logo
Did you solve it? Are you a match for the world's greatest TV quizzer?

Did you solve it? Are you a match for the world's greatest TV quizzer?

The Guardian21-07-2025
Earlier today I set you five 'Kennections', a puzzle devised by legendary US quiz show contestant and host Ken Jennings.
Each challenge consists of five trivia questions, whose answers share a common theme.
Here they are again. Immediately below each Kennection I have put the answers to the trivia questions. To find the common theme, however, you need to scroll all the way down to the bottom. Hopefully, this gives you the fun of trying to find the theme if the questions left you scratching your heads.
QUESTION 1
1. In 1988, Curtis Strange became the first person to win $1 million in a single season of what sport?
2. What month is celebrated every year with a moustache-growing movement for men's health as well as National Novel Writing Month?
3. What new Argentine dance was condemned by the Vatican in 1913 as 'offensive to the purity of every right-minded person'?
4. Shaka was the first king of what African empire that clashed with the British in 1879?
5. What was the name of Alan Harper's hard-living brother on TV's Two and a Half Men?
WHAT'S THE KENNECTION?
Answers: 1. Golf 2. November 3. Tango 4. Zulu 5. Charlie
QUESTION 2
1. Which Lewis Carroll character is drawn wearing a label reading 'In this Style 10/6'?
2. At the end of the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, whom does Dorothy tell, 'I think I'm going to miss you most of all?'
3. 'Leaves of three, let it be' is a reminder about what plant that produces a natural irritant called urushiol?
4. What kind of bird is the mascot for the Linux computer operating system as well as for Sidney Crosby's NHL team?
5. What playing card was first introduced to decks in the 1860s as the top trump in the game of euchre?
WHAT'S THE KENNECTION?
ANSWERS: 1. The Mad Hatter 2. Scarecrow 3. Poison Ivy 4. Penguin 5. Joker
QUESTION 3
1. What kind of possession was King Arthur's Excalibur or Beowulf's Hrunting?
2. What precious element is the most ductile metal, since just one ounce of it can be drawn into a 50-mile-long wire?
3. In what 2007 film did Elliot Page play a spunky high school junior whom friends call 'the cautionary whale'?
4. What's the only US state whose capital has a three-word name?
5. Financier Warren Buffet is often called the 'Oracle of' what Midwestern city?
WHAT'S THE KENNECTION?
ANSWERS 1. Sword 2. Gold 3. Juno 4. Utah 5. Omaha
QUESTION 4
1. What kind of body of water off northeastern Canada is named for explorer Henry Hudson?
2. What's the name of Guy Woodhouse's pregnant wife, played by Mia Farrow, in Roman Polanski's classic 1968 horror film?
3. What seven-year-old character in the book To Kill a Mockingbird was based on a young Truman Capote?
4. The famous onion-domed cathedral in Moscow's Red Square is named for what Russian Orthodox saint?
5. For collectors, what is the highest-quality grade of coins and comic books called?
WHAT'S THE KENNECTION?
Answers: 1. Bay 2. Rosemary 3. Dill 4. Basil 5. Mint
QUESTION 5
1. What Australian city is home to an iconic Harbour Bridge as well as Jørn Utzon's famous opera house?
2. What destructive Labrador retriever is the subject of John Grogan's 2005 memoir subtitled Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog?
3. What's the specific name for a dot on dominoes and dice?
4. Who had an unlikely hit in 1968 with his ukelele cover of 'Tiptoe Through the Tulips'?
5. What illusionist and Claudia Schiffer ex was the first living magician with a star on the Hollywood Walk of fame?
WHAT'S THE KENNECTION?
Answers 1. Sydney 2. Marley 3. Pip, 4. Tiny Tim 5. David Copperfield
KENNECTIONS: D-Day beaches; Batman villains; Letters in the phonetic radio alphabet; Herbs; Dickens characters.
Today's examples are taken from Jennings' new book, The Complete Kennections: 5,000 Questions in 1,000 Puzzles, which is out on July 29 in the US.
I've been setting a puzzle here on alternate Mondays since 2015. I'm always on the look-out for great puzzles. If you would like to suggest one, email me.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Universal leaks details of massive Epic Universe expansion… and Disney may be forced to take drastic action
Universal leaks details of massive Epic Universe expansion… and Disney may be forced to take drastic action

Daily Mail​

time25 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Universal leaks details of massive Epic Universe expansion… and Disney may be forced to take drastic action

Universal Studios' brand new theme park Epic Universe just opened a little over two months ago... but a massive expansion is already in talks. The dazzling amusement park launched on May 22, 2025, introducing five immersive new lands - including Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, and the Isle of Berk from How to Train Your Dragons, amongst others. From battling the Ministry of Magic in a thrilling Harry Potter-themed ride to visiting the spooky village of Darkmoor, where Henry Frankenstein's great-great-granddaughter has accidentally set free a slew of famous monsters like Dracula, the Mummy, and the Werewolf, to name a few - there is so much to see and do. But according to Universal's executives, this is just the beginning, as they've already been teasing some pretty exciting updates to the glorious new park. And the upcoming expansions may force Disney World, which is located just down the road, to take drastic action to ensure it doesn't lose guests. Karen Irwin, president and chief operating officer of Universal Orlando Resort, was first to tease a potential Epic Universe expansion in a video shared to Universal's YouTube channel in March, two months before the park even opened. 'There are already so many things in the works now. We have a slate of new attractions that we're already developing for every one of our parks. We're already planning for the next thing at Epic,' she said. Mark Woodbury, Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, also hinted at the future of Epic Universe last month during a press conference. He told reporters from inside the park, 'What you can't see sitting here are all the expansion areas that are outside the spaces that you can see. 'There's a lot of room for expansion. We're already thinking about how that plays out, and it's the same on the north end of the campus, new attractions coming, new intellectual property coming.' Last month, Universal sent theme park fans into a frenzy when it filed new work permits for a 40,178-square-foot construction site at Epic Universe, titled Project 915. It was described as 'site preparation for new construction building, including but not limited to relocating existing utilities, installing new utilities, site grading, and foundation for new building.' According to popular theme park blog That Park Place, the project is set for the area 'between Super Nintendo World and Celestial Park, right across the path from the Atlantic full-service restaurant.' They theorized it will be 'a multi-purpose soundstage or theater, possibly designed for events, seasonal shows, or even temporary exhibits.' The permit expires in December 2025, giving a hint as to when the mysterious new building will be finished. Aerial shots taken by a theme park photographer known as Bioreconstruct on X (formerly Twitter) show that Epic Universe as multiple 'expansion pads' - areas of land just outside of the park that have been completely cleared out for future construction. Universal's executives have already been teasing some pretty exciting updates to the glorious new park. Some of the lands at Epic Universe are seen There is one next to Super Mario World that's about seven acres, one connected to Dark Universe that's about 3.5 acres, and one adjacent to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic that's a whopping 17 acres, amongst others. In addition, the gate at the center of Epic Universe has a symbol for all five of the current worlds - and there's two more spots that are empty, hinting that two new lands may be added in the future. Naturally, social media has been ablaze with theorizes about what new things will be coming to Epic Universe. Many people believe a Wicked-themed area will be next to arrive, while others have speculated that Luigi's Mansion, a Lord of the Rings land, or something to do with Legends of Zelda or Pokemon will come to the park. There are also a slew of rumors that a Creature from the Black Lagoon boat ride will be added to Dark Universe in the future, as well as a second ride for the Harry Potter area. When asked about a potential Wicked land by the New York Times in February, Mark said, 'When I saw it, my first reaction was, "This is a theme park waiting to happen."' So what does all this mean for Disney World? Well, for years, Disney has been looked at by many as the top theme park in the world, offering four amusement parks, two water parks, and a slew of hotels, shopping, and dining. But there's no denying that the opening of Epic Universe tilted the scale slightly - and Universal's fast and ambitious talk of expansions has got many avid theme park fans talking. 'The opening of Universal's Epic Universe sent ripples through the industry - and now, just two months later, those ripples have become a tidal wave,' Inside the Magic wrote earlier this month. From battling the Ministry of Magic in a thrilling Harry Potter-themed ride (seen) to visiting the spooky village of Darkmoor - there is so much to see and do at Epic Universe 'Universal didn't just throw open the gates to its most ambitious park ever - they also just confirmed that expansion is already in the works. 'It's fast. It's aggressive. And it's exactly the kind of pressure Disney hasn't had to deal with in decades. 'And if the rumors and leaked plans are anything to go by, Universal isn't just trying to compete anymore. They're aiming to take over the market. 'Universal is building hype, driving bookings, and reshaping expectations. Disney needs to meet that energy, or risk falling behind.' They pointed out that Disney has become somewhat known for its 'slow and calculated' expansions - something the company might have to reconsider amidst the immense excitement surrounding the future of Epic Universe. And Disney may already be taking notice as it has announced a slew upcoming changes to its parks in recent months. A new Cars-themed land is in the works at Magic Kingdom, as well as an area inspired by the Disney villains. In addition, an Encanto river ride, an Indiana Jones attraction, and a Zootopia show are all set to come to Animal Kingdom in the upcoming years. Over in Hollywood Studios, a new Monsters Inc. land will replace Muppets Courtyard, and it's set to have a suspended rollercoaster that will put riders 'right in the middle of the monster action.' But the all the new stuff has meant that a slew of beloved rides have been forced to close, including the Liberty Square Riverboat ride, the Dinosaur ride, and Muppet*Vision 3D, leaving many die-hard Disney fans outraged. Earlier this year, a new Comprehensive Plan 2045 from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District even showed potential plans for Disney to build a fifth sprawling theme park. The plans detailed a reserved development capacity for another 'major theme park' and two 'minor theme parks' that could be built over the next few decades. The expansion at the Orlando resort could be expansive - mirroring the scale of other popular parks such as Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom. The documents allotted 400 to 500 acres for the new park which would be Disney's first all-new gate in over 25 years. It is thought that the two smaller parks will be water parks, spanning an estimated 147 acres each. Walt Disney World has not officially confirmed a fifth Florida theme park, and the Comprehensive Plan does not mean that the fifth park is definitely happening, but it opens the door for one in the future should Disney want to go forward with it. In the end, only time will tell what will come next for both Epic Universe and Disney World, but all in all, it's an exciting time for theme park lovers.

Matt Rife buys infamous Annabelle doll's house and reveals plans for its future
Matt Rife buys infamous Annabelle doll's house and reveals plans for its future

The Independent

time26 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Matt Rife buys infamous Annabelle doll's house and reveals plans for its future

Comedian Matt Rife and YouTuber Elton Castee have purchased the home of the infamous Annabelle doll. Located in Monroe, Connecticut, the building houses the Raggedy Ann doll, which is a classic fixture in the horror genre, specifically in The Conjuring film franchise. Rife shared the news Friday via Instagram, calling it an 'insane announcement.' 'I have officially purchased Ed and Lorraine Warren's home and Occult Museum, including being the legal guardian for at least the next 5 years, of the entire haunted collection including THE ANNABELLE DOLL, with my good friend @eltoncastee!! If you know me, you know I'm obsessed with the paranormal and all things haunted,' Rife wrote. 'You also may know The Conjuring films are my favorite scary movies of all time. So I'm incredibly honored to have taken over one of the most prominent properties in paranormal history. Ed and Lorain Warren arguably put demonology and paranormal into the mainstream and are the very heart of some of the most famous haunted stories of all time, The Conjuring House, Amityville Horror , et.' Matt Rife has purchased the home of the infamous Annabelle doll (Getty Images) Sharing the future of the home, Rife continued: 'We plan to open the house for overnight stays and museum tours so you yourself can experience and learn all the haunted history surrounding this amazing place.' While some of Rife's supporters applauded his news, others raised a grave concern. 'Didnt someone just die for taking that Annabelle doll on tour or something???' one person commented, referring to the recent death of the doll's handler. Dan Rivera, 54, died July 13 while on tour with the doll. According to a Facebook post from the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), which is hosting Annabelle's tour, Rivera suddenly died while at an event with the doll. Rivera was also the lead investigator for NESPR. Annabelle the doll in her specially built case at Warrens' Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut (New England Society for Psychic Research) Pennsylvania State Police shared a report via X about Rivera's death saying: 'Members from PSP Gettysburg responded to a hotel in Straban Township, Adams County for a report of a deceased [man]. The decedent was discovered in his hotel room by workers. Nothing unusual or suspicious was observed at the scene. His cause of death is pending.' Meanwhile, Annabelle the doll will continue traveling throughout the next few months, with her next stop in Augusta, Maine, on September 6 and September 7. She's also expected to be at the Rock Island Roadhouse Esoteric Expo in Rock Island, Illinois, on October 4, and ScareFest Weekend 17 in Lexington, Kentucky, which is from October 17 through 19. The appearances come months after rumors circulated in May that Annabelle had somehow gone missing while in Louisiana when some visitors claimed they didn't see the doll during a tour. However, Rivera debunked theories that the doll had gone missing in a TikTok video at the time. 'I'm here at the museum right now, and I just wanna show you guys that Annabelle is in the Warrens' Occult Museum,' he said. 'Let's go inside and let's check.' After entering the museum, he walked over to show the doll sitting in a wooden case. Annabelle first appeared in 2013's The Conjuring before receiving her own spin-off franchise. Annabelle was released in 2014, followed by Annabelle: Creation in 2017 and the latest entry, Annabelle Comes Home, in 2019.

Nostalgia is eating us alive. Instead of building a new world, we're regurgitating a past that never existed
Nostalgia is eating us alive. Instead of building a new world, we're regurgitating a past that never existed

The Guardian

time27 minutes ago

  • The Guardian

Nostalgia is eating us alive. Instead of building a new world, we're regurgitating a past that never existed

There has been much talk about our hunger for a 'return to optimism'. Our world has been too real for too long, and we all just want a bit of shelter from the storm. We look back in patronising nostalgia at Obama's Hope poster in the same way we insist music hasn't been real music since about 1986 (or since 1966, or since the Great American Songbook, or since Mozart, depending who you talk to). Movie theatres are propped up by two monolith tent poles: DC's umpteenth Superman and Marvel's Fantastic Four reboot, both attempting a full factory reset of their flagship properties. It offers a return to the originals – AKA, the 'good old days'. But this isn't so much a yearning for a new optimism as it is a resuscitation of an old one. The Fantastic Four is even set in a 1960s Jetsons-style alternate reality (the first comic was published in 1961). Remember this? This is Things As They Should Be™. The great irony in this regurgitation of old aesthetics is that, they themselves looked forward. The joy and optimism of the space age showcased the marvellous and fantastic possibilities of technology and science, before we knew that those same industries would slowly start choking our own atmosphere. We want to go back to that time, when we could feel good about driving our big shiny bubble cars and tease our hair up guilt-free – without thinking about the ozone or whatever. This perceived collective optimism was never real, of course. But now, after decades of doom storytelling and hope erosion, we want the dream back. What's happening in the culture is more than the good honest fun of theme park recreations, 1950s diners and old west camera filters. This is an earnest but somehow deeply sad defibrillation of dead worlds, built around a hollow craving that can never ever be filled. We are birds constantly regurgitating and eating our own upchuck. Same flavour but different colour, different flavour but same chunks. Its passion looks inspirational, but its sniff is grief. It works, but not quite — as fresh as microwaved leftovers. It's the cultural equivalent of Maga – the lie that there was some glorious past where things were flourishing and wholesome and if we can just get back there we'll be on track again. But there never was that past. It's a distortion of immature childhood memories and historical rewriting by big corporations. This is the multiverse made real by an increasingly small cabal of conglomerates leveraging their various assets, stuffing each storytelling turducken full of old money-makers to reduce the risk in anything new. It's not so much the multiverse as the IP-verse. Every brand everywhere all at once. Over time this starts to feel like a photocopy of a photocopy. The AI boom is quite literally sampling and recycling things that already exist. When I see a brand-new building proudly inspired by the art deco movement of 100 years ago, I wonder if the great deco designers knew way back then that they were on the blind precipice of the future, or were they recreating their own nostalgic past? I wonder, as typography and graphic design trends cycle through recreations of past 'vintage' ideas, what the concept of 'vintage' meant to people back when it was, to them, modern? Having lost hope for the future, we have always looked back for comfort. We have to be cautious of the reasons why. Why did Nazi aesthetics have such a fetish for ancient Rome? Why did Soviet culture idolise modern industrial style? Even in The Handmaid's Tale's Gilead, they revere the natural and organic by insisting on non-GM and high-fat foods. The world around us tells us a lot about our beliefs. We are all potential victims of this ideological myth-making. It's invisible but everywhere, and it's difficult to tell if people in power aim to manufacture a world that matches their values or if it's some kind of naturally developing, laissez-faire attraction. We're all dreaming of a better time from the past, since there is no future. We've stopped dreaming about building – now we dream of recreating. It's not recreating the actual thing that we want, it's the yearning to recreate the feeling we had back then. In my local city centre, I drive past heritage-protected sandstone buildings with the names of the original shopfronts still carved at the top. The mason etching that date in the rock was doing it for the future, so as time stretched on his mark would stay there, even for me now as I whip past the exact same building in a space shuttle machine he could never even dream of. Imagine a shop front named something like, 'Nolan and Sons Merchants, est. 1861.' And on the shop front awning below it, computer-printed on laminate in an deliberately old-timey font, 'Buzz'd Cafe, est. 2025.' Take a sledgehammer to the wall of this cafe. Pierce the membrane of lino wallpaper printed to look like rustic bricks and find sterile chalk-white plasterboard from the previous shop, which was itself once added to modernise and cover the rustic brick walls beneath. You can find these rings of a tree in everything: generations on top of generations of us each trying to make our own existence matter and either cover or recover the ones before us. So, do we seek comfort in the baby blanket of our past myths – or do we try to create our own new ones? Martin Ingle is a writer and film-maker

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store