What box office star was hired by SNL early on in their career but left after only four episodes? John Goodman Jim Carrey Kevin Hart Ben Stiller Fact: Early in his career, Ben Stiller made a short parody of the Tom Cruise movie The Color of Money that caught the attention of SNL, which aired … Read more
What No. 1 hit of 1969 was performed by a cartoon band? “Sugar, Sugar” “Build Me Up Buttercup” “Crimson and Clover” “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” Fact: The Archies, a fictional cartoon band based on characters from the Archie comic books and television series, recorded “Sugar, Sugar,” which became one of the biggest hits of 1969. … Read more
Which science-fiction author coined the term “cyberspace” in his 1984 novel Neuromancer? Arthur C. Clarke Ray Bradbury William Gibson Isaac Asimov Fact: Even if you’ve never heard of William Gibson, you’ve almost certainly felt his influence. Widely regarded as one of the most influential science-fiction writers of his generation, Gibson helped shape modern ideas about … Read more
In 1887, Arthur Conan Doyle introduced the character Sherlock Holmes in which debut novel? The Sign of the Four A Study in Scarlet The Valley of Fear The Hound of the Baskervilles Fact: Arthur Conan Doyle first introduced Sherlock Holmes in the 1887 novel A Study in Scarlet. The story also marks the first appearance … Read more
Which director won an Oscar, a Tony, and an Emmy all in the same year? Steven Spielberg Bob Fosse Mel Brooks Ron Howard Fact: In 1973, Bob Fosse achieved one of the most remarkable award sweeps in entertainment history by winning an Oscar, a Tony, and an Emmy in the same year. He won the … Read more
Which ‘80s band at one point had three unrelated members with the same last name? The Bangles Bon Jovi Duran Duran Tears for Fears Fact: Duran Duran was one of the most successful bands of the 1980s, having sold more than 100 million records worldwide. Three members share the last name Taylor, John Taylor, Roger … Read more
Joan Jett rose to fame as the frontwoman of which all-female rock band? Heart The Bangles The Go-Go’s The Runaways Fact: Before launching her successful solo career with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Joan Jett first gained fame as a founding member and rhythm guitarist of The Runaways in the mid-1970s. The Runaways were one … Read more
Which original marshmallow shape from Lucky Charms is still included in the cereal today? Pink Hearts Yellow Moons Orange Stars Green Clovers Fact: When Lucky Charms debuted in 1964, it featured just four marshmallow shapes: pink hearts, yellow moons, orange stars, and green clovers. Over the decades, the cereal has introduced—and retired—many additional shapes, including … Read more
John Adams controversially wanted the President to have what title? King Emperor Supreme Leader His Highness Fact: During the First Congress in 1789, John Adams, serving as Vice President, argued that the new nation’s chief executive should have a more distinguished and formal title to command respect both domestically and abroad. He proposed the elaborate … Read more
The arcade game Pac-Man features four colorful ghosts named Inky, Blinky, Pinky, and what? Cletus Tinky Clyde Shadow Fact: In the 1980 arcade classic Pac-Man, the four ghosts that pursue Pac-Man through the maze each have distinct personalities and names: Blinky (the red ghost), Pinky (pink), Inky (cyan), and Clyde (orange). Blinky aggressively chases Pac-Man, … Read more