Riddles With Answers

What first name is shared by major characters in the shows M*A*S*H, Father Knows Best, and Dennis the Menace?

Frank
Benjamin
Henry
Margaret

Fact: The name Margaret links together three beloved TV shows from very different eras and genres. In Dennis the Menace (1959–1963), Jeannie Russell played Margaret Wade, the bright, bossy neighbor who often sparred with mischievous Dennis. On M*A*S*H (1972–1983), Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan, portrayed by Loretta Swit, is the strong-willed and sharp-tongued head nurse at the 4077th. And in Father Knows Best (1954–1960), Jane Wyatt brought warmth, wisdom, and grace to the role of Margaret Anderson, the steady matriarch of the Anderson family.

Correct Answer: Margaret

Ralph Waldo Emerson and Harriet Beecher Stowe helped found what magazine?

The Atlantic
The New Yorker
National Review
Harper’s Weekly

Fact: The Atlantic Monthly, first published in 1857 in Boston, quickly became one of America’s most important literary and cultural magazines. It was founded by a group of prominent New England writers and intellectuals, including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. The magazine aimed to shape American literature and thought by publishing essays, poetry, fiction, and commentary on pressing political and social issues—particularly abolition and the fight against slavery. It remains a respected publication to this day.

Correct Answer: The Atlantic

What color were most carrots before the late 16th century?

Orange
Purple
Green
White

Fact: Though orange carrots are the norm today, most carrots grown before the late 1500s were actually purple. The earliest cultivated varieties, traced back to Central Asia, came in shades of purple and yellow. The now-familiar orange carrot was selectively bred in the Netherlands during the 16th and 17th centuries, partly for its appealing color and sweeter taste. Over time, orange carrots became the dominant variety worldwide, while purple and other heirloom types became rarer until their recent revival in specialty markets.

Correct Answer: Purple

Which former talk-show host began his career as a weatherman?

Arsenio Hall
David Letterman
Jay Leno
Jon Stewart

Fact: David Letterman began his broadcast career as a television weatherman and news anchor in Indianapolis, Indiana. He received attention for his unpredictable on-air behavior, which included congratulating a tropical storm for being upgraded to a hurricane and predicting hail stones “the size of canned hams.” His brand of humor was already evident as he would often report the weather for fictitious cities (“Eight inches of snow in Bingree and surrounding areas”). His big break came when he appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He was eventually offered his own program, Late Night with David Letterman.

Correct Answer: David Letterman

Which person is NOT mentioned in the lyrics of Billy Joel’s 1989 hit “We Didn’t Start the Fire”?

Harry Truman
Doris Day
Joe DiMaggio
Muhammad Ali

Fact: “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” released by Billy Joel in 1989, is a fast-paced anthem built on a driving beat and a rapid-fire list of names, places, and events. The song serves as a musical timeline of the Cold War era, spanning from Joel’s birth in 1949 through the late 1980s. Its lyrics catalog politics, culture, science, and entertainment, capturing the turbulence and transformation of the mid-20th century. The song opens with the line: “Harry Truman, Doris Day, Red China, Johnnie Ray, South Pacific, Walter Winchell, Joe DiMaggio.”

Correct Answer: Muhammad Ali

The first album sold online was by what musical artist?

Sting
Madonna
Whitney Houston
Bruce Springsteen

Fact: Sting holds the distinction of the first album ever sold online. On September 27, 1994, his album Ten Summoner’s Tales was sold on the internet through a pioneering service run by NetMarket. At the time, digital distribution was virtually unheard of, and the transaction marked one of the first credit card transactions online — often cited as the very first retail transaction on the internet. Sting’s early involvement highlighted the potential of digital distribution years before platforms like iTunes and Spotify would redefine the music industry.

Correct Answer: Sting

What time of year do the aspens typically change colour?

A July to August
B September to October
C November to December

Fact: The aspens typically begin their colour change in September and early October. This seasonal transformation is influenced by various environmental factors, making this period significant for viewing their vibrant hues.

Correct Answer: September to October

Which factor does NOT affect the colour change of aspens?

A Local weather shifts
B Proximity to rivers
C Soil moisture

Fact: While local weather shifts and soil moisture are key factors affecting the colour change of aspens, proximity to rivers does not play a direct role in this seasonal display.

Correct Answer: Proximity to rivers

What is the impact of tree health on aspen colours?

A Healthier trees produce brighter colours.
B Tree health has no impact on colour.
C Healthier trees lose their leaves faster.

Fact: Healthy aspens are the stars of the autumn display, as they produce richer colours and retain their leaves longer, while stressed trees tend to fade in vibrancy more quickly.

Correct Answer: Healthier trees produce brighter colours.

Anderson Cooper is a descendant of which prominent American family?

The Astors
The Carnegies
The Rockefellers
The Vanderbilts

Fact: Anderson Cooper, the award-winning CNN journalist and television personality, comes from the wealthy Vanderbilt family. His mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, was a fashion designer, artist, and socialite who inherited part of the family fortune. The Vanderbilts rose to prominence during the Gilded Age through the vast shipping and railroad empire built by Cornelius Vanderbilt. While Anderson Cooper himself has said he did not inherit significant wealth, his family lineage ties him to one of the most famous dynasties in American history.

Correct Answer: The Vanderbilts