Inside the Actors' Studio is an interview by James Lipton of a celebrity performer. I haven't seen it for a few years; it was last on the U.S. Bravo channel. At some point during the hour, he asks guests for the word .... I forget exactly ... they like most to hear, like least to hear, favorite epithet, etc. IIRC, Lipton says the short quiz is borrowed from some semi-famous writer. I'm out of time here now, it's possible Wikipedia has an entry on Lipton and the program.