The Enlightened Nerd is a column designed to enlighten the inner nerd in all of us through local whimsical and intellectual events, people, and places. Know a nerdy person, event, place, or thing in Vancouver? Send it in here or tweet it to @karolinathecat (#theenlightenednerd)!
The Simpsons by Matt Groening
I grew up watching a lot of The Simpsons on television with my brothers. My mom thought Family Guy was too crude, South Park too inappropriate, and Futurama too wacky, but The Simpsons were just right. I used to watch the show on weeknights on The Comedy Network and rent entire seasons from the library to catch myself up on all the Simpson family happenings. So when I was invited to go to the Classic Simpsons Trivia Night at the Waldorf with some friends, I was excited to dust off the old Simpson skills and possibly even win a prize!
The Waldorf
The fee to enter the Waldorf for Classic Simpsons Trivia Night is five dollars. When I arrived (more than half an hour early) the venue’s tables were almost all taken, as folks were arriving early for seats (sitting, the great leveler), drinks and appetizers. With faux palm trees, a starry ceiling, and hanging tiki lights, the Waldorf somehow seems a most suitable Simpsons setting. The room was dark and abuzz with individuals who grew up with the classic family, from the nineties through to the millennium.
Classic Simpsons Trivia Night is divided into three rounds of questions, and each round is divided by an episode of The Simpsons itself and a raffle for prizes (mystery box, anyone?). Right off the bat, the specifically cromulent questions had me quizzical and amused, questions like “what does Nelson do with the fish he catches from the Springfield River?” and “which Homer is allowed in the No Homer’s Club?”
Team names also demonstrated avid fandom, ranging from “This Team Can’t Believe It But Now Their Pants Are Chafing Too” and “Step Aside, Sensitive Love Letters Are This Team’s Specialty. Dear Baby. Welcome to Dumpsville. Population: You.”
Simpsons Trivia Night is held every three weeks at the Waldorf and if you’re considering attending the next one I would highly suggest brushing up on Simpsons trivia knowledge from seasons 1-9. I will admit, I didn’t carry the team like I thought I would (Me fail Simpson’s trivia? That’s unpossible!) There is also a Simpsons Diorama Night coming up on March 21st for anyone who wants to wow the audience with their creativity. Bake ‘em away, toys!
