TASK DEFINITION: You will be given a trivia clue, and the category it belongs to. You should answer with the best answer that belongs in the category and is described by the clue. For simplicity, answers should be in all lower cased letters.
PROBLEM: Category: FOOD & DRINK 
Clue: Before the introduction of Diet Coke, this was he leading diet soft drink in the U.S.

SOLUTION: tab

PROBLEM: Category: FAMOUS PEOPLE 
Clue: On January 27, 1999 he returned home aboard a TWA 767 designated Shepherd I

SOLUTION: pope john paul ii

PROBLEM: Category: HISTORIC NAMES 
Clue: A silent movie title includes the last name of this 18th c. statesman & favorite of Catherine the Great

SOLUTION:
grigori alexandrovich potemkin