Mark is among the small minority of O'Brien's quizmasters with no direct ties to academia, education, research, the legal profession or entertainment. He is an undergraduate engineer and MBA who has worked as a consultant for several conservative, button-down, pin-striped companies. Mark's years in business have instilled in him a customer-friendly philosophy. The Pub Quiz should be an evening's entertainment for the participants so he wants the players to enjoy themselves whether they win or not. He'll usually have questions from a variety of topics - literature and the classics, history, geography, sports, entertainment (movies, tv and music), business, etc. His inspiration for questions comes from just about anything he might read or see, from the color of the CA car registration sticker to an NPR story, from Sports Illustrated to the ingredient list on a beverage bottle or hints from Heloise. The only thing predictable about Mark's quizzes is that they will be eclectic and will almost NEVER have a Simpsons question. You can also look for Mark to dress for the occasion if he is the host for the Oscars quiz in February or the O'Brien's Pub Quiz birthday quiz in April or May.
Sample questions:
Multiple choice. In what decade was the form 1040 first introduced as the standard tax reporting form -- 1900s, 1910s, 1920s or 1930s?
Within one year, how old was Orson Welles when he made Citizen Kane?
What is the name for the reddish flap that hangs from the throat of a turkey?
From the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli. These words commemorate valiant Marine battles in the first half of the 19th century. Where are the Halls of Montezuma and the shores of Tripoli?
What epic 17th century poem introduced to the English language the phrases "heaven on earth" and "all hell broke loose"?
In California, what is the minimum period of time that traffic convictions and accidents stay on your driving record before they are removed (assuming that you do not go to traffic school)?
In the comic strip Frazz, 3rd grader Caulfield was lamenting that the nosy bureaucrats wanted to know his race on a standardized test. Frazz said that he always wrote in that he is Callipygian. What does callipygian mean?
The Washington Senators have failed twice as a franchise, moving each time to create a team that is currently playing in the American League. Name these teams.
Many people have a type ABC fire extinguisher in their homes. It is designed to extinguish type A, B or C fires. Describe type A, B and C fires.