The BAT Challenge: The Tony Belmont Stakes, Part II

For this second part of The Tony Belmont Stakes, see how many Tony winners you can predict. As usual, anyone can play—just leave your guesses in the comments section and use the ol' distinct moniker so we can tell you apart from the rest of the competitors.

To select the winners, feel free to copy, paste, and delete your way through this list. Cut-off time for your selections will be 5pm EST on Sunday, June 7, 2009.

Oh—and here's a BAT tip for Tony evening: Hang out in the theater district after the matinees end to get a taste of the community. Some will arrive at Radio City Music Hall by limo, but many will just stroll over from their theaters.

The BAT Challenge: The Tony Belmont Stakes, Part I

In honor of Tony Belmont—the beloved "Old Broadway" personality who was such a familiar presence at the track that she had both a high-profile horserace and a prestigious theater award named after her—this week's challenge will be in two parts: one for the horserace and one for the show.

First, the horserace. As you might know, the stage was set for Kentucky Derby winner Mine that Bird to run against Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra in what promised to be a very close contest. But after what must have been a careful consideration of risks and benefits and ovary value, Rachel Alexandra's owners pulled her out of the race. So jockey Calvin Borel, who won the Kentucky Derby on Mine that Bird and the Preakness on Rachel Alexandra, will return to Mine that Bird for the Belmont.

Will Borel win his own kind of Triple Crown? Or will the rest of the field figure out how to keep him and Mine that Bird out of first place? That's part of the Part I challenge: Predict whether Borel will get that Triple Crown and you'll win a point. The other part of the Part I challenge? Pick the horses for first, second, and third—you will be rewarded for getting any number of them right. You can find the horses that will be running here.

As usual, anyone can play. Your choices must be posted in the comments section by 5pm EST on Saturday, June 6, 2009. Until that time you will also be able to replace any entry that's been scratched with a horse that's still in the running. Just be sure to use a distinct moniker that distinguishes you from the other jokers in the competition.

The BAT Challenge: Do You Hear What I Hear?

In case you didn't know, certain subway trains play a three-note phrase from the West Side Story song "Somewhere." It's a fascinating phenomenon to hear "There's a place..." though I wish the timbre weren't so close to the sound of chalk on a blackboard.

Traces of West Side Story turn up elsewhere, too. People have noted that Danny Elfman's theme song for The Simpsons starts with the three-note "Maria" progression, except that the words are "The Simpsons."

But I'm not sure anyone hears the other West Side Story notes that I hear in the theme to The Simpsons. So the first person to identify that West Side Story "source" song and musical phrase gets a point.

Anyone can play. Leave your guesses in the comments section, using a distinct moniker so you aren't confused with the other players, such as Debbie and Deborah.

You can listen here.



Source (1:27)

The BAT Challenge: Where Was I?

As usual, it's someplace in NYC. Anyone can play—just leave your guesses in the comments section, using a distinct moniker so you aren't confused with the other players, such as Debbie and Deborah. And remember: The more you guess, the more clues you get.





















Photo: David Marc Fischer

The BAT Challenge: Playing Favorites

As you might recall, the nominees in Caption Contest 182 (Victoria Roberts's "totem pole cats") are

"Yes, Officer, they say he was about six feet four, with pointy ears and abnormally short arms."
Alexia Kauffman (Arlington, VA)

"I wasn't laid off—I just decided to pursue other interests."
Christy Yoest (New York, NY)

"Hello, YouTube? I've got something you might be interested in."
Judy Goldberg (Brooklyn, NY)

Which of the three is my favorite? One guess per player, with winning guesses (submitted by 6pm ET Saturday, March 21, 2009) getting one point each.

Anybody can play—just make sure you use a distinct moniker so we can tell you apart from the usual gang of players, such as Debbie and Deborah!

The BAT Challenge: Oscar Special 2009!

It's that time of year again: Pick the most winners, get a point. Do better than I do, get a point. Vote by 6pm ET on Sunday, February 22, 2009. Good luck!

I'd like to thank the Academy for this list.

UPDATE February 21 I've now bolded my picks.

Performance by an actor in a leading role
Richard Jenkins in "The Visitor"
Frank Langella in "Frost/Nixon"
Sean Penn in "Milk"
Brad Pitt in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Mickey Rourke in "The Wrestler"

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Josh Brolin in "Milk"
Robert Downey Jr. in "Tropic Thunder"
Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Doubt"
Heath Ledger in "The Dark Knight"
Michael Shannon in "Revolutionary Road"

Performance by an actress in a leading role
Anne Hathaway in "Rachel Getting Married"
Angelina Jolie in "Changeling"
Melissa Leo in "Frozen River"
Meryl Streep in "Doubt"
Kate Winslet in "The Reader"

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Amy Adams in "Doubt"
Penélope Cruz in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"
Viola Davis in "Doubt"
Taraji P. Henson in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Marisa Tomei in "The Wrestler"

Best animated feature film of the year
"Bolt"
"Kung Fu Panda"
"WALL-E"

Achievement in art direction
"Changeling"
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"The Duchess"
"Revolutionary Road"

Achievement in cinematography
"Changeling"
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"The Reader"
"Slumdog Millionaire"

Achievement in costume design
"Australia"
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Duchess"
"Milk"
"Revolutionary Road"

Achievement in directing
David Fincher, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Ron Howard, "Frost/Nixon"
Gus Van Sant, "Milk"
Stephen Daldry, "The Reader"
Danny Boyle, "Slumdog Millionaire"

Best documentary feature
"The Betrayal"
"Encounters at the End of the World"
"The Garden"
"Man on Wire"
"Trouble the Water"

Best documentary short subject
"The Conscience of Nhem En"
"The Final Inch"
"Smile Pinki"
"The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306"

Achievement in film editing
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Frost/Nixon"
"Milk"
"Slumdog Millionaire"

Best foreign language film of the year
"The Baader Meinhof Complex"
"The Class"
"Departures"
"Revanche"
"Waltz with Bashir"

Achievement in makeup
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Hellboy II: The Golden Army"

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"Defiance"
"Milk"
"Slumdog Millionaire"
"WALL-E"

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
"Down to Earth" from "WALL-E" (Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman)
"Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire" (A.R. Rahman and Gulzar)
"O Saya" from "Slumdog Millionaire" (A.R. Rahman and Maya Arulpragasam)

Best motion picture of the year
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"Frost/Nixon"
"Milk"
"The Reader"
"Slumdog Millionaire"

Best animated short film
"La Maison en Petits Cubes"
"Lavatory - Lovestory"
"Oktapodi"
"Presto"
"This Way Up"

Best live action short film
"Auf der Strecke (On the Line)"
"Manon on the Asphalt"
"New Boy"
"The Pig"
"Spielzeugland (Toyland)"

Achievement in sound editing
"The Dark Knight"
"Iron Man"
"Slumdog Millionaire"
"WALL-E"
"Wanted"

Achievement in sound mixing
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Slumdog Millionaire"
"WALL-E"
"Wanted"

Achievement in visual effects
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Iron Man"

Adapted screenplay
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"Doubt"
"Frost/Nixon"
"The Reader"
"Slumdog Millionaire"

Original screenplay
"Frozen River"
"Happy-Go-Lucky"
"In Bruges"
"Milk"
"WALL-E"

Photo: David Marc Fischer

The BAT Challenge: Playing Favorites?

In the BAT Challenge, Deborah has won a WWI? credit and an Attendance Award. Ellen has won a WWI? credit. And Debbie has won a Gold Medal and an Attendance Award and garnered two unredeemed Silver Medals and one unredeemed Bronze Medal as well as a WWI? credit plus a Februrary 2008 WWI? credit. Yet it was Debbie who recently posed the following question:

What's "loopy" is the wherewasIometer! That Deborah and Ellen should plunge into the lead is great, but how do I go from 16 to 9 and Scott plateaus at 10? Are you playing favorites, Davester?

So here's this week's challenge: In one comment, explain the wherewasIometer! This week the competition is open only to previous players using their usual monikers—and anyone who posts will get a point. But beware: I may dole out a bonus point for any favorite answers!

The BAT Challenge: Predict the Vote!

My location has not yet been ascertained to my satisfaction, but there's still time for players David, Deborah, and Ellen to guess!

In the meantime, here's an challenge to bring some excitement to Election Day.

First, predict the popular vote balance by percentage between John McCain and Barack Obama. Politico currently puts it at 52 Obama/41 McCain.

Second, predict the electoral vote. Right now Politico predicts a 353-185 Obama victory.

Third, predict the time and date of the concession speech.

Best guess gets a point. Anyone who does better than I do gets a point. Your deadline for guessing is 11:59pm EST on Monday, November 3, 2008. As usual, anyone can play. Just make sure you use a distinctive moniker so that you are not confused with the other players.

Photo: David Marc Fischer

The BAT Challenge: Where Was I?

As usual, it's somewhere in The Big Apple. This one could be tough, so remember that active guessing yields more hints. Anyone can play by leaving guesses in the comments section, being sure to use a moniker distinct from those of the other players.





















Photo: David Marc Fischer

The BAT Challenge: Where Was I?

As usual, it's somewhere in the Big Apple. Anyone can play—just make sure you use a distinct moniker so we can tell you apart from the rest of the players. Leave your guesses in the comments section. And be specific.





















Photo: David Marc Fischer

The BAT Challenge: WHOZAT?

Today I saw the distinctive vehicle used by a local burlesque act to get around town and beyond. In honor of this weekend's burlesque festival, the challenge this week is to name the burlesque act.

Leave your guesses in the comments section, being sure to use a distinct moniker so you're not mistaken for another player. Enjoy!

The BAT Challenge: Where Was I? Results

In the latest Where Was I?, my whereabouts have been ascertained to my satisfaction. Gary swoops to take the lead!

17 Gary (Silver Medal plus three unredeemed WWI? and one unredeemed Silver Medal credits)
16 Debbie (Gold Medal and Attendance Award plus unredeemed Silver Medal and WWI? and Bronze Medal credits, plus February 2008 WWI? credit and a March 2008 redeemable point; includes two bonus points)
16 Myra (includes Attendance Award)
10 Deborah (includes WWI? credit, bonus point, and Attendance Award)
10 Scott (Two Gold Medals plus two unredeemed WWI? credits)
6 Ellen (includes bonus point)
3 David (Bronze Medal)
2 Daniela
2 Dolph (Bronze Medal)
1 bellj
1 Luke N. Atmaguchi (also has April 2008 redeemable point)
1 Myron
1 Trapezia

Debbie and Deborah and Gary and Scott can still send in their own photos.

The BAT Challenge: Where Was I?

Where Was I? is back! As usual, it's someplace in The Big Apple, and anyone can play. Just leave your guesses in the comments section, using a distinct moniker so that you won't be confused with the other players. Have fun!





















VISUAL CLUE ADDED SEPTEMBER 13





















VISUAL CLUE ADDED SEPTEMBER 14





















Photos: David Marc Fischer

New BAT Challenge, Plus Results!

In the latest BAT Challenge, it turns out that only Deborah had Barack Obama's ear. Articulate and bright and clean and nice-looking, she picked Joe Biden as Obama's ticket mate and did better than I or any other contestant, earning two points in the process.

16 Debbie (Gold Medal and Attendance Award plus unredeemed Silver Medal and WWI? and Bronze Medal credits, plus February 2008 WWI? credit and a March 2008 redeemable point; includes two bonus points)
16 Gary (Silver Medal plus three unredeemed WWI? and one unredeemed Silver Medal credits)
16 Myra (includes Attendance Award)
10 Scott (Two Gold Medals plus two unredeemed WWI? credits)
8 Deborah (includes bonus point)
6 Ellen (includes bonus point)
3 David (Bronze Medal)
2 Daniela
2 Dolph (Bronze Medal)
1 bellj
1 Luke N. Atmaguchi (also has April 2008 redeemable point)
1 Myron
1 Trapezia

Debbie and Gary and Scott can still send in their own photos.


Due to federal "equal time" laws, this week's challenge is another CHOOSE THE VEEP!

1. Name the person who will soon be named as John McCain's running mate.
2. People say that McCain will make the announcement on Friday, August 29—his 72nd birthday. But of course the news could be announced or leaked sooner. Guess when the info will get out—but you can't guess 8/xx on 8/xx. (You'd have to do it on 8/xx-1 at the latest.) In the case of a tie regarding the date, the first correct guess will take, um, precedence.

The top scorer(s) will get a point. Anyone who does better than I do gets a point for that.

Anyone can play, leaving guesses in the comments section using a distinct moniker so everyone can tell everyone from everyone else. (Remember: There's only one Luke N. Atmaguchi.) Enjoy!

New BAT Challenge, Plus Results!

In the latest BAT Challenge the mystery celebrity has been identified to my satisfaction. The WHOZAT? was a relatively drawn out affair with some valiant guessing from David and Myra in particular, but in the end it was "Lucky" Luke N. Atmaguchi who won with a swoop!

There are so many ties that it's beginning to look like my father's closet!

16 Debbie (Gold Medal and Attendance Award plus unredeemed Silver Medal and WWI? and Bronze Medal credits, plus February 2008 WWI? credit and a March 2008 redeemable point; includes two bonus points)
16 Gary (Silver Medal plus three unredeemed WWI? and one unredeemed Silver Medal credits)
16 Myra (includes Attendance Award)
10 Scott (Two Gold Medals plus two unredeemed WWI? credits)
6 Deborah (includes bonus point)
6 Ellen (includes bonus point)
3 David (Bronze Medal)
2 Daniela
2 Dolph (Bronze Medal)
1 bellj
1 Luke N. Atmaguchi (also has April 2008 redeemable point)
1 Myron
1 Trapezia

Debbie and Gary and Scott can still send in their own photos.


This week's challenge is one of the most rare at Blog About Town. It's called CHOOSE THE VEEP! It's fairly simple:

1. Name the person who will soon be named as Barack Obama's running mate.
2. Choose the date when the selection will be officially announced (probably via cyberspace).

The top scorer(s) will get a point. Anyone who does better than I do gets a point for that. And here's a tip for you: Hurry!

Anyone can play, leaving guesses in the comments section using a distinct moniker so everyone can tell everyone from everyone else. (Remember: There's only one Luke N. Atmaguchi.) Enjoy!