What things must you know to be a pop culture genius?
How to score
If you get 31-35 right, you’re in the Lisa Simpson Mensa Club; 26-30, you’re a “pop smarty-pants”; 21-25, you need to read more RedEye; 16-20, you’re a “pop poseur”; 15 and below, you’re a dumbass.
1. Who of the following has never been nominated for an Oscar?
a. Brad Pitt
b. Angelina Jolie
c. Tobey Maguire
d. Salma Hayek
e. Naomi Watts
2. Who won the first rap Grammy?
3. Which of these actresses has not been romantically linked to Brad Pitt?
a. Gwyneth Paltrow
b. Nicole Kidman
c. Juliette Lewis
4. Which “Desperate Housewives” star was a Bond girl?
5. What do “The Notebook” star Ryan Gosling and “Felicity” star Keri Russell have in common with Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera?
6. Name the members of A Tribe Called Quest.
7. Now, smarty-pants, name at least five of the original members of the Wu-Tang Clan.
8. Which of these celebs was NOT linked publicly with Scott Baio?
a. Pamela Anderson
b. Nicollette Sheridan
c. Heather Locklear
d. Whitney Houston
9. What Chicago-born actor has seen his movies combine to make more than $3 billion worldwide? Hint: Went solo in space.
10. Where was the first “Real World” filmed?
11. On “Seinfeld,” Kramer and Frank Costanza invent a bra for men. What did they consider calling it?
12. Name Tom Cruise’s first two wives.
13. Name two women who’ve flashed David Letterman–on his show.
14. On what TV show did Leonardo DiCaprio guest star in the early ’90s?
15. What was the first video played on MTV?
16. Which person has not had a reality show?
a. Bobby Brown
b. Britney Spears
c. Queen Latifah
d. Kirstie Alley
17. Put these “Batman” actors in the correct chronological order:
a. Val Kilmer
b. Adam West
c. Michael Keaton
d. Christian Bale
e. George Clooney
18. Who played Axl Rose’s wife in the Guns N’ Roses video for “November Rain”?
a. Cindy Crawford
b. Rachel Hunter
c. Stephanie Seymour
d. Tawny Kitaen
e. Kim Basinger
19. Which of these celebs has not released a pop song?
a. Lindsay Lohan
b. Tyra Banks
c. Jennifer Love Hewitt
d. Paris Hilton
20. Which of these household items cannot be used as a weapon in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City?
a. Golf club
b. Chain saw
c. Scissors
d. Hammer
e. Screwdriver
21. Name the four winners of Fox’s “American Idol.”
22. Which of these ’90s grunge bands was not based out of Seattle?
a. Pearl Jam
b. Nirvana
c. Stone Temple Pilots
d. Soundgarden
23. According to Mr. Rooney in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” how many times had Ferris been absent during his senior year?
24. Name the only “Saved by the Bell” character to appear in all of the show’s episodes, spin-offs and movies.
25. On what street do the Simpsons live?
26. Name the members of the Beatles who have guest-starred on “The Simpsons.”
27. What was the name of Britney Spears’ first husband?
28. Name the movie this line came from: “I like them French fried potaters.”
29. What are the names of Ross’ two kids on “Friends”?
30. Who kissed during the opening performance at the 2003 MTV VMAs?
31. Name the band that sings the theme song for “The O.C.”
32. What video game caused such an uproar with its bloody brawling that Congress made the video game industry adopt a ratings system? Hint: “Finish him!”
33. Who was the first African-American to host a nightly talk show?
34. What was the name of the sex toy Charlotte couldn’t live without on “Sex and the City”?
35. Name the beer companies that gave us each of these advertising phrases:
a. “Whuzzzzaaaaap?”
b. “Head for the mountains.”
c. “And … twins!”
d. “You never forget your first girl.”
ANSWERS
1. c, Tobey Maguire
2. DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince (Will Smith)
3. b, Nicole Kidman
4. Teri Hatcher
5. They all were members of “The Mickey Mouse Club”
6. Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Phife
7. RZA, GZA, U-God, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, Method Man, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Masta Killa and GhostFace Killah
8. d, Whitney Houston
9. Harrison Ford
10. New York
11. “Manssiere” or “the bro”
12. Mimi Rogers and Nicole Kidman
13. Courtney Love and Drew Barrymore
14. “Growing Pains”
15. “Video Killed the Radio Star” by the Buggles
16. c, Queen Latifah
17. West, Keaton, Kilmer, Clooney, Bale
18. c, Stephanie Seymour
19. d, Paris Hilton (she hasn’t come out with hers yet)
20. c, scissors
21.Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood
22. c, Stone Temple Pilots
23. Nine times
24. Screech (Dustin Diamond)
25. Evergreen Terrace
26. George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr
27. Jason Alexander
28. “Sling Blade”
29. Ben and Emma
30. Madonna and Britney Spears; Madonna and Christina Aguilera
31. Phantom Planet
32. Mortal Kombat
33. Arsenio Hall.
34. The Rabbit
35. a-Budweiser, b-Busch, c-Coors, d-St. Pauli Girl
14. “Growing Pains”
15. “Video Killed the Radio Star” by the Buggles
16. c, Queen Latifah
17. West, Keaton, Kilmer, Clooney, Bale
18. c, Stephanie Seymour
19. d, Paris Hilton (she hasn’t come out with hers yet)
20. c, scissors
21. Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood
22. c, Stone Temple Pilots
23. Nine times
24. Screech (Dustin Diamond)
25. Evergreen Terrace
26. George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr
27. Jason Alexander
28. “Sling Blade”
29. Ben and Emma
30. Madonna and Britney Spears; Madonna and Christina Aguilera
31. Phantom Planet
32. Mortal Kombat
33. Arsenio Hall
34. The Rabbit
35. a-Budweiser, b-Busch, c-Coors, d-St. Pauli Girl
