New York State Trivia | Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast

Welcome to Season Four of the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast. For this season, we’re going to cover all 50 US states, starting with New York State Trivia. It’ll be a mix of history, geography, and pop culture.

We also have new music, but from the same composer, Jason Shaw at Audionautix.com.

Everything else will be the same. Three rounds of ten questions each (Dorky, Geeky, and Nerdy).

When you’re done with New York State Trivia, please take a moment to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podchaser. We also have (as always) the quick two-question feedback survey located below. Take a second and fill that out, please.

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Book of the Week

Live From New York: The Complete Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live

James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales’s definitive oral history of Saturday Night Live , hailed as “incredible” ( Vulture ) and “required reading” ( People ). When first published to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Saturday Night Live, Live from New York was immediately proclaimed the best book ever produced on the landmark and legendary late-night show. In their own words, unfiltered and uncensored, a dazzling galaxy of trail-blazing talents recalled three turbulent decades of on-camera antics and off-camera escapades. Now decades have passed, and bestselling authors James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales have returned to Studio 8H. Over more than 100 pages of new material, they raucously and revealingly take the SNL story up to the present, adding a constellation of iconic new stars, surprises, and controversies.

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Episode Transcript/Quiz

Episode Intro

As Billy Joel once said, I’m in a New York State of mind.

Hey gang, this is Episode 162 of the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast. I’m your host, Brian Rollins and we are kicking off Season Four of the show in the Empire State. This whole season will be all about each of the US states. Their history, geography, and some pop culture thrown in for good measure.

It’s still three rounds of ten questions each. The only thing really new this season is the music. Once again, I’ve got music from Jason Shaw at Audionautix.com. This season’s theme music is, fittingly, Heading West.

If you need rules, scorecards, or want to help support the show, visit us at DorkyGeekyNerdy.com. Another way you can help support the show is by dropping us a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to the show. We’re over three years into this and I would love it if we could more visibility.

Thanks and now, let’s get to what you’re actually here for: the trivia.

The Dorky Round

1. From 1892 to 1954 millions of immigrants came through what island?

Ellis Island. It is estimated at 40% of Americans can trace their ancestry back to someone that came through there.

2. How many Burroughs does New York City have?

Five.

3. What current Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court is from Buffalo, NY?

John Roberts

4. What New Yorker was the longest-serving US president?

Franklin D. Roosevelt

5. The 2000 World Series was called the 'Subway Series' for what reason?

It was played between the two New York City teams, the Mets and the Yankees. The Yankees won, 4 games to 1.

6. New York City is the largest city in the state (and the US) by population. What's the second biggest city in New York?

Buffalo. Its population is only 3% of what New York City’s is.

7. Before it was the New York colony, the area was a Dutch colony named what?

New Netherland

8. Most of New York's southern border is with what other US state?

Pennsylvania

9. New York shares an international border with what two Canadian provinces?

Ontario and Quebec

10. Before he became the 26th President, who was also the 33rd Governor of New York?

Theodore Roosevelt

The Geeky Round

1. What is the capital of New York?

Albany

2. What city is the only place to have hosted the Winter Olympics twice?

Lake Placid, NY. They hosted in 1932 and 1980.

3. New York is the Empire State. Who called New York, ‘The Seat of the Empire’?

George Washington

4. In terms of population, where does New York rank in the US?

Fourth. Though, for much of America’s early history, it was the most populous state.

5. What New Yorker was both the first Chief Justice of the Supreme court as well as acting Secretary of State?

John Jay

6. How many NFL teams play their home games in New York state?

Just one, the Buffalo Bills. The Jets and the Giants play in New Jersey.

7. Who is the first female governor of New York?

Kathy Hochul. She took office on August 24, 2021 when Andrew Cuomo resigned.

8. Pride Month and Price Marches were created, initially, to remember what event in New York?

The Stonewall Riots of 1969

9. What river runs from Lake Tear of the Clouds to New York City?

The Hudson River

10. New York touches which two of the Great Lakes?

Ontario and Erie

The Nerdy Round

1. The first railroad in the US connected Albany and what other town?

Schenectady

2. New York City has 722 miles of what?

Subway track

3. Niagara Reservation became the first what in the US?

It’s the first state park.

4. New York borders how many other US states?

Five.

5. New York state is the birthplace of five US presidents. Who was the first New Yorker to become a US president?

Martin Van Buren was born in Kinderhook, NY

6. Born Walden Robert Cassotto, what New Yorker sold over 1 million singles of the 1958 song, 'Splish Splash'?

Bobby Darin

7. The prestigious Columbia University was founded under what name in 1754?

King’s College.

8. Rounded to the nearest million, how many people reside in New York City as of 2020?

9 million. The last census had the city’s population at 8,804,190.

9. What two Native American tribal nations dominated New York state, prior to European colonization?

The Iroquoian and the Algonquian

10. What New York Governor and later US Secretary of State, was responsible for adding Alaska to the US?

William H Seward.

Episode Conclusion

And that’s it for our first episode of Season Four. I hope you like the season-long theme we’re doing here. I think it’ll be fun.

If you’re a New Yorker, give me a shout on Facebook or Twitter. Let me know what I missed about your home state. I know you all aren’t shy. I’ve never been to New York, but I’m a huge history and theater nerd, so it calls to me. Let me know your “must visit” places.

Also: Remember to pay attention to the order of the episodes this season. They aren’t random. See if you can spot the criteria I used for their order. I’ll see you back here, next Wednesday. And here’s your clue:

What US state was founded as a colony by George Calvert in the early 17th century?

Unlike New York, it’s a state I’ve actually visited and found it to be quite charming.

This has been Episode 162 of the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast. The music has been by Jason Shaw at Audionautix.com. I’m your host, Brian Rollins. You can find me at TheVoicesInMyHead.com.

Thanks for listening.