Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-10-2026 — Mario Puzo

15th October, 2026: Mario Puzo.

Have you heard of a comedian called Russell Brand?

Well, I say comedian, but I’ve never found the man especially funny.

At any rate?

Over the past few years, he’s been accused of various sexual offences: and is now undergoing trial.

But, in-between accusations of impropriety, and the start of the trial?

He’s converted to Christianity: famously getting baptised in the Thames.

I like the line from that Guardian article: 

“Thames Water is no longer responsible for the biggest piece of shit in the river.”

Which struck me as appropriate.

At any rate … did you ever hear the phrase, “on the swerve”?

If I’ve got it right, it means whoever the phrase is applied to, is trying to dodge a bullet, trying to avoid punishment: usually by making themselves look good.

Donating to charity, say.

Making a public apology.

Or converting to a new religion, in a desperate effort to look like a good person.

Rather than a potential rapist, undergoing trial.

Personally?

That’s what I’m thinking Brand’s doing.

He’s doing a public — and false — conversion, in an attempt to avoid trouble.

I’d love to be wrong.

But?

If he’s not swerving it, I’m a duck.

~≈⚖️≈~

Let’s move on.

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Mum* and Debbi† putting in their answers: with both scoring five out of five.

Let’s see how everyone does with today’s questions, shall we?

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

Q1)        Writer, Mario Puzo, was born on 15th October.   Of which year of the 1920s?

Q2)        He was born in Hell’s Kitchen.   In other words, in which US city?

Q3)        He wrote crime novels that featured gangsters.   Which gangsters: the Mafia, the Yakuza or the Crips?

Q4)        His best known book, The Godfather, was published, when: 1967, 1968 or 1969?

Q5)        Finally … ?   His last novel, The Family was released posthumously.   In which year: 2000, 2001 or 2002?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        The coup that overthrew President Andry Rajoelina, ended on 14th October, 2025.   The coup overthrew him as president of where: Madagascar, Sri Lanka or Ceylon?

A1)        Madagascar.

Q2)        The Battle of Hastings started on 14th October.   Of which year?

A2)        1066.   My last set was a few years ago.   The events leading up tp the Norman invasion, and the Battle, were triggered by the death of King Edward.

Q3)        14th October is — in the Gregorian Calendar — the date of the Intercession of the Theotokos.   It’s usually celebrated by whom: the Eastern Orthodox Churches, the Church of the Tin Vagabond or the Roman Catholic Church?

A3)        The Eastern Orthodox Churches.

Q4)        Lin Dan was born on 14th October, 1983.   He’s a retired professional what: tennis player, badminton player or squash player?

A4)        Badminton player.   (Badminton uses shuttlecocks, rather than balls.   There’s possibly comments … )

Q5)        Finally … ?   Jordan Clarke was born on 14th October, 1990.   He currently plays first class cricket for which county side?

A5)        Surrey.

Here’s a thought …

“I’m fascinated by the movies simply because it is an enormous machine for making money and no matter how badly they run it, it still makes money.”

Mario Puzo.

And a Nino Rota tune

The next ten question sets are on 27th October, and 8th and 10th November: they’re about Godzilla, Monty Python’s Life of Brian and All Quiet on the Western Front.

The next twelve question set is on 16th October: it’s about The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Your comments, and today’s answers, will be published in tomorrow’s Teaser.

AI is avoided when writing these questions.

Answers are as accurate as possible: at the time of writing.

Decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        Hello, Mum!   (Five out of five, two days in a row: well done!)

†        I was wondering, Debbi!   :D

        Oh, can you ask Rick if I’ve pronounced ‘Puzo’ correctly?   I was never sure …