# What have you won by calling into a radio show? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** radio-podcast\ **Created:** [August 5, 2025, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-won-by-calling-into-a-radio-show/1021714 "2025-08-05T04:38:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-won-by-calling-into-a-radio-show/1021714/61 "2025-08-07T01:34:39Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > It had a chunk intentionally cut off the corner of the cover I suppose to prevent resale IIRC, those were known as ‘corner cuts’ (duh) and were promotional giveaways. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-won-by-calling-into-a-radio-show/1021714/62 "2025-08-07T22:27:30Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Keep it going @garygnu ! Four wins and counting. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-won-by-calling-into-a-radio-show/1021714/63 "2025-08-07T22:30:14Z")
What was the question today? ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-won-by-calling-into-a-radio-show/1021714/64 "2025-08-07T23:03:12Z")
The format is caller vs caller, first to five correct wins. The questions that got me to give were: How do you determine the age of a tree? What state only borders one other state? What are the three states of matter? (I know, I know) What does a Geiger counter measure? What’s the dance from Ricky Horror? (I sang that one for the win) It wasn’t a clean sweep like yesterday. I was down 0-1 at first because I blanked on what the gall bladder produces, and there were a few neither of us got. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2025, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-won-by-calling-into-a-radio-show/1021714/65 "2025-08-08T18:42:44Z")
This isn’t a story about winning anything, but it’s still interesting (I think). WLEE in Richmond, VA, had a contest where you fixed up your dining room (or any other room) to look as close to possible to a local Italian restaurant. You know…checkered tablecloth, wine bottle candle holders, etc. Then you would send in a picture to be judged. Even at the time as a teenager, I’m thinking, “Why in the heck are you doing this on radio?” All I know is that somebody won and somebody eventually got a prize. The contest went on for several weeks. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2025, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-won-by-calling-into-a-radio-show/1021714/66 "2025-08-08T19:15:10Z")
That reminds me of the morning show is listen to in San Jose. They’d do interviews with stand-up comedians coming to town to promote the shows. One week the host was equal parts bemused and amused when they were compelled to interview a comedian ventriloquist. ---
**Author:** ![pirviii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pirviii/32/3233_2.png) [@pirviii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pirviii)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2025, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-won-by-calling-into-a-radio-show/1021714/67 "2025-08-09T04:47:50Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > One week the host was equal parts bemused and amused when they were compelled to interview a comedian ventriloquist. That’s better then interviewing a Mime. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2025, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-won-by-calling-into-a-radio-show/1021714/68 "2025-08-09T05:56:11Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > What state only borders one other state? I’ll do you one better. There are four states which border exactly two other states. Can you name all four (without looking at a map). ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2025, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-won-by-calling-into-a-radio-show/1021714/69 "2025-08-09T16:18:53Z")
I live in one - Washington. Shooting from the hip for the others: Florida, South Carolina, and Rhode Island? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2025, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-won-by-calling-into-a-radio-show/1021714/70 "2025-08-09T16:25:12Z")
Very good. And now the final question for all the money. (Legal notice: no actual money.) There is, as you note, one state that has exactly one state border. There is one other state that has a unique number of state borders. What state is it and how many state borders does it have? ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2025, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-won-by-calling-into-a-radio-show/1021714/71 "2025-08-09T17:46:15Z")
Hawaii, and none? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2025, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-won-by-calling-into-a-radio-show/1021714/72 "2025-08-09T18:21:24Z")
Hawaii would be tied with Alaska, no? I’ll go with Tennessee with 8. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2025, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-won-by-calling-into-a-radio-show/1021714/73 "2025-08-09T18:39:14Z")
Oh bugger, I knew it seemed too obvious! ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2025, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-won-by-calling-into-a-radio-show/1021714/74 "2025-08-09T19:49:39Z")
Missouri also borders 8 states. In fact either of those would have been the answer to a pervious day’s question (nobody got it). Oh, I almost lost on Friday, but pulled out a big comeback and play again Monday, hopefully with a new prize in play. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2025, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-won-by-calling-into-a-radio-show/1021714/75 "2025-08-09T20:19:10Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > the answer to a **pervious** day’s question What station do you listen to? ---
**Author:** ![ASanders](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asanders/32/3367_2.png) [@ASanders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASanders)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2025, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-won-by-calling-into-a-radio-show/1021714/76 "2025-08-09T21:39:26Z")
Back in the early 1980s in NYC the station WPLJ had lots of “be the Nth caller” opportunities. Once at work I was making my usual scads of phone calls and just tried dialing the station’s number out of sheer boredom, and a miracle happened. I won a weekend trip for 2 to RFK stadium in DC to see Bruce Springsteen! Flights, transfers, hotel and show tickets were all part of the deal. That was by far the most valuable thing I’ve ever won. Another time I won $105 from the same sort of call-in miracle. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2025, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-won-by-calling-into-a-radio-show/1021714/77 "2025-08-09T22:20:14Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > What station do you listen to? 95.7 “The Jet" out of Seattle, playing 80s _and more_, which is now even farther away than music the oldies stations I listened to in the 80s was. The “Puget Sound Showdown” I’m on airs about 7:45am. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-won-by-calling-into-a-radio-show/1021714/78 "2025-08-10T02:53:59Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > There is, as you note, one state that has exactly one state border. There is one other state that has a unique number of state borders. What state is it and how many state borders does it have? The answer is Kentucky, which is the only state which borders exactly seven other states. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-won-by-calling-into-a-radio-show/1021714/79 "2025-08-10T02:57:40Z")
Long ago I stumped a radio person with a riddle. I got 5 albums, all of which I liked. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-won-by-calling-into-a-radio-show/1021714/80 "2025-08-10T11:49:26Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > The format is caller vs caller, first to five correct wins. The questions that got me to give were: > > How do you determine the age of a tree? > > What state only borders one other state? > > What are the three states of matter? (I know, I know) > > What does a Geiger counter measure? > > What’s the dance from Ricky Horror? (I sang that one for the win) > > It wasn’t a clean sweep like yesterday. I was down 0-1 at first because I blanked on what the gall bladder produces, and there were a few neither of us got. Well done! Back when I lived in SoCal, one of the premier morning drive teams was Mark and Brian on KLOS. They had a similar head-to-head game called “I Want A Crack at That” where the more times you won, the better the prizes got. If you won five in a row, they’d invite you into their studio for an hour. So I won, went in and sat in the engineer’s booth and watched David Lee Roth clown around promoting his upcoming tour with Sammy Hagar. It was not the thrill of a lifetime. A few months later, I was again a five time champion, and when they asked me when I wanted to visit, I said I’d rather have a DVD of Return of the King. They sent it to me, but they were a little offended and instituted a new rule that if you got five time champ once, you couldn’t play that game again. That didn’t apply to individual trivia questions though, and I’ve been able to see Steely Dan, Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire, Hall & Oates, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I’ve also gotten at least a dozen CDs and DVDs, as well as a VHS tape on how to toilet train a toddler. The biggest I ever hit it was a 55-inch smart 3D TV with Blu-Ray player, and a two-day family four pack of both park passes to Disney’s California Resort, including a night in the Disney Dream Suite above the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-won-by-calling-into-a-radio-show/1021714.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-won-by-calling-into-a-radio-show/1021714.md?page=5)