OT: Jeopardy! fans

[QuikSand]

Mrs. Q and I have gotten into a habit of watching Jeopardy! more regularly lately, and are getting hooked a bit more than ever before. In part, I think that the new rules (a champion is now allowed to keep playing until he loses, rather than being kicked off with a car and a handshake after five wins) add a little bit of fuel to the show's ongoing storyline.

Does anyone else here watch the show regularly enough to start getting interested in whether a current champion will win again night to night?

The last couple of weeks have seen three pretty good champions -- fairly likeable guys, as nearly as I can tell, which helps from an audience perspective.

[corbes]

I have, from time to time, watched the show regularly enough to develop an interest in the competitors.

Unfortunately, I have not done so recently. I did not know about the new rules -- that is intriguing. Has anyone won more than five consecutive times since the change?

[QuikSand]

I think a champion about 4-6 weeks ago won six times before being bounced. But with the prize amounts doubled (a few years ago) it's certainly possible to average $20,000 or more per win -- so it can start to add up. Last night, a three-time winner got beat, but he had won over $100,000 in just three games.

[Butter_of_69]

I have been watching more lately as well, and that champion you are referring to, QS, lucked into a couple of those wins with good wagering and a correct Final Jeopardy question. But that's how you win, so I guess you can't just chalk it up to luck, but he was second a couple of times going into FJ, which made it surprising that he pulled 3 in a row out.

The thing I've noticed since I've been watching more lately is how there are fewer categories that I can chalk up to "extremely specialized knowledge", and more categories where even the tough answers I feel I should've known. I've missed the last couple of FJ questions, but they were phrased in a way that I don't feel they were "impossible" as some of the questions have been in the past.

I don't know if that "dumbing down" is good or bad, but I am enjoying it more now. So, I guess I am dumb. :)

[RPI-Fan]

Damn, QS, was hoping to see you say "I'll be on tonight".:)

Once school wraps up, I'll probably watch it most nights. Over winter break I watched pretty much every night - though I admit the draw for me relates to seeing how many I can get right, more than anything else.

[SirFozzie]

Nice to see they got rid of the five and out rule, too bad we'll never see anyone beat the record of Thom McCann (who won something like 36 straight games of Tic Tac Dough back in the 80's.. winning 7 cars :))

[rkmsuf]

Nice to see they got rid of the five and out rule, too bad we'll never see anyone beat the record of Thom McCann (who won something like 36 straight games of Tic Tac Dough back in the 80's.. winning 7 cars :))

Beat the dragon was clearly rigged.

[Maple Leafs]

Can't say I watch regularly, but have happened to be watching the last few nights and must admit that the wife and I were rooting the champ on last night. He seemed like a fairly likable guy. Not the smug know-it-all you usually see, more like a regular guy with a hint of "I can't believe I'm here" in his eyes.

[QuikSand]

I agree, Butter -- they are definitely moving more and more in the soft direction with their questions. They have always been prone to the clever or hint-laden questions (answers) but I think that's being taken to extreme -- nearly all of the really tough questions these days either include a reference that acts as a big hint, or are in a category that gives you a really good head start.

[Maple Leafs]

Nice to see they got rid of the five and out rule, too bad we'll never see anyone beat the record of Thom McCann (who won something like 36 straight games of Tic Tac Dough back in the 80's.. winning 7 cars :))Nothing will ever top the guy who figured out the pattern on Press Your Luck and kept spinning so long that they had to make the show a two-parter.

The funny thing is, on his very last spin he actually screwed up and mistimed his button-push. He wound up landing on a "safe" square, but he could just as easily have Whammied and lost everything.

[Maple Leafs]

I agree, Butter -- they are definitely moving more and more in the soft direction with their questions. They have always been prone to the clever or hint-laden questions (answers) but I think that's being taken to extreme -- nearly all of the really tough questions these days either include a reference that acts as a big hint, or are in a category that gives you a really good head start.Heh. Last night I got all the clues in the "sounds like a Chinese Dynasty" category (with clues like "A famous dynasty, or the part of your face that's under your mouth"). This resulted in my wife's saracastic "gee, you really know a lot about Chinese Dynasties".

[QuikSand]

...the wife and I were rooting the champ on last night. He seemed like a fairly likable guy. Not the smug know-it-all you usually see, more like a regular guy with a hint of "I can't believe I'm here" in his eyes.

...ditto for us. The guy never stopped smiling, and at first I thought it was a little dopey, but after a second night I backed him, and felt he was pretty sincere.

Now we get a ponytailed math professor who is a part time college DJ. We'll see.

[QuikSand]

Heh. Last night I got all the clues in the "sounds like a Chinese Dynasty" category (with clues like "A famous dynasty, or the part of your face that's under your mouth"). This resulted in my wife's saracastic "gee, you really know a lot about Chinese Dynasties".

Mrs. Q and I rattled off the corrwect responses before hearing the clues. That's a great example of the catgeory giveaway - the questions became totally pointless. ("Astronaut's favorite drink...")

[rkmsuf]

Foods that start with the letter Q.

[Butter_of_69]

And it seems they have at least 1 category per round with the quotation mark thing (i.e. "First", where all the questions have "first" in the response). I enjoy the rare category on chemistry or science or sports, but don't at all miss the categories on Victorian England or opera or ancient Greece. I guess it's a trade-off, but I agree that sometimes the hints in some of the harder questions are a little too obvious.

[henry296]

The hints are probably more obvious than the past. I remember a final jeopardy from a couple of weeks ago that had a Greek name and said he was the first to head this organization from 1894-1896. Combining the Greek name and the dates, I figured it out but had never heard of the person.

I don't find myself rooting for someone, but like to test myself.

Todd

[MrBug708]

Blah. I made it pretty far in the Jeopardy tryouts at one point during HS. But I missed the cut for TV though. Fun stuff all the same.

[sooner333]

Tom from a few months ago is my hero. Not only did he win 6 times, he set it up one time where he and another person would tie in final jeopardy, allowing both to win and keep the money and come back the next day. The next time, if they had both gotten it right, they would have stayed as well. I'm looking forward to the TOC.

Unfortunately, this quarter of school I have classes that interfere with jeopardy twice a week. It comes on at 3:30 here, and we have a group of people who usually watch it.

[Easy Mac]

...ditto for us. The guy never stopped smiling, and at first I thought it was a little dopey, but after a second night I backed him, and felt he was pretty sincere.

Now we get a ponytailed math professor who is a part time college DJ. We'll see.
Man, I really disliked the smiley guy, it just got on my nerves.

Maybe its just me, but the questions have seemed easier the past few months, especially final jeopardy.

and why do I still see the secnd place people make the incorrect bet so much, when if they just bet correctly, they'd win?

[Celeval]

Used to watch it pretty regularly, was very upset when they moved it out of the pre-primetime to the afternoon. Can never see it now.

[lurker]

I used to watch it twice a day, every day (reruns on at 12:30 pm that my geeky mom and I would tape) plus the nightly one in the evening in high school/early college. I stopped watching it for lots of reasons:

1) it comes on only in the afternoon where I live now
2) they've seriously dumbed it down in the last few years
3) the fact that almost every Daily Double is a video question now with some random people asking the question with no need of the visual aid annoys me
4) I don't want to humiliate Passacaglia by kicking his ass at it when we keep score together

[sterlingice]

Foods that start with the letter Q.
"What is a quice?"

SI

[ScottVib]

I used to watch it.. but as they dumbed down the questions it got a lot less interesting; at least to me.

[sabotai]

I probably would watch it, but it comes on too early for me to remember to watch it.

[Anthony]

i'll take "the rapist" for $200 Alex.

[Pumpy Tudors]

It comes on at 4:30pm here in New Orleans, so I don't get to see it at all, since I'm working at that time. I did see the guy who allowed the previous second-place player to tie him. It must've been Lundi Gras or something, because I was home early. Anyway, I doubt I'd mind the questions being dumbed down some. It's not that I found all the questions too hard for me. I thought it was challenging before, and I knew some of the answers, so I never felt stupid. I just wouldn't have a problem with them making the questions more, erm, accessible.

Anyway, it doesn't matter what I think, since I never see the show anymore. Don't mind me. Just passing through.

[cuervo72]

Nice to see they got rid of the five and out rule, too bad we'll never see anyone beat the record of Thom McCann (who won something like 36 straight games of Tic Tac Dough back in the 80's.. winning 7 cars :))

And he was in that white navy uniform of his every single night of it. A remarkable run.

If Jeopardy would have had these rules back in the 80's, Chuck Forrest might have made a million dollars. Though I don't think he's that bad off today...

[Ksyrup]

I get to see bits and pieces of it. It comes on at 7:30, right after Wheel of Fortune, which is my 5 year old's favorite non-Disney/cartoon show. Then we read to her and she goes to bed about 7:45, so I only get to see the first round, if that. The intellectual whiplash of those two shows being back-to-back is almost too much to bear, though. Sometimes I get dizzy.

As for the "dumbing down" of the questions/answers on Jeopardy, I prefer to believe that I'm getting smarter. :)

[Ksyrup]

I don't think I would ever associate the word "intellectual" with Wheel of Fortune.:)
That's my point. Hence the "intellectual whiplash."

[RPI-Fan]

Whoops - misread that sentence.:)

[Honolulu_Blue]

I used to watch it.. but as they dumbed down the questions it got a lot less interesting; at least to me.

F*cking elitist!

[QuikSand]

And last night, we saw yet another case of a smart person making a dimwitted double jeopardy wager.

Scenario: She's in 3rd place with $6000, about halfway through the second round. Other players have something like $12,600 and $11,000 or so -- for practical purposes that's about right. This is I think, the last DJ chance in the game.

She is clearly not the best player of the three - and has litle chance to make a big move on them in the last 12-15 categories. This is her chance to make a move. She bets $2,000.

I can't defend this decision. If she misses it, she's down to $4,000 -- where she is obviously out of real contention, and will just be hanging around for a chance to sneak through on a stumper. If she bets the full $6,000 - she gets right into the middle of things. I think it's a no-brainer, she had to bet it all.

Turns out, she got her just reward -- she got the DJ questin right, did fairly well down the stretch, and ended up exacyly $4,000 short of the leader at the end, and they both got the FJ question correct. Had she played this well, she would have been a returning co-champion... but instead, she got a consolation prize and a boot in the ass.

I know it's easy for me to bet with other people's money... but in a lot of cases, I think people make indefensibly conservative decisions with the DJ opportunitites -- seemingly worried more about not embarassing themselves than getting a chance to win.

Alas.

[RPI-Fan]

QS: Just curious, have you ever thought about trying to get on Jeopardy?

[QuikSand]

QS: Just curious, have you ever thought about trying to get on Jeopardy?

I'll likely be at the contestant search in Washington, DC this June. It's totally my cup of tea, but for some reason I have never tried out before.

[RPI-Fan]

One night I did a bunch of research into what's involved in getting on the show, etc., and basically, here's out it goes (if you're interested):

1. Take a written test (for you, in Washington, I suppose), where they ask 25 (?) difficult ($800-$1000 level) questions in various categories. You need to get 20 right to hang around.

2. Later that day, if you got enough right, you go into a TV practice game, with a fake set and everything. They'll have you write down five interesting things about yourself, and after a practice Single Jeopardy, Alex or more likely some standin will ask you about one of those things you wrote down. You won't know which one he's going to choose, and you won't know exactly how he'll ask his question. You make a little pseudo-conversation with him, just like on the real show. Then you finish off the game, etc. What the producers are looking for here are people who can handle the TV aspect. From what I can tell, you sound like a perfect fit for them, but who knows.

3. I _think_ they tell you if you "pass" the TV test, and they say they may or may not call you in a month or two. From what I could tell, it was totally random whether or not they actually call you after that one-to-two month period - how well you performed on the tests had no bearing.

4. If you get that call in a month or two, you are DEFINITELY on the show (presuming you make the time and money committments) - you fly yourself out to California on whatever date they tell you, and pay for your own hotel, and then they'll film 5 shows per day. Sometimes it works out that you have to stay an extra day because of carryover champions. But as long as you get that phone call, they guarantee you'll be on the show.

All this comes from, again, being VERY bored one night and reading up on everything for four or five hours.:)

Good luck, and keep us updated Quik!

[Maple Leafs]

I'll likely be at the contestant search in Washington, DC this June. It's totally my cup of tea, but for some reason I have never tried out before."And our Final Jeopardy category for tonight is... fractions!"

[rkmsuf]

I'll take the rapists for $1000

[Samdari]

I'll likely be at the contestant search in Washington, DC this June. It's totally my cup of tea, but for some reason I have never tried out before.

Do you have a link for details?

[Travis]

Jeopardy just lost all interest to me when Turd Ferguson quit being invited back.

[henry296]

Samdari,

I think you can find info at www.jeopardy.com

[rkmsuf]

"What is a quice?"

SI

Boo-yah!!! You're in the zone man...

[Sharpieman]

The most ridiculous thing in Jeopardy is when Alex asks these boring ass contestants when what they do in their spare time...
Alex: So Marie, I understand you have a very interesting hobby, can you tell us what it is?
Marie: I recently got into sand scripting and I'm going to write a book on the history of Mickey Mouse watches.

[sterlingice]

Boo-yah!!! You're in the zone man...
Except I misspelt quince. :(

SI

[cuervo72]

One night I did a bunch of research into what's involved in getting on the show, etc., and basically, here's out it goes (if you're interested):

1. Take a written test (for you, in Washington, I suppose), where they ask 25 (?) difficult ($800-$1000 level) questions in various categories. You need to get 20 right to hang around.

From what I remember of the test, it's more like 50 questions. You get something like 8 seconds per question. I've taken the test twice, and passed once.


2. Later that day, if you got enough right, you go into a TV practice game, with a fake set and everything. They'll have you write down five interesting things about yourself, and after a practice Single Jeopardy, Alex or more likely some standin will ask you about one of those things you wrote down. You won't know which one he's going to choose, and you won't know exactly how he'll ask his question. You make a little pseudo-conversation with him, just like on the real show. Then you finish off the game, etc. What the producers are looking for here are people who can handle the TV aspect. From what I can tell, you sound like a perfect fit for them, but who knows.


Well, they might do this in Culver City, but not on the searches. You do write down the interesing things, but you do so before the test and hang onto it. If you pass the written portion of the test, you hand this in. They will call three contestents up at a time, give them buzzers and you'll play for a few questions. The questions were presented via projector hooked up to a computer running some crude software. A question will be read, and then a yellow border will light up around the projected question to indicate that you can signal in. Timing here is pretty tricky. You also tell a little about yourself like you would on the show. I'm not sure what kind of analysis they do here.


3. I _think_ they tell you if you "pass" the TV test, and they say they may or may not call you in a month or two. From what I could tell, it was totally random whether or not they actually call you after that one-to-two month period - how well you performed on the tests had no bearing.

4. If you get that call in a month or two, you are DEFINITELY on the show (presuming you make the time and money committments) - you fly yourself out to California on whatever date they tell you, and pay for your own hotel, and then they'll film 5 shows per day. Sometimes it works out that you have to stay an extra day because of carryover champions. But as long as you get that phone call, they guarantee you'll be on the show.


Regarding 3), I don't remember them really telling me anything as to if there was any "passing" of the fake game. You go into the pool of contestants, where I think maybe 1 of 10 people is actually called for the show. There was a good number of months where they could call, basically the entire filming season. You would be notified a month in advance if you are chosen to appear, and then you are responsible for a) getting to California and b) making and paying for accomodations.

There was much discussion about this when Subby's wife appeared on the show, if someone can dig the link up somewhere.

[sooner333]

I signed up and am hoping to get an interview for the college edition. There are interviews in Chicago in June...hopefully they are in early June so I can still be here at school when they are going on.

[kcchief19]

Nice to see they got rid of the five and out rule, too bad we'll never see anyone beat the record of Thom McCann (who won something like 36 straight games of Tic Tac Dough back in the 80's.. winning 7 cars :))Damn you, Fozzie! This was driving me crazy so I had to look it up -- Thom McCann is the crappy place in the mall that sells women's shoes; Thom McKee was the Tic Tac Dough champion. :)

The guy was on 46 episodes and won $312,700 and eight Buicks. Oddly, he continued to hold the record for most money won on a game show until The first $500,000 winner on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

I do like shows where they don't force the champion into retirement. That was a feature of Jack Barry and Dan Enright shows, which unfortunately leads to the speculation that shows where the champ always returns might be "manipulated" to keep popular champions on the show longer. I have no doubt Jeopardy! is on the up and up, but there are some others in the past you just don't know about.

[RPI-Fan]

From what I remember of the test, it's more like 50 questions. You get something like 8 seconds per question. I've taken the test twice, and passed once.



Well, they might do this in Culver City, but not on the searches. You do write down the interesing things, but you do so before the test and hang onto it. If you pass the written portion of the test, you hand this in. They will call three contestents up at a time, give them buzzers and you'll play for a few questions. The questions were presented via projector hooked up to a computer running some crude software. A question will be read, and then a yellow border will light up around the projected question to indicate that you can signal in. Timing here is pretty tricky. You also tell a little about yourself like you would on the show. I'm not sure what kind of analysis they do here.



Regarding 3), I don't remember them really telling me anything as to if there was any "passing" of the fake game. You go into the pool of contestants, where I think maybe 1 of 10 people is actually called for the show. There was a good number of months where they could call, basically the entire filming season. You would be notified a month in advance if you are chosen to appear, and then you are responsible for a) getting to California and b) making and paying for accomodations.

There was much discussion about this when Subby's wife appeared on the show, if someone can dig the link up somewhere.
Well, my post had some element of truth in every part of it.:)

[QuikSand]

Monster buzzsaw champion up trying to win for an 11th time tonight... he has already won $340,000 or so. Watching now...

[NoMyths]

$340,000?!?!?! On Jeopardy?! Jebus, but times have changed.

[JeeberD]

Yup. They doubles the the value of each question and they no longer make a champ retire after one week. But still, $340,000 is a huge accomplishment...

[Passacaglia]

I think I saw that guy last week -- he had 18,800, and 2nd place had 4,200, and 3rd place had 1,800, if I recall. A Cliff Clavin moment. He played it safe, and bid 6,200, got the question right (Fictional Characters: Charles Dickens was originally going to name this character "Little Fred") and ended up with $25,000.

[QuikSand]

He's a monster. Very collected.

We need some "closers" to knock him off.

I don't know if this is good or bad for the show, honestly...

[RPI-Fan]

What's his personality like?

[QuikSand]

What's his personality like?

You're joking, right? Personality?

He's a geeky, unassuming white guy, a software engineer -- about what you'd expect, I suppose. (Same demographic as many FOFCers, I guess)

[RPI-Fan]

The blind guy was pretty interesting... as was that guy who won 5 times in a row (under the old rules), and on his last day graciously let the 2nd place finisher tie for the victory so he got the money. He was a great guy, and wasn't the "geeky white software engineer". Remember who I'm talking about (approximately 6 or 7 years ago)?

[cuervo72]

The blind guy was pretty interesting... as was that guy who won 5 times in a row (under the old rules), and on his last day graciously let the 2nd place finisher tie for the victory so he got the money. He was a great guy, and wasn't the "geeky white software engineer". Remember who I'm talking about (approximately 6 or 7 years ago)?

Eddie Timanus was the blind champion. And I do remember the 5th day tie, that was indeed classy.

This is reminding me of the guy on Tic Tac Dough (Thom McKee - thanks google) who won 38 times, amassing over $300k in 1980.

[Ksyrup]

I was going to post about this a couple of days ago, but forgot. Did he win tonight - I had to work late and missed it? What's the record since they went to this format, anyway? I think the unlimited winning is great, for the record.

[QuikSand]

The guy won in another romp, and now easily holds the record -- 11 wins, and some $370,000.

The woman in third place wrote, for her Final Jeopardy answer, "Whatever Ken said" - which earned a good laugh.

[ahbrady]

Eddie Timanus was the blind champion. And I do remember the 5th day tie, that was indeed classy.

This is reminding me of the guy on Tic Tac Dough (Thom McKee - thanks google) who won 38 times, amassing over $300k in 1980.

I'm glad you posted that. I remember that from when I was a kid. We watched that every day to see if he would keep winning. I've tried to convince my family that a guy won forever on that show, but nobody else seemed to remember it. They had almost convinced me that I was making it up. Thanks for the proof. Wasn't he in the Air Force or something like that? I could be wrong on that one, but I do remember that guy winning a ton of money. $300,000 dollars on a game show in 1980 is pretty impressive.

[QuikSand]

Thanks for the proof.

I'm sure your family will be bowled over by your "proof" here:

"Yeah, this guy 'cuervo' said so on the internet."

Lock.

[spleen1015]

There's a regular over at the OOTP boards that will be on the show 6/22 that has given some information about Mr. Ken Jennings. If that board was up, I would link to the thread.

[QuikSand]

Guess I don't need to bother watching any more, then.

[cuervo72]

I'm sure your family will be bowled over by your "proof" here:

"Yeah, this guy 'cuervo' said so on the internet."

Lock.

Skeptic.

(http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&q=%22thom+mckee%22&btnG=Search)

[QuikSand]

I didn't mean to suggest that it didn't happen. I just thought it was amusing that "some guys said so" instantly became "proof." Nothing against that guy, of course.

[cuervo72]

You mean you don't believe everything that you hear second-hand on the internet (from someone else who believed something he read on the internet)? I'm shocked!

(I've considered using "because Fritz said so" at home...)

[Wolfpack]

The way he's playing right now, it practically isn't fair. They need to handicap him like 10 grand in the hole to start so the other players will have a chance. He's averaging $30,000+ per game right now and (in the episodes I've seen) puts the game away late in the first round or early second and thus is never in a position to be caught during Final Jeopardy. My wife wonders if the limitless wins truly are limitless or whether there is a cap that he bumps against at some point, such as the end of a season of taping, when they do a ToC.

[Ksyrup]

One of the shows - Monday's maybe? - he won $50K. I say good for him.

EDIT - took out some comments that someone who hasn't already read the last few posts shouldn't worry about. :)

[spleen1015]

Yeah, I apologize for that. I didn't think about it.

Editing it out now.

[Wolfpack]

Fixed mine as well...

[ahbrady]

I didn't mean to suggest that it didn't happen. I just thought it was amusing that "some guys said so" instantly became "proof." Nothing against that guy, of course.

The fact that somebody that is completely independent of me remembered the same details that I did and actually had a name to go with it might not be considered proof, but I would think that would be a strange coincidence. Plus, my family is pretty easy to convince, they're not the brightest. :D

[nol]

i'll take "the rapist" for $200 Alex.
I'll take the rapists for $1000

I Garfunkled your mother :D

[sachmo71]

This herb can be used on chicken

[Neuqua]

I was flipping through channels when I went past Jeopardy and remembered this thread. It was the first time watching the guy and man, he really is incredible. I'll watch tomorrow if I remember.

[henry296]

Still going. Won his 15th straight last night.

[Ksyrup]

Yeah, I meant to post about that here. The since-purged info above about his winning streak ending was apparently wrong. He's up to 15 days and $486K. I guess my interest is piqued enough that I might go searching for the thread over at OOTP. I saw it last night - I guess that was him?

[QuikSand]

I meant to bump this, too.

I guess what happened was the OOTP person was a contestant on one of the shows last week - and was there for the five episodes taped together that day. That way, he would have seen up through Ken's 13th win. Saying (paraphrasing here) "he goes on to be a 13-time champion" might have been a slightly confusing way of saying "I can verify that he wins at least 13 times, since I saw him win his 13th."

In any event, he rolls on. I'm TiVo-ing tonight's episode, and have to confess that my interest has been piqued by this roll. He's a very deserving champ, but now I'm rooting against him.

[Ksyrup]

He was on last night, actually. That's why I was confused. I think the answer to the confusion, as I read through the long thread over there quickly, is that the guy was called in as an alternate last week, saw him win #13, but didn't get on, then made it on for last night's show, which was the guy's 15th win.

[spleen1015]

I never said he lost at 13. I said he made it to 13. I'm sure the words could be read either way though, but I edited them out.

[Ksyrup]

As I stared at the screen that showed his winnings at $486K, the first thought in my head was, "Think about how much more work this guy has had to do for $500K than a contestant on Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" Thirteen episodes vs. what, 20 minutes, basically?

[sterlingice]

As I stared at the screen that showed his winnings at $486K, the first thought in my head was, "Think about how much more work this guy has had to do for $500K than a contestant on Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" Thirteen episodes vs. what, 20 minutes, basically? Yeah, but think about odds, too. He's been buzzsawing people in Jeopardy becuase there just haven't been many in his league. But in WWTBAM, one freakish pop culture question and he's home with $32K or only $1K (like who the @#$# knows what the first tv dinner was).

SI

[Ksyrup]

True. He can afford to miss a few and still win. Still, for that much work, he should be a millionaire by now.

[Samdari]

True. He can afford to miss a few and still win. Still, for that much work, he should be a millionaire by now.

Its like a week of real time. I'd do it for as little as $200,000

[Ksyrup]

It's still mentally challenging, and it's 15 separate contests with new competitors. I'd take my chances on Millionaire any day of the week.

[sterlingice]

Its like a week of real time. I'd do it for as little as $200,000
I'd be content to play trivia games for an entire year for $50K ;)

SI

[NoMyths]

This is turning into a real life version of David Foster Wallace's story "Little Expressionless Animals."

[RainRaven]

I feel sorry for those two women on there tonight.... He got off to a fast start.

[Ksyrup]

EDIT - SPOILER!!! For those on the West Coast or who haven't seen it.



That was embarrassing. Sally Jane Goodall looked like she would be overmatched by an ape, though. That ending shot of her with her hands on her hips, short skirt, and knee-high boots didn't do much for my initial impression, either.

[sooner333]

SPOILER!!!

He's pretty good all right, but not invincible for sure. The Final Jeopardy question wasn't *that* hard, yet he was thinking of a duo who did something rather than dying on the same day. I never know when it's okay to post this kind of thing, because it hasn't played on the West Coast yet, and it comes on in OKC at 4:00 Central.

[Ksyrup]

Yeah, that was a question I knew the answer to, but didn't realize it until it just came to me about halfway through the answer period.

[Buccaneer]

I knew that right away because it's one of the greatest coincidences in American History.

[cuervo72]

Monroe also died on July 4.

[QuikSand]

more SPOILER...



He was in a little bit of trouble... he didn't cinch the runaway until the second-to-last question (the Double Jeopardy), and ended up missing the final question while the second place person got it. Had the last couple of questions gone differently, he could have lost tonight...

*sigh*

As far as Jeopardy! contestants go, Sally Jane and the "glamour shots" look might have been the sluttiest I've ever seen.

[Ksyrup]

I was waiting for her to start twirling her hair, talk on the phone, and chew gum with her mouth open to complete the picture.

[Bee]

I wonder how much of an advantage he has using the buzzer. It seems to me most contestants know the answers most of the time, but it's all about who buzzes in first. Since he's been doing it everyday for a couple weeks now, I'd think that would give him an even bigger advantage in buzzing in first. Of course, something that could derail him is someone hitting one or two of the double jeopardy questions and getting them right and catching up with him. Most of the shows I've seen, he's the one who gets the double jeopardy questions. If someone else gets lucky and hits them, they could take him down.

[Ksyrup]

At this point, someone could beat him in the final jeopardy round if they could just get more than halfway to his score, since he's probably so rusty in having to figure out the proper amount to bet, he might screw up. I can't recall the last time I saw him go into final jeopardy where he didn't have it already won (save a Cliff Clavin-type meltdown).

[Ksyrup]

From a CNN article about Ken Jennings:

Ken Jennings was seen on his 16th straight "Jeopardy!" episode Wednesday, winning once again to bring his total winnings to $512,959.

The 30-year-old software engineer broke the "Jeopardy!" record early in his run. Tom Walsh, of Washington, D.C., held the previous mark, earning $184,900 in seven days on the show in January.

Then along came Jennings, who is no stranger to the world of quick quiz. He was a member of Brigham Young University's successful College Bowl team in the 1990s. Jennings also edits literature and mythology questions for the National Academic Quiz Tournament.

[Ksyrup]

My daughter had gymnastics last night and I missed the show. What happened?

[rkmsuf]

just preventing a gymnastic like quad-dola.

[Ksyrup]

Thanks. Sometimes I need to be saved from myself.

[rkmsuf]

I saw some Russian dude try a quad dola back in the 2000 Games...damned near killed himself.

[jbmagic]

damn


i forgot to set my TIvo to season pass for jeopardy... (

[Ksyrup]

I could also use a good beating now and then. Do you have any recommendations?

[Bee]

My daughter had gymnastics last night and I missed the show. What happened?

The same thing that always happens.

Although this time Alex was trying to convince Ken to go for the record of $52,000 in a single show, Ken went ultra conservative and won with $40,000. He didn't bet anywhere close to how much he could have and still be guaranteed a win. Maybe he's starting to feel guilty about taking all this money?

[rkmsuf]

I could also use a good beating now and then. Do you have any recommendations?

I believe Brett Ware is available

[Ksyrup]

Maybe people have been calling him to ask for money and he's about to have a heart attack...

[Ksyrup]

I believe Brett Ware is available
That's Brett WEIR. Open up your fuckin' ears, jackass!

[rkmsuf]

That's Brett WEIR. Open up your fuckin' ears, jackass!

I think it's time for the super across the way to give you a call...

[Bee]

I usually don't watch Jeopardy, but have been watching lately because of this run. Has Alex Trebek always been such an idiot?

I mean the other day someone had a Final Jeopardy answer of "I want my two dollars!" and Alex replied..."You know you get $1000 for finishing last?"

Then last night, He suggested that Ken go to Europe for 6 months since he's won so much money...Ken replied "The taxes will kill me though"...Alex was like "You don't have to work in Europe, just go there and live off your money you won"

What a freaking idiot

[RPI-Fan]

I'll likely be at the contestant search in Washington, DC this June. It's totally my cup of tea, but for some reason I have never tried out before.

Update?

[cuervo72]

I was waiting for her to start twirling her hair, talk on the phone, and chew gum with her mouth open to complete the picture.

She immediately brought Married to the Mob to mind for me.

[mckerney]

The same thing that always happens.

Although this time Alex was trying to convince Ken to go for the record of $52,000 in a single show, Ken went ultra conservative and won with $40,000. He didn't bet anywhere close to how much he could have and still be guaranteed a win. Maybe he's starting to feel guilty about taking all this money?

Agreed, I definitely expected him to go for more (even if it wasn't the record), especially with the category of, "Movies of the 1970's."

[Easy Mac]

Ken is going down

[Maple Leafs]

So what happened this time? I missed it.

P.S. Anyone else think Letterman's bits about this streak are hilarious?

[kcchief19]

So what happened this time? I missed it.

P.S. Anyone else think Letterman's bits about this streak are hilarious?Yes!

Trebek: Originally drafted by Atlanta, he quarterbacked Green Bay to a Super Bowl win in 1997.
Jennings: "Who is Indira Ghandi?"
Trebek: "Yes!"

Gold!

[Easy Mac]

Ken won

[Wolfpack]

SPOILER (for you West Coast types)





He won, but he got a real stern test and was bailed out by a pretty easy Final Jeopardy! question.

[Easy Mac]

There hasn't been a tought final jeopardy question in months.

And this game must be all about the buzzers, because I think I could challenge Ken almost every day.

[Ksyrup]

SPOILER



That was a balls move by the challenger, doubling up at the end of the game. Otherwise, that would have been a cakewalk.

It's almost over for him, but at this point, does it really matter? He's over $600K. He could get shutout by two brain-dead bimbos and he probably wouldn't care.

[Easy Mac]

If I was him, after 10 days I would have just ballsed up on every double/final jeopardy and risked it all. After 300K, It would be time to have fun.

I don't think anyone will match what he is doing right now. This is like DiMaggio.

[Ksyrup]

I don't know. How long has this format been in place? Give it a few years, then we'll see if anyone can challenge his streak.

[lcjjdnh]

I don't know. How long has this format been in place? Give it a few years, then we'll see if anyone can challenge his streak.Yeah, I pretty sure they just switched to this format at the start of the current season. At the earliest it was the start of last year. So this streak is the first real test of the system but I'm sure with time it will not be the last.

[MIJB#19]

I'll likely be at the contestant search in Washington, DC this June. It's totally my cup of tea, but for some reason I have never tried out before.Well darn it!
If there's one thing not imported from the USA to the Netherlands, it's the original Jeopardy! (I mean with the American contestants rather then a bad Dutch copy with Dutch people playing.)

Seeing some super intelligent AI live in action would be neat! ;)

[sterlingice]

I don't think this is too big of a Jeopardy spoiler:

With 19 days under his belt, Ken is down at the first commercial break going for #20 (granted, it's only 3800 to 3400 and yesterday he had a stiff challenge in SJ before blowing them away in DJ)

SI

[Ksyrup]

Once again, I missed an episode, and once again, I forgot to come here asking what happened. I'll probably see this one tonight at 7:30 EST.

[sterlingice]

Whats with the east costers all getting it in the evening? Both in Houston and here on the KC (either that or Topeka station, I forget which I'm watching), we have them in the afternoon.

SI

[Ksyrup]

As far back as I can recall, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune have always shared the 7pm-8pm EST slots. In some markets, one of them is at 7, in others that same show is at 7:30. I don't ever recall those shows NOT being on during that hour.

[Chubby]

As far back as I can recall, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune have always shared the 7pm-8pm EST slots. In some markets, one of them is at 7, in others that same show is at 7:30. I don't ever recall those shows NOT being on during that hour.

I believe that has more to do with markets targeting certain demographics during the timeslots. Here they go after the Oprah crowd at 4pm and the game show crowd at 7pm like more markets but I have heard of it being on in the afternoon before. Actually, the 2 just swicthed networks in Syracuse not too long ago. Didn't change the time they were shown tho.

[vtbub]

Prime Time starts at 7 CT, 8 ET.

It simply fits better in the afternoon outside both coasts.

[kingfc22]

so did he win?

[QuikSand]

He won tonight again, easily. The nitwit in second place once again wimped out with a double jeopardy question fairly deep into the second round -- I'm amazed how foolish these trivia-smart people can be when it comes to game strategy. But it really didn't matter - Ken won in another near-runaway, and would have won even if the other guy made a smart bet on his DJ earlier.

[Chubby]

The guy in 2nd place had a chance going into Final Jeopardy but he missed it and Ken got it right.

[Samdari]

He won tonight again, easily. The nitwit in second place once again wimped out with a double jeopardy question fairly deep into the second round -- I'm amazed how foolish these trivia-smart people can be when it comes to game strategy. But it really didn't matter - Ken won in another near-runaway, and would have won even if the other guy made a smart bet on his DJ earlier.

I was screaming at the television when that bet was made. You have to take huge risks to beat that guy.

And when I say guy, realize that I mean "world's first humanoid robot." He is NOT human, he is electro-mechanical, and they have chosen jeopardy as as forum to introduce it to the world, as well as fund the project.

Does anyone else want to reach into the tv and forcefully remove that smile from his face?

Is anyone else starting to be disturbed by the developing homo-erotic tension between Ken and Alex?

[Ksyrup]

You know, the guy is obviously geeky, but I haven't seen one thing about him that would engender dislike, aside from the fact that he's doing extraordinarily well on the show. If this guy won 3 games and got booted, you guys would think he was geeky (like all of us) but deserving of his $60K-$80K and that would be the end of it. But the guy keeps winning, and all of a sudden, no one can stand the sight of his face.

This is like a mini-version of the sports dynasty phenomenon. Do well, and you're liked; do too well and you're hated.

[Samdari]

You know, the guy is obviously geeky, but I haven't seen one thing about him that would engender dislike, aside from the fact that he's doing extraordinarily well on the show. If this guy won 3 games and got booted, you guys would think he was geeky (like all of us) but deserving of his $60K-$80K and that would be the end of it. But the guy keeps winning, and all of a sudden, no one can stand the sight of his face.

This is like a mini-version of the sports dynasty phenomenon. Do well, and you're liked; do too well and you're hated.

He is freaking cocky about how good he is at this game. I mean T.O. cocky.

[Ksyrup]

A. I haven't really seen that, although I admit I've only seen about half of his games.

B. He's won 20 straight times and has somewhere around $650K+. If he is, can you blame him?

[QuikSand]

I'm not rooting against him out of hatred, but basically for the simple reason that I'm sick of him. I guess it is a fair parallel to what we see with an overpowering sports dynasty. But I don't dislike him - I'm just rooting for him to get beaten at this point.

[Ksyrup]

Do you think the 5-win limit should be reinstituted because of the possibility (and now reality) of something like this? It seems to me that this is giving the show just what it wants - more exposure. I have to admit, even though I have missed a few of these shows, it's not because I didn't want to see them. I think it's a great story. I hope he keeps winning.

To draw another sports parallel, it's kinda like watching Randy Johnson strike out his 4,000 batter, then seeing him 1,700+ behind Nolan Ryan. Time will tell whether he is truly unique, or whether someone else can sustain this kind of run, but I tend to think it won't be equaled - maybe not even close - so I say let it run for as long as possible.

[Bee]

I'd like to see them bring back a couple of the "tournament of champions" champions to compete against him. I don't care who wins, but I think it would be interesting to see.

[Chubby]

I think part of the reason he wins so much is that he seems to have timed the button to ring in and answer perfectly. There's a ton of times where an opponent is mashing the button before Alex finishes the question and Ken still rings in 1st.

[JeeberD]

I think part of the reason he wins so much is that he seems to have timed the button to ring in and answer perfectly. There's a ton of times where an opponent is mashing the button before Alex finishes the question and Ken still rings in 1st.

That's part of the problem. From what I understand, if you push the button before the question is finished being read then your buzzer won't work right away...

[QuikSand]

There's definitely a significant element of timing the buzzer - giving a real edge to a player who has already become comfortable with it. He basically just gets in more quickly than others even on questions where the answers are obvious -- that's a huge edge.

[RPI-Fan]

From reading a bunch of participants' accounts online one night, I saw that a lot of (more succesful) contestants had prepared for a significant amount of time not by reading Encyclopedias or such, but instead taping episodes of the show, and using the "Pause" button on their remote control to perfect buzzing in timing.

[vtbub]

The buttons lockout anybody else from ringing in, we had them in our high school scholar's bowl stuff back in the late 80's.

He's incfredibly smart and incredibly quick.

[Chubby]

He is incredibly smart, I'm not trying to take anything away from his intellect but I do think that his ability to time the buzzer is leading to his huge winning streak much like the Press Your Luck Guy.

[RPI-Fan]

The Press Your Luck guy was TOTALLY different. He wasn't necessarily all that good at pressing the button quickly.

Jennings has no single piece of knowledge re: how the game/board works that the other competitors don't.

And with that out of the way, there have been loads of people that had great ability to time the buzzer.

All the people who have been good at the show have been able to ring in well - I've seen far, far too many genius' who simply can't ring in well go down. Jennings is just the first person to combine great knowledge with great reflexes AND avoid that "bad day" - while he is certainly at the top of the class, I don't think he's much different from what we've seen in a lot of previous contestants.

[rkmsuf]

The Press Your Luck guy was TOTALLY different. He wasn't necessarily all that good at pressing the button quickly.

Jennings has no single piece of knowledge re: how the game/board works that the other competitors don't.

And with that out of the way, there have been loads of people that had great ability to time the buzzer.

All the people who have been good at the show have been able to ring in well - I've seen far, far too many genius' who simply can't ring in well go down. Jennings is just the first person to combine great knowledge with great reflexes AND avoid that "bad day" - while he is certainly at the top of the class, I don't think he's much different from what we've seen in a lot of previous contestants.

He's a triple threat

[Chubby]

The Press Your Luck guy was TOTALLY different. He wasn't necessarily all that good at pressing the button quickly.



He was able to time his button presses quick enough to correspond with him stopping the board exactly where he wanted for an insane amount of spins in a row. I'd say it's similar.

Someone pointed out people taping episodes to get the timing on the buzzer down, this is the same thing Larson did on PYL. Obviously, I don't know if the people really did that in preparation of Jeopardy but it's obvious to me that a super smart person combined with the ability to time the buzzer right on will dominate Jeopardy like Ken has.

[RPI-Fan]

Larsson memorized patterns - the board moved slow enough that after memorizing those patterns he could stop it at the right spot with ease.

It wasn't a knee-jerk reaction, where he would see the square on something, and then stop it.

[Chubby]

Larsson memorized patterns - the board moved slow enough that after memorizing those patterns he could stop it at the right spot with ease.

It wasn't a knee-jerk reaction, where he would see the square on something, and then stop it.

Larson videotaped episodes and studied them religiously to find the pattern/timing.

I don't see how this is different from taping Jeopardy episodes to find a possible timing pattern to buzzing in (not saying Ken did that but it sounds like others are trying it).

Of course they're not the same games, you have to be incredibly knowledgable to even get on Jeopardy but the fact that he can go strings of questions in a row while perfectly timing his buzzer each time raises some suspicion. Watch him, he gets in a zone and everything is in rythym both him buzzing in and his answers. Not that I think this should affect his accomplishment but I think the reason he keeps winning is not so much that he knows more but that he is able to buzz in 1st more often.

[RPI-Fan]

Larson videotaped episodes and studied them religiously to find the pattern/timing.

I don't see how this is different from taping Jeopardy episodes to find a possible timing pattern to buzzing in (not saying Ken did that but it sounds like others are trying it).

Of course they're not the same games, you have to be incredibly knowledgable to even get on Jeopardy but the fact that he can go strings of questions in a row while perfectly timing his buzzer each time raises some suspicion. Watch him, he gets in a zone and everything is in rythym both him buzzing in and his answers. Not that I think this should affect his accomplishment but I think the reason he keeps winning is not so much that he knows more but that he is able to buzz in 1st more often.

My point is... EVERY person who wins more than a couple times on Jeopardy! has been great at the buzzer... Jennings is the rare one who has extreme intelligence AND hasn't been unlucky.

[vtbub]

You can be incredibly quick on a buzzer, but you still have to answer the questions right in order to win.

The PYL boards were slides that were flashed in the same order along with the lights, Larson studied it and cheated, he knew what the exact sequrence for 5k and a spin was.

[Chubby]

You can be incredibly quick on a buzzer, but you still have to answer the questions right in order to win.

The PYL boards were slides that were flashed in the same order along with the lights, Larson studied it and cheated, he knew what the exact sequrence for 5k and a spin was.

As I've said numerous times, I'm not taking anything away from his intellect.

Actually no, he knew all of the possible patterns and could therefor stop the board whereever he wanted. There 8 (I think) possible patterns that he had to memorize, once down he knew if the board went 3-4 then it would go to 6 next which was a +spin square which was desireable.

I'm not even convinced there is a timing pattern on Jeopardy but if there is, it's no different than what Larson did. Besides, Larson never cheated he DID get his money afterall. There were no rulesof CBS' that he broke, they talk about it in the GSN documentary.

[vtbub]

Larson was not allowed to defend because he exceeded CBS $25,000 winning limits.

As Chubster says, he got paid. Nobody at CBS thought the system was crackable, so he did nothing wrong.

They changed to a computer system for the rest of the series.

(cleaning up for those who didn't watch the GSN show)

[Chubby]

Larson was not allowed to defend because he exceeded CBS $25,000 winning limits.

As Chubster says, he got paid. Nobody at CBS thought the system was crackable, so he did nothing wrong.

They changed to a computer system for the rest of the series.

(cleaning up for those who didn't watch the GSN show)
Yup, I loved PSL. The new Whammy just isn't the same, whenever I see the Larson special on I have to watch. It's just so interesting to me.

[RPI-Fan]

And to finish it off...

He wasted a bunch of his money on stupid things, kept the rest in cash in his trailer, and [predictably] got robbed and proceeded to see his life fall apart.

:(

[Chubby]

And to finish it off...

He wasted a bunch of his money on stupid things, kept the rest in cash in his trailer, and [predictably] got robbed and proceeded to see his life fall apart.
I think he blew a good chunk of it on bad property deals and stupid get rich quick schemes too.

[QuikSand]

I'm not even convinced there is a timing pattern on Jeopardy but if there is, it's no different than what Larson did.

Now, that's just absurd.

On Press Your Luck, the pattern was an absolutely critical element of the game. The network failed to sufficiently randomize it, and it was "cracked" by a savvy contestant. On that show, just being able to time you buzzing was enough skill to be a dominating player. Whether you call what Larson did cheating or not, it clearly gave him a monstrous advantage in the game.

On Jeopary! there is a system to allow contestants to buzz in only at a certain time, and not before. This is obviously in place to prevent a contestant from deciding to just "gamble" and buzz in first before even hearing a question (assuming he can get it right anyway). If you buzz in before the question is "active" your buzzer is disabled for a second or so, putting you at a disadvantage. So, there is some skill required in learning the proper timing to buzz in when you know an answer. Being better at this than the other contestants is certainly some degree of advantage, but it hardly measures up at all to the contestants' relative command of the material covered - not even close. You can "cheat" all you want with buzzer timing, but if you don't know the answers, you're just losing money faster than everyone else.


One guy "cracks a beatable system using videotape and pattern memorization" and another guy is "very good at answering right on time." These are the same thing? Of course not.

[Chubby]

Now, that's just absurd.

On Press Your Luck, the pattern was an absolutely critical element of the game. The network failed to sufficiently randomize it, and it was "cracked" by a savvy contestant. On that show, just being able to time you buzzing was enough skill to be a dominating player. Whether you cann what Larson did cheating or not, it clearly gave him a monstrous advantage in the game.

On Jeopary! there is a system to allow contestants to buzz in only at a certain time, and not before. This is obviously in place to prevent a contestant from deciding to just "gamble" and buzz in first before even hearing a question (assuming he can get it right anyway). If you buzz in before the question is "active" your buzzer is disabled for a second or so, putting you at a disadvantage. So, there is some skill required in learning the proper timing to buzz in when you know an answer. Being better at this than the other contestants is certainly some degree of advantage, but it hardly measures up at all to the contestants' relative command of the material covered - not even close. You can "cheat" all you want with buzzer timing, but if you don't know the answers, you're just losing money faster than everyone else.


One guy "cracks a beatable system using videotape and pattern memorization" and another guy is "very good at answering right on time." These are the same thing? Of course not.
how many times do I have to say that yes, he has to know the answers and be incredibly smart. I've never said anything to the effect that Ken is only winning because of his buzzing in ability. I'm saying, that ability is what is prolonging this streak.

The timing aspect of it is no different. You don't think that it would be advantageous to be able to always buzz in before your opponents?

Say there are 5 questions a game where the only reason he gets those $ is because he has the buzzing in timed, he gets the $ his opponents don't. That is a sufficent difference to change the possible outcome of the game.

Again, I'm not saying that he has it imed perfectly but it is a possibilty and could explain the winning streak.

[RPI-Fan]

how many times do I have to say that yes, he has to know the answers and be incredibly smart. I've never said anything to the effect that Ken is only winning because of his buzzing in ability. I'm saying, that ability is what is prolonging this streak.

The timing aspect of it is no different. You don't think that it would be advantageous to be able to always buzz in before your opponents?

Say there are 5 questions a game where the only reason he gets those $ is because he has the buzzing in timed, he gets the $ his opponents don't. That is a sufficent difference to change the possible outcome of the game.

Again, I'm not saying that he has it imed perfectly but it is a possibilty and could explain the winning streak.

Yes, and it's the same thing all of us have known all along.

You're preaching to the choir.

[Chubby]

Yes, and it's the same thing all of us have known all along.

You're preaching to the choir.

obviously not, see QS' post.

[sooner333]

Am I in the only place where Jeopardy comes on the NBC rather than the ABC affiliate??? Just wondering. BTW, I'm not going to post a spoiler, despite knowing ;)

[Ksyrup]

Ours is on the CBS affiliate.

[lurker]

No, it's on NBC in Michigan. Here in Chicago, though, it's on the ABC affiliate in the afternoon. I'll have to start taping it. It was so much easier back home when it'd be on after work!

Is it lame that I want to watch it because someone who posts on another board I go to is going to be on next week?

[JeeberD]

Is it lame that I want to watch it because someone who posts on another board I go to is going to be on next week?

Nah, if QS were ever on I would be certain to watch. I really want to see his safari hat... ;)

[sterlingice]

Am I in the only place where Jeopardy comes on the NBC rather than the ABC affiliate??? Just wondering. BTW, I'm not going to post a spoiler, despite knowing ;)
Nah, we get it on NBC, too.

SI

[Chubby]

We used to have them on ABC but a couple of years ago they went to CBS.

[RPI-Fan]

obviously not, see QS' post.

Do you know how to read???:confused:

another guy is "very good at answering right on time."

[Buccaneer]

Good grief. I had completely forgotten about this and just saw that he is still winning. 24 days and something like $780k.

[Bee]

Is it just me or have they made the questions tougher?

I watched last night and it seemed the questions were harder. There were several questions no one got. At the end, 1 person had $1000 another -$4600 and then the robot only had like $25,000 going into final jeopardy.

[RPI-Fan]

Is it just me or have they made the questions tougher?

I watched last night and it seemed the questions were harder. There were several questions no one got. At the end, 1 person had $1000 another -$4600 and then the robot only had like $25,000 going into final jeopardy.

Haha... reminds me of the King of the Hill where Peggy tries to win money on Jeopardy!, and when she finishes at -$15,000, Alex comes up to her and says "Mrs. Hill - you do know that you owe us that money?"

[sabotai]

I thought that was The Simpsons.

[RPI-Fan]

I thought that was The Simpsons.

Perhaps it was that also, but I know it definitely happened on KotH, since it fit so perfectly with Peggy's personality.

[Subby]

Here is how the "buzzing in" works...

There are lights across the top and down the left side of the scoreboard. When they light up, you can buzz in with your clicker. If you try and buzz in before those lights light up, then you are "frozen out" for a half second.

There is no "timing" involved. It is eye-hand coordination combined with cognitive recognition. Neither alone will get you anywhere, probably...

edit: I only know this because my wife told me ;)

[Samdari]

Here is how the "buzzing in" works...

There are lights across the top and down the left side of the scoreboard. When they light up, you can buzz in with your clicker. If you try and buzz in before those lights light up, then you are "frozen out" for a half second.

There is no "timing" involved. It is eye-hand coordination combined with cognitive recognition. Neither alone will get you anywhere, probably...

edit: I only know this because my wife told me ;)

Well, there has to be some "rhythym" to when the lighting of the lights on the scoreboard - as in how soon after the clue is revealed or read that they turn those lights on. I mean, they have to decide when to light that light somehow - it is probably a regular interval either from when the clue is revealed or Ken's admirer finishes reading it. Mrs. Subby's day 2 notwithstanding, I imagine having experience with the buzzer would be a tremendous advantage over those who do not.

Just curious - do they withhold the winnings until broadcast to keep you from telling people the results?

[Subby]

I mean, they have to decide when to light that light somehow - it is probably a regular interval either from when the clue is revealed or Ken's admirer finishes reading it. Mrs. Subby's day 2 notwithstanding, I imagine having experience with the buzzer would be a tremendous advantage over those who do not.
I need to ask her, but it is entirely possible the light pops up manually - meaning a judge has to activate it. I'll ask.

Also - prior to coming on the show they actually tell you to practice by watching the show on television and clicking with a ball point pen to get the "feel" of clicking-in.

Just curious - do they withhold the winnings until broadcast to keep you from telling people the results?
No - you are free to tell anyone. It just takes a good 3-6 months to get your money - minus the state of California's hard-earned cut ;)

[sooner333]

Just won his 25th in a row and is over the $750,000 mark. He did, however lose final jeopardy to only win 14k, but since the other contestant who actually made it into the black only had $400, it was kind of a moot point.

[Ksyrup]

At this point, winning only $14K is barely worth the effort of kicking the 3 hookers out of his hotel bed to get dressed for the show.

[Bee]

I wonder if he's quit his old job yet and told them he's found something better.

[Samdari]

At this point, winning only $14K is barely worth the effort of kicking the 3 hookers out of his hotel bed to get dressed for the show.


He's a mormon. If he was taking hookers back to the hotel, it was for bible readings.

EDIT: quoted wrong dude.

[lurker]

Here's a forum where Ken Jennings has posted occasionally. It's pretty interesting to hear him talk about questions he knew, why he didn't wager more, etc.

http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/index.php?showtopic=2580621&view=findpost&p=1609709

[Ksyrup]

Thanks for the link. Very interesting.

This is (allegedly, I guess) Ken commenting on the "smugness" factor, and it seems consistent with what I've seen from him on the show:



Lots of speculation on whether or not Ken is a jerk. I think I can speak pretty authoritatively on this subject. :)

It's true that, in the games that are airing now, I probably appear happy and comfortable at the podium. That's because playing Jeopardy is pretty fun and I've done it enough times to feel relaxed while doing it. But "I know I'm going to win" is *not* the reason I look relaxed up there. In fact, I was sure I was going to lose every single taping day (law of averages!), though obviously I was wrong about that from time to time. The reason I'm smiling is because, even if I lose at this point, who cares? Really nothing left to prove, just enjoying the ride until it ends.

But I think it's great that people are rooting against me too. Anything that builds interest in the show, right?
<!----><!-- THE POST -->

[lurker]

I was suspicious that it was him, but somebody from the forum posted a few weeks ago that she'd be on yesterday, and told us what story she'd tell Alex, so I knew it was her for sure. And she seemed to know Ken, but I suppose it is possible it's not him.

[lurker]

This post of his is interesting too (I just searched for all of his).

"So, when the outcome of the game is no longer in question, you're essentially betting your own money. Let's say some guy comes up to you on the street with a trivia question about, say, New York governors. He wants you to put up $10,000 of your own money on the answer. Do you take it? Even if you think you're pretty good at this kind of thing, do you really want to risk lots of your own money, money that would otherwise be yours to keep, on the question? Maybe. Maybe not. It depends on your confidence in the category, how badly you need the money, and lots of other variables.

No offense, but viewer frustration is about the last consideration that should be going through your mind. :)"


http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/index.php?showtopic=2580621&view=findpost&p=1591917

[Ksyrup]

I'm sure it is, but you never know.

[sterlingice]

Ken's still dominating with 28 days and $920K coming in... (SPOILER)












Well, I can't say how it's ended yet, but he ran the first two categories and didn't give up a question until the $1000 question on the third category. It was 6200-0-0 at the first commercial break. (And 12400-1700-400 at halftime) :eek:

SI

[Ksyrup]

I wonder how this is going to end. An off-day? A string of categories he doesn't know? One bad guess on a daily double and/or final jeopardy while trying to go for broke? Maybe he'll just quit after he hits a million?

[Maple Leafs]

I wonder how this is going to end.If movies have taught me anything, this can end only one way: He must face Alex Trebek!

Come on, they've been teasing it already with Trebek's thinly-veiled disgust each time he won't go for the record. You can tell he's dying to get out there and just go Ben Stein on him.

Yes, I think we need an episode where Trebek leaves the podium and faces him one-on-one. Think of the final scene of Gladiator (only on a game show set instead of a colliseum).

[sterlingice]

Well, I don't think he's unbeatable but he's not going to all of a sudden get blown out by someone quicker on the trigger than him since he's probably near perfection with the timing. But when he does eventually lose, it'll be when someone hangs close enough to be within half at FJ and there's a question that Ken doesn't know and the challenger does.

Either that or Alex goes and kicks his ass- that'd be fun.

SI

[SirFozzie]

Another big win for him, apparently..

Saw a story that he is now over 972,000 (which would put him very close to 52,000, the one day record) and can break a million tommorrow.

[thealmighty]

He tied the record again- exactly $52,000.

[Maple Leafs]

He wound up with $52K exactly, tying (but not breaking) the record.

I think he's officially trying to drive Alex insane. The show literally ended with Trebek screetching "You couldn't have bet one more dollar?"

[Bee]

I think the best chance someone has of beating him is to get a couple of the daily doubles to keep pace and then get the Final Jeopardy question right when he misses it. I know they tape 5 shows a day, but does anyone know if they tape 5 shows every day or are there breaks between tapings? The pace might get to him as well...

[QuikSand]

Well, in election-year tradition, I have flip-flopped on Ken -- in part because of his ongoing humility and sense of humor, and now find myself rooting for him again.

Last night was great -- starting things off by running the first two columns, top to bottom, without a peep from the "opposition." It was as if he was saying "okay, the category doesn't really mater to me, so let's just start clearing the page left to right..."

It seems very possible that we could have a FJ with only Ken participating, as his opponents starts to panic more and more by intimidation from his winnings.

[QuikSand]

I think the best chance someone has of beating him is to get a couple of the daily doubles to keep pace and then get the Final Jeopardy question right when he misses it.

I agree to a point. I think your best shot is just to stay within striking distance (2/3 of this score, of course), and then bet nothing at the end -- and hope for a "stumper" in FJ. Assuming that the rival is not as good a player as Ken, this seems more likely -- I like the chances of a complete stumper question better than a "Ken misses, John Doe hits."

[QuikSand]

While driving this weekend, Mrs. Q and I got to discussing ... "what should Ken do with his newfound fame?" Assuming he's the type (not necessarily a safe assumption) to tr to capitalize on this opportunity...

I think writing a book, and getting it out quickly, is a real option.

But we started thinking about TV opportunitites... perhaps something trivia-related (duh)? Host his own game show (a la Win Ben Stein's Money)? Perhaps he could host a show that was geared toward the game show crowd - but not really a game show -- more of a "trivia whirlwind" concept?

Interesting possibilities... I figure he could eaisly pocket another million by year's end. I'd buy his book.

[Bee]

I wonder who makes more per episode...Alex or Ken?

[Pyser]

oh man, he was in trouble today. got the last question right (for $2k) to more than double second place....

the most impressive part though was the beginning of double jeopardy. he only had a $2,000 lead, and then got, id say, the next 15 questions right. he only got in trouble when he lost more than $9k on his daily doubles....

[sterlingice]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=597&e=1&u=/nm/20040715/tv_nm/television_jeopardy_dc

Winning Streak Propels 'Jeopardy' Ratings
By Kimberly Speight

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "Jeopardy!" is reaping the ratings rewards of a record-setting winning streak by contestant Ken Jennings.

The veteran quiz show has seen its ratings skyrocket since Jennings' first appearance on June 2. On Tuesday, the episode that saw Jennings pass the $1 million mark delivered an 11.1 rating/21 share in Nielsen Media Research's top 56 "metered" markets.

That rating is up 25% over the 8.9/17 average that "Jeopardy!" posted in the metered markets during the week of June 28, when Jennings was already well into his winning streak. It's also up 41% from the 7.9 average household rating the show logged on a national basis for the week ending July 4, the most recent week for which national figures are available. With that 7.9 rating, the show was up 5% week-to-week and up 36% compared with the same period a year ago.

Tuesday's episode marked the 30th consecutive appearance for Jennings, a 30-year-old software developer from Salt Lake City. Until fall 2003, there was a five-day win-limit for "Jeopardy!" contestants; now there is no limit to how long they can continue on the show as long as they keep winning.

The show also managed to tie with "Wheel of Fortune" for the first time this season, with both shows sitting in the No. 1 spot in the overall syndication rankings for the week.

"Wheel of Fortune," meanwhile, was down 1% from the previous week. Among other game shows, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" was down 6% to a 3.4, and "Family Feud" was down 17% to a 1.9.

Elsewhere in syndication, most of the other shows were either down or flat for the week, which included the Fourth of July holiday and preemptions for NBC's roughly 30 hours of coverage of the Wimbledon (news (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/DailyNews/manual/*http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news?fr=news-storylinks&p=%22Wimbledon%22&c=&n=20&yn=c&c=news&cs=nw) - web sites (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/DailyNews/manual/*http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=web-storylinks&p=Wimbledon)) tennis tournament. "The Oprah Winfrey Show" was still the No. 1 talker with a 5.2, but that figure was down 20% from the previous week, when the show saw a small boost with an appearance from President Clinton (news (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/DailyNews/manual/*http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news?fr=news-storylinks&p=%22President%20Clinton%22&c=&n=20&yn=c&c=news&cs=nw) - web sites (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/DailyNews/manual/*http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=web-storylinks&p=President%20Clinton)) to promote his new memoir, "My Life."

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

[korme]

So, where has this guy been all the years that Jeopardy has been running?

[cthomer5000]

I think the best chance someone has of beating him is to get a couple of the daily doubles to keep pace and then get the Final Jeopardy question right when he misses it. I know they tape 5 shows a day, but does anyone know if they tape 5 shows every day or are there breaks between tapings? The pace might get to him as well...
I think someone hitting two daily doubles (and wagering heavily on them) is the only real chance anyone has.

[Samdari]

I think someone hitting two daily doubles (and wagering heavily on them) is the only real chance anyone has.

I wonder. While this guy is certainly amazing, they seem to be buying suits for street people lately to find Ken's opponents - after all, him winning is good for ratings.

[Ksyrup]

I think he's going to lose pretty soon. Now that he's hit $1M, he appears to be attempting to buzz in on every question, whether or not he knows the answer. There were several times (more often than previously) where he struggled to come up with an answer after buzzing in. That, and when he gets a daily double, he's being more aggressive. He almost lost yesterday because he bet nearly $10K on 2 daily doubles that he missed.

He can still get by with a fraction of the correct responses he usually has, but he pulled his ass out of the fire last night. I think he'll continue to go for broke more often and will get knocked out pretty soon. I mean, after you've amassed $1M, what's another $17K on top of it? That's almost not worth the trouble. It's only worth it if he can continue to add $50K every show.

[QuikSand]

Last night proved interesting -- it was actually a pretty exciting match, as things were closer than they usually have been lately. But put it in perspective - the big drama down the stretch was just whether he would make the game another "runaway" where the FJ result couldn't alter the order of finish. Getting the last question locked that up for him, to his visible relief.

We're used to seeing Ken completely lap the field several times over -- this time, with the aid of two fairly significant daily double misses, he only doubled them up. And it was dramatic that there might actually be some modicum of drama to the Final Jeopardy.

Says a lot about his domination, really.


I also think that the comments about his competition are mostly unfair reflections of how good Ken is -- we don't really get to know how good these opponents are because Ken is obviously very comfortable, has the timing down, and knows his stuff extremely well. With all that - it's no surprise that new contestants, even pretty good ones, are getting buried quickly.

[Ksyrup]

Not to mention, they know what they're up against by the time they hit the stage, and for some of them, there's a pretty visible defeatist attitude/bewilderment when they get to the first commercial break and they've rang in once, and he's already got $6K.

Last night, his opponents held their own through the first round, but he started to bury them at the beginning of the second round, and would have done so if he hadn't missed the 2 DDs. Still, that first round was as flustered and uncomfortable as I've seen him on the show. I think he's taking bigger and bigger chances that will eventually cause him to lose. Although with over a $1M, I wouldn't characterize his leaving as "losing" in any way.

[Samdari]

I mean, after you've amassed $1M, what's another $17K on top of it? That's almost not worth the trouble. It's only worth it if he can continue to add $50K every show.

Huh? They tape 5 shows a day. If you "only" win $17,000 each show, you still win $85,000 a day, or 1.5 - 2 times his salary. Plus, you get to come back for another show.

So, even if you had a million dollars (or more accurately, the $400,000 he keeps) would you take twice your salary to answer questions for half a day tomorrow?

[sabotai]

So, even if you had a million dollars (or more accurately, the $400,000 he keeps)

Why does he only keep $400,000 (other than the obvious federal income tax)?

I wonder how many of the previous 5-day champions and winners of the Tournament of Champions would have been able to do what Ken has done. I'd bet at least several would have. It'd be interesting to see who, and when, the next "Ken" will be.

[rkmsuf]

Huh? They tape 5 shows a day. If you "only" win $17,000 each show, you still win $85,000 a day, or 1.5 - 2 times his salary. Plus, you get to come back for another show.

So, even if you had a million dollars (or more accurately, the $400,000 he keeps) would you take twice your salary to answer questions for half a day tomorrow?

Yeah but after you win so many in a row it's only natural to try things you "normally" wouldn't.

He's more inclined to take bigger risks/reward knowing there's 1+ million in the bank.

That's without counting the fame quotient. I'm sure he's going to be making the rounds on the talk show circut and there's probably a book and other game show appearances in the works.

[Samdari]

Why does he only keep $400,000 (other than the obvious federal income tax)?

I wonder how many of the previous 5-day champions and winners of the Tournament of Champions would have been able to do what Ken has done. I'd bet at least several would have. It'd be interesting to see who, and when, the next "Ken" will be.

Total taxes will be ~50%. Mormon tithe is 10%.

EDIT: I was going to post an edit that the 50% might be a bit high. Maybe not though. He pays 35% federal tax on income over %300,000. Assuming he makes about 87k, that makes $800,000 of his earnings taxed at this rate. Call it 34% average, since most of the rest would be taxed at 33%.

The 87k assumption had a purpose. That would mean that he pays no more social security on this money. Lucky, since he would likely have to pay the self-employment rate of 12.4%, since no employer paid the other half.

He pays 3% for medicare (I am assuming this money is all taxed at the self employment rate).

I am unclear whether he owes income tax in Utah or California. The top rate in Utah is 7%, California 9.3. Lets go with Utah.

So, total tax burden here is 44%, unless he pays cali state tax, in which case its 46.3.

[Samdari]

Yeah but after you win so many in a row it's only natural to try things you "normally" wouldn't.

He's more inclined to take bigger risks/reward knowing there's 1+ million in the bank.

That's without counting the fame quotient. I'm sure he's going to be making the rounds on the talk show circut and there's probably a book and other game show appearances in the works.

I agree he'll do things he's normally not inclined to do, because of everything he's accomplished. I still don't think he'll care less about winning $17,000, because (and he knows this better than anyone) the key to winning a lot of money on this show is to keep coming back.

[rkmsuf]

It's very hard to stay consistent and within yourself. It helps to be super smart though

[QuikSand]

Just a general note here -- I am not often home to watch Jeopardy! at its original airing, and so I watch on TiVo with Mrs. Q when we can.

I really, really don't want to accidentally stumble onto this thread and see "wow, I can't believe he lost!" before I've seen it myself. I'll do my part - I make every effort to avoid this thread until I have seen that day's episode.


Please mark any spoilers fairly.

[rkmsuf]

That's definition of attention to detail. Writing "Jeopardy!" with the !


Bravo!

[sterlingice]

QUASI-SPOILERS

















This is one of the better ones in recent weeks. All three guys are quite smart and quick.

SI

[Maple Leafs]

That one guy who wagered $500 or so on a Double Jeopardy deserved to be slapped. You're facing the Babe Ruth of Jeopardy, grow some balls! Yeesh...

I wonder, though. Does Ken buzz in on virtually every question because he's bored, or because he's figured out that it's the best strategy? After all, most questions are phrased in such a way that there's a clue buried in there, often very obviously. At the worst, he gets it wrong but prevents the other contestants from getting into any sort of rhythym.

(Speaking of which, was it me, or was one of the contestants tonight getting visibly frustrated at his inability to buzz in?)

[Suicane75]

(Speaking of which, was it me, or was one of the contestants tonight getting visibly frustrated at his inability to buzz in?)

Ive noticed this a couple of times over the run. They get spastic on the button then really disheveled when Ken keeps getting in before them.

[Ksyrup]

That one guy who wagered $500 or so on a Double Jeopardy deserved to be slapped. You're facing the Babe Ruth of Jeopardy, grow some balls! Yeesh...

I wonder, though. Does Ken buzz in on virtually every question because he's bored, or because he's figured out that it's the best strategy? After all, most questions are phrased in such a way that there's a clue buried in there, often very obviously. At the worst, he gets it wrong but prevents the other contestants from getting into any sort of rhythym.

(Speaking of which, was it me, or was one of the contestants tonight getting visibly frustrated at his inability to buzz in?)
That's what I've noticed - that he's just buzzing in on nearly every question that appears to have the clue buried in it, and he figures that he'll rely on his smarts to come up with the answer. And he's been doing that more often recently.

[QuikSand]

That one guy who wagered $500 or so on a Double Jeopardy deserved to be slapped. You're facing the Babe Ruth of Jeopardy, grow some balls! Yeesh...


Agreed in general, but I'm not sure about this particular case. The category was a ballbuster (I'm forgetting what it was at the moment) but the $400 question was a stumper, there was one other that went unanswered, and the DD was located in the bottom spot -- not exactly a formula for a high percentage play.

In general, I'm with you in the "swing for the fences" mentality up against Ken, but here I thought it was probably wise to lay low - the setup was potentially brutal.

You can still make the case that he had to do it, though, I suppose... all things considered.

[Wolfpack]

I've noticed the game has been particularly brutal the last couple of nights, hence Ken's winnings have gone down. Wonder if they've decided to ratchet the difficulty up a little to make things more interesting (after all, if it's a runaway by Double Jeopardy, those casual viewers the show's picked up on this run will surely drop away to some extent, so they gotta make it interesting somehow).

[Samdari]

Missed last night due to traveling.

I am assuming the lack of outcry means Ken continued to dominate?

[SirFozzie]

From TVGameShows.net

If ever a textbook Jeopardy! performance was delivered, Friday's was it by Ken Jennings. In the tradition of Frank Spangenberg, Jerome Vered and Brian Weikle, Jennings dominated from start to finish to earn his 33rd consecutive victory.
The sensation, who has earned international media attention, added another $50,000 to his record regular season purse. His total of $1,100,460 moves him likely within two wins of supplanting Million $ Masters champion Brad Rutter as syndicated television's all-time top game show winner.
ennings rocked to a 91 percent success rate (40 of 44), including 19 of 20 in Double Jeopardy!
He swept all three Daily Doubles, earning $13,400---his largest total during his nearly seven weeks on the big-money answers.
At the end of Jeopardy!, the Murray, Ut., software engineer held his biggest first-round lead to date, up $13,200 to $2,400 for Frank McNeil of Louisville and $400 for homemaker Mary McCarthy of Las Vegas.
Jennings reached $40,000 at the end of Double Jeopardy!, more than $10,000 above his previous average pre-Final Jeopardy! total.
Final category: Food. Answer: experts belive that 16th Century Dutch growers, through breeding, gave this vegetable its color to honor their ruling house.
McCarthy and Jennings were both correct with: what is the carrot? McNeil had the correct color: what is orange? (but not the correct question).
McCarthy nearly doubled her $3,200 total to $6,300. McNeil fell back to $3,199.
Jennings pocketed an additional $10,000 for his 50 grand finish. His daily winnings are back to $33,347.
Said host Alex Trebek: "Who knows? He may have his own condo in Los Angeles soon."

[QuikSand]

Does anyone else here remember Frank Spangenburg? I think he was the first really memorable Jeopardy! champion (for the revival, at least) - a NYC cop, really tall guy with a very distinctive voice.

[kcchief19]

I do. My friends and I were really hooked on Jeopardy at that time. There was also a guy named Bob (edit: it was Bob Verini) who was on the show in the late 80s. IIRC, I think he lost his bid for a fifth day but then came back and won the Tournament of Champions in a rout. He was a fun champion as well.

Which begs the question -- what kind of pressure will there be on Ken to win the next Tournament of Champions?

[Ksyrup]

How far in advance do they tape these shows? At this point, I'm wondering if the joke in all of this is that while we're watching this guy rack up hundreds of thousands of dollars, and he's talking about it in the here and now, he's still playing the damn game and hasn't been defeated yet!

Last night was another demolition, although he blew final jeopardy and lost about $11K. I find it odd that he refuses to go for the single-game record. He's tied the record at least twice, and would have done so again last night, but he refuses to bet even a dollar more. I tend to think that speaks well of him. Maybe he feels like he's already done so much, to take that record just for the sake of having it would make him look bad. Maybe, I don't know.

[spleen1015]

He tied the record 2 days last week. On the 3rd day, he bet enough to surpass the record by ~$10,000 and missed the FJ question.

I believe these shows were taped back in Feb-Mar. The guy over at OOTP faced this guy and his taping was in Feb.

[Ksyrup]

Guess I missed that one. OK then, the guy is a cold-hearted and egotistical bastard, bent on world domination of trivia games. Or maybe he just wants to make enough money to tempt Alex Trebek to sleep with him.

[QuikSand]

If movies have taught me anything, this can end only one way: He must face Alex Trebek!

Come on, they've been teasing it already with Trebek's thinly-veiled disgust each time he won't go for the record. You can tell he's dying to get out there and just go Ben Stein on him.

Yes, I think we need an episode where Trebek leaves the podium and faces him one-on-one. Think of the final scene of Gladiator (only on a game show set instead of a colliseum).

I keep thinking of this and laughing. I don't often get a two-week chuckle from FOFC.

[Samdari]

Guess I missed that one. OK then, the guy is a cold-hearted and egotistical bastard, bent on world domination of trivia games. Or maybe he just wants to make enough money to tempt Alex Trebek to sleep with him.

Watch the interation between the two. Ken has taken Alex as his second wife since about the 4th day/15th episode.

[Subby]

Just to answer the question Samdari asked a few days ago - they take California tax out of your prize check - and I am pretty sure that is it...I don't think they withhold anything else.

Although I am guessing they aren't going to just mail the guy a check :)

[Samdari]

Just to answer the question Samdari asked a few days ago - they take California tax out of your prize check - and I am pretty sure that is it...I don't think they withhold anything else.

Although I am guessing they aren't going to just mail the guy a check :)

Don't they have to withhold federal income tax on anything over $10,000??

In any case, the point is somewhat moot, since that will come due at some point.

[Ksyrup]

Even the Sports Guy can't miss the opportunity to take a shot at this guy. All I know is, as 7:30 approaches every night, my 5 year old asks, "Is it time to watch Ken? Is Ken winning yet?" It's like Jeopardy! has become a Disney movie in my house.



By Bill Simmons
Page 2

Editor's Note: This column appears in the August 2 edition of ESPN The Magazine.

"Jeopardy!" answer: he dutifully followed the game show exploits of a grating software engineer from Salt Lake City.

"Jeopardy!" question: who is ... aw, forget it. It's me, okay? I'm obsessed with the Jeopardy Guy. Watching this Mormon assassin emerge as the MJ of nerds has been the highlight of my summer. He's earned the coveted No.1 spot on my TiVo Season Pass, as well as acronym status: the Sports Gal and I refer to him as the JG. I wish I were kidding. Watching him pocket a million-plus during his astounding 35-game winning streak -- still going as I write this -- we alternately revered him and hoped Alex Trebek would punch him in the face.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5 rowSpan=2><SPACER height="1" width="5" type="block"></TD><TD width=195>http://espn.starwave.com/i/magazine/new/040721_jennings.jpg</TD></TR><TR><TD width=195>Ken Jennings, also known as JG.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Yes, he's a smarmy know-it-all with the personality of a hall monitor, the kind of guy everyone hides from at a Christmas party. But he has "it" -- that indefinable quality you have when you know you're good, when you're in the zone and taking everyone for a ride. The '86 Celts had it. They toyed with teams before ripping their hearts out, Temple of Doom style. The JG does too. Not since the pre-nanny Tiger has somebody laid the smack down like this. He doesn't beat people, he dismantles them.

There's something comforting about seeing the JG's smiling, Stepford mug every night, and the way he shakes his head in disbelief as Trebek announces his absurd money total. (Of course, the number should be higher. Isn't this streak 10 times more impressive than someone rattling off 10 answers on Regis' Millionaire show?) Maybe he's boring; maybe he's unlikable. But like the truly great ones, he raises his game when it matters. Who else can you count on to do that these days?

I can remember him being tested only once in the past month. On June 25, a bald musician named Michael pulled within $200 near the end of Round 2. It was like seeing Douglas whistling jabs at Tyson. The normally unflappable Trebek pulled a Kevin Harlan, yelping, "We got a game!"

Not for long. The JG calmly padded his lead heading into commercial, then fended the bald guy off in Final Jeopardy. Definitely an ESPN Classic moment. As we awaited his final answer (What is leprosy?), the JG stared into the camera like Stephen A. Smith, playing up the drama before breaking into an exaggerated Dr. Evil smile when the correct response was revealed. As always, the Sports Gal summed up everyone's feelings: "I hope he gets eaten by a tiger."
<!---------------------INLINE TABLE (END)--------------------->
He chugged along untouched for the next three weeks, nailing every category imaginable, TV's version of DiMaggio. Searching for challenges, the JG honed some annoying ploys, including expressing doubt when he responds (you know, to raise everyone's hopes before dashing them); adding drawings to Final Jeopardy answer cards (like Jimmy Carter's front teeth); and his "Oh, what the heck?" arrogance during Daily Doubles, when he says stuff like, "I don't know the first thing about the history of nuclear fusion in Croatia ... I better wager just $9,500." There hasn't been a villain this good since Billy Zabka. Even Alex seems to enjoy him; their dorky Ali-Cosell routine is funnier than any sitcom.

At this point, the JG is doing everything but making cell phone calls or throwing in a load of laundry during the show, as he goads opponents into taking crazy risks. Last Thursday, a competitor named Tom wagered all but $200 of his $6,200 nest egg on a Daily Double. You do that when you're going against the best. It's like bunting to break up a Koufax perfect game. Tom heard the question, hemmed and hawed, winced a few times, then threw out a "guess" ... and nailed it. Uh-oh. That's the JG's move. This was like John Starks sticking out his tongue and dunking on MJ. Certain lines should not be crossed. Even Alex's voice hushed.

You can guess what happened next. Trailing by $1,400 with half the board remaining, the JG rolled up the sleeves of his professor's jacket and went to work: six straight answers for six grand. When a flustered Tom botched the next one, the JG answered it correctly, exhaling for good measure. By the end of the second round, he'd tripled Tom's total, practically preening as they headed into commercial. The lesson, as always: don't wake up a sleeping corduroy giant.

Will the JG ever lose? I see it ending like Gagne's save streak -- a close game, then some sort of fluke and everyone standing around in disbelief. Either that, or one of the other contestants pummels him to death. "I can't even look at him anymore," the Sports Gal hissed last week. "His face is so punchable." But isn't that the point? We need villains, even if they come in the form of a wispy computer geek.

That's why I will always remember the summer of the JG.

[rkmsuf]

here's one Ken would never get.

A: This is the highest rated American TV show ever shown in Korea.

[vtbub]

What is Dog eat Dog?

[rkmsuf]

no but that's a good one

[sterlingice]

How far in advance do they tape these shows? At this point, I'm wondering if the joke in all of this is that while we're watching this guy rack up hundreds of thousands of dollars, and he's talking about it in the here and now, he's still playing the damn game and hasn't been defeated yet!

Last night was another demolition, although he blew final jeopardy and lost about $11K. I find it odd that he refuses to go for the single-game record. He's tied the record at least twice, and would have done so again last night, but he refuses to bet even a dollar more. I tend to think that speaks well of him. Maybe he feels like he's already done so much, to take that record just for the sake of having it would make him look bad. Maybe, I don't know.
Well, I was reading spoilers over at TWoP and according to them, the season has long since been taped. I'm kindof leary to post about the end of the streak, tho, because it's kindof uncorroborated rumor and innuendo. Maybe I should do black on black spoiler text or something.

SI

[SirFozzie]

The end of the season is I think Friday, so if he's still champion, he'll be back in August

[sabotai]

I can't beleive he didn't know the Final Jeopardy question last night. If I remember right, none of them did! That must be it. Geography is his weakness!! It's a strength in me! I am the chosen one! I will be the one to defeat Ken The Jeopardy Guy!!! MWHAHAHA!!

(Yes, I did know the answer was Algeria. I was surprised none of them did)

[rkmsuf]

I can't beleive he didn't know the Final Jeopardy question last night. If I remember right, none of them did! That must be it. Geography is his weakness!! It's a strength in me! I am the chosen one! I will be the one to defeat Ken The Jeopardy Guy!!! MWHAHAHA!!

(Yes, I did know the answer was Algeria. I was surprised none of them did)

The answer was "what is Algeria" Einstein.

[Samdari]

The answer was "what is Algeria" Einstein.

That would be the question was "What is Algeria?" Einstein.

[rkmsuf]

That would be the question was "What is Algeria?" Einstein.

damn you.

[Wolfpack]

Yeah, geography may give you an edge. What else you got on him?

[Bee]

Can we come up with 6 categories that sabotai could have a chance against him in?

Let's see:

Geography
.
.
.
oh! Computer Sports Text Sims!
.
.
.
hmm...that's about all I can come up with...

[sterlingice]

He *is* a software engineer so who knows, maybe he plays FOF or OOTP or something ;)

EDIT: You know, Qwik was gone for a while when this was supposedly taping but I haven't heard Ken shout out "2/3rds" yet, so nahhhh... :D

SI

[sabotai]

Let's see...I'm really good at History, though I know he is too. Maybe if it was specifically on Mongol History. :)

He doesn't look like much of a "head banger" to me, so a catagory on heavy metal music would be good for me....and of course, a catagory on sports.

[Franklinnoble]

He's Mormon... so your categories should be:

Strip Clubs

Adult Videos

Beer

Hard Liquor

Tobacco

Narcotics

[sabotai]

Yes, I'd kill him in those catagories! Especially considering my first hand experience with all of them!

[Samdari]

Beer

Hard Liquor


Oddly, he has dominated the "potent potables" category a couple times.

Categories to stump Ken would be more like:

"Fun"

and

"Premarital Sex"

[sabotai]

"Fun" and "Premarital Sex"....aren't they the same thing?

[cuervo72]

Let's see...I'm really good at History, though I know he is too. Maybe if it was specifically on Mongol History. :)

He doesn't look like much of a "head banger" to me, so a catagory on heavy metal music would be good for me....and of course, a catagory on sports.

There was a music category last night (rock?), and it basically stumped everybody.

[Franklinnoble]

"Fun" and "Premarital Sex"....aren't they the same thing?
Not always.

For example, if Kobe goes to prison, he will have lots of premarital sex. I don't know how much fun he'll be having with it, though.

[sterlingice]

I'd be content just to beat him on luck with these categories:

Heads or Tails
What Number is Alex Thinking of?
Rock, Paper, Scissors
Red or Black
Picking a Contestant's Name out of a Hat
Even/Odds

SI