Hello, World!

Mark Ricker
Owner, Host, Jedi Master

I started Beat the Geek Trivia in 2009 when I was recently divorced, unemployed, and a little drunk. I had always had a head full of trivial knowledge, but just knowing things like Albert Einstein’s middle name wasn’t getting me very far in life. So I put that useless knowledge to use and started a pub trivia show. Since then, Beat the Geek Trivia has grown beyond my expectations and is now a full time job for me.

Before Beat the Geek, I worked in IT, sales and business development, and mortgage lending. I shaved my head in 2001 and never looked back. I don’t have any kids or pets, but I’ve kept a houseplant alive for over 10 years (I think I might be ready for a goldfish now). I was born in New York, but I’m a Chargers fan. In my spare time, I invent new ways to insult Ariana Grande and trash the movie Armageddon. My go-to drink is the legendary Marktini.

Mike Faris
Host, Manager, protocol droid fluent in over 6 million forms of communication

I gave the worst performance of my life as an 18-year-old at summer camp while emceeing a talent show. After that night I may have never picked up a microphone again except that later that year my college dorm wanted me to host the school-wide lip-syncing contest. Not bad, but not all that good either. These days I’m pretty comfortable behind the microphone whether it’s as the public address announcer for high school basketball games, the master of ceremonies for more wedding receptions than I recall, or hosting trivia for years now.

Highlights in my life up to this point are riding the bike from the ET movie at Universal Studios, winning the grand prize in a radio station giveaway for a Felix Hernandez signed baseball and discovering I don’t like Waldorf salad. My geek credentials include that I’ve willingly been to a Star Trek convention, I read tech blogs every day, and that my mother-in-law says that I’m “good with the computers”. Next time you’re at trivia, fill me in on some of your geek cred.

David Zazzo
Host, Marksman Stormtrooper

Hi there, I’m David – but most people call me Zazzo.

My best friend and I stumbled across Beat the Geek Trivia in 2016 at one of our guys’ nights and have loved it ever since. After playing for several months, I thought to myself, “it would be really fun to be a trivia host.” I talked to Mark, gave it a shot and auditioned, and here we are!

By day, I work at a local software company doing cloud-y things. By night, though, I indulge my strong passion for technical arts and production – lighting design, audio engineering, video engineering, etc. When I’m not geeking out on that stuff, you can find me at Sounders FC home games cheering on the boys in Rave Green.

I’m excited to be your Beat the Geek Trivia host!

Clint Cheves
Host, C-3P0’s Psychotherapist

Hey!

I’m Clint and I am one of those stupid millennials. I have a fear of change. I still live 15 minutes from where I was born, and I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. Pop culture, movies, music, technology, ancient history, and general nerdom have always been a big part of my life; just ask the people that cheated off me in high school.

While the rest of my friends were scoring touchdowns, I spent my nights reading an episode-by-episode synopsis of Scrubs. It took until the seventh grade for me to get out of my pre-pubescent cocoon and, despite my Coke machine-like physique, I started playing sports. I never forgot my first love of knowing things that probably won’t matter, though, but it now included athletics.

I love sports, technology, religion, the Lakers, and [censored]. My other loves are Jameson, a good light beer, and [censored]. I’m super stoked to be doing trivia for you guys. Let’s get drinks and talk pop culture!

Jax Alspaugh
Host, Palpatine’s Cosmetician

I’ve worked in a variety of industries and positions – marketing, customer correspondent for a prostate supplement company, barista, birthday party hostess at a bowling alley, apartment complex manager, CNA, laser hair removal technician, snowboard instructor, and car saleswoman.

At my audition, I bragged about being the MC in 5th grade for my elementary school’s talent show. I love entertaining, having done both stand up comedy and performed with a band playing a mean cowbell. I also currently host karaoke on the weekends.

Besides trivia, I LOVE cheese, wine tasting, breweries, dancing, gaming, brunch, a GOOD bloody Mary, a well crafted/ironic mustache, live music, roller skating, vintage style/thrift store clothes shopping, supporting my community, and time with my family. Seeing my only son graduate from WSU in 2020 with his Bachelor’s in Social Sciences will be my proudest moment.

It should go without saying, but I’ll say it again, GO COUGS!

Courtney Parham
Host, Darth Vader’s CPAP Technician

I’m Princess Courtney, Chairperson of the Galactic Prom Committee and supreme ruler of Planet Sucralose. At age 13, I was designated as the Protector of Galactic Freedom and Designer Fashion by King Zeus. He gave me three magical tools: The Fairy Wings of Gollum, the Emerald Wand of Horcrux, and a gorgeous Louis Vuitton studded black leather handbag with faux fur trim and a pocket for my iPhone.

I promise to protect the freedom of every sentient being in the galaxy and to gently but firmly advise on haute couture, as is my charge, as is my oath.

Ryan Zwirner
Host, Tatooine Sand Appraiser

Hey there!

About me: I’m 6’3”, because apparently that matters. I’m from Southern California (don’t judge) -I moved up to Washington 7 years ago and love it so far.

In my free time you’ll usually find me kayaking, telling dad jokes, brewing beer, pretending I like hiking, or being lazy and copy/pasting my Tinder bio when people ask me for “a blurb for the website”.

Lets grab a drink!

PS. Must love dogs.

Ben Brockman
Host, Ordained Ewok Funeral Officiant

I am proud to be known as the first ever inductee to the “Beat the Geek Trivia Host Hall Of Fame,” an honor I bestowed upon myself without the knowledge or approval of anyone else.

When not memorizing release dates and chart/sales performance of every popular movie and album released since the 1970’s, I can be found crashing neighborhood parties throughout the Puget Sound region, where I serenade confused attendees with “Wonderwall,” the most under-performed guy-with-a-guitar song of all time. I avoid being depressed during the wet and dreary months by cheering on our local sports teams live and in person as they inevitably fail in the biggest moments.

I can also beat the original Super Mario Bros on NES in 8 minutes and 30 seconds; it’s not a record time or anything, but I think it’s a pretty decent effort.

Krystie Ritchey
Host, Bassist for Figrin Dan and the Modal Nodes

I’m Krystie Ritchey, and I approve this message.

I’m originally from Detroit, but grew up all over the world while my dad served in the military, and I just can’t help myself but continue moving every so often as an adult. I’ve loved performing ever since I embarrassed my parents in a cafeteria, belting out Whitney Houston’s “Greatest Love of All”, when I was 3 years old. I’ve continued being an absolute ham on stage/behind a microphone ever since, including a stint in community theater, playing bass guitar and singing in a few bands, and now hosting trivia. I was a regular Beat the Geek player–and frequent winner–until I decided to take a Ken Jennings turn and apply to host. Previously, I’ve worked in retail, mortgage sales, customer service, and teaching English as a Second Language.

I’ve always loved music, and my superpower is being able to identify songs and artists within seconds of hearing them. I’m a language geek and I’ve got a linguistics degree to prove it; I’ve studied 6 languages (English, German, Spanish, Latin, Swedish, Icelandic) to lend me additional geek street cred. Also, I’m obsessed with Iceland, and I can tell you anything about RuPaul’s Drag Race, both the US and all international versions. My go-to drinks are vodka pineapple, amaretto sour, and non-IPA beers. Cheers!

Dan Filowitz
Host, Jedi Academy Day Care Center Administrator

Residing in the suburbs of Seattle by way of Chicago and New Jersey with brief stops in Indiana, California, Toronto, and Vancouver. (Scent of a Woman Al Pacino voice) I’ve been around, you know.

Once, when I didn’t have kids, I spent a lot of time on stage, in Chicago, writing and performing. Improv, sketch comedy, theater, that sort of thing. Then I had kids and moved and don’t do all that anymore. So, I’m very excited to be back at it again hosting Beat the Geek Trivia (nothing happened to the kids other than getting older, in case you were worried.)

As mentioned, I have kids. Two. And pets. Four. I work in marketing strategy during the day, which is enjoyable but not particularly funny. I also spend time rooting for the New York Knicks and the New York Jets, which most of the time is neither enjoyable nor funny (to me, it does tend to make other people laugh. At me.) Hosting trivia is enjoyable and generally funny, so I’ve got that going for me now, which is nice.

Kelsey Yost
Host, Rancor Veterinarian

When I started playing Beat The Geek Trivia in early 2021, I thought to myself “I could do that!”, and look at me now! While my trivia team never had much success, we always had a blast and I knew I wanted to be a part of the world of trivia hosts.

When I’m not hosting Beat the Geek Trivia shows, I’m a school psychologist wrangling middle school students. Dealing with rowdy children and endless questions is something I’m very used to, so ask me anything! I have two dogs and a cat whom I will happily show you too many pictures of if you ask (or don’t ask, I show them to everyone).

My nerdom knows no bounds, but I’m particularly fond of anything in book form. I’m always looking for recommendations, so let me know what you’ve recently read that I should add to my ever-growing TBR.

You?
Host

Beat the Geek Trivia is always looking for energetic and funny trivia hosts. If you think you sound good on a microphone, you like talking in front of a crowd, and you’re not a moron, you should audition.

email Mark if you’re interested.