Hit Parade: The Bridge — Music Trivia

Podcast: Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia
Host: Chris Molanphy
Guest: Kim Lombardini
Date: April 20, 2018
Episode: Music Trivia: Welcome to Hit Parade—The Bridge

Episode Overview

This debut mini-episode of "The Bridge," a new interlude format within the Hit Parade series, features host Chris Molanphy reflecting on the previous full episode (focused on Madonna), engaging a listener (Kim Lombardini) in pop music trivia, and teasing the subject of the upcoming main episode. The format encourages audience interaction and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how episodes are crafted, as well as playful trivia exchanges.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Madonna Episode Reflections

• Chris discusses feedback received about the Madonna episode, noting that listeners wanted even more exploration of her hits, especially from the 1980s.
  • Chris Molanphy (00:44):
    “The challenge with an artist, frankly a pop legend like Madonna, is knowing what to leave out. That's why I made that comparison to the Beatles in that episode. Madonna is at that level, at least in terms of depth of catalog.”
• He humorously regrets little about leaving out Madonna’s "American Pie" remake and acknowledges the struggles of condensing an artist's vast catalog into one episode.

2. Introduction of “The Bridge” Mini Episodes

• “The Bridge” will be a recurring mid-month mini-episode featuring:
  • Reflections on past episodes
  • Music trivia with a listener
  • Clues about upcoming episodes

3. Music Trivia Segment with Contestant Kim Lombardini

• Guest Introduction: Kim joins from Amagansett, NY, expressing her fandom and appreciation for the show:
  • Kim Lombardini (02:50):
    “Thank you. You're making me appreciate the little things about artists that I really hadn't stopped to think about, especially like George Michael and Donna Summer... I'm a big fan.”
• Format: Chris quizzes Kim on Madonna and 1980s hair metal trivia, while Kim gets her chance to quiz Chris in return.

Trivia Questions for Kim (Madonna & Hair Metal Focus)

1. (03:42)
   • Q: What was Madonna's last number one hit of the 1990s on Billboard’s Hot 100?
     • Choices: A) Take a Bow, B) Frozen, C) Ray of Light, D) Music
     • Kim’s Guess: Ray of Light
     • Correct: A) Take a Bow
     • Chris Molanphy (04:20):
       “Take a Bow, which went to number one in 1995... was still the last number one by her in that decade.”
2. (05:10)
   • Q: Which of these 80s hair metal songs went to number one first?
     • Choices: A) Def Leppard “Photograph”, B) Quiet Riot “Come on Feel the Noise”, C) Van Halen “Jump”, D) Bon Jovi “You Give Love a Bad Name”
     • Kim’s Guess: “Photograph”
     • Correct: C) Van Halen “Jump” (1984)
     • Chris Molanphy (05:48):
       “Neither the Leopard song nor the Quiet Riot track went to number one, the Bon Jovi did but not until 1986. Jump got there first. In 1984.”
3. (06:00)
   • Q: Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet" was Billboard’s top album of which year?
     • Choices: A) 1986, B) 1987, C) 1988, D) 1989
     • Kim’s Guess: 1988
     • Correct: B) 1987
     • Chris Molanphy (06:24):
       “Even though Slippery When Wet came out in 86, it spent more weeks at number one in 87 and was that year’s top LP...”

Notable Moment:
Kim, though not a hair metal fan, gamely takes on the questions and takes her losses in stride, laughing with Chris about her guesses.

Kim’s Trivia Question for Chris (07:15)

• Q: In 1998, Madonna’s “Ray of Light” won the Grammy for Best Dance Recording. That same year, which hip-hop artist became the first to win the Grammy for Album of the Year?

  • Chris’s Guess: Lauryn Hill
  • Correct: Lauryn Hill (“The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill”)

• Chris expands on Grammy trivia:

  • Chris Molanphy (08:27):
    “The only other hip hop winner of album of the year was by Outkast. [‘Speakerboxxx/The Love Below’ in 2004].”

4. Behind-the-Scenes & Upcoming Episode Teaser

• Contestant Opportunity: Chris explains that the trivia segment is open to Slate Plus members, who can sign up to be contestants in future Bridge episodes.
• Next Episode Tease (09:46):
  • The upcoming full episode will center on a “superstar act” Chris dislikes—a first for the podcast.
    • Chris Molanphy (09:46):
      “It's the first time we're revolving a whole show around a superstar act that I can't stand. I have hated this act since high school. In fact, you might call them my first worst. That's a clue for those of you who are creative Googlers... Even though I'll be playing a wealth of music I don't care for, I think you'll find the episode fun and hopefully enlightening.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Chris Molanphy (00:44):
  “The challenge with an artist, frankly a pop legend like Madonna, is knowing what to leave out.”
• Kim Lombardini (02:50):
  “Thank you. You're making me appreciate the little things about artists that I really hadn't stopped to think about, especially like George Michael and Donna Summer.”
• Chris (04:20, on Madonna):
  “Take a Bow, which went to number one in 1995... was still the last number one by her in that decade.”
• Chris (08:27, Grammy trivia):
  “The only other hip hop winner of album of the year was by Outkast. [‘Speakerboxxx/The Love Below’ in 2004].”
• Chris (09:46, episode tease):
  “I have hated this act since high school. In fact, you might call them my first worst. That's a clue for those of you who are creative Googlers.”

Important Timestamps

• 00:44 – Reflections on Madonna episode and catalog challenges
• 02:37 – Contestant Kim Lombardini introduction
• 03:42 – Start of Madonna/hair metal trivia questions for Kim
• 07:15 – Kim quizzes Chris (Grammy awards trivia)
• 08:27 – Chris’s bonus trivia about hip hop Album of the Year winners
• 09:46 – Teaser for next full episode and call for Slate Plus contestants

Summary

This inaugural mini-episode of “The Bridge” creates a dynamic, participatory extension of Hit Parade’s trademark blend of music history and chart geekery. Chris Molanphy shares insights into episode creation, challenges with covering vast artist catalogs (notably Madonna), and foreshadows upcoming themes. The trivia segment, featuring listener Kim Lombardini, adds a personal, community touch and reinforces the show’s friendly, knowledgeable atmosphere. Signature wit and deep music knowledge (as well as a playful adversarial stance toward certain musical acts) suffuse the episode, making it an enjoyable, accessible listen for both dedicated fans and pop chart novices.