--- In quizbowl_at_yahoogroups.com, ensoames <no_reply_at_y...> wrote:
>
> Speaking of reinventing the wheel, I heard that Mad City featured a
> theme packet to which all the answers were William Dean Howells.
You were misinformed. There was a brilliantly-constructed packet by
Subash Madipotti and Andrew Yaphe (I have the impression just them,
not contributed to by teammate Paul Litvak; apologies to Paul if he
also helped) to which the first answer was William Dean Howells, and
which then became a chain packet in which each tossup began by
referring to the one before, usually with a mention of Howells. It
was a hoot, and I think my personal favorite of the tournament, it
being so very stylish. Without analzying it in detail, I have the
impression that the packet met requested subject distribution just
fine. Knowledge about Howells wasn't needed, and most of the time
wouldn't really even have been all that helpful; the linkages from
Howells to the actual subjects of questions were humorous, clever, and
far-fetched. I applaud it, and considered it a bravura effort, with
great tongue-in-cheek (but perfectly playable) style, and fitting for
the traditionally fun summer masters that is Mad City. Those boys can
write!
Eric H.