) 5th March, 1984, saw the start of the by now notorious Miners Strike: at the Cortonwood Colliery.   In which country is the colliery: North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire or South Yorkshire?

A6) South Yorkshire.

Q7) Finally … 5th March, 1868, saw George Westinghouse patent the Air-brake.   What’s the air-brake designed to brake: aeroplanes, railway trains or cars … ?

A7) Railway trains.

I’ll leave you with this tune from Weezer … 

And this thought …

“You really want to get a headache? Try to understand Internet advertising.”

Barry Diller.

Have a good day … !

*        Took it at a local restaurant, Debbi: a branch of Chimichanga’s, that do Mexican style food†.   Amazing what you can do with just an iPod!   (Well … APART from streaming shows from Channel Four, that is … !)

†        Well, I say Mexican, Debbi: it’s a Mexican restaurant, in suburban England, staffed, managed and run by Polish people.   Probably means it’s about as Mexican as Billy Connolly … !

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 5-3-2014

Hmmm … 

That’s unfortunate, if that’s what’s due to happen.

It seems that the BBC is to axe BBC3.   Or, at least, turn it into a purely online service,

I can sympathise with the financial reason that says it’s a good thing: to a small extent.

But I’m also aware that’s BBC Three has been the home of some very good drama — Torchwood and Being Human amongst them — that would otherwise not have seen the light of day: and certainly that needed growing, before being transferred to BBC2.

In doing this, in denying a credible TV channel to new niche drama, the BBC will lose a lot of credibility.

In doing this … ?

The BBC is making a mistake.

~≈Ì≈~

But lets move on, shall we?

Today is Wednesday: which means it’s time for this week’s Brentwood Gazette Teaser.

Here’s this week’s, covered, as ever, by the Creative Commons License*.

Q1) 5th March saw the death of Joseph Stalin.   In which year of the 1950s?

Q2) Stalin had been leader of what’s now Russia, but what was then the USSR.   What did USSR stand for … ?

Q3) Stalin was born in a USSR republic that’s now present day where: Ukraine, Georgia or Azerbaijan?

Q4) Stalin consolidated power after the 1924 death of the country’s original leader.   Who was that leader … ?

Q5) During his rise to power, Stalin exiled whom: Nikolai Bukharin, Leon Trotsky or Grigory Zinoviev?

Q6) That exile was famously assassinated on Stalin’s orders: whilst the former was in which South American country … ?

Q7) Stalin held the title of Premier of the USSR.   He was also General Secretary of the Communist Party’s what: Standing Committee, Central Committee or Games Committee?

Q8) In that post, and in 1939, Stalin signed a non-aggression pact: with which country … ?

Q9) During his lifetime, Stalin was the object of what now call a cult of what: celebrity, personality or character?

Q10) Finally … during WW2, Joseph Stalin occasionally known as what: Grandpa Joe, Uncle Joe or Papa Joe?

Here’s last week’s questions and answers.

Questions.

Q1) 26th February saw the very first Jazz record, recorded: by the Original Dixieland Jass Band.   Which US city did they come from: New York, New Orleans or North Amityville … ?

Q2) One of the two songs on that single was called Livery Stable …  what?

Q3) The flip side was called the ‘Original Dixieland …’ what: one-step, two-step or quick-step?

Q4) The company that recorded the record — the Victor Talking Machine Company — shared its logo, a dog listening to an old record player, with HMV in the UK.   What was the dog called: Nipper, Bonzo or Rosie … ?

Q5) Jazz is supposed to have originated in the area of New Orleans called Storyville.   Storyville was what: the New Orleans’ Docklands, red light area or financial district?

Q6) Which notably large-nosed comedian was one of the Original Dixieland Jass Band’s early fans … ?

Q7) The band also recorded a ragtime piece that’s since become a Jazz standard: and named for which stripy big cat … ?

Q8) Jazz also has roots in the marches held in New Orleans what: weddings, baptisms or funerals?

Q9) New Orleans was also the birthplace of jazzman, singer and trumpeter, Satchmo: better known, of course, as who … ?

Q10) Finally … which Miles Davis album is considered the best selling Jazz album of all time … ?

Answers.

A1) New Orleans.

A2) ‘Livery Stable Blues’.

A3) One step.

A4) Nipper.

A5) The red light area: mostly centred on Basin Street.

A6) The Schnozzola, himself, Jimmy Durante.   (He occasionally played piano for them, as well..)

A7) The tiger.   The song in question is ‘Tiger Rag’.

A8) Funerals.

A9) Louis Armstrong.

A10) Kind Of Blue.

Enjoy those: I’ll catch you once we’ve saved BBC3.

*        Regulars will know already, but for newcomers … all it means is that you’re free to copy, use, alter and build on each of my quizzes: including the Teasers, Gazette Teasers and the Friday Question Sets.   All I ask in return is that you give me an original authors credit on your event’s flyers or posters, or on the night: and, if you republish them, give me an original authors credit AND republish under the same license.   A link back to the site — and to the Gazette’s, if that’s where you’ve found these — would be appreciated.