NPR-Themed Wedding Gets An NPR Assist

By Art Silverman

You never know what fans of our radio programs might need.

All Things Considered got an unusual request from a listener today. Michael Martin of Atlanta sought the staff's help for a wedding. It seems the theme of the nuptials will be "NPR."

Peggy Echt and Matthew Price, both 26 years old, plan to marry in Atlanta Sunday, June 28. The couple has invited about 110 guests, seated at 10 tables, each one being named for a different NPR program.

We've been asked to provide trivia questions for the All Things Considered table. The 12 guests at each table will ask tablemates to answer. The idea is to break the ice.

If you are attending the wedding, and are seated at the "ATC" table, here's a chance to cheat:

1. Which actor on HBO's "The Wire" was a former All Things Considered production assistant?

A. Officer James "Jimmy" McNulty Played By Dominic West

B. Howard "Bunny" Colvin Played By Robert Wisdom

C. Felicia "Snoop" Pearson Played By Felicia Pearson

D. All of the above

(ANSWER: "B" Bob Wisdom, Columbia graduate and DC resident, worked on the program in the early 1980s)

2. When the program was first conceived, which names were considered and discarded?

A. Other Folks' Troubles

B. What's the Point?

C. Hear and Now

D. None of the Above.

(ANSWER: "D")

 

3. When was All Things Considered first broadcast?

A. November 4, 1980

B. May 3, 1971

C. April 1, 1967

D. July 4, 1976

(ANSWER: "B")

4. Who is the longest serving host of the program?

A. Susan Stamberg

B. Bob Edwards

C. Noah Adams

D. Robert Siegel

(ANSWER: "D")

5. Who was Kim Williams?

A. A stripper who was pushed into the Tidal Basin by a Senator.

B. A health-food, outdoorsy commentator from Missoula, Montana.

C. A Korean-American reporter from the 1980s

D. None of the above.

(ANSWER: "B")

6. Where was the program about to broadcast from when a major natural event kill thousands?

A. Sichuan, China

B. Montserrat

C. San Francisco

D. Johnstown, Pennsylvania

(ANSWER: "A" Seven members of the staff, including two hosts were in Chengdu, China when an earthquake shook the province of SicHuan in May 2008)

7. When Susan Stamberg was host she BEGAN offering listeners a recipe. What is it for?

A. Matzoh ball soup

B. Vodka Martinis

C. Cranberry relish

D. A mixture of all three.

(ANSWER: "C" Mama Stamberg's Cranberry is snuck on the air every year on the Friday before Thanksgiving.)

8. Who was the first director of All Things Considered?

A. Paul Thomas Anderson

B. John Dimsdale

C. Queen Noor of Jordan

D. Linda Wertheimer

(ANSWER: "D")

9. When was the "golden Age" of All Things Considered?

A. 1978-80

B. Six months before any new employee starts work there.

C. Next year

D. 1971-72

(ANSWER: "B")

10. Who was the first host of All Things Considered?

A. Jack Lescoulie

B. Robert Connelly

C. Noah Adams

D. Susan Stamberg

(ANSWER: "B")

11. How many couples met and married while working at NPR.?

A. 26

B. 100

C. 8

D. 72

(ANSWER: "D" Susan Stamberg keeps the records.

12. What NPR commentator is Melissa Block married to?

A. Daniel Pinkwater

B) David Brooks

C) Stefan Fatsis

D) Julie Zickefoose

(ANSWER: "C")

13. Michele Norris' daughter is named for a song by which group?

A) Doobie Brothers

B) Steely Dan

C) Abba

D) The Beatles

(ANSWER: "B" Aja The song is pronounced "Asia," and was inspired by the continent. Steely Dan have several songs with a far-East influence.)