Following a Team Through Trivia Mayhem

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Updated: 8:47 AM Apr 10, 2006

Following a Team Through Trivia Mayhem

Another year of the world's largest trivia contest comes to a close. Hundreds of teams used brain power and caffeine to get them through the 54-hour contest. We tagged along with one team to see what it takes to compete for the trivia crown.

Posted: 7:02 PM Apr 8, 2006
Reporter: Amanda Lutz

Following a Team Through Trivia Mayhem

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Meet the Village Idiots, but don't let their team name fool you. In terms of trivia, they're actually very smart.

"[Saturday] morning, we moved up from 90th to 51st. We moved up about 40 places. We had some good ones," says Kathy Venrooy, a member of the Village Idiots.

With an ear on the radio and an eye on their computers, books, and magazines, the 25-member team is deep in "Trivia 37" mode, and they have their methods down pat.

"I kinda rule the roost," says Cindy Berg, the Village Idiots' team captain. "I bring a lot of the stuff. I organize everything and help everyone stay in line."

"I am the Googlemeister," says team member Scott Milach. "I don't take notes, I don't collect books, I crawl out on the web."

"Everybody has their stash that they bring in every year," says Venrooy.

While the team scours for the answers, it's Kallie Gosh's job to call them in.

"We have the little machine thing that's programmed to keep redialing," says Gosh.

And then, there's the stop-searching cue, otherwise known as the "Idiot" lights.

"We had to argue about what red and green meant, and when we decided, we forgot to use it," says Berg.

And once the mayhem is done…

"Best team I ever played with," says Milach.

... There's always next year's contest to gear up for.

"As soon as it's over, I look forward to it, can't wait for the next year. It's post-trivia depression," says Venrooy.