2008 Year-End News & Pop Culture Quiz

1. According to Nielsen, which broadcast TV program had the greatest number of product placements

in the past year? (2 points)

a. Extreme Makeover Home Edition ABC

b. Biggest Loser NBC

c. American Idol FOX

d. Deal Or No Deal NBC

e. One Tree Hill CW

Bonus Question: Within 500, how many product placement occurrences were featured on that top

show throughout the past season? (2 points)

_____________________________________________________________________________

2. According to Nielsen, which TV program was not among the top 10 rated shows (Household Ratings)

in the past year? (2 points)

a. The Mentalist

b. CSI

c. Survivor: Gabon

d. Lost

e. Sunday Night Football

Bonus Question: Which of the Big 4 televisions networks had the least number of shows among the

top 10 rated programs? (1 point)

_____________________________________________________________________________

3. According to Nielsen, which Web site was not among the top 10 sites based on Monthly Unique

Audience totals? (2 points)

a. Google

b. Microsoft

c. AOL Media Network

d. Facebook

e. Apple

Bonus Question: Which of these sites had the greatest traffic, and within 10 million, how many

unique visitors visited the site each month (on average)? (3 points for both correct answers)

_____________________________________________________________________________

4. According to TheSmokingGun.com, the following four shots were all among the 2008 mug shots of

the year. Match the photo with the crime to which they were charged. (1 point for each match)

a. Drug Possession and Sexual Battery

b. Drunk driving, reckless endangerment, and child abuse

c. Domestic assault

d. Suspicion of driving under the influence of prescription drugs

Bonus Question: Two of the mug shots are of celebrities. Which two and who are the famed

perps? (2 points for both correct answers)

_____________________________________________________________________________

1 2

3 4

5. According to Nielsen, which was the most digitally downloaded song of the year (sales data from

Nov. 12, 2007 through November 16, 2008)? (2 points)

a. Low - Flo Rida Featuring T-Pain

b. Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis

c. I Kissed a Girl - Katy Perry

d. Viva La Vida - Coldplay

e. Love Song - Sara Bareilles

Bonus Question: Coldplay has been accused of plagiarizing Viva La Vida. Who is suing Coldplay and

what is the name of the song they are accused of copying? (2 points for both correct answers)

_____________________________________________________________________________

6. Each of the following were embarrassing things uttered into open microphones accidentally in the

past year. Match the statement with the person who said it. (1 point for each match)

a. Said about Sarah Palin: “The most qualified? No. I think they went for this — excuse me —

political bullsh*t.”

b. Said about Barack Obama: “I want to cut his nuts off."

c. Said about Barack Obama: “Watch, we're going to have an international crisis, a generated

crisis, to test the mettle of this guy."

d. “Giuliani's dead. I mean, you know what I mean... Oh sh*t, oh sh*t, oh sh*t... (Cindy McCain)

looks like a husky.”

i. Rev. Jesse Jackson

ii. Katie Couric

iii. Joe Biden

iv. Peggy Noonan

Bonus Question: Former President Clinton was criticized for comparing Obama’s primary victory in a

state to Jesse Jackson’s primary wins in the same state during the 1984 and 1988 elections. What

was this state? (2 points)

_____________________________________________________________________________

7. According to MarketWatch.com, which was the worst-performing S&P 500 stock of the year

(through mid-December)? (1 point)

a. Liz Claiborne

b. Wachovia

c. American International Group

d. Hartford Financial Services Group Inc.

Bonus Question: Within two percentage points, how much value did the worst-performing stock

lose? (2 points)

_____________________________________________________________________________

8. Which movie earned the Oscar for Best Picture in 2008? (2 points)

a. Atonement

b. There Will Be Blood

c. Michael Clayton

d. No Country for Old Men

e. Juno

Bonus Question: Name the Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Actress

in a Supporting Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, and Best Animated Feature. (1 point for each

correct)

_____________________________________________________________________________

9. For each group of movies, place the films in order from greatest total box office receipts to least.

(Box Office revenue through December 16, 2008). (1 point for each list in proper order)

Super Heroes: Hancock, The Incredible Hulk, The Dark Knight, Iron Man

Toons: Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, WALL•E, Horton Hears A Who!

Sequels: The Mummy 3, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Indiana Jones 4, Quantum of Solace

Flops: The Love Guru, Speed Racer, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, The X-Files: I Want to Believe

10. According to PetFinder, the most popular dog and cat names (respectively) in 2008 were: (2 points)

a. Buddy and Lucy

b. Max and Molly

c. Daisy and Oreo

d. Lucky and Princess

11. According to BabyCenter, the most popular girl and boy names (respectively) in 2008 were:

(2 points)

a. Sophia and Jayden

b. Madison and Ethan

c. Emma and Aiden

d. Madeline and Noah

12. Who was People’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2008? (1 point)

a. Daniel Craig

b. Zac Efron

c. Barack Obama

d. Michael Phelps

e. Hugh Jackman

13. How soon we forget. Name the person (first and last name) who became famous (or infamous)

during the 2008 elections:

1 point each:

Alaska Senator, the longest serving Republican senator in history, who was convicted on felony

charges of corruption for failing to disclose gifts and free services: ___________________

Controversial pastor at the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago: ___________________

Names of Sarah Palin’s children (1 point for each): ___________________________________

Barack and Michelle Obama’s daughters (1 point for each): ______________________________

Who said, "I'll see you at the debates, bitches”? ____________________________________

2 points each:

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer resigned after being linked to this high-priced call girl:

__________________

The aforementioned call girl knew Spitzer only by this moniker, which became famous in the wake

of the scandal: ___________________

3 points each:

Woman with whom John Edwards admitted an adulterous affair: _______________________

Joe the Plumber’s real name: _______________________________

Detroit Mayor who pleaded guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice after text message records

proved he had lied under oath about an extramarital affair: ______________________

The maternal grandmother of president-elect Barack Obama. Dunham who passed away just a day

before the election: ___________________

The young man who impregnated Bristol Palin, the teenage daughter of then VP candidate Sarah

Palin: _______________________________

14. In the 2008 Summer Olympics, which country took the most Gold medals? Which country took the

most total medals? (1 point for each answer) __________________________________

15. Which of the following people who died in 2008 was oldest at the time of their passing? Which was

youngest? (1 point for each answer)

a. Paul Newman

b. Suzanne Pleshette

c. Charlton Heston

d. George Carlin

e. Jesse Helms

f. Bettie Page

Bonus Question: Place the list in the proper order from youngest to oldest at the time of their

death. (5 points for correct order)

_____________________________________________________________________________

16. According to Google, the top image search term in 2008 was: (2 points)

a. sarah palin

b. twilight

c. miley cyrus

d. joker

e. Olympics

17. According to Dictionary.com, which word was biggest gainer this year in its searches? (2 points)

a. Socialism

b. Maverick

c. Recession

d. Solace

e. Radical

18. Within two, how many years passed between album releases (of original music) for Guns N’ Roses?

(1 point) _______________________

19. Which music artist had the top grossing tour of 2008? (1 point)

a. Celine Dion

b. Bruce Springsteen

c. Madonna

d. The Police

e. Bon Jovi

20. According to a poll on the Village Voice site, what were the worst lyrics of the year? (2 points)

a. Nickelback; “Something in Your Mouth”:

You look so much cuter with something in your mouth.

b. T-Pain; “Therapy”:

I don’t need your sex / I’ll masturbate.

c. The Killers; “Human”:

Are we human / Or are we dancer?

d. Ne-Yo; “So You Can Cry”:

I won’t attend your pity party / I’d rather go have calamari.

Bonus Question: Name the artist who released a Top 5 CD in 2008 that contained the lyrics,

“Swagger tighter than a yeast infection/Fly go hard like geese erection” and “I'm a venereal disease

like a menstrual bleed.” (2 points) _______________________________________________

21. According to eBay, which product accounted for the most related sales on eBay in 2008? (2 points)

a. Xbox 360

b. Apple's iPod Touch

c. Nintendo Wii

d. Hannah Montana

Bonus Question: In the list of top 10 items and related items sold on eBay are found three people.

(No Hannah Montana does not count—she’s fictional.) Name these three individuals whose related

items cracked eBay’s top 10 list. (2 points each)

______________________________________________________________________________

22. Match the artist/song with the brand for which their song appeared in a TV ad in 2008. (3 points for

all correct.)

a. The Kinks: "Everyone's A Star"

b. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss: "Killing The Blues"

c. The Fixx: "Saved By Zero"

d. The Pussycat Dolls

i. Toyota

ii. Target/Converse

iii. Jcpenney's American Life

iv. Bally Total Fitness

23. For the first time since complete tournament seeding began in 1979, all four No. 1's reached the

NCAA Final Four. Name the four schools. (1 point for each)

______________________________________________________________________________

24. Hollywood buzz in two parts: You must answer both parts correct to earn one point for each

question:

a. Heath Ledger, former fiancé of ______________, was found dead in January 2008. Rumors

circulated that starlet __________________ was dating Heath and possibly owned the

apartment in which his body was found, but police denied any connection.

b. X-Files star _____________ checked into rehab for sex addiction. Not longer after, the star split

with ___________ after 11 years of marriage.

c. Madonna split from director ____________ after eight years of marriage under rumors she was

dating baseball star, ________________.

d. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt had twins in July named ________ and ____________.

e. Tabloid starlet _______________ guest starred on episodes of “Ugly Betty” and has been dating

female DJ, __________________.

f. Miley Cyrus created scandal when she appeared semi-nudge on the cover of _______________

in a shot taken by celeb photographer ________________.

g. Chat show host Ellen DeGeneres wed __________________ at their LA home this summer.

From 1997 to 2000 Ellen lived with actress _____________, who has since married a man.

25. Which of the following is not a Bushism from 2008? (2 points)

a. “We should be able to deliver bottled hot water to dehydrated babies.”

b. “I didn't grow up in the ocean -- as a matter of fact -- near the ocean -- I grew up in the desert.

Therefore, it was a pleasant contrast to see the ocean. And I particularly like it when I'm fishing.”

c. “And so, General, I want to thank you for your service. And I appreciate the fact that you really

snatched defeat out of the jaws of those who are trying to defeat us in Iraq.”

d. “I reminded the president that I am reminded of the great talent of the -- of our Philippine-

Americans when I eat dinner at the White House.”

Answers

1. B. Bonus Question: 6,248. http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/consumer/tops-in-2008-top-

advertisers-most-popular-commercials

2. D. Bonus Question: NBC. http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/wp-

content/uploads/2008/12/nielsen-top-tens-2008-final4.pdf

3. D. Bonus Question: Google, 120,498,000. http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/wp-

content/uploads/2008/12/nielsen-top-tens-2008-final4.pdf

4. 1C, 2D, 3B, 4A. Bonus Question: 2: Heather Locklear and 4: Andy Dick.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/1217081mugyear1.html

5. A. Bonus Question: Joe Satriani, “If I Could Fly.” http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/wp-

content/uploads/2008/12/nielsen-top-tens-2008-final4.pdf

6. A: iv; B: i; C: iii; D: ii. Bonus Question: South Carolina.

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2008/top10/article/0,30583,1855948_1863907,00.html

7. C. Bonus Question: 97%.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/story.aspx?guid={AE41B749-A461-4F67-845E-

A39C2E4B1D91}

8. D. Bonus Question: Best Actress in a Leading Role: Marion Cotillard; Best Actor in a Leading

Role: Daniel Day-Lewis; Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Tilda Swinton; Best Actor in a

Supporting Role: Javier Bardem; and Best Animated Feature: Ratatouille.

http://oscar.com/oscarnight/winners/index

9. Super Heroes: The Dark Knight, Iron Man, Hancock, The Incredible Hulk

Toons: WALL•E, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, Horton Hears A Who!

Sequels: Indiana Jones 4, Quantum of Solace, The Mummy 3, Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Flops: Speed Racer, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, The Love Guru, The X-Files: I Want to Believe

http://www.boxofficereport.com/ybon/2008gross.shtml

10. A. http://blog.petfinder.com/petfinder/2008/12/04/the-most-popular-and-the-most/

11. C. http://www.babycenter.com/top-baby-names-

2008?intcmp=Nav_Global_babynaming_topnames

12. E. http://www.people.com/people/package/gallery/0,,20237714_20241212_20545185,00.html

13. Alaska Senator, the longest serving Republican senator in history, who was convicted on felony

charges of corruption for failing to disclose gifts and free services: Ted Stevens

Controversial pastor at the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago: Jeremiah Wright

Names of Sarah Palin’s children (1 point for each): Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper, Trig

Barack and Michelle Obama’s daughters: Malia and Sasha

Who said, "I'll see you at the debates, bitches”? Paris Hilton (in mock campaign viral video)

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer resigned after being lined to this high-priced call girl: Ashley

Alexandra Dupré (legal name Ashley Rae Maika DiPietro, born Ashley Youmans).

The aforementioned call girl knew Spitzer only by this moniker, which became famous in the

wake of the scandal: "Client Number 9"

Woman with whom John Edwards admitted an adulterous affair: Rielle Hunter

Joe the Plumber’s real name: Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher

Detroit Mayor who pleaded guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice after text message

records proved he had lied under oath about an extramarital affair: Kwame Kilpa

The maternal grandmother of president-elect Barack Obama. Dunham who passed away just a

day before the election: Madelyn Dunham

The young man who impregnated Bristol Palin, the teenage daughter of then VP candidate

Sarah Palin: Levi Johnston

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/27/schneider.political.turkeys/index.html

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2008/top10/article/0,30583,1855948_1863946_1863957,0

0.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008/12/15/2008-12-15_top_ten_quotes_of_2008.html

14. In the 2008 Summer Olympics, which country took the most Gold medals? China

Which country took the most total medals? USA

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_olympics#Medal_table

15. Suzanne Pleshette, 70; George Carlin, 71; Paul Newman, 83; Charlton Heston, 84; Bettie

Page, 85; Jesse Helms, 86. http://www.boston.com/news/world/gallery/021308_2008deaths/

16. A. http://www.google.com/intl/en/press/zeitgeist2008/united_states.html

17. B. http://about.ask.com/en/docs/2008/topqueries.shtml

18. 17 years. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/yearend/2008/news/top20-stories.shtml

19. E. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/yearend/2008/charts/top25-tours.shtml

20. A. Bonus Question: Lil Wayne (off of "Tha Carter 3").

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/pdf/villagevoice-robharvilla-worstlyrics2008.pdf

21. C. Nintendo Wii: 2,056,866 related items sold; Xbox 360: 1,297,903 related items sold; Apple's

iPod Touch: 281,361 related items sold; Hannah Montana: 223,139 related items sold. Bonus

Question: Brett Favre: 199,832 related items sold; Barack Obama: 111,546 related items sold;

Madonna: 96,511 related items sold. http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2008/12/ebay-2008-

wii-d.html .

22. A: ii; B: iii; C: i; D: iv. http://adage.com/article?article_id=133233

23. Memphis, UCLA, Kansas, North Carolina. http://www.newsweek.com/id/176795

24.

a. Heath Ledger, former fiancé of Michelle Williams, was found dead in January 2008.

Rumors circulated that starlet Mary-Kate Olsen was dating Heath and possibly owned

the apartment in which his body was found, but police denied any connection.

b. X-Files star David Duchovny checked into rehab for sex addiction. Not longer after, the

star split with Tea Leoni after 11 years of marriage.

c. Madonna split from director Guy Ritchie after eight years of marriage under rumors she

was dating baseball star, Alex Rodriguez.

d. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt had twins in July named Knox and Vivienne.

e. Tabloid starlet Lindsay Lohan guest starred on episodes of “Ugly Betty and has been

dating female DJ, Samantha Ronson.

f. Miley Cyrus created scandal when she appeared semi-nudge on the cover of Vanity Fair

in a shot taken by celeb photographer Annie Leibovitz.

g. Chat show host Ellen DeGeneres wed Portia de Rossi at their LA home this summer.

From 1997 to 2000 Ellen lived with actress Ann Heche, who has since married a man.

http://www.watoday.com.au/entertainment/looking-back-over-year-in-hollywood-

20081216-6zk3.html

http://gawker.com/5033039/deepening-mary+kate-olsen-immunity-mystery

http://www.salon.com/ent/feature/2008/12/26/celebrity_scandal/index1.html

http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00020779.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1045931/Ellen-DeGeneres-marries-

lesbian-partner-Portia-Rossi-sunset-LA-ceremony.html

25. A. John McCain said, “We should be able to deliver bottled hot water to dehydrated babies.”

http://www.extrememortman.com/funniest-2008/top-ten-funniest-political-quotes-of-2008/

http://politicalhumor.about.com/b/2008/12/03/top-10-bushisms-of-2008.htm

With thank to Fimoculous for the Year in Review: http://www.fimoculous.com/year-review-2008.cfm