Bumper arts & culture quiz of the year: 24 questions on TV, film, music, books

Whether you're a casual TV viewer or a serious arty-farty,  you'll find questions to suit in our 2020 quiz  

Arts and culture quiz 2020. 

TV & FILM

1. Which priest took part in the 2020 version of Dancing With The Stars?

2. Joe Exotic was the main character in which Netflix documentary series?

3. Which movie won the 2020 Oscar for best film?

4. Cork actress Sarah Greene played which character in the Normal People TV series?

5. Netflix had a huge hit with The Queen’s Gambit. Which board game does it feature?

6. Gillian Anderson played which character in season four of The Crown?

7. Which Irish actress was Ocar-nominated for her role in Little Women?

8. Who is this?

ANSWERS: 1. Ray Kelly; 2. Tiger King; 3. Parasite; 4. Lorraine, Connell’s mother; 5. Chess; 6. Margaret Thatcher; 7. Saoirse Ronan ; 8. Paul Mescal.

MUSIC

1. Megan Thee Stallion duetted with who on smash hit ‘WAP’?

2. In the same week that Fontaines DC released their album, they were pipped to the number one spot by which other Irish band, fronted by Danny O’Reilly?

3. Among the losses to music during the year was the of the singer of ‘Lovely Day’ and ‘Just the Two of Us’. Name him?

4. Which American singer appeared on the cover of her album wearing an Aran sweater?

5. Name the Irish act nominated for best rock album in the upcoming Grammy awards?

6. Which Australian group made a comeback with the album Power Up?

7. In February, which Cork premises was named Irish Gig Venue of the Year?

8. Who is this?

ANSWERS: 1. Cardi B; 2. The Coronas; 3. Bill Withers; 4. Taylor Swift ; 5. Fontaines DC; 6. AC/DC; 7. Coughlans; 8. Dua Lipa.

ALL AND SUNDRY

1. The author of Tinker Tailor
Soldier Spy died in December —
name him?

2. Bad weather and Covid were two of the main factors that helped scupper which Irish city’s tenure as European Capital of Culture?

3. Who took over the morning RTÉ Radio 1 show formerly hosted by Sean O’Rourke?

4. Which author won the Irish Book of the Year for A Ghost in the Throat?

5. Soundtrack composer Ennio Morricone died in July. Which nationality was he?

6. The podcast series investigating disgraced Irish swimming coach George Gibney was made by which media company?

7. Name the Irish author who celebrated her 90th birthday in December?

8. This author was surprisingly not named on the shortlist for the Booker Prize. Who is it?

ANSWERS: 1. John le Carré; 2. Galway; 3. Claire Byrne;
4. Doireann Ní Ghríofa; 5. Italian; 6. Second Captains; 7. Edna O’Brien; 8. Hilary Mantel

Scores:

18-24: Excellent. You really have been paying close attention to the Arts/Culture pages this year.

13-17: Not bad. You know a bit about some areas, but could do with
broadening your horizons a bit.

7-12: Suggested new year’s
resolution: read more of the stuff on this page.

0-6: An achievement in itself.