Jan. 19 Weekly News Quiz: What’s Blue Monday?

Blue Monday, falling on the third Monday of January, is dubbed the most depressing day of the year. This gloomy title was originally part of a marketing campaign by Sky Travel in 2004, concocted by psychologist Cliff Arnall. He created a bogus formula considering weather conditions, debt levels, the time since Christmas, and low motivation levels. While initially a ploy to boost holiday bookings, Blue Monday has since taken on a life of its own in the cultural zeitgeist. Companies have even begun to offer wellness perks, including a day off work, to combat the blues.

Queen Mary of Denmark, originally Mary Donaldson, hails from Hobart, Tasmania. Her journey from Tasmania to royalty is a modern-day fairytale. She met her prince charming, Crown Prince Frederik, during the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and the rest, as they say, is history. Fast forward to January 14, 2024, and Mary ascends as queen alongside her husband, King Frederik X, after Queen Margrethe II’s historic abdication. Mary’s Australian roots make her the world’s first Australian-born queen.

In January 2024, Tesla’s German factory in Berlin hit a speed bump. From Jan. 29 to Feb. 11, Tesla had to stop most of its production. Why, you ask? The Red Sea turmoil. This international waterway, usually buzzing with ships, found itself in a maritime muddle due to Houthi rebel attacks. The result? A disruption of the global shipping corridor, which is as crucial to Tesla as a fully charged battery is to its cars. Tesla’s Berlin factory relies heavily on parts shipped from Asia. With cargo ships detouring around the Cape of Good Hope, the supply chain gap got wide enough to drive a Tesla Semi through. Just a reminder that in the world of global manufacturing, it’s all connected – from a conflict in the Red Sea to electric cars in Berlin.

In a twist that rivals any cricket match’s final over, David Teeger was bowled out of his captaincy role just days before the Under-19 World Cup in January 2024. The curveball? Cricket South Africa (CSA) removed him, citing security concerns. This decision spun out after Teeger, during an award acceptance in October, dedicated his accolade “to the state of Israel and every single soldier fighting so that we can live and thrive in the diaspora.” Despite an independent inquiry by CSA in November, which cleared him of any code of conduct breach and championed the right to freedom of expression, CSA still decided to drop him as captain due to fears of potential protests at the World Cup, given his comments. It’s a reminder that sometimes, in sports, the most significant plays happen away from the field!

Sagiv Jehezkel, an Israeli footballer playing for Antalyaspor, found himself in a pickle. During a match in Turkey, he revealed a bandage on his hand that read “100 Days 7.10” next to a Star of David. This gesture referenced the 100th day since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. The Turkish authorities, not big fans of football accessorizing, arrested him for “inciting hatred and hostility.” This incident, which unfolded in January 2024, caused his club, Antalyaspor, to give him the boot. Jehezkel’s statement during police questioning emphasized his apolitical stance and desire for peace. So, in a twist of fate, what started as a silent show of solidarity ended up sparking international headlines, diplomatic spats, and, of course, this trivia question.

“The Bear” broke records at the 2023 Emmys by winning the most awards for a comedy series in its first season. This show’s debut set a new standard for comedy series recognition at the Emmy Awards.

Elton John achieved EGOT status at the 2023 Emmys, which means he has won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony during his career. This accomplishment is a remarkable feat in the entertainment industry. He won an Emmy for his “Farewell Dodger Stadium” concert.

Quinta Brunson made history by being the first female Black actor to win an Emmy in more than 40 years, specifically in the comedy category. This achievement was a significant milestone in recognizing diversity in the television industry and took place at the 2023 Emmy Awards.

Roman Roy’s eulogy cue cards from HBO’s hit series “Succession” won the highest bid. These cue cards, used in a poignant scene where Roman breaks down and cannot continue his speech, were sold for $25,000. This auction, held by Heritage Auctions, saw fans and collectors vying for a piece of the Roy family saga. The sale took place after the show wrapped up its four-season run, with the auction featuring 236 lots of memorabilia. While Tom’s scorpion paperweight and Cousin Greg’s mascot costume made notable sales at $10,000 and over $7,800, respectively, they were outshone by the cue cards’ hefty price tag.

Fun Fact: The runner-up was the “ludicrously capacious” Burberry tote bag, famously mocked on the show, which sold for $18,750.

Tina Fey (SNL, 30 Rock) wrote the screenplay for the iconic 2004 “Mean Girls” movie and its 2024 musical remake. The original film became a cultural touchstone, etching phrases like “fetch” into the cool lexicon. Fast forward to January 12, 2024, and Fey strikes again, adapting her own Broadway musical into a movie, proving that some stories are just too good to tell only once.

In the biopic “Back to Black,” set to release on May 10, 2024, Marisa Abela takes on the challenging role of Amy Winehouse. Known for her role in “Industry,” Abela steps into the shoes of the iconic singer to offer a glimpse into Winehouse’s early rise to fame and the creation of her groundbreaking album Back to Black.