Scoop's Trivia Contest! Four Contests, all innocent, that result in a fierce struggle to survive! Plus Redemption, and an Award--The One & Only FINSTERMOCKER!

WARNING!!! Don't get mad if you can't find all the answers!

Trivia #1     Trivia #2     Trivia #3     Trivia #4

PLUS The Vulture's own TRIVIA QUIZ!

The Scandal! Oh, the shame...READ ALL ABOUT it!

Scoop Says: "Congratulations, Carol! You were 1st, and are hereby awarded my 'Golden Star' certificate, suitable for framing. It will arrive shortly, and no--you do not get 'extra credit' for mentioning Riff Raff!

In First Place: Andy Smejkal, from Milton, WI, 9/20 12:29PM. "How about 2 out of 3, Scoop? #1) I wasn't able to find out who the hell Mrs. Finstermocker is. Nowhere I searched or nobody I talked to had ever heard of her. #2) Master Cylinder is a bully and is considered the king of the moon. His delight is capturing Felix the Cat and Poindexter. #3) Simon Bar Sinister is the evil scientist, and arch-enemy of Underdog."

Scoop Says: "Great job, Andy! A 'Golden Star' certificate is on its way! (PS: Andy later e-mailed again, begging for the answer to Question #1. Under an Oath of Secrecy, I told him. If he tells you, let me know...I will put a bounty on his head!).

Better Late Than Never: 'Gornoman' 9/26, 5:40PM. "Simon Bar Sinister was the constant villain on the Underdog cartoon show. He was very creepy-looking, bald, and I think he sported a hunchback. Kinda' reminds me of my brother-in-law Brian.

That's it for this round! Feel free to go on to Round #2, a tad easier, you wimps. (Just kidding, honest!). The 'Mrs. Finstermocker' question shall remain as a tie-breaker for all future events. Good luck to all! Ready? We start anew below...

1) Dan Matthews  

2) Mike Nelson

3) Wes & Skip

4) Truman Bradley

5) Napoleon & Illya

6) Jim & Artemus

7) Chuck & P.T.

8) Toody & Muldoon

o 'turn up the juice', so e-mail now while you still stand a chance!

Scoop,

Round 2:

1)  ???
2) Mike Nelson was the main character in Sea Hunt and was played by Loyd Bridges ("Looks like I picked the wrong day to stop sniffing glue!"). (NAME THAT MOVIE MR. TRIVIA!!!)
3)  Wild guess - The 2 fellas touring the country in a Corvette convertible on Route 66?
4)  ???
5)  Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuriakan were the men from U.N.C.L.E. (United Network Command for Law Enforcement)
6)  Jim West and Atemus Gordon were Secret Service agents on Wild, Wild, West.
7)  ???
8)  Officers Toody and Muldoon occupied Car 54 on Car 54 Where Are You?

Later,

gorno     

This message is in MIME format. Since your mail reader does not understand this format, some or all of this message may not be legible.

1. Dan Matthews - Played by Broderick Crawford in the 1955-1959 show "Highway Patrol" -also 1936 Movie - "The Calling of Dan Matthews" (actor - Richard Arlen) -also there is a Dan Matthews who is the host of of a television show called "Lifestyle Magazine" 

2. Mike Nelson - Played by Lloyd Bridges in the 1950's show "Sea Hunt" 

3. Wes & Skip - "Angel" (Don't know if I'm right here, it doesn't seem to fit???) 

4. Truman Bradley - "Science Fiction Theatre" - Hosted by radio vet Truman Bradley. -also - Played by Paul Wagner-Truman Bradley in the 1930-1940 Chalie Chan films of Sidney Toler. 

5. Napoleon & Illya - "The Man From Uncle" 1964-1968. (Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin.) 

6. Jim & Artemus - "Wild, Wild West" - Starring Robert Conrad as Major James T. West / Ross Martin as Artemus Gordon. 

7. Chuck and P.T. - "Whirlybirds" 1954-1958 - Starring Ken Tobey as Chuck Martin / Craig Hill as Pete 'PT' Moore. 

8. Toody & Muldoon - "Car 54 Where Are You" early 1960's - Starring Joe E. Ross as Officer Gunther Toody and Fred Gwynne as Officer Francis Muldoon.

 1) Inspector Henderson

 2) Inspector LaStrade

 3) Ichabod Mudd

 4) Crazy Guggenheim

 5) Simon Templar

 6) John Newland

 7) Amos Burke

 And now we have 2 Bonus Questions as Tie-Breakers:

 Bonus #1: Where did King Leonardo live?

 Bonus #2: In the TV show 'Combat!', name the weapons these individuals carried...

 Sgt. Saunders

 Kirby

 Little John

 Lt. Hanley     

 Good luck to all! As you can see, things are heating up, so don't hesitate to be maybe the 4th or 5th Contestant!

SCANDAL ROCKS SCOOP'S TRIVIA CONTEST!

'Contest Rigged', say angry Contestants!  Possible Flaws in the 'Finstermocker' Question Arouse Suspicion!

Scoop to be questioned soon..."I am innocent," he claims. "I never inhaled, and I did not have sex with that Mrs. Finstermocker!"

plus an important UPDATE for Round #3, Round #4, a new AWARD,  Round #4 continues!, the Conclusion of Round #4--a WINNER! plus MRS. FINSTERMOCKER FOUND! 

SCOOP IS INNOCENT!

NEWS UPDATE: After returning from a lengthy vacation, Scoop Jackson was startled to find wild e-mail accusations bombarding his site, all concerning his Trivia Quiz, which is now into Round #3. A fierce battle has been raging between Contestants "Andy" and "Gorno", each of whom are vying for top honors in the hot new quiz which is sweeping the nation, and also Bali. 

A tie-breaking question in Round #1 was: "Who is Mrs. Finstermocker?" (see directly above this 'Scoop of the Month'). Both Andy and Gorno, leading the quiz amongst a field of three contestants, argued that neither could find a single clue as to the existence of 'Mrs. Finstermock', which was to be used as a 'tie-breaker' in the event of a...well, a tie.

Scoop Jackson responded to the suggestion of a rigged event with this statement: "I believe the 'Mrs. Finstermocker' quiz question to be true and accurate. My friend Pat Bukiri supplied the question and the answer, and I published it as such. In fairness to both Andy and Gorno, I gave them the answer. I did this because this is a Chicago-related question, which, in the scope of my world-wide site, was not fair to all contestants. I also told each of them that the 'Finstermocker' question would not be used as a 'tie-breaker'. I was not aware that a 3rd contestant, Carol 'O', had gone to great lengths to find the answer on her own, apparently in the hopes of using the 'Finstermocker' to help her own score, which is miserable so far, to say the least.

Here we print the e-mail accusations. Out on bond for the charge of 'Fraudulent Trivia Questions', Scoop, on the advice of his lawyer, Eggbert E. Souse, declined to answer, stating only that he will be vindicated.

Subject: RE: Trivia SCANDAL!!!
Date: Wednesday, November 06, 2002 4:30 AM

Scoop................Is there any truth to this????

-----Original Message-----
From: Gorno 
Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2002 9:07 PM
To: scoop@scoopjackson.net; Andy 
Subject: Trivia SCANDAL!!!


Milton, WI

It seems a local man's personal website has caused quite a stir back in
Chicagoland. "Scoop Jackson" has been running a trivia contest on his
website concerning actor's/character's names or origins. So many correct
responses were received during round 1, that a "tie breaker" question needed
to be instituted. The question centered around "who was Mrs. Finstermocker?"

No one seemed to be able to identify this character. Frustration over the
lack of correct responses led Scoop Jackson to actually reveal the answer to
one of the contestants. This fact was openly published on Scoop's website.
In fact, the answer was revealed to other contestants as well!

(Here follows Scoop's e-mail to 'Gorno')

"Gornoman: Thank you for the kind words. Let it be known that all I gave
Andy was the answer to 'Mrs. Finstermocker', and he was told that he could
never use it. But to be fair, I will now reveal the answer to you:
Back in the late 50's and early 60's, WGN (Channel 9 in Chicago, before
Superstation stuff) had Bozo plus kids' matinees, timed to show right after
school was out. I think the 'Andy Clyde Theater' came on at 3:30. It was Ray
Rayner (who hosted many Chicago cartoon shows, plus played a clown on
'Bozo') who came out as a custodian--fake moustache, baggy pants, broom,
etc.--and "sneaked" us into the Orpheum Theater behind thick curtains. Come
to think of it, he would be arrested if he did it now. Anyway, then 'Andy
Clyde' would show 3 Stooges shorts. At the end, he would 'chase' us out of
the Theater because he was afraid of being caught by Mrs. Finstermocker.
So, the correct answer is: Mrs. Finstermocker owned the Orpheum Theater.

I don't understand why the question was so difficult."

And now, the evil e-mail continues...

(Gorno): "Elsewhere on The "Scoop" website:

"There were also afternoon shows, like The 3 Stooges shorts hosted by a
local emcee (I remember 'Andy Clyde' (could have been Ray Rayner in
disguise!)"

None of this would have amounted to much if not for the relentless pursuit
of the truth by one Carol Okerstrom of suburban Chicago. Carol contacted The
Chicago Museum of Broadcast Communications and was delivered the following
reply:

"Yikes! Your friend has the facts just a bit mixed up. When WGN-TV began
airing the newly released to televison 3 Stooges shorts, the first host was
veteran newsman Carl Greyson who did the commercial wraparounds with a chimp
named Chatter. Chatter and Carl never saw eye to eye and Bob Bell was
brought in to host a newly revamped set-up created by producer Don Sandburg.
This setting, an old nickleodean theater named The Odean featured Bell (aka
Bozo the Clown) as custodian Andy Starr. Andy would introduce the shorts.
I do not remember any Mrs. Finstermocker. The name sounds like a character
in a Stooges short. I think that's where the confusion is.

Steve"

It seems that not only is Scoop Jackson using questionable tactics in his
own contest, he is distributing incorrect information. Chicago area
television viewers are irate at the thought of Bozo the Clown being confused
with Oliver O. Oliver. Or someone getting Andy Starr's name wrong. The
Chicago Museum of Broadcast Communications has promised a full investigation
of the man known as "Scoop Jackson".

Chicagoland winners of Scoop Jackson's "Golden Star Certificates" are left
wondering just what good the "certificates" are. One winner claims he is
considering lining the funnel in his shed with his "certificate". Another
winner may use it in her catbox.

This reporter tried to contact Scoop Jackson himself but was informed that
Scoop was "out of town".

Probably in Vegas looking for aliens.

Later,

gorno 

Yes,Gorno, I was. We will see what happens, El Snako. Scoop will respond el soono.

Mon, 11 Nov 2002 17:08:23 -0500 (EST)
From: "Carol O" 
Subject: Re: new 'Scoop'

I DEMAND A RETRIAL!!! YOU HAVE NOT PROVEN WHO MRS. FINSTERMOCKER IS!!! 
OR IS IT REALLY MRS PHINSTERMACHER????  ARE YOU GIVING OUT FALSE NAMES 
TO CONFUSE US??? EH???  DO YOU REALLY CARE??? DO I REALLY CARE???  WHO 
REALLY IS MRS. FINSTERMOCKER???  THE PUBLIC DEMANDS TO KNOW THE 
TRUTH!!!!!  IS SHE REALLY A CHARACTER OF ANDY STARR AND THE ODEAN 
THEATER OR JUST THE RAMBLINGS OF A MAN WHO HAS HAD ONE TOO MANY OLD 
STYLES??  WILL WE EVER KNOW THE TRUTH??? 
 

Wednesday 7:37AM CST, I check out WGN's site and post a question. 

Wednesday 10:53AM CST, I receive the following e-mail from Carol O: "Gee, look what I found on WGN-TV's website: "Help! Anyone remember Andy Starr and Mrs. Finstermocker? E-mail me." (Submitted by Scoop Jackson). 

Carol O. then went on with this: "Thought you would have your (evidence) in 3 days. And this was posted just this morning. Interesting! Veeeeerrrrrryyyyy interesting!"

Yes, I felt betrayed by the Web. And then, upon checking again today, Thursday, I found this little item on WGN's site, right above mine: 

 "Help! I'm having a trivia battle royale! Proof of Mrs. Finstermocker of Andy Starr Odean e-mail to Carol O********. Submitted by Carol 10:49AM CST (Wed.)

So, let's review...I search the 'Net at 7:37, I get castigated by Carol O. at 10:53, but I later find she has also posted a search question 4 minutes earlier! Ha! Vultures, I say!

Sent: 11/25/02 9:24am Subject: Mrs. Finstermocker found!

"Scoop, I owe you an apology of large proportions. You were right and there really was a Mrs. Finstermocker. It is officially and irrevocably been verified by the person who wrote the show. I bow to your superior trivia knowledge."

From Steve at Chicago Television.com is this attachment:

"Hi Carol,

I just talked to Don Sandburg (the creator of the Andy Starr segments) and he tells me there was a Mrs. Finstermocker but she was never seen or heard on the show. She owned the theater and from time to time would give Andy some chores to do. A very minor character who was written into the scripts only occasionally. I myself totally forgot this character. Thank you for reminding me!  Steve."

...and so the 'Finstermocker' debate is finally over. I mailed Carol O. and thanked her for her honesty and fairness, and especially her diligence! I also promised that the 'Finstermocker' award she is to receive will be a kinder, gentler version from its former vicious image. But I also warned her that we may fight again when she reads the answer to Question #14!

Thank you Pat Bukiri for the 'Finstermocker' fun!

Andy Star, and another cheap shot at Scoop!

Another fine example of the Shrine!

For now, one simple question: Name the 3 actors who played bumbling police detective Inspector Clouseau.

Scoop's Own Trivia...Good Luck To All----Ha!

5) How old was Curly when he died?

FINAL UPDATE: Steve O. returned from a 'business' trip to Vegas and tied Carol O. (the 'Vulture') for the 'Inspector Closeau' question. He also entered the final of Round #4. Andy was also out of town, and has just answered the final of Round #4. Carol O., the 'Vulture, had submitted her answers immediately, since she was at work, wasting the company's money. Here are the scores:

AND NOW...the End:

If you didn't enter, too bad. Here are enough answers for those who did enter to figure out what went wrong...

Steve O. and Carol O. tied with 'Peter Sellers, Alan Arkin, and Roger Moore'.

#1) It's 'Moses Harry Horwitz'. I let it go.

#5) OK, Vulture--Curly was 48.

#6) I got "Hoofs and Goofs", but everybody else said "Rusty Romeo", so it doesn't matter.

#10) A.  It's a known historical fact, and I can prove it...so there!

#11) A.  "Dally in the valley..." was a line from W.C. to Mae West. He also said, when asked if she was his new bride, "New? I haven't even unwrapped her yet!" The quote "Any man who hates dogs and children can't be all bad." was given as an introduction to W.C. before he gave a speech at a banquet.

#13) C.  Charlie Chaplin was W.C.'s next-door neighbor. W.C. never filled it again as long as he lived there.

#14)  D.  Ha!--gotcha, didn't I? My Uncle Jim worked for Butler Aviation at Midway Airport, which supplied the fuel for most of the airlines arriving there. He woke me out of a deep sleep one night and told me to get in the back of his courtesy van. I was wrapped in a tarp and told to lay silent. We passed checkpoints. The van rolled on, stopped, and Uncle Jim opened the rear doors and told me to stand "right there." The jet stopped on its mark, the crew wheeled the ramp to the door, and the women (groupies?) and bodyguards came down first. Then came the Beatles.

Ringo was last, and he stopped to give me an autograph, but just then the screaming fans on Cicero Ave. jumped the tall cyclone fence 100 yards away and rushed forward. The Beatles were grabbed by bodyguards and thrown into limos. I didn't get the autograph, but I did briefly shake hands with all of them, and I was there...first!  So there!

  PS: If you look closely at the bottom right corner of the 'Sgt. Pepper's' album cover, there is a picture of a small boy. Check it out... 

and the Winner is...

 Carol O, the 'Vulture', with a tie in the "Closeau" question and 11 out of 14 in the Final, beating Steve O. by 1 measly point! Congratulations, Carol! 

After this column was published in the prestigious Camper's Courier, the Vulture and her posse accosted me, pointing out--correctly, I am sad to say--that I should have said Andy Starr, not Andy Clyde. 

The 'Starr' vs. 'Clyde' thing was a focal point during most of the infamous Trivia Contest imbroglio: The Vulture accused me of deliberately giving false info, as if this slight error prevented her from doing any actual work at work! The fact is, Carol belongs in the 'Dilbert' comic strip, in that apparently she gets paid for doing absolutely nothing besides researching trivia on the Internet. I mean this in a nice way, because they pay her good money to sit there and do this, and besides, I am jealous!

 This e-mail soon followed:

Thank you, Mrs. Vulture!

Oops! Did I forget something? Here's the damn results...

'Andy' and 'Steve O' finished a tight race for Round #3. Steve O. had 8 correct, Andy 9. Thus--the winner is...Andy! Due to time constraints and to keep novice contestants scratching their pointy little heads, I'll just list a few of the answers one or each had wrong: 

Andy, your answer to 'John Newland' gave him as the host of 'One Step Beyond', but you said you did not know what actor 'played' him. He was himself. Steve O., you listed Inspector Henderson as Clark Kent's dad...duh!

Inspector Henderson was actor Robert Shayne. Inspector LaStrade was Colin Jeavons. Ichabod Mudd was the sidekick to Cap't. Midnight (Jet Jackson later in syndication.) According to my expert, Pat. B.: "Was played in that tv show by the Laurence Olivier of television, Sid Melton, who later went on to play one of the carpenters on Green Acres."

Kirby was the B.A.R. man. Little John carried an M1 GARAND.

Oh, and yes...King Leonardo was ruler of Bongo Congo!  

1. THE BAXTER’S

2. THE FINDLAY’S

3. THE JEFFERSON’S

4. THE ADDAMS’

5. THE JETSON’S

6. THE CARTWRIGHT’S

7. THE DRUMMOND’S

8. THE DOUGLAS’

9. THE TATE’S

10. THE DAVIS’

 Good Luck!

(OK--the Contest officially ended already, but go ahead and try your luck!)