Botticelli, July 2011

So you’re not Flashman, who first appeared in Thomas Hughes novel ‘Tom Brown’s Schooldays’ as a bully who tormented Tom Brown. Later, a whole other writer, George MacDonald Fraser, wrote a series of novels following the later life and career of Flashman, the first of which was set in India.

(Dang, I thought I might have had you there…)

DQ: Were you a character in a series of mysteries?

I was going to ask about Flashman, but already had an IQ outstanding at the time.

No.

  1. Fictional
  2. Male
  3. Last name starts with “F”
  4. European
  5. Nobody’s idea of a hero
  6. Not a movie character
  7. My creator was British
  8. Have appeared in both novels and short stories
  9. First appeared after 1900.
  10. Did not appear in mysteries

IQ: Are you the boorish mayor of Toronto?

Not Rob Ford, whom I’ve heard of only because my favorite conservative web sites LIKE him a good deal more than you do!

(Normally, alas, I couldn’t name many local Canadian politicians.)

IQ: Years later, did your guards say you farted in elevators and then blamed them (and that you were a bad tipper)?

I think I’m GLAD I don’t know this. Ask a DQ.

President Gerald Ford, although an admirable man in many ways, was not beloved by all of his Secret Service agents or golf caddies.

DQ: A British character?

IQ: Are you a commentator on NPR and an essayist for The Atlantic?

You’re gonna kick yourself, particularly on the first one, to which the answer is Fred Flintstone (and of course Barney Rubble). As for the second, I was thinking of Frederick Forsyth and Edward Fox in The Day of the Jackal. Strictly speaking, I think I should get two DQs for this last one (3 in total), but I don’t want to monopolise the game, so 2 will do me just fine.

DQ: Did you first appear before 1950?

DQ: Are you best known for appearing in comic works?

ETA: by “comic”, I mean “comedic” rather than “comic books” - though that may also be an interesting DQ!

IQ: Does your sophomore album have a ridiculously long (90 word) title?

Not James Fallows.

Yes, I am British

  1. Fictional
  2. Male
  3. Last name starts with “F”
  4. Nobody’s idea of a hero
  5. Not a movie character
  6. My creator was British
  7. I have appeared in both novels and short stories
  8. I first appeared after 1900.
  9. I did not appear in mysteries
  10. I am British

Yes, I first appeared before 1950

Yes, I appear in comical works.

  1. Fictional
  2. Male
  3. Last name starts with “F”
  4. Nobody’s idea of a hero
  5. Not a movie character
  6. My creator was British
  7. I have appeared in both novels and short stories
  8. I first appeared after 1900, but before 1950.
  9. I did not appear in mysteries
  10. I am British
  11. The works I appear in are comedic in nature
    I suspect a correct guess is imminent.

This refers to Ford Madox Ford.

DQ: Was your creator male?

IQ: Are you Mr. Flagston’s boss?

Yes.

  1. Fictional
  2. Male
  3. Last name starts with “F”
  4. Nobody’s idea of a hero
  5. Not a movie character
  6. My creator was British
  7. I have appeared in both novels and short stories
  8. I first appeared after 1900, but before 1950.
  9. I did not appear in mysteries
  10. I am British
  11. The works I appear in are comedic in nature
  12. My creator was a male.

I know “Mr. Flagston” is Hi, from the comic strip “Hi and Lois,” but I have no idea what his twerpy looking boss with the big mustache’s name is.

So, ask a DQ.

I can’t think of anything suitable, so I’ll try to earn another DQ.

IQ: Were you one of the late Ronnie Barker’s most famous creations, appearing in a British sitcom named after a breakfast food?

Ask your DQ- I am totally baffled.

It’s Mr. Foofram (if he has a first name, I don’t recall ever seeing it).

DQ: Was your creator known by his first and middle initial, as opposed to his first name? (Yes, I have someone specific in mind.)

IQ: Are you one of several generations of U.S. Representatives with the same first and last name?

Sorry, going for the Brit angle again - almost feels like cheating! I was thinking of Norman Stanley Fletcher, the main character in the 1970s sitcom Porridge.

I must admit I am baffled, too - I have been wracking my brains but can’t think of anyone suitable, nor even a DQ which will help. Any suggestions from the crowd?

To your IQ, not Hamilton Fish
To your DQ… YES! My creator went by his first two initials, rather than by his first name.

I knew someone would get this soon!

  1. Fictional
  2. Male
  3. Last name starts with “F”
  4. Nobody’s idea of a hero
  5. Not a movie character
  6. My creator was British
  7. I have appeared in both novels and short stories
  8. I first appeared after 1900, but before 1950.
  9. I did not appear in mysteries
  10. I am British
  11. The works I appear in are comedic in nature
  12. My creator was a male.
  13. My creator used his initials, rather than his first name.