Transcript 3/4/09: Alex Ozenberger

[BBTranscriptTeam]

Alex Ozenberger
Olney, MD
Recent College Grad

Alex is finding it difficult to find a job in today's economy, so Alex hopes his appearance on WWTBAM will help him in his job search. He was a communications major, but he forgot to bring his resume to give to Meredith.

Alex's category tree:

Coining a Phrase
Opening Night
First Ladies
States of the Union
Pigskin Classics
Internet Hoaxes
Celebrity Chefs
Potent Quotables
Famous Americans
Channel Surfing
Mañana
Ghost Stories
Site Seeing
Tech Time
Let's Get Biblical

$100 (Let's Get Biblical): As described in the Bible, Eden is what type of place?
A. Swamp B. Garden
C. Desert D. Nude Beach

Spoiler

B. Garden (8)

$200 (Tech Time): In home technology slang, a "46-inch flat screen" is a type of what?
A. Stereo speaker B. Digital camera
C. Mobile phone D. Television

Spoiler

D. Television (9)

$300 (Site Seeing): Which of these Web sites features over 1,000 "coloring pages" that children can print out and color in?
A. Lego.com B. Smuckers.com
C. Schwinn.com D. Crayola.com

Spoiler

D. Crayola.com (6)

$500 (Ghost Stories): Because it tackles a similar subject, the 2008 comedy "Ghost Town" was widely compared in the media to what more-serious film?
A. The Sixth Sense B. Fatal Attraction
C. The Godfather D. Dirty Harry

Spoiler

A. The Sixth Sense (8)

$1,000 (Mañana): "Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow" would be an apt motto for which of these people?
A. Prognosticator B. Procrastinator
C. Prevaricator D. Pacifist

Spoiler

B. Procrastinator (4)

Meredith introduces Dr. Neal deGrasse Tyson, today's expert. Neal is an astrophysicist and Director at the Hayden Planetarium. Also, in 2000, Neal was voted "Sexiest Astrophysicist Alive" by People Magazine.

$2,000 (Channel Surfing): Which of the following is the name of a TV series and not a cable channel?
A. SpikeTV B. truTV
C. MADtv D. HGTV

Spoiler

C. MADtv (21)

$4,000 (Famous Americans): An influential 1845 autobiography is titled "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American" what?
A. General B. Pioneer
C. Outlaw D. Slave

Alex says the name isn't ringing a bell, so he decides to ATA (20).

ATA Results

A. General - 8%
B. Pioneer - 14%
C. Outlaw - 1%
D. Slave - 77%

Alex goes with the audience.

Spoiler

D. Slave (15)

COMMERCIAL BREAK

$8,000 (Potent Quotables): The familiar quote "Oh, the humanity!" is widely attributed to reporter Herb Morrison, who uttered it in response to what tragedyu
A. Bombing of Pearl Harbon B. Hindenberg explosion
C. Singing of the Titanic D. 1929 stock market crash

Spoiler

B. Hindenburg explosion (20)

$16,000 (Celebrity Chefs): Which of these celebrity chefs is the grandchild of a legendary Hollywood producer?
A. Anthony Bourdain B. Rocco DiSpirito
C. Giada De Laurentiis D. Cat Cora

After mulling the question over, Alex chooses to ATE (10).

ATE discussion

Neal says he has no idea, but he can make a really educated guess. "Wasn't there a Dino De Laurentiis?" Alex says that name sounded familiar to him too. Neal points out that your grandchild wouldn't have to have the same name, but "they wouldn't make it THAT hard on Millionaire, would they?"

Alex takes Neal's advice.

Spoiler

C. Giada De Laurentiis (5)

$25,000 (Internet Hoaxes): In 2008, a widespread Internet hoax led many people to believe that cell phone radiation was powerful enough to do what?
A. Pop popcorn kernels B. Toast bread
C. Fry an egg D. Light a match

Alex says he just saw a video that explains how they pulled off this hoax, and it was very interesting.

Spoiler

A. Pop popcorn kernels (16)

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Meredith wishes Alex could get a paycheck like his experience so far, $25,000 every few minutes. She asks what he'd like to do with the money, and Alex responds that he's stereotypically living in his parents' basement, so he'd like to move out. He also just applied to be a substitute teacher, and would need a car to get to all the schools.

$50,000 (Pigskin Classics): The first-ever intercollegiate football game was played in 1869 between Princeton and whom?
A. West Point B. Harvard
C. Lafayette D. Rutgers

Alex says he's pretty sure it's either

Spoiler

B

or

Spoiler

D

, so he chooses to DD (29). His first choice,

Spoiler

B

, is incorrect.

Spoiler

D. Rutgers (20)

$100,000 (States of the Union): Though best known as the names of battle sites in Massachusetts, "Lexington" and "Concord" are also the names of towns in what U.S. state?
A. Montana B. Colorado
C. Rhode Island D. North Carolina

Alex says that those names sound really familiar to him, but he can't place them and decides to PAF (23). Standing by are Alex's dad, Brad (Olney, MD) and his uncle, Mike (Wichita, KS). Alex chooses to call his dad.

PAF discussion

Alex drops the whole first part of the question, and gives the possible answers.(21). Brad asks for the states again (11, with 7 sec. left after Alex gives them again). With a second left, Brad admits he doesn't know.

Alex chooses to walk away with $50,000.

Spoiler

D. North Carolina (4)

[clem21]

Alex Ozenberger
Olney, MD
Recent College Grad


$8,000 (Potent Quotables): The familiar quote "Oh, the humanity!" is widely attributed to reporter Herb Morrison, who uttered it in response to what tragedyu
A. Bombing of Pearl Harbon B. Hindenberg explosion
C. Singing of the Titanic D. 1929 stock market crash

Would that be Celine Dion's very irritating version of "My Heart Will Go On?"

Because I would probably say "Oh the Humanity!" to that as well....

[sunflower]

$200 (Tech Time): In home technology slang, a "46-inch flat screen" is a type of what?
A. Stereo speaker B. Digital camera
C. Mobile phone D. Television

Spoiler

D. Television (9)

Not really "slang" as much as what it's called. It's a 46 inch flat screen tv.

[gsabc]

Taping my watch for the Huge Manatee to show up ...

No problems here to the $100K question, where it's NAFC. DD is useless, Audience and Expert are unlikely to help. Pray that it's easy to Google and call the PAF with the fastest connection. Advanced search for "Lexington AND Concord" AND "MT OR CO OR RI OR NC", maybe?

Addendum: Nope. Search Wikipedia for Lexington, and you get a list of states which have one. North Carolina is the only one of the choices that shows up.

[kayrharris]

I dunno a flip about geography but I knew Lexington, N.C. for some reason.

[Kazoo65]

ATE on $25K.

NFC on $100K. PaF.

[tubadave]

ATA at $16K

Going for $250K with every other lifeline intact. Damn, put me in the chair and give me this stack.

Not sure how I had ever heard of Lexington and/or Concord, NC, but I had very little doubt about it the moment I read it.

[MyBigFatFabulousBrain]

Alex Ozenberger
Olney, MD
Recent College Grad

Alex is finding it difficult to find a job in today's economy, so Alex hopes his appearance on WWTBAM will help him in his job search.

I'm pretty sure a bus ticket from Maryland to New York cost a bit more than a box of resumé paper, but hey, what do I know about finding a job in today's economy. My big, fat, fabulous brain allowed me to become independently wealthy by the time most kids my age were poisoning the neighbors with their lemonade stands...

He was a communications major, but he forgot to bring his resume to give to Meredith.

That's because he didn't buy any of that damn papyrus, or whatever that modified tree bark is that people type up resumés on. And I don't care how well connected she is, I'd never stoop to entrusting Meredith to get me a job. You may end up being the guy who has to tote around the 50 lb. bucket of Bondex back and forth between her Today Show and WWTBAM dressing rooms....

Alex's category tree:

Coining a Phrase
Opening Night
First Ladies
States of the Union
Pigskin Classics
Internet Hoaxes
Celebrity Chefs
Potent Quotables
Famous Americans
Channel Surfing
Mañana
Ghost Stories
Site Seeing
Tech Time
Let's Get Biblical

One of these days I'm hoping the topic tree gets Dutch Elm Disease. Better yet, Alex, why don't you cut it down and use it for your resumé....

$100 (Let's Get Biblical): As described in the Bible, Eden is what type of place?
A. Swamp B. Garden
C. Desert D. Nude Beach


$200 (Tech Time): In home technology slang, a "46-inch flat screen" is a type of what?
A. Stereo speaker B. Digital camera
C. Mobile phone D. Television


$300 (Site Seeing): Which of these Web sites features over 1,000 "coloring pages" that children can print out and color in?
A. Lego.com B. Smuckers.com
C. Schwinn.com D. Crayola.com

Is this where that damn squirrel gets those stupid pictures?

$500 (Ghost Stories): Because it tackles a similar subject, the 2008 comedy "Ghost Town" was widely compared in the media to what more-serious film?
A. The Sixth Sense B. Fatal Attraction
C. The Godfather D. Dirty Harry


$1,000 (Mañana): "Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow" would be an apt motto for which of these people?
A. Prognosticator B. Procrastinator
C. Prevaricator D. Pacifist

I'll come up with a witty answer for this later on....


Meredith introduces Dr. Neal deGrasse Tyson, today's expert. Neal is an astrophysicist and Director at the Hayden Planetarium. Also, in 2000, Neal was voted "Sexiest Astrophysicist Alive" by People Magazine.

You can't even have a goddamn real expert on this show without them having some kind of idiotic hook, can you? There is no such thing as a sexy astrophysicist! Now their brain, maybe..... though it's impossible to top my wonderful specimin....

$2,000 (Channel Surfing): Which of the following is the name of a TV series and not a cable channel?
A. SpikeTV B. truTV
C. MADtv D. HGTV

Maybe the one with "tv" in small letters?


$4,000 (Famous Americans): An influential 1845 autobiography is titled "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American" what?
A. General B. Pioneer
C. Outlaw D. Slave

Alex says the name isn't ringing a bell, so he decides to ATA (20).

The nerve of WWTBAM digging up such an obscure name from American history as Frederick Douglass! You just graduated from college, right? Can you give us the name of your alma mater so I can have it shut down for allowing you to graduate? Thank you....

A. General - 8%
B. Pioneer - 14%
C. Outlaw - 1%
D. Slave - 77%

Alex goes with the audience.

77% of the people on the street, most of whom have probably never set foot in an institution of higher learning, knew who Frederick Douglass was. You know, it's never too late to go back and try to graduate from pre-school....


$8,000 (Potent Quotables): The familiar quote "Oh, the humanity!" is widely attributed to reporter Herb Morrison, who uttered it in response to what tragedyu
A. Bombing of Pearl Harbon B. Hindenberg explosion
C. Singing of the Titanic D. 1929 stock market crash

My favorite people have been reading the Bored again! Where is the manatee question?


$16,000 (Celebrity Chefs): Which of these celebrity chefs is the grandchild of a legendary Hollywood producer?
A. Anthony Bourdain B. Rocco DiSpirito
C. Giada De Laurentiis D. Cat Cora

These are celebrity chefs? Julia Child is a celebruty chef. Everyone else is just a bunch of posers who for some reason are allowed to wield sharp knives in front of live studio audiences.... and those are just people who are too bored to find anything better to do than watch a dumbass spend half an hour making a friggin' salad. I can go down to Hometown Buffet and watch people with IQ's in the teens do that and be more entertained....

After mulling the question over, Alex chooses to ATE (10).

Sure, let's ask our sexy astrophysicist a question about "celebrity" chefs. I wouldn't expect anything less from someone who regrets not having a resumé handy to give to Meredith....

Neal says he has no idea, but he can make a really educated guess. "Wasn't there a Dino De Laurentiis?" Alex says that name sounded familiar to him too. Neal points out that your grandchild wouldn't have to have the same name, but "they wouldn't make it THAT hard on Millionaire, would they?"

Oh Dr. Neal.... you are just too sexy for this show! It's a good thing you pointed out that factoid about grandchildren not necessarily having the same last name though. Alex is really learning things from this experience today! It will suit him well when he finally gets the dream job of all Communications majors..... getting to speak all day into the drive thru headset....

Alex takes Neal's advice.

I bow to you, O wise one. Oops, I just threw up on my feet.....

$25,000 (Internet Hoaxes): In 2008, a widespread Internet hoax led many people to believe that cell phone radiation was powerful enough to do what?
A. Pop popcorn kernels B. Toast bread
C. Fry an egg D. Light a match

Alex says he just saw a video that explains how they pulled off this hoax, and it was very interesting.

You have nothing better to do than watch videos of internet hoaxes? The energy I use to come up with my profoundest of thoughts can heat an entire metropolitan area for a week. It's probably the reason I'm getting a big, fat, fabulous bald spot....


Meredith wishes Alex could get a paycheck like his experience so far, $25,000 every few minutes.

Only ballplayers and CEO's get $25,000 paychecks every few minutes.... and even they all knew who Frederick Douglass was to earn such large sums of money....


She asks what he'd like to do with the money, and Alex responds that he's stereotypically living in his parents' basement, so he'd like to move out. He also just applied to be a substitute teacher, and would need a car to get to all the schools.

Could you give me the name of the school district who accepted you as a substitute teacher so I can call the proper education authorities and get them unaccredited? Thank you...

$50,000 (Pigskin Classics): The first-ever intercollegiate football game was played in 1869 between Princeton and whom?
A. West Point B. Harvard
C. Lafayette D. Rutgers

Alex says he's pretty sure it's either B or D, so he chooses to DD (29). His first choice, B, is incorrect.

They were probably the only two teams back then, and they still lost out to Oklahoma in the BCS standings....

$100,000 (States of the Union): Though best known as the names of battle sites in Massachusetts, "Lexington" and "Concord" are also the names of towns in what U.S. state?
A. Montana B. Colorado
C. Rhode Island D. North Carolina

Alex says that those names sound really familiar to him, but he can't place them and decides to PAF (23). Standing by are Alex's dad, Brad (Olney, MD) and his uncle, Mike (Wichita, KS). Alex chooses to call his dad.

What, Bob was not available? My phone is still deathly silent....

Alex drops the whole first part of the question, and gives the possible answers.(21). Brad asks for the states again (11, with 7 sec. left after Alex gives them again). With a second left, Brad admits he doesn't know.

Don't feel bad, Pops. I'll bet you still knew who Frederick Douglass was. Not knowing there's a Lexington and Concord in North Carolina is a much less egregious sin....

Alex chooses to walk away with $50,000.

Here's a job hunting tip for you as you mosey on out of the studio, Alex. Don't include your appearance on this show on your resumé. I guarantee you that'll get it tossed in the garbage can even quicker than if you'd have wrote it in charcoal on the back of a Lost Dog flyer. But I do wish you the best of luck in your continuing education. In 50 years, who knows, they may very well write your life story..... "Narrative of the Life of Alex Ozenberger, an American Dumbass"......

Nihil Obstat®

[TheConfessor]

Very funny! That's an excellent review, MBFFB, though I'm surprised that this contestant was annoying enough to lure you out of hibernation. He seemed about average, compared to other contestants this season. I realize that's not saying a whole lot.

[littlebeast13]

Very funny! That's an excellent review, MBFFB, though I'm surprised that this contestant was annoying enough to lure you out of hibernation. He seemed about average, compared to other contestants this season. I realize that's not saying a whole lot.

I'm thinking MBFFB® is just trying to stay sharp by making random apperances because I hear there is a certain young punk coming up in a few months that he's just chomping at the bit to rake over the coals.....

Plus, he knows his fans around here love to see his charming critiques, and his ego's too big to not make a few infrequent appearances....

lb13

[clem21]

Oh dear...

[peacock2121]

Very funny! That's an excellent review, MBFFB, though I'm surprised that this contestant was annoying enough to lure you out of hibernation. He seemed about average, compared to other contestants this season. I realize that's not saying a whole lot.

I'm thinking MBFFB® is just trying to stay sharp by making random apperances because I hear there is a certain young punk coming up in a few months that he's just chomping at the bit to rake over the coals.....

Plus, he knows his fans around here love to see his charming critiques, and his ego's too big to not make a few infrequent appearances....

lb13

Me, a glass of wine and some popcorn will be waiting.

[peacock2121]

Oh dear...

It'll be fun!

[NellyLunatic1980]

First 10 were a breeze.

$50,000 (Pigskin Classics): The first-ever intercollegiate football game was played in 1869 between Princeton and whom?
A. West Point B. Harvard
C. Lafayette D. Rutgers

I seem to recall a similar question being asked higher up the ladder on PTBAM. Either that or this was asked before on in a Bored QOD. Too bad I couldn't remember the answer. I'll have to PAF.

The $100K was easy for me, as I just happen to know somebody who lives in Concord, NC.

[earendel]

Alex Ozenberger
Olney, MD
Recent College Grad

Alex is finding it difficult to find a job in today's economy, so Alex hopes his appearance on WWTBAM will help him in his job search. He was a communications major, but he forgot to bring his resume to give to Meredith.

I guess this could be considered a "video resumé" if he does well enough.

$4,000 (Famous Americans): An influential 1845 autobiography is titled "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American" what?
A. General B. Pioneer
C. Outlaw D. Slave

Alex says the name isn't ringing a bell, so he decides to ATA (20).

ATA Results

A. General - 8%
B. Pioneer - 14%
C. Outlaw - 1%
D. Slave - 77%

Alex goes with the audience.

Spoiler

D. Slave (15)

Alex did say that he was "leaning toward" the audience's answer.

$8,000 (Potent Quotables): The familiar quote "Oh, the humanity!" is widely attributed to reporter Herb Morrison, who uttered it in response to what tragedyu
A. Bombing of Pearl Harbon B. Hindenberg explosion
C. Singing of the Titanic D. 1929 stock market crash

Spoiler

B. Hindenburg explosion (20)

Turkey bombing at the Pinewood Shopping Mall in Cincinnati!

$16,000 (Celebrity Chefs): Which of these celebrity chefs is the grandchild of a legendary Hollywood producer?
A. Anthony Bourdain B. Rocco DiSpirito
C. Giada De Laurentiis D. Cat Cora

After mulling the question over, Alex chooses to ATE (10).

ATE discussion

Neal says he has no idea, but he can make a really educated guess. "Wasn't there a Dino De Laurentiis?" Alex says that name sounded familiar to him too. Neal points out that your grandchild wouldn't have to have the same name, but "they wouldn't make it THAT hard on Millionaire, would they?"

Just after the expert says this, they do a split screen showing Meredith grinning.

Alex takes Neal's advice.

Spoiler

C. Giada De Laurentiis (5)

Again Alex said he was "leaning toward" the correct answer. This is the second time he's burned a lifeline needlessly.

$50,000 (Pigskin Classics): The first-ever intercollegiate football game was played in 1869 between Princeton and whom?
A. West Point B. Harvard
C. Lafayette D. Rutgers

Alex says he's pretty sure it's either

Spoiler

B

or

Spoiler

D

, so he chooses to DD (29). His first choice,

Spoiler

B

, is incorrect.

Spoiler

D. Rutgers (20)

My first thought was "Harvard" but at this level the obvious answer might not be the right one. I'd use my PAF on this one.

$100,000 (States of the Union): Though best known as the names of battle sites in Massachusetts, "Lexington" and "Concord" are also the names of towns in what U.S. state?
A. Montana B. Colorado
C. Rhode Island D. North Carolina

Alex says that those names sound really familiar to him, but he can't place them and decides to PAF (23). Standing by are Alex's dad, Brad (Olney, MD) and his uncle, Mike (Wichita, KS). Alex chooses to call his dad.

PAF discussion

Alex drops the whole first part of the question, and gives the possible answers.(21). Brad asks for the states again (11, with 7 sec. left after Alex gives them again). With a second left, Brad admits he doesn't know.

I know there's a Lexington, NC but that's not enough to go on in and of itself. Might as well DD and make NC my first answer, followed by RI.

Spoiler

D. North Carolina (4)

So I'd be looking at the $250K question with ATA and ATE remaining.

[NellyLunatic1980]

$8,000 (Potent Quotables): The familiar quote "Oh, the humanity!" is widely attributed to reporter Herb Morrison, who uttered it in response to what tragedyu
A. Bombing of Pearl Harbon B. Hindenberg explosion
C. Singing of the Titanic D. 1929 stock market crash

Spoiler

B. Hindenburg explosion (20)

Turkey bombing at the Pinewood Shopping Mall in Cincinnati!

As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.

[MarleysGh0st]

Oh dear...

MBFFB has been known to go easy on BBs.

But there are always exceptions!

[MarleysGh0st]

Alex Ozenberger
Olney, MD
Recent College Grad

Alex is finding it difficult to find a job in today's economy, so Alex hopes his appearance on WWTBAM will help him in his job search. He was a communications major, but he forgot to bring his resume to give to Meredith.

A wannabe What Else. I think they had a different line for auditions to be an AP, Alex.

Meredith introduces Dr. Neal deGrasse Tyson, today's expert. Neal is an astrophysicist and Director at the Hayden Planetarium. Also, in 2000, Neal was voted "Sexiest Astrophysicist Alive" by People Magazine.

Certainly, Dr. Tyson gets lots of publicity, but unless People Magazine can document all the astrophysical conferences they attended to rule out all the less famous astrophysicists for this honor, I'll never trust their journalistic standards again!

$25,000 (Internet Hoaxes): In 2008, a widespread Internet hoax led many people to believe that cell phone radiation was powerful enough to do what?
A. Pop popcorn kernels B. Toast bread
C. Fry an egg D. Light a match

I don't recall this one. Was it ever discussed here?

$50,000 (Pigskin Classics): The first-ever intercollegiate football game was played in 1869 between Princeton and whom?
A. West Point B. Harvard
C. Lafayette D. Rutgers

My alma mater!

$100,000 (States of the Union): Though best known as the names of battle sites in Massachusetts, "Lexington" and "Concord" are also the names of towns in what U.S. state?
A. Montana B. Colorado
C. Rhode Island D. North Carolina

These look like fairly small NC towns. Any reason non-locals should have heard of them?

[Rexer25]

$50,000 (Pigskin Classics): The first-ever intercollegiate football game was played in 1869 between Princeton and whom?
A. West Point B. Harvard
C. Lafayette D. Rutgers

My alma mater!

Were you enrolled at the time?

[The Huge Manatee]

Little Know Facts: There has never been a manatee in Lexington and Concord NC, or Mini's Kitchen.

[NellyLunatic1980]

Little Know Facts: There has never been a manatee in Lexington and Concord NC, or Mini's Kitchen.

How about in Gastonia?

[ulysses5019]

Meredith introduces Dr. Neal deGrasse Tyson, today's expert. Neal is an astrophysicist and Director at the Hayden Planetarium. Also, in 2000, Neal was voted "Sexiest Astrophysicist Alive" by People Magazine.

You can't even have a goddamn real expert on this show without them having some kind of idiotic hook, can you? There is no such thing as a sexy astrophysicist! Now their brain, maybe..... though it's impossible to top my wonderful specimin....

I bet he can spell though.

[gsabc]

Little Know Facts: There has never been a manatee in Lexington and Concord NC, or Mini's Kitchen.

How about in Gastonia?

I agree with the sentiment, and repeat Marley's question. WGAS that there's also a Lexington and Concord in NC (unless you live in the region), and why would you be expected to know and retain that information (unless you live in the region)?

[ulysses5019]

Meredith wishes Alex could get a paycheck like his experience so far, $25,000 every few minutes. She asks what he'd like to do with the money, and Alex responds that he's stereotypically living in his parents' basement, so he'd like to move out. He also just applied to be a substitute teacher, and would need a car to get to all the schools.

Is this him?

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/03/05/br ... index.html

[themanintheseersuckersuit]

Little Know Facts: There has never been a manatee in Lexington and Concord NC, or Mini's Kitchen.

How about in Gastonia?

I agree with the sentiment, and repeat Marley's question. WGAS that there's also a Lexington and Concord in NC (unless you live in the region), and why would you be expected to know and retain that information (unless you live in the region)?

How to get from Concord NC to WAGS

1. Head west on NC-1431/Weddington Rd toward Stonehenge Ln NW
0.8 mi
2. Turn right at S Crisco Rd
1.1 mi
3. Continue on Geo W Liles Pkwy NW/NC-1430
Continue to follow NC-1430

0.7 mi
4. Turn left to merge onto I-85 S
36.6 mi
5. Take exit 17 for US-321 toward Lincolnton/Gastonia
0.2 mi
6. Turn right at N Chester St/US-321
1.1 mi

Gastonia, N Carolina