POP GOES THE YEAR! TEST YOUR SOFT-NEWS SAVVY
Yes, there was plenty of serious news. Pah-lenty. But man cannot live on hard news alone. This was also a year of non-stop pop culture, and if you don’t believe us, ask the Internet. It had a pop culture-induced meltdown more than once in 2016, thanks to Brangelina and Beyoncé and . . . well, you know. Or do you? Put your knowledge — and your Twitter addiction — to the test with this year-end quiz. The prize? Cold, hard bragging rights.
1. What Canadian-born actor plays the smart-ass superhero Deadpool in the 2016 movie of the same name?
a) Ryan Gosling b) Ryan Reynolds c) Seth Rogen d) Stephen Amell
2. When Pokemon Go caused a frenzy this summer, Mayor John Tory asked that the number of “Poke-stops” be reduced at what Toronto location?
a) Nathan Phillips Square b) CN Tower c) Hospital for Sick Children d) Jack Layton Ferry Terminal
3. After a three-month summer romance, Taylor Swift and what British actor ended their relationship in September?
a) Benedict Cumberbatch b) Tom Hiddleston c) Daniel Radcliffe d) Tom Hardy
4. Prince Harry’s new girlfriend, Meghan Markle is an actress on what Toronto-filmed television show?
a) Suits b) Orphan Black c) The Strain d) Murdoch Mysteries
5. Queen guitarist Brian May protested Donald Trump’s repeated (and unauthorized) use of which of the band’s songs throughout the U.S. presidential campaign?
a) “I Want to Break Free” b) “Another One Bites the Dust” c) “We Are the Champions” d) “Radio Ga Ga”
6. What singer joined The Late Late Show host James Corden on “Carpool Karaoke” for a rendition of the Spice Girls’ “Wannabe”?
a) Mariah Carey b) Adele c) Geri Halliwell d) Britney Spears
7. Fittingly, this character got the last line in Downton Abbey’s series finale.
a) Lady Mary b) Lord Grantham c) The Dowager Countess d) Mr. Carson 8. U.S. vice-president-elect Mike Pence was attending what Broad-
way show in November when he was addressed by a cast member with a message about protecting diversity?
a) The Book of Mormon b) Kinky Boots c) Wicked d) Hamilton
9. Considered an odd choice, what Grammy-winning artist performed at the NBA All-Star Game halftime show in Toronto in February?
a) Drake b) Rod Stewart c) Sting d) Carly Rae Jepsen
10. Which celebrity couple, who filed for divorce this year, met on the set of the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith?
a) Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt b) Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck c) Amber Heard and Johnny Depp d) Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber
11. Alec Baldwin spoofed Donald Trump and Kate McKinnon impersonated Hillary Clinton, but what Seinfeld co-creator got big laughs with his portrayal of Bernie Sanders on Saturday Night Live?
a) Jerry Seinfeld b) Jason Alexander c) Michael Richards d) Larry David 12. What musician, who died this
year, once owned a home on the Bridle Path in Toronto?
a) David Bowie b) Prince c) Leonard Cohen d) Merle Haggard
13. What is the name of the Eggoloving character with telekinetic powers on the hit Netflix show
Stranger Things? a) Eight b) Twelve c) Seven of Nine d) Eleven
14. As part of their royal tour of British Columbia and Yukon, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took Prince George and Princess Charlotte to a children’s tea party in what Canadian city?
a) Vancouver b) Whitehorse c) Victoria d) Prince George
15. This Canadian musician, born Abel Tesfaye, won Junos for Songwriter and Artist of the Year in April.
a) Drake b) The Weeknd c) Buffy Sainte-Marie d) Alessia Cara
16. What comedian hosted the Oscars in February and called the show “the White People’s Choice Awards”?
a) Chris Rock b) Neil Patrick Harris c) Ellen DeGeneres d) Jon Stewart
17. After winning a silver medal at the Rio Olympics, Canadian swimmer Penny Oleksiak lamented on Twitter that she couldn’t get tickets to whose concert in Toronto?
a) Justin Bieber b) Taylor Swift c) Adele d) Drake
18. What series, starring Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny, returned to television this year after a 14-year hiatus?
a) Gilmore Girls b) The X-Files c) Full House d) Arrested Development
19. The Tragically Hip played their final concert on Aug. 20 in what Canadian city?
a) Toronto b) Montreal c) Kingston d) Ottawa
20. One of this year’s highest-grossing movies was partly based on an animated feature of the same name from 1967. What was it?
a) The Jungle Book