Riveting! Epic! Quiz!

The year 1997 was one in which Hollywood wondered if “Titanic” would end up underwater. The courtroom showdown between Jeffrey Katzenberg and Disney chief Michael Eisner was spliced out of the drama. And Seagram chief Edgar Bronfman Jr. abruptly changed the channel on plans for his freshly acquired USA Network by turning over the keys to media mogul Barry Diller.

1. How much do you remember? Here’s a chance to test your Hollywood knowledge:

1) The number “200 million” represents:

a) Dollars needed to make the movie “Titanic”

b) The number of lifetime achievement awards handed out in Hollywood in 1997

c) Dollars Jeffrey Katzenberg wishes Michael Eisner had agreed to pay him to settle his breach-of-contract lawsuit against Walt Disney Co.

d) Dollars Michael Eisner routinely keeps in his wallet

e) Dollars fired Sony studio chief Mark Canton insists his severance package is worth

f) All of the above

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2. Burt Reynolds’ Golden Globe-nominated performance in “Boogie Nights” bodes well for the comeback of which 1970s star?

a) Alan Alda

b) Gabe Kaplan

c) Tony Orlando

d) Sylvester Stallone

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3. An unbelievably expensive epic tale about a sinking ship best describes:

a) Director James Cameron’s “Titanic”

b) “Speed 2” (minus the “epic”)

c) The Warner Bros. “Batman” franchise

d) All of the above

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4. “L.A. Confidential” best describes:

a) Critically acclaimed film noir about 1950s crime world in Los Angeles

b) Virtually any court document filed by Walt Disney Co. in connection with Jeffrey Katzenberg’s breach-of-contract lawsuit against the company

c) Disney’s original projections for “Hercules”

d) Name of the executive who championed making a “Leave It to Beaver” movie

e) Warner Bros.’ projections for Kevin Costner’s “The Postman”

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5. Which of the following was used by at least one movie critic somewhere to describe the critically panned “Volcano”?

a) “Riveting!”

b) “The thrill ride of the year!”

c) “ ‘Volcano’ erupts with excitement!”

d) “Riveting! The thrill ride of the year! ‘Volcano’ erupts with excitement!”

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6. Hollywood’s most prestigious honor in 1997 was:

a) An Oscar from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

b) Invitation to guest-star on the “Ellen” coming-out episode

c) First-name basis with Deepak Chopra

d) First-name basis with the Dalai Lama

e) Inclusion on the approved prison visitors list for Suge Knight

f) Being among the first five people to learn that Seagram’s Edgar Bronfman Jr. was turning over USA Network to Barry Diller

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7. Name the year of the Hollywood hype surrounding the following Matt or Matthew:

a) Damon

b) McConaughey(cq)

c) Broderick

d) Helm

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8. To CBS Television President Leslie Moonves, the most important TV audience is:

a) Not the adults ages 18 to 49 whom networks scramble after and advertisers pay for

b) Anyone born while Franklin D. Roosevelt was president

c) Mel Karmazin, CBS’ single largest shareholder

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9. Hollywood executives spent the largest chunk of their time in 1997 doing which of the following:

a) Listening to pitches for movies with the potential to become “franchises” or “brands”

b) Keeping track of boycotts against Walt Disney Co.

c) Not talking about Michael Ovitz

d) Taking credit for the Sony Pictures turnaround

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10. Who was most likely to have said the following:

a) “Billy Crystal and Robin Williams together? It can’t miss!”

b) “Tom Arnold in ‘McHale’s Navy?’ It can’t miss!”

c) “Buying Blockbuster Video? It can’t miss!”

d) “Playa Vista for the site of our new studio? It can’t miss!”

e) “By the way, I’ve been meaning to tell you, I’ve been letting a reporter from the New York Times Magazine follow me around for the last few months.”

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Bonus Question:

Which of the following changes can be expected when Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Inc. buys the Los Angeles Dodgers?

a) Murdoch uses the Dodgers to further develop his television sports empire

b) “Party of Five” cast throws out the first pitch on opening day

c) A new visitor announcement: “Welcome to AirTouch Cellular Stadium located in beautiful Home Depot Chavez Ravine”

d) Outfield wall raised by 10 feet to accommodate signs from Gap, Wendy’s, Sprint, Good Guys, Pep Boys and CompUSA

e) Terry Bradshaw teamed with Vin Scully on the play-by-play

f) Stadium returns to its roots when the drinking fountains are removed as part of a $50-million deal with Pepsi for soft drink rights

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Answers:

1) a, but f is acceptable

2) Our money is on Tony Orlando.

3) a and b, with c heading there

4) All are likely.

5) a, b, c and d

6) Take your pick

7) a-1997, b-1996, c-1983 and d-1969

8) c

9) d, followed by a, b and c, in that order

10) Likely candidates are: a-anyone at Warner Bros.; b-no one who will admit it; c-anyone at Viacom; d-anyone at DreamWorks; e-ABC TV mogul Jamie Tarses

Bonus question: Bet on all of them.