What is a Bash? A semi-formal gathering of players (mostly acquainted via the BadBart discussion group), along with their family, friends, and various hangers-on. They meet to pin faces to handles, challenge each other to death matches, and beat every other location in the country for the duration of the meet. Beer and other beverages flow freely along with the conversation, though all activities come to a halt each time a new question flashes on the screen.
Who comes to a Bash? Folks from all over the country with the desire to visit new locations and hook up with old and new trivia friends. Bill Gardiner (TTLPKG), an attorney from Washington, D.C. who plays on “Grand Slam’s” Showdown dynamo team, probably holds the record for best attendance. But Bashes have drawn West Coast players such as Stephen Watanabe (SEKA) of Sacremento and Joel Suzuki (LILJOL), from the “site-poor backyard” near NTN’s corporate location in Carlsbad, who uses Bashes to increase his list of visited trivia locations. Peter Bauer (CLIPPR from “Teasers” in the Chicago-area) has made his share, as has Houston’s own John Bychowski (HAPPY).
In the “traditional” Bash format, a single location serves as the focal point for the entire weekend. Because of the high number of NTN locations in Houston, the 2001 Bash modified the structure to provide north, west and southside tours, although all reunited on Saturday night at the now-defunct HI NASA for Playback and surrounding games.
Bob Blake (JJJBOB) of Bilmar Station in Tampa introduced a special feature to the Bash several years ago by working with NTN to produce a special Countdown game focusing on particular players by using their handles as either answers or clues. This created many interesting situations with players not involved with the Bash. For example, one group struggling with the unusual format found it incomprehensible when a question regarding an extinct elk-like animal drew four people screaming “QUAGGA” in unison before the answers even showed. (Editor’s Note: My favorite question “Earth pig is another name for: AARDVK” got into the general question database and popped up on other occasions). The last special game focused on locations, giving spots such as STOOGES, MULLIGANS, and CATBIRDS and KNUCKLEHEADS their 15-seconds of subject matter fame. In addition to creating the special games, NTN has supported the bashes, providing extra boxes, prizes, and sometimes guest visitors.
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