We like to keep our weekly Trivia Challenge upbeat and fun, but we also like to pay our respects when influential icons of pop culture pass from this world. There were two announcements that caught the our attention this week. The first concerned the passing of well known television producer Aaron Spelling. After some ups and downs early in his career, Spelling found his niche when he began producing television shows. His first big success was producing "The Mod Squad," and he followed up with shows like "Starsky And Hutch," "S.W.A.T.," and "Charlie's Angels." From those programs to his late 70's hits "The Love Boat" and "Fantasy Island," to his 90's hits "90210" and "Melrose Place," Spelling somehow got the reputation as a producer of 'schlock' TV (go figure). He did win an Emmy for "Day One" in 1989, and got critical acclaim for "Family," but he'll always be best remembered for the cheesier stuff. Speaking of which, his biggest hit show from the 80's was no doubt a very popular primetime soap opera that followed the exploits of the oil-rich Carrington clan (Blake, Krystle, Steve, Fallon, Amanda, and who could forget Alexis?) So what was the name of this long running TV drama?

Bonus Question: The other notable passing this week was record producer Arif Mardin. Mardin's credits go all the way back to the Jazz scene of the early 60's. His career really took off when started working with the legendary Aretha Franklin, and from there he continued to have great success in a bunch of different styles of popular music. He oversaw the Bee Gees' transformation to disco, while also producing hits for George Benson, Carly Simon, Bette Midler, Hall & Oates, Phil Collins, and countless others. He continued his pursuit of diverse styles in the 80's, and in 1985 produced a record for a former indie act that was unashamedly pop, but quite hip at the time. On one of the singles from the album, the singer claims that each time he goes to bed he "prays like Aretha Franklin." It may have been a nod to Mardin's early success with the queen of soul, I don't know, but I do remember the name of the band that recorded this ethereal dance floor classic, do you?

The world cup has been all over the news in the last couple of weeks, with most of the news commentaries running along the lines of "It's big everywhere else in the world, but Americans don't really follow it." Well, my hometown, Washington DC is an international city. As a result, World Cup footage is on all the big screen TV's in our neck of the woods, and it's THE topic of conversation amongst many. And now I will try to find a way to relate the world cup to 80's music, and here goes: It's a tradition for England's team to have a World Cup theme song, and in the past well known bands have been commissioned to write and record this theme. Back in 1990, the theme was "World In Motion" (which was actually commissioned and recorded at the tail end of 1989, qualifying it--just BARELY--for inclusion in our 80's trivia challenge.) It was the first U.K. #1 single for the legendary 80's band that recorded it, lending additional significance. So what was the name of the band that recorded the England World Cup song "World In Motion" back in late 1989?

Bonus Question: Not every England World Cup theme has made it to the top of the charts, and not every theme is recorded by a well known band either. On several occasions, the theme has
been recorded by the teammates of the England World Cup Squad. And on a few occasions they've charted! Back in 1982, the England World Cup Squad was credited with a #2 hit on the U.K. charts for the theme song they recorded and released. What was the name of this song?

ABC's first album "The Lexicon of Love" was an 80's classic, with all the proper elements: A famous producer (Trevor Horn), a bunch of hits, a band with a distinctive look, a clever cover design, and (best of all) some good pop songwriting. So, which song from "The Lexicon Of Love" featured these lyrics?

"Who broke my heart?
You did, you did
Bow to the target,
Blame Cupid, Cupid
You think you're smart
Stupid, stupid
Right from the start
When you knew we would part"

Bonus Question: Like most of their contemporaries, ABC had a bunch of
stylistic videos to go with their songs. And like some of their contemporaries, ABC
had their own movie. And just like every other movie made by an 80's band
("Sing Blue Silver," "Purple Rain," "It Couldn't Happen Here"), this one was
really little more than an elaborate music video. Of course, Prince's attempts
at movie stardom are a little better remembered than ABC's. So what was the
name of ABC's movie?

Today we celebrate the very 80's trend of Androgynous Popstars. Inspired by the theatrics of 70's rock stars like David Bowie, Marc Bolan, The New York Dolls, & Gary Glitter, the 80's were more like a zenith for dudes in eyeliner than the only time it happened. Androgynous styles dropped out a bit in the 90's, but Marilyn Manson and the goth crowd have kept the flame of stylistic excess burning, and I've seen some eyeliner on the likes of Green Day and My Chemical Romance more recently. Given the current climate of gender anxiety, though, I have to wonder if Boy George would freak people out more if he emerged for the first time now rather than back in the 80's. Anyways, tip of the Halo to Erin for pointing out that our gender bender tribute just so happens to fall on the same day as Nick Rhodes' birthday. As keyboardist for Duran Duran, Nick Rhodes was perhaps the most androgynous of the quintet, adding much style to their videos and live performances alike. But 'Rhodes' is not Nick's given last name. What was the last name Nick Rhodes was born with?

Bonus Question: Back in 1983, Nick Rhodes produced the debut album for a band whose biggest hit ended up keeping Duran Duran's "Hungry Like The Wolf" out of the #1 spot on the UK charts. What was the name of the band?

Back in 1988, actress Michelle Pfeiffer played Angela De Marco in the film "Married To The Mob." In the film, her character's rather unsatisfying marriage ends when her husband is eliminated by the mob leader he works for. She then tries to escape the world of organized crime, but that same mob leader has become attracted to her and pursues her despite interference from his jealous wife. The actor who played the lovestruck mob leader got an Oscar nomination for his work in the film. What is the name of this actor?

Bonus Question: Watching this movie again, the selection of songs on the soundtrack caught my attention. New Order's classic "Bizzare Love Triangle" is featured prominently. Also present is the Q. Lazzarus song "Goodbye Horses," which was also used during a rather disturbing scene in "Silence Of The Lambs." But one of the artists on the soundtrack also has a part in the film, playing a clown at a drive-thru burger place who gets shot. What is the name of this actor/singer?