Wednesday night at Time Rift was another packed round of trivia, and this week’s lineup covered a lot of ground. Four categories, twenty questions each, and plenty of friendly arguments over technicalities. We started in Scranton with The Office, marched to Mount Doom with Lord of the Rings, set sail with Pirates of the Caribbean, and wrapped it all up with a multi-decade gauntlet of Name That TV Show.
Some teams crushed it. Some teams learned that Gabe’s middle name is apparently not common knowledge. Either way, here’s the full rundown of everything that went down at this week’s Trivia Night.
The Office Trivia Recap
We opened the night in Scranton, and Dunder Mifflin’s finest did not disappoint. Twenty questions spanning Jell-O encased office supplies, Threat Level Midnight, and the morning beverage Michael swears by (spoiler: there’s no coffee in it). We tested the table on Schrute Farms crops, Sabre’s fire-prone printers, and exactly where Jim and Pam tied the knot when their wedding weekend went sideways. If you’ve ever quoted “Assistant TO the Regional Manager” out loud, this round was made for you.
Q1: Jim was the office’s resident prankster, and one of his most iconic gags involved encasing one of Dwight’s desk items in a wobbly green dessert. What office supply did Jim suspend in a mold of Jell-O?
A1: His stapler
Q2: After transferring to Stamford, Jim revived his classic Jell-O prank on the easily-rattled Andy Bernard. Andy opened his desk drawer and found one of his work items encased in lime Jell-O. What was it?
A2: His calculator
Q3: In a Season 2 episode, Michael proudly shows the office a tape of his childhood appearance on a local kids’ show, where a puppet cat asks him what he wants to be when he grows up. What was the name of that show?
A3: Fundle Bundle
Q4: During Michael’s index card exercise in “Diversity Day,” each employee wore a card with a race on their forehead and had to guess their own. What did Dwight’s original card say?
A4: Asian
Q5: In “The Merger,” Karen complains that she’s allergic to Phyllis’s perfume. Phyllis defends it, noting that Bob Vance bought it for her in Metropolitan Orlando. What is the perfume supposedly made from?
A5: Real Pine
Q6: Gabe Lewis, the Sabre director who joins the Scranton branch, has an unexpectedly feminine middle name that becomes a running joke. What is Gabe’s middle name?
A6: Susan (Gabriel Susan Lewis)
Q7: In the two-part Season 6 episode literally named for the location, Jim and Pam’s wedding weekend was a string of disasters, so they secretly slipped away from the church and got married on a boat at the base of the falls. Where did Jim and Pam get married?
A7: Niagara Falls
Q8: After their wedding, Jim and Pam jetted off for their honeymoon to a Caribbean island that’s also a U.S. territory. Where did Jim and Pam honeymoon?
A8: Puerto Rico
Q9: In the episode “Broke,” Pam takes a sip from Michael’s cup expecting coffee and is shocked by what’s actually inside. Michael says he drinks it every single morning. What is it?
A9: Warm Milk and Sugar (no coffee)
Q10: When the printer company Sabre buys out Dunder Mifflin in Season 6, its blunt, self-made Southern CEO arrives at the Scranton branch with two Great Danes in tow. Who is the founder and CEO of Sabre?
A10: Jo Bennett
Q11: In the Season 6 finale “Whistleblower,” news breaks that Sabre printers have a dangerous defect, prompting a media scandal and a hunt for the leaker. What was wrong with Sabre’s printers?
A11: They catch fire (or explode)
Q12: In “Beach Games,” Pam is the only one brave enough to complete Michael’s final challenge, and the rush of confidence fuels her honest speech to Jim. What did Pam walk across?
A12: Hot coals
Q13: In the “Casual Friday” cold open, Kevin proudly carries in a huge pot of his once-a-year Malone family recipe, then spills it all over the carpet and secretly scoops it back into the pot. What was in the pot?
A13: His famous chili
Q14: Michael spent ten years writing and filming a homemade spy movie starring himself as secret agent Michael Scarn, who has to stop the villain Goldenface from blowing up the NHL All-Star Game. What was the name of Michael’s movie?
A14: Threat Level Midnight
Q15: Andy Bernard constantly reminds everyone that he attended a certain Ivy League university, even claiming his “blood runs Big Red.” Which college did Andy go to?
A15: Cornell
Q16: Dwight lives on and runs his family’s farm with his cousin Mose, even turning it into a bed and breakfast where Jim and Pam once stayed. What crop does Dwight famously grow at Schrute Farms?
A16: Beets
Q17: Dwight insists on calling himself the “Assistant Regional Manager,” but Michael constantly corrects him by adding two words to the title, knocking him down a peg. What is Dwight’s actual job title?
A17: Assistant TO the Regional Manager
Q18: Easy one!! What is the name of the paper company where everyone works?
A18: Dunder Mifflin
Q19: Once a year, Michael hosts an awards ceremony at a local Chili’s where he hands out personalized trophies to every employee, often with embarrassing categories. What does Michael call this annual awards show?
A19: The Dundies
Q20: In the episode “The Injury,” Michael burns his foot one morning because he keeps a certain kitchen appliance next to his bed so he can wake up to the smell of bacon. What appliance did Michael step on?
A20: A George Foreman Grill
Lord of the Rings Trivia Recap
Next we journeyed from the Shire to Mount Doom, and one does not simply skip this round. Twenty questions covering the Fellowship’s roster, Gollum’s favorite word, and the bridge crossing that went very badly for Gandalf. Players had to know their Bucklebury Ferry from their Prancing Pony, why elven blades glow blue, and which ranger named Strider was secretly royalty. Whether you’ve read the books cover to cover or just marathoned the extended editions, this one separated the wizards from the hobbits.
Q1: The members of the fellowship all attempt to cross a bridge and one does not make it across. Who falls off?
A1: Gandolf
Q2: In “The Fellowship of the Ring”, Merry and Pippin are punished for taking some fireworks. What type of punishment do they receive?
A2: Washing Dishes
Q3: The flock of black birds that fly over the fellowship are spies for whom?
A3: Saruman
Q4: To what character did Aragorn say the following line: “If by my life or death I can protect you, I will.”
A4: Frodo
Q5: In “The Fellowship of the Ring”, what is the name of the ferry the hobbits use to escape the Black Riders?
A5: Bucklebury Ferry
Q6: What is the name of the hobbit who inherits the One Ring from Bilbo?
A6: Frodo Baggins
Q7: Who forged the One Ring?
A7: Sauron
Q8: What type of creature is Legolas?
A8: Elf
Q9: How many members make up the Fellowship of the Ring?
A9: Nine
Q10: What famous phrase does Gollum use to refer to the Ring?
A10: My precious
Q11: What is the name of the giant spider encountered by Frodo and Sam?
A11: Shelob
Q12: Which hobbit becomes the gardener and closest companion of Frodo?
A12: Samwise Gamgee
Q13: What is Gollum’s original name?
A13: Smeagol
Q14: Which wizard betrays the Free Peoples and allies with Sauron?
A14: Saruman
Q15: What is the fiery mountain where the Ring must be destroyed?
A15: Mount Doom
Q16: What is the name of the inn where Frodo first meets Aragorn?
A16: Prancing Pony
Q17: Who says, “You shall not pass!” while fighting the Balrog?
A17: Gandolf
Q18: Which character ultimately carries the Ring into the fires of Mount Doom?
A18: Gollum
Q19: What does an ancient elven blade do in the presence of an Orc or Goblin?
A19: Glows blue
Q20: What member of the Fellowship was a King disguising himself as the ranger “Strider”?
A20: Aragorn
Pirates of the Caribbean Trivia Recap
Then we set sail with the worst pirate anyone’s ever heard of. Twenty questions on cursed Aztec gold, the Flying Dutchman, and a compass that doesn’t point north. Players had to remember what Jack owed Davy Jones, which bird is inked on his arm, and the post-credits scene that put Davy Jones in Will and Elizabeth’s bedroom. Savvy crews cleaned up here. Everyone else got a quick lesson in why you should really pay attention to the Pirate’s Code. They’re more like guidelines anyway.
Q1: What ship does Davy Jones captain?
A1: The Flying Dutchman
Q2: What does Jack Sparrow’s compass point to? (hint, not the black pearl)
A2: The thing you desire the most.
Q3: What is the name of the treasure chest containing Davy Jones’s heart?
A3: Dead Man’s Chest
Q4: What actor plays Jack Sparrow?
A4: Johnny Depp
Q5: What is the name of the undead curse in the first film?
A5: The Aztec Gold Curse / Curse of the Black Pearl
Q6: Who is the villain of the first film?
A6: Captain Barbossa
Q7: When Elizabeth Swann was arguing witn Pintel over wearing a dress, fill in the blank: “He said you’d say that. He also said that if that be the case, then you’ll be dining with the crew. And you’ll be _______”
A7: Naked
Q8: What rank does Norrington hold at the start of the first film?
A8: Commodore
Q9: How many years must the captain of the Flying Dutchman stay at sea before returning to land?
A9: 10 years
Q10: What does Jack Sparrow owe to Davy Jones in Dead Man’s Chest for raising him from the dead?
A10: 100 souls or his own soul.
Q11: What code of behavior do the pirates adhere to in the movies?
A11: The Pirate’s Code / Code of the Brethren
Q12: When Elizabeth Swann is first captured by Captain Barbossa, what does she tell him her name is?
A12: Elizabeth Turner
Q13: What does Barbosa need from Will Turner in order to lift his curse?
A13: His blood
Q14: What was the name of the sea monster that attacked the Royal Navy ship?
A14: Kraken
Q15: Jack has a tattoo of a bird on his arm, what sort of bird is it?
A15: Sparrow
Q16: Jack Sparrow was sentenced to be executed. Which ‘new invention’ was his method of choice?
A16: Guillotine
Q17: Jack Sparrow said the following line “You know, for having such a bleak outlook on pirates you are well on your way to becoming one.” Who was he talking to?
A17: Will Turner
Q18: What crime had Carina Smyth been imprisoned for?
A18: Witchcraft
Q19: Elizabeth traps Jack on the Black Pearl so the Kraken will eat him and stop following them. What instrument does she use to trap him?
A19: Handcuffs
Q20: After the credits, there was one final scene. Who appeared to have returned in Will and Elizabeth’s bedroom?
A20: Davy Jones
Name that TV Show Trivia Recap
We closed the night with a sprint through TV history, from 1951 all the way to 2022. One clue per show, and the table had to name it. We bounced from Lucy’s schemes to the Upside Down, from the 4077th to the Pacific Princess, with stops at Nevermore, Beverly Hills, and a Painted Lady Victorian packed with Tanners. Knowing your theme songs helped too, believe it or not. The teams with a few generations at the table had a real edge on this one.
Q1: 1980 – A teacher is asked to be a superhero using a special alien suit with powers he can barely understand or control. The theme song titled “believe it or not” was popular on the radio for years in the 1980s and still played to this day.
A1: Greatest American Hero
Q2: 2022 – A spinoff of the Addam’s family, It follows young Wednesday Addams as a student at nevermore university where she attempts to solve mysteries.
A2: Wednesday
Q3: 2017 – Set in a dystopian future, a woman is forced to live as a concubine under a fundamentalist theocratic dictatorship.
A3: The Handmaid’s Tale
Q4: 2004 – Using a crack team of doctors and his wits, an antisocial maverick doctor played by Hugh Laurie, specializing in diagnostic medicine, does whatever it takes to solve puzzling cases that come his way.
A4: House
Q5: 1951 – The series follows the hilarious antics of Lucy Ricardo, a naive, starry-eyed housewife who constantly schemes to break into show business.
A5: I Love Lucy
Q6: 1993 – FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully investigate unsolved unexplained cases.
A6: The X-Files
Q7: 1972 – The staff of a Korean War field hospital uses humor and hijinks to keep their sanity in the face of the horror of war.
A7: M*A*S*H
Q8: 1969 – On a special inner city street, the inhabitants,both human and muppet, teach preschool subjects with comedy, cartoons, games, and songs.
A8: Sesame Street
Q9: 1978 – The staff of a New York City taxicab company go about their job while they dream of greater things.
A9: Taxi
Q10: 1974 – Starring Michael Landon, It chronicles the frontier adventures, survival tales, and strong family values of the Ingalls family as they homesteaded across the American Midwest in the 1870s and 1880s.
A10: Little House on the Prairie
Q11: 1964 – A spinoff ot the Andy Griffith Show, it focuses on a single misfit who enlists in the marine corps and is a constant irritation to his commanding officer, sergeant Carter.
A11: Gomer Pyle
Q12: 1976 – A romantic comedy, drama series set on the luxury cruise ship the Pacific Princess, sd they navigate adventures on the open sea.
A12: The Love Boat
Q13: 1988 – The show centers on the fast-paced, behind-the-scenes world of FYI (For Your Information), a prestigious and fictional Washington, D.C.-based TV newsmagazine. Murphy is the star reporter and anchor.
A13: Murphy Brown
Q14: 2016 – Sci-fi horror series on Netflix set in the 1980s. It follows a group of kids in a small Indiana town who, while searching for their mysteriously vanished friend, uncover dark government experiments and a portal to a nightmarish parallel dimension known as the “Upside Down.”
A14: Stranger Things
Q15: 1985 – A classic action-adventure television franchise that follows the exploits of an ingenious secret agent who relies on his extensive scientific knowledge and improvised solutions using common items like a Swiss Army knife and duct tape.
A15: MacGuyver
Q16: 1986 – A sitcom that follows the hilarious cultural clashes and friendship between two mismatched distant cousins: uptight Midwesterner Larry Appleton and naïve, sweet-natured Balki Bartokomous from the fictional Mediterranean island of Mypos.
A16: Perfect Strangers
Q17: 1987 – The story follows Danny Tanner, a sports anchor (and later, morning talk show host) who is suddenly widowed after his wife passes away. Desperate for help raising his three young daughters, he asks two friends to move into his iconic Painted Lady Victorian home
A17: Full House
Q18: 1990 – The show originally focused on the culture shock experienced by fraternal twins Brandon and Brenda Walsh, who moved from Minneapolis to the wealthy, sun-soaked zip code of Beverly Hills due to their father’s job relocation.
A18: Beverly Hills 90210
Q19: 1988 -The show follows Kevin Arnold, a regular suburban teenager, as he navigates the universal challenges of growing up in the late 1960s and early 1970s. : family dynamics, middle school, first loves, and the shifting landscape of American culture.
A19: The Wonder Years
Q20: 1987 – It follows the life of shoe salesman Al Bundy and his dysfunctional family.
A20: Married with Children
That’s a wrap on another Trivia Night at Time Rift. Whether you took home the win or just took home some new useless facts, you came out and threw down, and that’s what it’s all about. Big thanks to everyone who packed the tables and brought the energy.
Trivia Night runs every Wednesday at 6:30 PM. New topics, new questions, and the same competitive chaos every week. Grab your smartest friends, claim a table, and come show us what you’ve got. See you next Wednesday.laughs that last longer than the final score. We’ll have the questions ready. All that’s missing is you!
