Ok, things are starting to get interesting after 3 weeks. Some of the usual suspects at the top of the list, but a few newcomers making a name for themselves. If the season ended today, In the Lead, First at 2 Last at 4, The Turds, and even Let Anna Rock You (the Industry staff team) would make the cut. And there is a new photo challenge on facebook that could really move some teams around by next week.

As for the Big Event, it will be held on November 22nd and feature music from the John Train band. Venue to be announced shortly.

Next week is Animals Week. All questions will be about animals, as we raise money for PAWS. More details coming soon. I will be offering triple JGTAI points at Industry next Thursday. Basically, you win there and you earn an invite. Lots of things going down. Hope to see ya next week!

On Thursday, September 17th, Carl B. Sure and I will be hosting two simultaneous quizzos as the kickoff event of the Philadelphia Horticultural Society’s Harvest Fest. I’ll be hosting at the Beer Garden on 15th and South, while Carl will be located on the beer garden on 9th and Wharton. It will be a #Popquizzo, meaning the questions will primarily be pop culture related. Here are a few basic details, with more coming in the next few days:

Action starts at 6:30. I’d suggest you get there early. There’s going to be a lot of promotion of this, and the weather is looking perfect, so I suspect we’ll have really good crowds. Doors open at 5, so I’d try to come by soon after that.

Like I stated earlier, the quiz will be questions primarily about Pop Culture. TV, movies, music, and perhaps a few surprises along the way. Going to be doing more video rounds than we’ve ever done at quizzo before, so it’ll definitely be a lot different and more visual than our typical modus operandi.

Max team size is 5. We may allow a bit of wiggle room if need be, but there will only be 5 prizes awarded for the top 3 places, so if you’re aiming for the sky, I suggest you hold your team to 5.

The event is sponsored by the Philadelphia Horticultural Society, who I’ve worked with before and am thrilled to be working with again. I think this is going to be a really cool event. Hope to see you good folks there!

Well, we’ve got one week left in the JGTSI, and things are getting heated. Here are our scores. There are several teams in the fight for those last few spots, and the top 16 will be determined this week. The event is taking place on August 16th at the Urban Saloon. We’ve got several teams fighting for their first spot in an invite, but they’ve got some work to do. Teams like Game Blouses, Shades of Death, and Pop Shop all have a great shot but need big weeks to earn an invite. There is some good news on that front, however: an easy way to get some points is via Facebook Bonus Points, which you can earn right now.

Finally got around to adding all your points up over the past month, and here are the results, straight off the presses. Now, if anyone was out our Anniversary event last week and I forgot to put you on there, let me know. I think I got everyone but I’m not sure. Anyways, look at your score and let me know if I’ve flubbed anything.

So here’s our situation with three weeks left in the regular season (Big Event will be held on August 16th. Venue and band info coming soon). We’ve got some usual suspects at the top of the board, but we’ve also got a few new teams making a name for themselves. Game Blouses, Pop Shop, 21 to Drink, and Shades of Death are all making a run. Can they keep it up this week?

If you’re looking to get a win, your best bet is the Industry. We have a new winner nearly every week. I’ll also be offering double points there this week.

Also, there is a new opportunity to JGTSI Bonus Points on Facebook. An easy way to get in the mix if you’re not already there.

Get your team in gear for the home stretch, and I’ll see ya this week!

Here they are, your JGTSI scores after two weeks. Still plenty of time to go but I wouldn’t wait to long to get your team in gear. I also just posted a new Facebook challenge…with my wife going to see the NKOTB concert tonight, I thought I’d ask what your favorite group was when you were 13 years old. So get your bonus points and get your butts out to quizzo next week!

Ruby Tuesday knocked off previous Invitational winners Duane’s World and Popesack to secure their first ever Grand Slam on the tour. It was an impressive win, as they scored 45 in the final round to break out from the pack of seven teams that were within one question of the lead heading into the final round (And they had several more teammates, only three were left by the time the photo was taken).

Music between rounds and the awesome live audio round were supplied by the Levee Drivers, who were truly terrific. Since we were in the National Mechanics building, which was built in 1837, our wild card round was 1837. Since it was Clint Eastwood’s birthday, our speed round was films he had directed since 1992. Thanks to everyone for coming out, thanks to National Mecahnics, and thanks to the Levee Drivers for putting on such a great show. Here were your final scores:

1. Ruby Tuesday (Bards) 135
2. Duane’s World (Founding Fathers) 132
3. Popesack (North Star) 130
4. Imaginary Pablo and the Goat (Industry) 126
5. #1 Government Team Competitor (Rendezvous) 123
6. ISIS ISIS Baby (All Over) 122
7. Encyclopedophiles (O’Neals) 113
8. Missing Heads (Industry) 112
9. You Can’t Sit With Us (Rendezvous) 111
10. Synchronized Trampoline (Rendezvous) 106
11. Hooter and Chuff (O’Neals) 105
12. Dr. Gary Lewis (Sidecar) 104
13. Hopservation Desk (North Star) 103
14. Inkspot (North Star) 99
15. There’s No I in Quizzo (Sidecar) 92

WHO: The teams that earned invites over the past 10 weeks of the spring season.

WHAT: The 5th annual JGT Spring Invitational.

WHEN: Sunday, May 31st at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: National Mechanics (22 South 3rd Street, between Chestnut and Market)

WHY: Why not?

IS THERE AN ENTRY FEE: Yes, it’s $10 a pop.

WHAT DO I GET FOR MY MONEY? In addition to a shot at over $300 in prizes, there will also be live music between rounds supplied by the Levee Drivers.

EARLIER YOU SAID THE WALLACE BROTHERS. Yeah, I know, they had to cancel a few days ago.

WHY DO BANDS ALWAYS CANCEL ON YOU, GOODTIMES? YOU’RE CHECKS BOUNCING? No, my checks aren’t bouncing. Everything is fine, one of the Wallace Brothers got approved for some surgery and they could only do it on Saturday.

LIKELY STORY. ARE THESE NEW GUYS GONNA BE GOOD? Yep.

ANY BEER SPECIALS? Yep. Evil Genius drafts will be $4.

IS NATIONAL MECHANICS A COOL BAR? Yeah, it’s an awesome bar.

HOW MANY CAN I HAVE ON MY TEAM? Up to 8 players per team.

WHAT IF MY TEAM DIDN’T MAKE THE CUT? CAN I STILL PLAY? If you want to come solo or with a friend, I can try to team you up with another team that’s not maxed out.

WHAT TEAMS HAVE CONFIRMED?

Imaginary Pablo

Synchronized Trampoline

Ruby Tuesdays

ISIS ISIS Baby

Jitney Spears

Duane’s World

Inkspot

Popesack

Missing Heads

Dr. Gary Lewis

Hopservation Desk

There No I in Quizzo

You Can’t Sit With Us

Encyclopedophiles

MAYBES:

Hooter and Chuff

#1 Government Team Competitor

Savage Ear

Bears Love Jazz Hands

Here you go, our final scores in the JGTSpI. Teams in yellow all earned an invite. Teams in orange are on the bubble (waiting to see if any teams decline their invites. I’ll also extend an invite to any bubble teams who can finish top 2 this week). Teams in blue…well let’s just say that it’s “win or go home” time. If you win this week you get an automatic invite. Hope to see ya this week and best of luck: Sunday’s gonna be a lot of fun.

Alright, I was starting to get a little nervous, but we’re all set for the Invitational. Got a great bar on board. It will go down on May 31st at National Mechanics* at 5:30 p.m. Music between rounds by the incredibly awesome Wallace Brothers. Top 16 teams earn an invite, so get your team out to the quiz this week and see if you can make the cut!