TRICON 2015: The Min-Erik Experience
A new and exciting packet of quizzing questions
By Dylan Minarik and Erik Nelson
1. One of these things repeatedly shouts “Tom Stewart killed me!” in the film Tormented.
It’s not a basketball, but one of these things is thrown through a basketball hoop by evil
versions of the title characters in Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey. In Wayne’s World, Wayne
is concerned that his gift from Stacy will actually contain one of these. A notable one of these
objects used to belong to Tracy Mills before being taken by John Doe. For 10 points, what was
in the fucking box at the end of Seven?
ANSWER: severed heads (accept ‘disembodied head’ or whatever)
<A tossup about film that is entirely common link (i.e., cannot use name of film, actor, director as
answerline)> <EN>
2. In an early appearance, one of these things is compared to alternatives such as a
toaster with wheels and a rolling washing machine. In their most famous appearance, the
owners of one of these objects hypnotize a group of fighting robots with the dance from
LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem.” For 10 points, name this vehicle that appears in several
commercials featuring dancing hamsters and is driven by quizbowlers like Chris Chiego and
Dylan Minarik.
ANSWER: Kia Soul
<A tossup related to commercials> <DM>
3. This song heavily samples Pete Schofield’s cover of “The Night the Lights Went Out in
Georgia,” and, in its most famous role, this song served as a replacement for “Basic
Thuganomics.” The person most associated with this song released it on an album he
worked on with his cousin, Tha Trademarc. That album was You Can’t See Me. Featuring
some blaring trumpets, for 10 points, name this current theme song of WWE superstar John
Cena.
ANSWER: “The Time is Now” (accept “John Cena’s theme song” or equivalents before end)
<A tossup that uses a professional wrestling clue but isn’t actually about wrestling> <DM>
4. One instance of this action by a repairman caused him to be kicked out before
repairing a scene screen. Another character does this after being asked if he’s both “deaf
and stupid” by someone who refused to participate in a robbery. After a similar refusal, this
is done by Douglas J. Needles. In another instance, this action made its target stop in his tracks
and get knocked down after recovering Gray’s Sports Almanac. For 10 points, name this rageinciting action that questions the courage of a family that includes George and Marty.
Answer: calling a McFly “chicken” (accept close equivalents; accept answers that specify
George or Marty McFly)
<A tossup that is about an attribute of something like "Henry Ford's racism" or "Cody Voight's love of
hotdogs"> <EN>
5. This person’s greatest military accomplishment was leading the right flank at
Germantown. The intended victim of this man’s most famous action was informed of his
intentions by Henry Laurens, and that action resulted in this man getting shot in the
mouth during a duel with John Cadwalader. He is best known for sending letters implying a
plan to have Horatio Gates installed as the head of the Continental Army. For 10 points, name
this leader of a “Cabal” against George Washington during the American Revolution.
ANSWER: Thomas Conway
<A tossup that you think I might have written for College History Bowl> <DM>
6. A 2015 New York Times article noted that the victim of this event attempted suicide in
2008 after his marriage fell apart. This event occurred just after an ill-advised pass by
Laurent Foirest was intercepted. The victim of this event was allegedly told not to come
back to the Knicks. The perpetrator of this event nearly punched Kevin Garnett in the face
after doing it. France’s Frederic Weis, a 7’2” center, was the victim of, for 10 points, what vicious
action taken by an American basketball player during a global competition?
ANSWER: Vince Carter’s dunk over Frederic Weis at the 2000 Summer Olympics (accept any
answer that includes all 3 underlined words; accept ‘the dunk of death’ or ‘le dunk de la mort’)
<A tossup on a famous murder/assassination> <EN>
7. Boy George is apparently a believer of this theory because its subject once allegedly
tried to strangle him. ESPN personality Bomani Jones cited the purchase of three TV’s
when arguing in favor of this theory. Other pieces of evidence supporting this theory
include an image depicting its subject photographing Michael Jackson at a Motown
museum and a video that shows him catching a falling microphone stand. For 10 points, name
this theory that questions a certain impairment of the man behind Songs in the Key of Life.
ANSWER: the theory that Stevie Wonder isn’t blind (accept equivalent descriptions)
<A tossup about conspiracy theories> <EN>
8. A character remarks “Well, so does Joy Behar” in response to a statement about one
of these objects. A scene in which one of these objects is mocked features the godawful
song “Who Let the Dogs Out” playing in the background. In The Hangover, Alan claims that
one of his trademark possessions is not one of these, but a satchel, because Indiana Jones
wears one. For 10 points, give this term for any handbag-like item carried around by a person
who has a Y chromosome.
ANSWER: man purses (prompt on purse, handbag, or anything similar)
<A tossup related to Indiana Jones> <DM>
9. This musician’s first collaboration with a Broadway lyricist produced songs like Mouth
on Fire and Mr. Chess. In addition to the album Phantom Moon, this man composed the
music for a musical based on American Psycho. He won a Tony Award with Steven Sater
for a work whose songs include “The Bitch of Living” and “The Mama Who Bore Me”. This
composer of Spring Awakening is also known for a song that notes “I know what you’re doing, I
see it all too clear”. For 10 points, name this man also behind the pop hit “Barely Breathing”.
ANSWER: Duncan Sheik
<A tossup about Broadway musicals> <EN>
10. A song from Animaniacs describes getting a decal upon going through this thing. A
possible rival to this construct is currently being funded by Wang Jing, a Chinese
billionaire. Because the only thing he carried through it was himself, Richard Halliburton
only had to pay a toll of 36 cents going through this thing. This thing’s construction was
supervised by George Washington Goethals. For 10 points, name this engineering wonder that
uses sets of locks to cross an isthmus between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
ANSWER: the Panama Canal
<A tossup that uses some clue from Animaniacs> <DM>
11. In the film The World, The Flesh and The Devil, a coal mine inspector ostensibly
becomes one of these people after becoming trapped in a mine. One of these people is
the subject of the Fredric Brown story Knock. In a 2015 sitcom, Tuscon native Phil Miller
believes he is one of these people before meeting Carol Pilbasian, played by Kristen Schaal.
Burgess Meredith played Henry Bemis, a bespectacled one of, for 10 points, what type of
person in the Time Enough At Last episode of The Twilight Zone?
ANSWER: the last person on earth (accept equivalents)
<A tossup related to The Twilight Zone> <EN>
12. An article that the author of this tossup found on the internet lists 15 reasons to
support this theory, including “I’m pretty sure they just lived in that van.” Joe Ruby and
Ken Spears became incredibly angry when the makers of a certain film hinted at this
theory, which Casey Kasem claimed to be false, by naming a love interest Mary Jane. For 10
points, name this popular theory which alleges that a certain slacker character in Scooby Doo’s
eating habits are caused by his consumption of a certain illegal drug.
ANSWER: the theory that Shaggy smokes marijuana (accept obvious equivalents)
<A tossup related to Scooby Doo> <DM>
13. The original concept for this music video was scrapped because the Red Hot Chili
Peppers’ “Aeroplane” video was too similar. SpongeBob star Tom Kenny and his wife
appear in this video as a couple who use umbrellas to slow their fall after jumping from a
ship. It won six awards at the 1996 VMA’s, including Video of the Year. Those characters are
rescued by the S.S. Méliès, a ship named for a director whose work inspired it. For 10 points,
name this video for a song by the Smashing Pumpkins that notes the title time is “so bright”.
ANSWER: “Tonight, Tonight”
<A tossup on a famous music video (should try and actually be about the video)> <EN>
14. As a part of his stage career, this actor played both Billy Flynn in a Broadway
production of Chicago and King Arthur in a Las Vegas production of Monty Python’s
Spamalot. In 2006, this actor replaced Richard Karn as the host of Family Feud. In his most
famous role, this actor at one point fires one of his employees for, among other things, her
hatred of The English Patient. For 10 points, name this actor, best known for portraying Elaine’s
boss J. Peterman on Seinfeld.
ANSWER: John O’Hurley
<A tossup related to Seinfeld> <DM>
15. io9 likened the 100-mile Barkley Marathons to this action. In one film, rescuing a man
from Rura Penthe is compared to this action. The central figure of this action is a Class III
Neutronic Fuel Carrier. One successful strategy for doing this was noted to have the
“virtue of having never been tried”, and this action’s very existence was protested by Saavik. In
another film, a man calmly eats an apple while performing this action for the third time, though it
is revealed that he cheated. For 10 points, name this action notably “beaten” by James T. Kirk.
ANSWER: taking the Kobayashi Maru test/scenario
<A tossup related to Star Trek> <EN>
16. This boss’s dungeon is the only one which features the purple variety of a certain
creature. The second fight against this boss is the only time that you can steal a fireabsorbing Red Plate, and the first time you fight this boss is the first time the game’s
second boss battle theme is heard. Travelling through the Giant’s Claw cave allows you to earn
the Rainbow Shell from fighting the “Rust” version of this boss. Fought right before Lavos lands,
for 10 points, name this minion of Azala and Prehistoric Era boss from Chrono Trigger.
ANSWER: Black Tyranno (do not accept “Rust Tyranno” at any time, but accept Azala on the
first clue only)
<A tossup related to 8 or 16 bit video games> <DM>
17. This character claims that he is “totally cool with ethnics” as long as they’re “smokin’
hot” on his MyShout page. This character built a zebra-wood box to after being
challenged by Mr. Pike. This drummer for TwaughtHammer is likened to Old Yeller in an
episode that sees him he calls off a meeting in favor of getting someone where he “really
lives”. After a laptop is pulled from his hands towards a giant magnet, this man shouts an oftused profanity. For 10 points, bitch, name this Aaron Paul-played mentor of Walter White.
ANSWER: Jesse Pinkman (accept either)
<A tossup on any topic you want but at some point you have to put in a clue about "Old Yeller"> <EN>
18. This work ends with The Flaming Lips’ “Bad Days” and it also features Michael
Hutchence’s cover of Iggy Pop’s “The Passenger”. Singles from this album include one
that opens by noting “You don’t know how you took it, you just know what you got”. U2’s
“Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me” and Seal’s “Kiss From a Rose” appear on this album, the
latter of which has a video that depicts Dr. Chase Meridian, played by Nicole Kidman. For 10
points, name this album that accompanied the only film in a certain franchise to star Val Kilmer.
ANSWER: the Batman Forever soundtrack
<A tossup on "movie music" however you define it> <EN>
19. After the events surrounding this book transpired, a bunch of idiots petitioned the
American Library Association to make it the “banned book of the year.” In one incident,
Bill Buckingham was chastised for lying about having his father donate several copies of
this book to a certain school district. It features a section written by Michael Behe about the
irreducible complexity of blood clotting. For 10 points, name this intelligent-design supporting
biology textbook central to the Kitzmiller v. Dover case.
ANSWER: Of Pandas and People
<A tossup on science history that CANNOT use any real science clues> <DM>
20. This man’s son created the late 1980’s series The Munsters Today. His own first foray
into show business saw him write jokes for Bob Hope’s radio show with his brother Al.
This man created a series about astronauts who go back in time for some reason titled
It’s About Time. He is better known for his work on a show that cast Eve Plumb and Christopher
Knight as middle children and another that starred Alan Hale and Bob Denver. For 10 points,
name this creator of The Brady Bunch and Gilligan’s Island.
ANSWER: Sherwood Schwartz
<A tossup on something that was a random hard part in a packet you found somewhere> <EN>
21. Last October, this thing accused Taylor Swift of “not understanding her diary isn’t the
same as art.” A recent article in the Washington Post revealed that the owner of this
thing was the New York playwright Justin Sherin. Originally, this thing, which has hilariously
been blocked by Cory Booker, consisted solely of posts copied from a famous set of White
House tapes. For 10 points, name this social media account which posts 140-character musings
of the only US President to resign.
ANSWER: Richard Nixon’s Twitter (or @dick_nixon)
<A tossup related to Richard Nixon> <DM>
22. This man presumed that his future son-in-law was a “solid citizen” upon meeting him,
and he first got his wife’s attention by hiding a photo of himself in a box of chocolates.
This character’s daughter used a white noise machine in the aftermath of his death. This
man’s foul mouth nearly cost him his job as a baby photographer, though he is more famous
for another job that inadvertently caused his daughter’s fear of flying. For 10 points, name this
rarely seen grandparent of Maggie, Bart and Lisa.
ANSWER: Marge Simpson’s father (accept equivalents or Clancy Bouvier)
<A tossup related to The Simpsons> <EN>
23. A pair of spectators are asked if they “know genius when they see it” after this piece
is played. In another appearance, this piece is played after its composer is referred to as
having “the classical sauce” in the song “Rock Your Socks.” That performer of this piece is
referred to as “a shiny golden god” in another song which uses the melody of this piece,
“Classico.” For 10 points, name this J.S. Bach piece for the lute that is sampled in two songs by
Tenacious D.
ANSWER: Bourree in E Minor
<A tossup on classical music using NO SCORE CLUES> <DM>
24. In a handheld remake of one game starring this character, the only major change is
that Santa’s penguin minions have been replaced with elves. This character made his
most recent appearance in an awful 2011 mobile phone game starring him “and the
Deathly Shallows.” This character, who also appeared in “Codename: Robocod,” made his
debut in a game in which he chases Doctor Maybe through levels like “A View to Spill.” For 10
points, name this suave British mudskipper who starts in a series of EA-produced sidescrollers.
ANSWER: James Pond
<A tossup on James Bond> <DM>
25. The star of this work wears a blue track jacket and a t-shirt that reads “Warriors
Crush”. In this work, Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters is subjected to the title action,
as is Jon Bon Jovi, who makes a full recovery. This work ends with a shot of people
smiling along with the phrase “believe in your dreams”. Its title action can’t be performed on
Jason Sudeikis until he ends a phone call, after which he goes back to his burger. For 10 points,
name this SNL Digital Short in which Andy Samberg commits the title violence against would-be
masticators.
ANSWER: People Getting Punched Just Before Eating (exact answer isn’t required, but it
should be close to this)
<A tossup related to Saturday Night Live> <EN>
26. An advertisement featuring this actor promotes the effects of “Reducto Obesity
Slayer.” In his longest appearance, this actor reads a book on the Underground while
being annoyed by a young boy. He is seen carrying the cases of large string instruments in
two of his appearances. In another appearance, this actor walks two dogs out of a pet shop just
as a character played by Tippi Hedren enters. For 10 points, name this actor, who often made
short cameos in his own films such as Dial M for Murder.
ANSWER: Alfred Hitchcock
<A tossup related to Alfred Hitchcock> <DM>
27. This song can be heard by a doctor observing the worst case of intronitis he’s ever
seen, who then asks to be killed after also becoming infected. In one verse of this song,
the singer claims he “couldn’t face these streets without you”, while an aside to this song
mentions the Beast Rebels of the Hellscape. This song notes that the title people will, among
other things, “fill our hearts with so much love”. For 10 points, name this theme song that notes
“it takes a lot to make a stew” and was written for an Adult Swim short.
ANSWER: the theme to Too Many Cooks
<A tossup related to TV theme songs> <EN>
28. One character in this work is compared to Fritz Kreisler after performing Schumann’s
“Traumerei” immediately after his birth. Another character in this work begins to perform
a song with lyrics taken from Ben Jonson’s “To Celia,” which elicits an angry reaction
from the owner of the G-O-N-G radio station. In “Cartman Gets an Anal Probe,” both Cartman
and Officer Barbrady sing the title song from this work after being zapped by the aliens. For 10
points, name this early Tex Avery cartoon, a member of the Merrie Melodies series that
parodies The Jazz Singer.
ANSWER: I Love to Singa
<A tossup about parodies/homages of something more famous> <DM>
29. During one television performance of this song, an accompanying children’s choir’s
gasping prevented Robin Williams from saying the word “fuck” on live television. It was
nominated in 2000 for the Oscar for Best Original Song, but lost to “You’ll be in my Heart”
from Tarzan. For 10 points, name this song in which concerned parents attack “that bitch Anne
Murray” and a certain nation for releasing a Terrance and Phillip film that corrupts their children,
featured in South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut.
ANSWER: “Blame Canada”
<A tossup that mocks Canada> <DM>
30. In one song, this person implores the listener to “do the noodle leg” and to give him
“seizures while he’s bustin ‘a nut.” This man’s relationship with Lance is presented in
contrast with that song, “I Love Tha Pussy”. While working in a different field, this man
repeatedly calls a co-worker Kangaroo Jack and notes that there is no ‘S’ in ‘Viet Cong’ while
playing Motown. This actor is also known for his product endorsements, including the candy bar
Bust-A-Nut. Booty Sweat is also sponsored by, for 10 points, what co-star of Tropic Thunder?
ANSWER: Alpa Chino (pronounced like ‘Al Pacino’; I guess you could prompt on ‘Brandon T.
Jackson)
<A tossup related to actor Al Pacino> <EN>