Hey guys!
I told you about the new game that premiered here in New York last week, and it's that time again to have some fun! Let's do it!
(PS: I promise to transcribe Week 1 later.)
(cue theme in the melody of the old Spiderman theme, and yes, this is actually his theme and he LIKES it)
He's a trivia nut
with a volleyball gut.
Enigmatic and wise,
Thinning hair, bulging eyes...
Beat the Block! Beat the Block!
Match your wits with the Cuckoo Clock.
Beat the Block! Beat the Block!
If you do, it would be a shock.
Watch out!
His range of facts is frightening
since he got hit by lightning.
It's time to Beat the Bloooock!
FROM 95.5 WPLJ NEW YORK
SCOTT (SHANNON) AND TODD (PETTINGILL) PRESENT...
BEAT THE BLOCK!
Today's challenger: Dennis Lesioux from Colonia, NJ, who wrote in:
"I'm 49, I work as a network technician for a telecommunications company. I talk to the TV from time to time. I can Beat the Block. I did a stint on what was then called The $20,000 Pyramid." (He didn't win, so he's making up for it today.)
The rules, to remind everyone:
Race to 10 points, you can answer a 1, 2 or 3 point question on your turn. Wrong answers CAN be stolen.
Dennis chooses to go first, and gets daring to start, goes for a 3.
Which state has no reservations, but has the largest American Indian population?
Dennis: New York *buzz*
Jason with a chance to steal...
Jason: Montana, why not? *buzz*
Correct answer: Oklahoma
Jason: I got a couple friends out there that are gonna kick my butt for that one.
Jason tries for a 2 after that bust.
In which country are the remains of the Inca city Machu Picchu?
Jason: Peru *ding*
0-2 after one round.
Dennis goes for a 2.
Which country's flag was the first to reach the moon?
Dennis: Russia *ding*
Now tied at 2. Jason tries a 2 again.
Name the only father and daughter pair to have Billboard #1 hits both individually and as a duet?
(Dennis winces)
Jason: Frank and Nancy Sinatra *ding*
2-4, Jason still ahead.
Dennis takes a two to start Round 3.
In 1971, which agency left the Cabinet and became a non-profit organization?
Dennis: U.S. Post Office *ding*
Even up at 4.
Jason: I'm liking this a lot. Another 2, please.
(Scott: C'mon, somebody's gotta step out here pretty soon.)
Which state flag features a bison, and has a town founded by and named for Buffalo Bill?
Jason: Nebraska *buzz*
Dennis for his first steal...
Dennis: Iowa *buzz*
Correct answer: Wyoming
4-4, dead heat
Round 4, Dennis goes for a 3. "I'll go down in flames."
Which president appointed more Supreme Court justices than any other commander-in-chief?
Dennis: Nixon *buzz*
Jason: I think, it seems obvious, but I think it's Franklin Delano Roosevelt. *buzz*
Correct answer: George Washington (He appointed all 9)
EVERYONE awws at that one. Todd says, "What's wrong with you boneheads? That was a gift 3-pointer there."
Scott: I never thought I'd say this, but I'm starting to miss that Bruce. (reference to their producer who used to kill at this game.)
Jason tries to recover with a 2.
Name the only independent Western Hemisphere country other than Canada with French as an official language?
Jason: Haiti *ding*
Now up 4-6.
Round 5, Dennis goes for a 2.
Name the renaissance man who "sees the lightning from heaven and the scepter from Tyrence"?
Dennis: Leonardo da Vinci *buzz*
(Scott: "We need to get the shock collars out." Again in reference to another trivia game they do.)
Jason: Michelangelo *buzz*
Correct answer: Ben Franklin (You can see how "renaissance" threw them off.)
Jason takes another 2.
In 1932, which Middle Eastern country took on the name of its ruling family?
Jason: Saudi Arabia *ding*
4-8, Jason with a big lead.
Round 6, Dennis goes for 3 now, feeling he has no choice.
Whose death on January 22, 1901 inspired Henry James to say "We all feel a bit motherless today"?
(Those of you who have been watching Ken Jennings know this from one of his Final Jeopardys)
After a lot of deliberation...
Dennis: Queen Victoria *ding*
7-8 now. Scott calls it a battle, "unfortunately".
Jason: It ends now! 2 points, please.
What is the only east coast state that extends into the Central time zone?
Jason: Florida *ding*
JASON BLOCK WINS!
FINAL SCORE: 10-7
So, Jason is now 2-0, but still has yet to try a 3-pointer voluntarily. It was ugly, but as he put it, it's like the Yankees of late: "A win is a win is a win."
For Dennis, no trip to Barbados, but he does get dinner for two at Outback Steakhouse for his consolation.
Will Jason do as well next week? Tune in at 7:30EST next Tuesday.
