You win some, Palin loses some

In some incredibly unsurprising news about your quizmaster, I made a point of getting together with friends last night to watch the vice-presidential debate. I admit to being slightly disappointed that Governor Palin didn't literally fall on her face, but I'm comforted by the fact (yes, fact! I am an optimist!) that the result will have a minimal effect, if any, on reviving Senator McCain's nearly dead (and brain dead) campaign.

Regardless, it was a fun gathering: We played Vice Presidential Debate Bingo, and I drew this card:Sorry if you can't see it so well, but I had bum luck. I didn't win, and the only single space that would've put me over the top was "Intellectuals" (but hey, I was surprised to be able to cross off "Candidate cries").

After the debate, I stumped guests with some of my standby political trivia questions. Some of these are hella tough:

Q: Before McCain, who was the last major-party presidential nominee who wasn't technically born in the United States?

Q: Name the only state that currently has a female governor and two female U.S. senators.

Q: What three states gave their electoral votes to George W. Bush both times (2000 and '04), yet currently have a Democratic governor and two Democratic U.S. Senators?

Q: What state has given its electoral votes to the winner of the presidential election the most times running—every election since 1960?

Q: What state has voted for the same party in presidential elections the most times running—every election since 1976?

Want more? We're going to political it up at the quiz on October 27…

Farewell for now, kids

Yes, the quiz is taking a little forced hiatus, at least from Crash Mansion. Last night was the last show for FOUR weeks (we're back October 13). Crazy schedules, Jewish holidays and all that. But the BQT is not laying fallow; despite a national economic outlook that would make Larry King cry, we're doing okay with the private business. And there's always room for more, especially for you.

Anyway, last night was a(nother) great quiz. Technical snafus, images of candy, tasteless jokes about Trig Palin, '80s rap movies: We had it all. The Fantastic Fournicators were unseated. Strippers for Stephen Hawking regained their former prominence. But it was Sugah Titz that took the victory, one of few in their long history of BQT competition; big ups to Chrissy, Club Getaway trivia champion, for the come-from-behind tie-breaking round victory (on "What kind of hat, similar to a fedora, is named for its resemblance to a British meat dish?" and "Due to her distinctive hairdo, what Hollywood star of the 1940s was sometimes known as 'the Peek-a-Boo Girl'?"). And thanks, Chrissy, for satisfying the pervs in the crowd and shaking your breasts. We like being adults, we do.

Also, apologies for the vagueness of this question: "What’s the appropriate nickname for an alcoholic version of the Shirley Temple cocktail—usually a regular Shirley Temple with vodka added?" Yes, it could also be a "Dirty Shirley" (although in my defense, you knew that was wrong—EDP shouted it out); should have been phrased better. Besides, "Dirty Shirley" is lame—I wouldn't have asked the question if that were the answer. I mean, come on.

Finally, I'm glad you enjoyed that "celebrities known by their initials" four-parter. As mentioned, a full coterie of those questions will be in next week's issue of Time Out New York, in my very last trivia column for the magazine (the Games page is going online only). To mourn, read some of my past TONY quizzes. And hire me to write trivia for you.

Now, the standings…

1. Sugah Titz w/Mel Gibson (a mostly female squad this time, pulling off the narrowest of victories)
2. Strippers for Stephen Hawking (easily fending off the challenge of the insurgent team "Strippers for Sophie B. Hawkins")
3. Lipstick on a Trig Is Still a Retard (you're not helping)
4. Fantastic Fournicators
5. Jefferson Davis Starship

See you sooner than you think…