Good news and bad news…

Friends–

Happy holidays, of course. As the Big Quiz Thing gets ready to move into the New Year, I have good news and bad news.

The good news first:

As you are likely aware, the typical BQT event (in NYC, at least) features a cash jackpot of $250. The winning team gets $200, the runner-up squad receives $50. That buys a lot of drinks, folks. But starting with the January 3 episode, we're upping the numbers: $300 in cash prizes. The champs still get $200, second place still pockets $50, but now, third place will receive $25. Every team in the big Three-Way Finale will earn cold, hard cash. Useless knowledge isn't so useless, is it?

And that last $25? Get this—we're giving it to tenth place. Why tenth place? A little somethin' somethin' for those people aren't quite as nerdy as the top scorers. Sharing the wealth—I'm a Marxist socialist wealth redistributor, after all.

Now the bad news…

The cover charge is going to $10. Apologies, but a few things to keep in mind: (1) We haven't raised the price in over five years. In that time, the show has expanded and improved; you still get a completely original multimedia live show, approximately every two weeks, for less than the cost of a movie. We got value up the wazoo. (2) The fact that we're raising the cover charge isn't actually bad news from my and EDP's point of view. See how that works?

The next event is January 3—eight days away, at a new venue, Drom. We're hoping to stick as close to the every-other-Monday schedule in 2011, but we'll keep you posted. You're the best fans in the world.

Prizes: Shows! Shows! Shows!

Good God, there is too much happening at this Monday's long-awaited episode of the BQT. Apart from it simply being the first NYC event in far too many moons, we got the preshow Jeopardy! viewing party, the possible debut of the BQT buzzer system (I believe in technology when it believes in me), and a super-secret surprise (at least one of them). And, as always, we got prizes.
Shows! Straight from Broadway, the one-man show Colin Quinn: Long Story Short. Like many of you, I first became familiar with this guy as the annoyingly endearing, endearingly annoying sidekick on perhaps the greatest non–Price Is Right TV game show of all time, Remote Control. He wasn't bad, though clearly not the reason I was a fan, and several years later, when he showed up looking uncomfortable on Saturday Night Live, I wondered how the hell this guy got to be (semi-)famous. Damn, I could do this. I would do this! I decided to become a stand-up.

So I became a stand-up, and shiver me timbers, found myself opening for Colin Quinn (eh, not really; he performed in the 8pm show, I was in the 6:30 one, but cut me a break, I was getting neither paid nor laid). And this guy quickly gave me a clear and undeniable lesson about why I would never make it in that insane business: He was funny, yes, but also smart (even though I didn't always agree with his insight; dude was totally pro–Iraq War), and—most importantly—he was completely cool and comfortable onstage, making it look stupid easy. He made the whole room feel like they were his nicely toasted drinking buddies, trading jokes and observations at the bar on a Friday night (or, if you prefer, his thoroughly stoned roommates, trading jokes and observations in the dorm on a Saturday night). By contrast, my act was occasionally funny, usually smart, but I was never cool and comfortable—nothing looked easy in my set. That was that; I didn't last much longer at the Comedy Cellar.

And now—Broadway! Long Story Short is billed as the "History of the World in 75 Minutes," and will you look at that, it's directed by some old sitcom star! It was just extended to February 5, so get your tickets while you can. Or, better yet, win them Monday night.

Plus, Off Broadway…The Flying Karamazov Brothers! These guys played NYC in the '80s, my parents took me, and I remember it with uncanny detail. They juggled. Like, everything. They invite the audience to bring stuff for them to rhythmically toss in the air (I recall a pound of liver), and you best your bippy, they fucking juggle it. Boom. Plus, I can pinpoint this show as the exact moment I learned about the time-honored art of improvisation: They kept making fun of a horrible sport jacket some guy in the front row was wearing, I figured he must have been a plant, but my mother (being the show business veteran she is) told me about the art of ad libbing. And years later, I was angling for laughs on an Upright Citizens Brigade stage.

And now the FKBs are back. "Their looks can kill, their show can slightly injure," goes the slogan, so apparently the modern-edition Brothers are rather handsome fellows. (I remember a bunch of bearded dudes who looked like nerdy versions of ZZ Top.) Judge for yourself…

Free tickets to some lucky winners Monday night. Plus, since I love you, you can get cheap tix by going to Ticketmaster and using the code LSP584. And please, avoid any "dropping balls" jokes. Thanks!

Have a show/product/event that you want to hype via the Big Quiz Thing? We're always looking for promo partners: E-mail info@bigquizthing.com and let us know.

Sponsor spotlight: Burlesque!

Legions of people worship me, of course, and those folks may be aware that I occasionally find myself in the company of burlesque types. That wonderfully resurgent art form all about suggestive dancing, boobs, showmanship, boobs, fantastic costumes and boobs. What I like most about burlesque is that the women involved in are of various and many shapes and sizes, but almost without exception, they go out there and shake it with confidence and flair, giving 80 million percent. It's a philosophy that I share—who cares if I'm a dork, I'm going all out for a fucking trivia show—and, naturally, admire.

Through my burly-q connections, I've found myself hosting and/or appearing in a number of said events (this, this, and this), and I called in favors for this Monday's NYC Clash of the Trivia Champions: We got show tickets.

The eighth annual New York Burlesque Festival begins this Thursday, September 30, running through October 3 at a whole mess of venues. Nobody puts on a show like this people. It culminates on the 3rd at the soon-to-be-familiar Highline Ballroom for the spectacular Golden Pastie Awards. (Vote now! And no, I'm not nominated for anything, and while I've worn many odd things in my life, I've never put on a pastie.) We've got two passes to the opening-night party, Thursday the 30th at Brooklyn Bowl (which, by the way, is an awesome venue, even though a proposed plan to bring the BQT there fell through).

Plus, later in the burlesque season (I think I just invented that concept), get ready for Hussies from Hell, a spooktastic show on Sunday, October 31, also at Highline Ballroom. Details for this are sketchy at the moment, but I put that amazing poster at the top of the post, and I do think I will be blowing it up, framing it, and hanging it over my bed. (The ladies love me.) We got two passes for this as well.

All this and more, Monday night. Reg. Is. Ter.

Sponsor spotlight: CONEY ISLAND!

This past summer was something of a renaissance for my most beloved of Brooklyn 'hoods, Coney Island. The new Astroland is no Six Flags, but it's a great little family amusement park, shiny, clean and idiosyncratic. There was plenty of fun to be had at the freak show and on the Boardwalk, including yours quizzly hosting a super-fun T-shirt contest. Everything was the way Coney should be: grungy and great. And of course, the Cyclone: my favorite roller coaster, badder and better than ever.

Next summer promises to be even better, and you can get a jump on the fun. At Monday's NYC Clash of the Trivia Champions, we've got two Coney-affiliated sponsors…

The Coney Island History Project, "a not-for-profit organization that aims to increase awareness of Coney Island's legendary and colorful past and to encourage appreciation of the Coney Island neighborhood of today." An excellent cause. And for the prize haul, they're kicking in a nice little prize package: a copy of the book Coney Island Lost and Found…
…a couple DVDs of the Coney-set documentary Up on a Roof, and some T-shirts. And: the Cyclone!

A bunch of free rides (and T-shirts) on the greatest roller coaster in the galaxy. The season's over, but put the passes in a safe place and whip 'em out when the '11 season begins in April (put them where you kept your Pavement tix). Monday night!

And here it is, from the front car:

Other sponsors: The Gutter, The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, Babeland, the best of Off Broadway, Metro Metro's Board Game Olympics

Sponsor spotlight: Metro Metro

Here's an interesting one: Metro Metro, an NYC operation that organizes various BQT-fan-friendly events: scavenger hunts, a monthly Board Game Olympics, etc., etc. Basically, they join the Big Quiz Thing among the small fraternity (if only there were a fraternity) of NYC organizations that allows a social life for people like us.

Their events are extremely well organized and very friendly—which is how I managed to make contact with them, basically just showing up at the last Board Game Olympics and hyping the NYC Clash of the Trivia Champions (one week away!). They're on board (heh) as a sponsor, kicking in two free passes to the a future BGO, a $60 value. When I visited, there was a dizzying array of games on offer—Taboo, Trivial Pursuit, Memory and—appropriately, in the marquee position—the great, great Jenga.

Each pass is good for a team of four, and it takes place one Sunday a month at Union Hall, an extremely attractive venue in Brooklyn. Details on Metro Metro's site.

I leave you with this: Some genius somewhere having unauthorized fun with a Jenga set. Bring one of these to the Board Game Olympics and all the girls will want to get to know you:

Other sponsors: The Gutter, The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, Babeland, the best of Off Broadway

Sponsor spotlight: The best of Off Broadway

So far, I've told you about a handful of the many prizes on tap for the NYC Clash of the Trivia Champions (nine days away!)—the Gutter, Babeland, UCB Theatre. Lest we forget one of the BQT's standby prizes: theater tickets.

You've heard me talk ad infinitum about The 39 Steps, but (a) it's that good and (b) they keep offering us tickets. So I'll keep taking them and giving them to you. We got a pair in the haul for the Clash. Plus…

— Stomp. Oh, yes, It's been playing at the Orpheum Theater in the East Village for what seems like forever (though I did see the original production of Little Shop of Horrors in that space in the '80s; first musical I really loved), a seemingly impossible feat, considering the energy those performers expend. Nonstop choreographed dance and percussion. If this show doesn't excite you, you have no pulse. Video preview:

— The Gazillion Bubble Show. This I have not seen, so maybe I'll steal these tickets. "The first and only multimillion dollar stage production created by using bubble media," it's billed as. I mean, come on! It's fucking bubbles! How can you resist that? Sure, the website prominently features a quote from Regis Philbin, but otherwise, this is amazing! Here's head bubblemaster, Fan Yang, in action:

That and so much more. But you can't win unless you play. Register, register, register!

Sponsor spotlight: UCB Theatre

BQT regulars know that the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre—without question the city's premier improv theater—is a semiregular contributor to the prize haul, specifically passes to its marquee improv show, ASSSSCAT 3000. It attracts round-the-corner lines every Sunday night, but BQT winners get to cut past the comedy nerds and walk directly into that famously low-ceilinged den of laughter.

You never know who will take part, but you're guaranteed quality performers (UCB doesn't give its top spots to just anyone; as an embittered former mediocre improviser, take it from me). They might even be famous performers: I love how the UCB site wisely words it: "possible special guests" from the panoply of TV comedy favorites: SNL, The Daily Show, Conan, and of course, The Goldbergs.

And yes, they're on board for the New York City Clash of the Trivia Champions, only 11 days away. A pass for two to ASSSSCAT 3000, for one of our lucky, lucky teams. Never too late to register, my friends.

Here's a video of the original UCB players doing the ASSSSCAT thing. The YouTube page says this was filmed in the UCB Theatre, which would defy the laws of physics; thankfully, Amy Poehler clears things up pretty quicky:

Monday: The 39 Steps is back!

The briefest of notes to let you know about Monday's prize haul: The return of one of my favorite theatrical sponsors, The 39 Steps. The show's moved from Broadway to Off, playing at New World Stages, which has long been one of my favorite venues (that's where The Toxic Avenger played, and I remember when it was a sorely needed discount movie theater). The show is extremely well done, and a stupid amount of fun, and we got passes for this show and the next. A little video here:

Monday night, (Le) Poisson Rouge. Bring your brain.

Prizes: Straight from Spanish hell—666!

In addition to some Clearview Cinema movie passes (courtesy Time Out New York), we got some hot (almost literally) theater tickets this Monday night. The megapopular Spanish theater troupe Yllana has revived its hit Fringe show from last summer, 666, at the Minetta Lane Theatre. A bunch of guys find themselves thrown together on death row, letting their imaginations wander—and hey, it's a comedy! They're headed for Hell but bringing the house down with them (I came up with that myself, BTW). And no worries if you don't speak Spanish—it's the cool, actually funny, non-face-paint variety of mime.

This looks hilarious, or at least unmissably crazy. Two tickets this Monday, followed by a couple more on April 19. I'm headed to see it myself this Sunday, so I will have the full report at Monday's show. Check out more details here, or watch the clip below:

Prizes: Time Out New York comes through!

Big news on the prize front: As many of you know, I am a duly-employed editor on the staff of Time Out New York, by far the single most useful magazine I've ever worked for (though I did once editor for a publication that printed a comprehensive guide to beer funneling). Over the years, I've intermittently discussed bringing TONY into the BQT sponsorship fold, and after a useful meeting this week, it looks like the magazine is on board on an intermittent basis. I labor for a noble cause!

TONY has its promo fingers in a whole bunch of pies, so this is a coup for us. And for our next show (April 5), we got a juicy piece of pie (this is sounding dirtier than necessary): Two passes to the movie (or movies) of your choice at any Clearview Cinemas location (three in Manhattan; check the website). I hear that Hurt Locker is quite the raucous adventure.

In the future, we're looking to score plenty more goodies, including TONY subscriptions. Meanwhile, keep reading the magazine—I get more than of few of my trivial ideas from its pages, so valuable insight is guaranteed.

Prizes: Venus in Fur

So, just 'cause all you quiz fans are spicy like that, we have a delightful last-minute prize at tomorrow's quiz: two tix to Venus in Fur, a play currently running Off Broadway at Classic Stage Company. Get this:

"Inspired by the infamous erotic novel of the same name, Venus in Fur takes us behind the scenes at an audition, where a man and a woman blur the lines between fantasy and reality, seduction and power, love and sex. A crackling exploration of sexual control and desire, the play is captive to David Ives' famous combination of classic rigor and contemporary wit."

Actually, the erotic novel is not of the same name; strictly speaking, the book is Venus in Furs (mind that final s). It was written by Austrian nutcase Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, whose name gave us the word masochism (but you perverts knew that), and it also inspired this beautifully weird song by the Velvet Underground:



Also, David Ives is an excellent playwright; I directed a production of All in the Timing when I was in college that was one of the true high points of my theatrical career (we got to embed a fake pickax into my roommate's head).

See you tomorrow, pervs.

Prizes: UCB + Babeland

Pretty interesting prizes for this Monday, at (Le) Poisson Rouge. The usual $250 in cash prizes (but really, is that ever "usual"?), plus some extra goodies:ASSSCAT 3000 at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
We've given this away before, and it was snapped up quick by a tied-for-second-place team. It's back: two passes to the UCB Theatre's marquee improv show, featuring all sorts of famous people from the various spheres of the comedy world. You get to jump the line full of nerds, in other words.

And…


Classes at Babeland
I am so not making this up: Babeland, the country's premier chain of women-owned sex shops, is on board with the Big Quiz Thing. We have two passes to the Babeland class of the winner's choice: everything from chocolate tasting to how to give a proper blow job and seduce your boyfriend after the Super Bowl. (Yes, it used to be "Toys in Babeland," but changed its name to emphasize that it has a lot more than toys. Classes, for example, and a pretty interesting variety of wacky condoms.) Expect the EDP wisecracks to come hard and fast at Monday's show, pun intended.

And of course, the typical slate of other good stuff; I have a rather impressive Batman book to unload. And hey, if you work for anyone with cool items/services to hawk, let us know: info@bigquizthing.com.

Sex, Drugs & Gefilte Fish—THIS TUESDAY

As mentioned last month, I am now a published author, Mom. This Tuesday sees the release of Sex, Drugs & Gefilte Fish: The Heeb Storytelling Collection, featuring a contribution by your own quizmaster (me, that is). Click here to purchase on Amazon, or come to tomorrow (Monday's) Big Quiz Thing for your chance to win a copy. And visit Heeb's website for details on readings, etc., in the NYC and L.A. areas; I'd probably have something more clever to say here if I were reading at any of these events, but hey, you know, them the breaks.

Do you like blood and guts in your theater?

You do? Good: The Big Quiz Thing will provide.

This Monday night, our prizes include tickets to two (count 'em) theatrical experiences, both featuring the kind of lovable, over-the-top violence that you simply won't get from Phantom of the Opera (though that would make it a lot better). And, discount offers.

First, more tickets to The Toxic Avenger.

Perhaps you don't believe that I sincerely loved this show and am just blowing smoke to get more free passes, but so be it. It's really clever, and genuinely funny (even though it's only loosely based on the "classic" Troma movie). Don't miss when Toxie rips a dude's spine out. Even if you don't win on Monday, you can click here for a nifty discount offer. And hey, upgrade to the best seats for $10 more by clicking here.

Plus, this Monday, we have passes to a haunted house! Really! NYC's biggest, Nightmare: Vampires…

I'm told Nightmare is set in the "Museum of Vampyric Artifacts… At first you will be viewing the exhibits…and then you'll be running from them!" (Kind of like when I went to the Pompidou Centre after doing mushrooms.) Another discount offer: Click here and use the code "LDED1" for $5 off.

I need to check this out; never been, but I'm a fan of haunted houses. In college, I was the tour guide for one, accompanied by a sci-fi geek girl I had the serious hots for. We dressed as Dream and Death and made little kids cry. One townie jock thought he was hot shit and grabbed one of our "cow's eyeballs" and popped it into his mouth; he was disappointed to discover it was a rancid cocktail onion. Death eventually rejected my advances (wow), but many moons later, I sort of met my current lady friend through a completely different haunted house, so there's always a happy ending. Even when vampires are chasing you and someone's getting their spine ripped out.

Prizes! (part one)

For this Monday's 200th Episode Spectacular (handsomely blurbed in Time Out New York this week), I promised an extra-special slate of prizes, and I intend to deliver. Some details are still being ironed out, but here's what I can tell you now, immediately, at this moment (and now…and now…okay, I'll stop…now!):

First place gets, not $200, but $300! Incredible.

Second place gets, not $50, but $100! Unreal. Also, some treats: This week, it's cupcakes from a lovely place called Cupcakes in Heels, straight outta Bayside, Queens. I'm told "they specialize in delectably creamy cupcakes with a little bit of frosting in every bite…fresh baked goods that are both health conscious and delicious." Flavors include chocolate, tiramisu, pistachio, coconut and carrot walnut, and that urban-legend favorite, red velvet. Plus, until September 7, mention the Big Quiz Thing and get one dozen gourmet mini cupcakes for free with each order. We're hooking you up, kids. (And yes, more cupcakes throughout the evening.)


The distribution of other prizes is TBD, but we got tickets to the snappy Off Broadway hit The Marvelous Wonderettes. I have it on good authority that it's "a cotton-candy colored, nonstop pop musical blast from the past!": a '50s and '60s jukebox musical, basically, which actually sounds like a crapload of fun to me. Very pretty website, too.

My friends at Heeb magazine are offering a one year's subscription to their fine publication, featuring everything that a self-respecting hipster NYC Jew needs to know. I'm so happy to shill for them; I've written an essay for their forthcoming book, Sex, Drugs & Gefilte Fish.

Another friend of the show, Rachel Kramer Bussel (expected to be in attendance at the big show), is offering a bunch of her erotically themed book collections, including the new Bottoms Up: Spanking Good Stories (yes, it is). Don't believe anyone who says trivia will never get you laid, or a reasonable simulation thereof.

Plus, we have random yet sweet other books and DVDs, including The DC Vault and seasons one and two of the Bialik-riffic Blossom. More prize details later; off the hook is how it's all going to be.

Next on the theatrical prize roster…

…Irena's Vow. On Broadway, starring Tovah Fedshuh, one of the true greats of the modern stage—she was absolutely incredible a couple years ago playing Golda Meir in the one-woman show, Golda's Balcony (through which—no joke—she became friendly with a BQT regular who plays on Adam Smith's Invisible Handjob). You might know her better as a semiregular on Law & Order six or seven years ago; regardless, she knows her craft.

But a warning: Irena's Vow is no ray of sunshine. It's about the Holocaust. Not the quizziest subject, but hey, free tickets! I like to treat you people. And it's written by someone named Dan Gordon, who is apparently not the same Dan Gordon with whom I went to junior high and trick-or-treated (he was dressed as a Hasidic Jew, I was a scarecrow).

We'll be giving away free tickets at the next show, but in the meantime, a discount offer for everyone else. Another word from our sponsor:

IRENA’S VOW
Walter Kerr Theatre
219 West 48th St. (btwn Broadway & 8th Ave.)
www.irenasvow.com

“A Gripping Play! An Amazing Story! Tovah Feldshuh is Dynamic and Powerful!”
-NY Daily News

“Exemplary Courage In Grave Times”
-The New York Times

“AN INSPIRING, ENGROSSING & ENLIVENING PLAY. I encourage young and old, women and men, to see it! The story brings a message of faith, love and hope that good can triumph over evil. Tovah Feldshuh is a treasure – one of our finest actresses.”
-Liz Smith, Variety

“GRIPPING & EXTRAORDINARY! Surprising, suspenseful and heart-stopping! There’s no denying the emotional power of this MIRACULOUS STORY!”
- The Star-Ledger

“Thoroughly Engrossing! Tovah Feldshuh gives an incredible performance! An Inspiring, Powerful Reminder of the Indomitability of The Human Spirit!”
- NY1

Following a triumphant sold-out engagement, four-time Tony Award® nominee TOVAH FELDSHUH (GOLDA’S BALCONY) is now on Broadway in the critically acclaimed, tremendously moving new play, IRENA'S VOW.
Featuring a cast of ten, IRENA'S VOW is the riveting, life-affirming story about one of the most courageous and unsung heroines of World War II. During the German occupation of Poland, Irena Gut Opdyke, a Polish Catholic, was forced to work as head housekeeper for a prominent German major. Over a two-year period of service, Irena would risk her own life in order to protect the lives of twelve Jewish refugees whom she secretly took under her care. IRENA'S VOW is the extraordinary true story of one woman's choice and the twelve lives that would ultimately be saved - or lost - by her decision.
DISCOUNT OFFER:
$69.00 tickets for select Orchestra & Mezzanine (A-F) seats
$65.00 for select Mezzanine (G-J) seats
$41.00 for Balcony seats

HOW TO ORDER:
1. VISIT www.BroadwayOffers.com and mention code IVDML49
2. CALL Telecharge at 212.947.8844 and mention code IVDML49
3. BRING a printout of this discount to the Walter Kerr Theatre, 219 West 48th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue.


Restrictions:
Offer valid on select locations only. Offer valid for performances now through May 31, 2009. Other blackout dates may apply. Schedule subject to change. Offer subject to availability and prior sale. All sales final; no refunds or exchanges. Not valid on previously purchased tickets and may not be combined with other offers. Telephone/internet orders subject to standard Telecharge.com service fees. When purchasing at the box office, offer must be presented at box office window prior to inquiring about availability. Limit 8 tickets per order. Offer may be revoked at any time.

ROOMS for everyone

All right, so, the spigot of free theater tickets is back on. This Monday, we're giving away more seats to ROOMS: a rock romance. In coming BQTs, look out for Irena's Vow and more of the Hitchcockalicious 39 Steps.

But, even better news: For Big Quiz Thing customers, we're being offered fantastic discount offers on all three shows, starting with ROOMS. See below for a word from our sponsor (and a reprise of that nice poster photo; I like a woman with the Union Jack covering her boobs)…

ROOMS a rock romance
New World Stages
340 West 50th Street (btwn 8th & 9th Aves)
www.roomsarockromance.com

A New Musical in the Tradition of Rent and Spring Awakening

“HIT ALERT! ROOMS ROCKS! SEE IT!” -Talk Entertainment

“A SWEET LOVE STORY, DELICIOUS COMIC MOMENTS. Ms. Kritzer is funny and fabulous. Mr. Kreeger is solid and strong. They mesh perfectly.” – The New York Times

“DELIGHTFUL, CLEVER AND POIGNANT! Fun musical theatre rock ‘n’ roll with an edge, youthful romance and fresh comedy! Fast-rising star Leslie Kritzer is positively ebullient! The talented Doug Kreeger is the perfect counterpart. A PLEASURE TO WATCH!” - Associated Press

“TERRIFIC! Leslie Kritzer and Doug Kreeger are two of the most talented performers I have ever seen! YOU WILL LOVE THIS SHOW!” - WOR Radio

“ENTERTAINING, ENJOYABLE! With canny staging and strong performances.” - Variety

“RIGHT AT HOME AND WORTH CHECKING INTO! Sharp and energetic direction by Scott Schwartz.” - NY Daily News

“WE HAVE A NEW CONTENDER FOR BEST MUSICAL OF THE SEASON!” - BroadwayWorld.com

ROOMS a rock romance begins in 1970s Glasgow where Monica, an ambitious singer/songwriter meets Ian, a reclusive rocker. The two quickly become entangled creatively and sexually. Their music takes them to London and ultimately to New York City, where they become part of the vibrant new music scene and create an intimate partnership, their love deepening while their personalities drive them apart. A five-piece rock band accompanies these two characters as they search for the balance between ambition and happiness. Starring Leslie Kritzer (A Catered Affair, Legally Blonde) and Doug Kreeger (Les Miserables, Thrill Me).

DISCOUNT OFFER
Tickets as low as $46.50! (Reg. $69.50)

HOW TO ORDER:
1. VISIT www.BroadwayOffers.com and mention code RMSHARE309
2. CALL Telecharge at 212.947.8844 and mention code RMSHARE309
3. BRING a printout of this discount to New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street.

RESTRICTIONS:
Offer valid for select performances NOW thru 6/28/09. Price includes a $1.50 facility fee. Offer not valid on Sunday evening performances - all seats $39.50. Limit 8 tickets per customer. Additional blackout dates may apply. Subject to availability and prior sale. Normal service charges apply to phone and Internet orders. Cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts and not valid on prior purchases. Offer may be revoked at any time. All sales final -- no refunds or exchanges.

The crowds! The heat!

It was appropriate that we began the video round, "More '80s Music-Video Mash-Ups," with the clip for "Hungry Like the Wolf" (juxtaposed with this song); it was filmed in the sweltering cities of Sri Lanka. And last night, Crash Mansion felt a little Sri Lanka–esque: very crowded and very steamy. And by steamy, I mean literally of an unpleasantly high temperature, not sexual (I've been doing the trivia thing long enough to know that element is rarely in the cards, despite last night's giveaway of this book).

But you were a large, happy, wonderful crowd, my friends; supportive of other teams' Smart-Ass Points, which I always like to see. Two delightfully tacky ones: Q: What's the very Irish name of the traditional wooden walking stick or cudgel, sure to be brandished aplenty at tomorrow’s parade? Someone said, "A bottle opener." Then of course, Q: In 1991, 3 Musketeers adopted its current shiny silver wrapper. What color was it before?, gave us: "Don't you know that all rappers are black?" Funny, but as EDP said, a little offensive, too. (But you can't have one without the other…)

"More '80s Music-Video Mash-Ups" was great, but I was particularly proud of the audio round, "It's Actually Rather Easy Being Green," in honor of St. Patrick's Day. I think I swerved a lot of you by forgoing musical clips (for the most part) and opting for "Green" entities in our culture of pop. Apologies to Strippers for Stephen Hawking for not including Natalie Green (from The Facts of Life), and yes, Alan Greenspan would have been a nice touch (no, that wasn't Alan Greenspan talking about Iraq; it was Rajiv Chandrasekaran, former Baghdad bureau chief for The Washington Post, and probably less than half the age of Greenspan; very interesting conversation here).

As for prizes…let me know how ROOMS a rock romance is, or the 92YTribeca comedy show, for that matter. We're planning (hoping?) to have ongoing relationships with both sets of marketing folks, bringing you a better prize experience.

And DJ GB was back! So wonderful to have her, too—the team is complete once again as we move boldly forward into our best year yet, I swear to fucking God!

Now, the standings. Lots of excitement last night…

1. Cash Cab for Cutie: First victory after many months of heated competition. Yes, yes, they had a lot of people; guess that rule has fallen by the wayside.
2. Sugah Titz: Only a half point away. I assume they will never forget that Mount Everest is on the border of China, not India.
3. Gerard Depardouche: A former dynasty, now perpetually a bridesmaid (if I may mix a metaphor)
4. Jefferson Davis Starship (augmented by returning door queen Sherry)
5. Fantastic Fournicators (a-HA!)

We're back on the 30th with "Soda Pop Haiku." Plenty more on this blog before then…

A prize bonanza

Excellent news: You could win some really sweet swag at this Monday's show. Oh, I so have the hookup.

Naturally, as always, it'll be $200 for the Fantastic Fourn…er, the winning team. Whoever that might be. Then $50, treats, and some other fun stuff for second place. And various other delights for third through fifth places.

But I've recently renewed contact with the theater marketing organization that hooked me (and you) up a few months ago with tickets to Broadway's The 39 Steps. (Still playing, in fact. Probably still hilarious.) This week, they're donating passes to the Off Broadway musical ROOMS a rock romance. Don't let the whack-job capitalization fool you; I have it on very good authority that this is a kick-ass show. And I love a lady in a Union Jack dress.

Plus…ooh, it never ends…I've managed to get my hands on two tickets for Comedy Below Canal, the weekly Thursday stand-up show at the lovely 92YTribeca (truly, this is an impressive space, and a possible future site of the BQT). The tickets are good for April and May, but next week's show stars Jon Glaser, the ski-mask guy from Adult Swim, along with an incognito Yo La Tengo.

Now my love for you is proven.

The Super Mega Ultra Blah Blah Returns!

Oh, boy: By popular demand, it is back. A stupidly challenging question, with your chance to win free admission to the BQT

But… I'm changing the rules: Instead of the first one to e-mail info@bigquizthing.com with the correct answer, I'll be accepting correct responses for the next week, until the end of Wednesday 1/28. I'll then randomly pick one correct responder and award that person the free admission. Got it? Good. Now, then…