My niece, Carys, turns 16 years old today, which makes me feel very old and also makes me think about how “Sweet 16” is such a big part of our culture.
Of all the milestone birthdays, it may be the best.
On my 16th, I went to the DMV first thing in the morning, got my license, had breakfast with my parents, then hopped in my new-to-me used blue pickup truck (thanks Mom and Dad!) and literally just drove around for hours.
I think the “sweet” in Sweet 16 is really about the sweet, sweet freedom.
So to celebrate Carys and her newfound open road, here are questions related to turning Sweet 16.
- What reality TV show, which first started airing on MTV in 2005, follows the extravagant and outlandish birthday celebrations of spoiled teenagers who are likely to throw a tantrum when their parents get them a Lexus instead of a Mercedes?
- Samantha Baker (Molly Ringwald) became a 16th birthday icon when she leaned over a cake to kiss Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling) in “Sixteen Candles.” Who wrote and directed that movie?
- A trailer for Netflix’s “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” used the song “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen” for comedic effect, given that when Sabrina turns 16 she has to battle evil witches and demons. What “Calendar Girl” singer hit No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 with that song in 1961?
- The Two Coreys, Corey Haim and Corey Feldman, starred in seven feature films together in the ‘80s and ‘90s, including what romp about a 16-year-old and one wild night where a Cadillac gets destroyed?
- In NCAA basketball, the teams that make the regional semifinals of the bracket are known as the Sweet 16. What school has had the most appearances that round?
Answers up after Chuck Berry playing “Sweet Little Sixteen,” the song the Beach Boys ripped off for “Surfin’ U.S.A.”
Answers
- “My Super Sweet Sixteen”
- John Hughes
- Neil Sedaka
- “License to Drive”
- Kentucky
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