379 | Dreaded Jeopardy Categories (Pop Music, Poetry, and Opera

Clue: Pop Music, Poetry, and Opera

Question: What are some of the most dreaded Jeopardy categories?

Hey gang, welcome back to the show. This week, I have a trio of categories that, at least in my observation, have stumped Jeopardy contestants through the years: Pop Music Trivia, Poetry Trivia, and Opera Trivia.

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Episode Intro

Clue: Pop Music, Poetry, and Opera

Question: What are some of the most dreaded Jeopardy categories?

Hey gang, welcome back to the show. This week, I have a trio of categories that, at least in my observation, have stumped Jeopardy contestants through the years.

Each topic gets its own round, so it’s thirty questions in all. Got questions? Reach out to me on social media or the show’s website, DorkyGeekyNerdy.com.

I’m you not-Ken-Jennings host, Brian Rollins and this is episode 379 of the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia podcast.

Let’s get this game going.

The Dorky Round

Pop Music Trivia

While the Beatles hold the record for most number one songs on the Billboard charts, what individual holds the record?
a. Mariah Carey. She’s had 19 number one hits.
Despite being Puerto Rican and, therefore, an American Citizen, what halftime show artist was called unamerican by right wing groups when he hosted the Super Bowl halftime show in 2026?
a. Bad Bunny
Ending in 2024, which concert tour holds the record for highest grossing?
a. The Eras Tour. Taylor Swift’s tour made double what the second place tour made.
What 80s heartthrob toured the country singing “Jesse’s Girl” while playing Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital?
a. Rick Springfield
Luke Combs had a 2023 country hit with “Fast Car” written and originally sung by who?
a. Traci Chapman
“Little Monsters” is the name given to fans of what pop star and actress?
a. Lady Gaga
Jake Peralta on Brooklyn 99 is a fan of “I Want It That Way” by what 90’s boy band?
a. The Backstreet Boys
Whitney Houston had a monster hit in 1992 with “I Will Always Love You”, a song originally recorded by what country star?
a. Dolly Parton
What was the first video played on MTV in 1981?
a. “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles
What grunge band released the albums: Bleach, Nevermind, and In Utero?
a. Nirvana

The Geeky Round

Poetry Trivia

Featured in Dead Poets Society, what Walt Whitman poem was a memorial to the recently assassinated Abraham Lincoln?
a. O Captain! My Captain!
What 1883 Emma Lazarus sonnet appears on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty
a. The New Colossus
What poetry style has 17-syllables in a 5-7-5 pattern?
a. A haiku
What poet gave us the dark and dreary poem, The Raven?
a. Edgar Allan Poe
Amanda Gordan read which of her poems during the inauguration of Joe Biden?
a. The Hill We Climb
Lewis Carol talked about vorpal blades and mome raths in what poem?
a. The Jabberwocky
What poet and author of “Lady Lazurus” died at the young age of 30?
a. Sylvia Plath
Rudyard Kipling wrote what poem about his only son who died in World War I?
a. “My Boy Jack”
What poet had books titled Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, and Falling Up?
a. Shel Silverstein
What poet, who passed away in 2014, had collections titled And Still I Rise and Now Sheba Sings the Song?
a. Maya Angelou

The Nerdy Round

Opera Trivia

The Bugs Bunny cartoon, What’s Opera Doc? features the operas of what composer?
a. Richard Wagner
What country is generally considered the birthplace of opera?
a. Italy
Who wrote the opera, The Barber of Seville?
a. Gioacchino Rossini
Andrea Bocchelli performed what Pucchini aria during the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremonies?
a. Nessun Dorma from Turnadot
What opera was the basis for the 1996 musical, Rent?
a. La boheme
What is the name given the lead female singer in an Opera?
a. Prima Donna. Literally, ‘first lady’.
What French composer gave us Carmen?
a. George Bizet
What overture to a Rossini opera gave us the theme music for The Lone Ranger?
a. William Tell (or Guillaume Tell in the original French)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote what 1787 opera about the fictional character, Don Juan?
a. Don Giovanni
In what Italian city will you find the world-famous La Scala opera house?
a. Milan

Episode Conclusion

How did you do? What other Jeopardy categories do thing we could cover on the show? Let me know in the comments or on social media.

Next week, I’ve got a topical topic for the show. Here’s a hint:

Other than being women, what do Jill Taylor, Helen Parr, and Edna Turnblad all have in common?

Check the calendar, and that’ll give you another clue. See you back here on Wednesday. Stay safe and take care of yourself in the meantime.

This was the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast. If you’d like to help support the show and get extra stuff, consider becoming a patron at Patreon.com/dorkygeekynerdy.

This podcast is written, produced, and hosted by Brian Rollins. If you love audiobooks or are looking to have a book turned into an audiobook, contact me at TheVoicesInMyHead.com.

The theme music is Punchfunk by the band, Punchfunk. Listen to all their music on Spotify.

Thanks for listening.