Good Job, Brain! — Episode 305: ALL QUIZ BONANZA! #61 (Dec 20, 2025)

Overview

This season finale episode of Good Job, Brain! delivers the show’s signature blend of competitive trivia, quirky facts, and plenty of laughs. Continuing an eight-year tradition, Karen, Colin, Dana, and Chris set aside themed segments for a pure quiz-centric episode, with topics ranging from failed fast foods to specialty license plates and hair-splitting definitions. Live quiz show banter, nostalgic trivia, and pop culture asides make this “All Quiz Bonanza” a lively close to the year.

Episode Highlights

Opening Banter, Fun Facts & Updates (00:15–05:00)

• World’s Longest Flight: Colin updates the crew on China Eastern's 25-hour flight from Shanghai to Buenos Aires, complete with crew rotations and a refueling stop in New Zealand.
  • "You could be on that flight for three days total." — Karen (01:41)
• Pantone Color of the Year: The panel jokes about Pantone's new “Cloud Dancer,” a white shade.
  • "Not eggshell, it's not cream, it's like white." — Karen (03:58)
• Trivia Card Box Reveal: Karen finally discloses the weight of the fabled quiz card box after years of curiosity: 12.45 pounds.

Pop Quiz Hotshot — General & Pop Culture Trivia (06:08–13:54)

A classic lightning round where Karen reads questions from the Trivial Pursuit card box; participants buzz in, and playful debates ensue.

Notable Questions & Answers:

• Greenwich Mean Time: Only time when the globe shares a date?
  ➔ Correct answer: Noon.
• Andy Warhol’s Favorite Kind of Music?
  ➔ Muzak.
• “Dear John” Letters: Dreaded by WWII U.S. troops.
• What viral disease is the main killer among the six WHO vaccine-preventable threats? ➔ Measles.
• Which two teams won 4 Stanley Cups each in the 1980s?
  ➔ New York Islanders and Edmonton Oilers.
• First artist forced to forfeit their Grammy due to lip syncing?
  ➔ Milli Vanilli.

Memorable Banter:

• "Honestly, shouldn't the Grammy just be shared by all the people who worked on the album?" – Chris (11:28)
• "Wild Card: What lawyer wears a trademark fringed buckskin coat and black turtleneck?"
  (Answer: Jerry Spence, leading to confusion over real vs. fictional personalities, 09:38)

Failed Fast Food Write-Down Quiz (13:54–30:44)

Presented by Chris: panelists guess answers about notorious fast food flops and oddities.

Highlights & Fun Facts

• KFC’s Edible Nail Polish (2016): Flavors included “Original Recipe” and “Hot & Spicy.”
  • "You lick your fingers and then also lick your nail polish.”—Chris (15:04)
• Taco Bell Waffle Taco (2014): A folded waffle with egg and sausage—a failed grab at breakfast market share.
• McDonald’s McSalad Shakers (2000): Cup salads requiring vigorous shaking to dress.
• Burger King Bacon Sundae (2012): A relic of the "everything with bacon" trend.
• McDonald’s Hula Burger (1960s): Pineapple and cheese on a bun—a failed Lent-friendly sandwich.
  • Karen nails the answer: "Pineapple and cheese." (21:53)
• McSpaghetti Exists... in the Philippines (and now Indonesia)

Nuggets of Fast Food Trivia:

• Before Chicken McNuggets, McDonald’s sold... Onion Nuggets.
  • "Onion nuggets? Interesting." – Colin (28:12)
• The infamous A&W 1/3 Pounder Failure: People thought a third was less than a quarter.
  • "People thought one third was less than one quarter... because three is less than four." — Chris (28:43)

Write-Down Quiz: Failed McDonald’s Deluxe Burgers (30:44–37:32)

Given four McDonald’s products, can you put them in order of first release?

• Correct order and commentary:
  1. McDLT (1985, notorious for wasteful packaging)
  2. McLean Deluxe (1991, low-fat era burger)
  3. Arch Deluxe (1996, aimed at adults—fondly remembered by the hosts)
  4. Big and Tasty (2000, a "Whopper but bad")

Quote:
"We failed the Arch Deluxe. They should bring it back. Cowards." — Chris (36:06)

Banana & Chocolate Tangent (37:44–40:34)

Karen debuts a rare Gros Michel banana (the “fake banana flavor” banana) and a real cacao pod from her latest tropical fruit haul—she’s actively fermenting and roasting beans at home.

Quote:
“I’m still waiting for it to get yellow… Are you not going to eat it on the show?”
—"No, it’s not ready yet.” — Karen (39:12–39:17)

Lightning Round: Repeated Syllable Quiz (42:22–48:45)

Karen quizzes on terms following an "ABAB" (double syllable) format.

Questions & Answers:

• Tibetan/Nepali dumpling: Momo (43:03)
• Sister brand to Prada: Miu Miu (43:44)
• Sanrio ‘Little Twin Stars’: Kiki & Lala
• Slavic witch: Baba Yaga (44:40)
• NBA foul rule: Zaza Rule (named after Zaza Pachulia)
• "She deserves nothing" hair bow entrepreneur: JoJo Siwa (45:55)
• Marshmallow-loving Archbishop: Desmond Tutu
• YouTube kids’ sensation, DreamWorks movie incoming: Cocomelon
• Beach Boys fictional paradise: Kokomo
  • “Not actually a real place... completely made up for the song.” — Karen (48:34)

Colin’s License Plate Specialty Quiz (49:07–63:57)

Colin reveals the wild world of specialty car tags in the U.S., with questions on which states sport what themes.

Notable Segments:

• Harley Davidson logo? — Wisconsin
  • (Ticker symbol: HOG)
• Crater Lake on a Plate? — Oregon (“PNW advantage” – Karen)
• Margaritaville Plate? — Florida
• Big Bend National Park? — Texas
• The Pizza State plate? — Connecticut
  • “If any other state had done that... they would be lying.” — Chris (57:18)
• Ski Country USA plate? — Colorado
• Lobster plate, $$ to research? — Maine
• World's Finest Apples? — Washington
  • “Cosmic Crisp apples come from Washington!” — Karen (59:50)
• Appalachian Trail southern end? — Georgia
• Bonus:
  Ohio’s 2021 license plate depicted the Wright Flyer... flying backward.
  • “They showed the plane with the ‘tail’ pulling the banner instead of pushing it.” — Colin (62:21)

Quiz: Dictionary of Fine Distinctions (65:02–77:17)

Inspired by Eli Bernstein’s book, Karen brings a “What’s the Difference?” quiz on subtle lexical nuances.

Sample Pairs & Deductions:

• Jam vs. Jelly: Jelly is strained fruit juice (clear), jam contains whole fruits.
• Maze vs. Labyrinth: A maze has multiple paths and dead ends; a labyrinth is a single winding route.
  • “Labyrinth, classically, is one path…draws you towards the center.” — Karen (69:13)
• Sparkling Water vs. Soda Water: Sparkling = naturally mineralized; soda = carbonated, unmineralized, typically a mixer.
• Irony vs. Sarcasm: Irony is expressing a meaning contrary to the literal one; sarcasm is irony meant to insult.
• Wicker vs. Rattan: Wicker is the weaving style; rattan is the material.
• Jargon vs. Slang: Jargon = technical/professional; slang = informal/subculture.
• Stock vs. Broth: Stock is slow-cooked, from bones, unseasoned; broth is made with meat/vegetables, typically seasoned.
  • “Bone broth? That’s technically a stock, not broth!” (76:25)

Notable Gift:

Karen gifts the book (“Dictionary of Fine Distinctions, Nuances, Niceties, and Subtle Shades of Meaning”) to Colin and Chris as a holiday surprise.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “You guys should write your own quizzes! Hard mode!” — Chris, critiquing question complaints (14:54)
• “I’m so old I’m older than the Chicken McNugget.” — Chris (26:53)
• “We failed the Arch Deluxe. They should bring it back. Cowards.” — Chris (36:06)
• “If any other state had done that... they would be lying.” — Chris, about Connecticut’s pizza reputation (57:18)
• “Labyrinth has one path… designed to draw you in, not confuse you.” — Karen (69:13)

Top Timestamps

• 00:15–05:00: Opening, world’s longest flight, Pantone color, quiz card box reveal
• 06:08–13:54: Pop Quiz Hotshot (classic trivia round)
• 13:54–30:44: Failed Fast Food write-down quiz
• 30:44–37:32: McDonald’s failed burger chronologies
• 37:44–40:34: Banana & cacao pod tangent
• 42:22–48:45: Double syllable lightning quiz
• 49:07–63:57: Specialty license plate quiz
• 65:02–77:17: “What’s the Difference?” definitions quiz

Tone & Style

The episode is convivial, irreverently scholarly, and loaded with inside jokes, playful ribbing, and collective nostalgia. The group’s passion for trivia and wordplay is infectious, and expert tidbits are always paired with context, pop culture, or personal anecdotes.

Takeaway

Perfect for trivia buffs, pub quiz fans, and anyone who enjoys learning through laughter. You’ll come away with fun fast food fails, clarity on common word confusions, and a new perspective on what people put on their car tags. The episode wraps up a season with brains, puns, and heart.

Find more episodes and sign up for quizzes at goodjobbrain.com.