Jeopardy! Season 31 (2014-2015)

[secnarf]

The spelling rule is that if the word can be pronounced the same as the right answer, it can be counted as correct. "Blac" is not a word, but there is no reasonable way to pronounce it other than the same as "Black". So it's correct, it is an easy call. She did dodge a bit of a bullet as there are probably not many FJ responses for which you could leave off the last letter and still get ruled correct. If she had said "Black Sea and Caspia", it would be wrong, even though it is obvious what she was going for. 

I can see that "Blac" is considered to sound the same as "Black", but it's not the same as "Black Sea". What if she was going to write "Black Lake" or something? Which is pretty unlikely, which is why I said it was obvious what she was going for, but the name of the body of water is the Black Sea, not Black.

[proserpina65]

Okay, well I'll confess that Alex's not even trying to answer the FJ did kinda bug me.

Can I please see him play against Arthur Chu? That I would definitely watch.

 

Only if I don't have to watch, because the site of that smug arsehole on my tv again would raise my blood pressure to stroke level.

[saber5055]

Alex wasn't going to bet any money on FJ anyway so I guess to him his answer didn't matter so he did a shout out. I've seen it many times (didn't Ken Jennings do it on some appearance?) so it did not bug me. He already knows he's smart so doesn't have to prove it with a FJ answer that means nothing. To him, anyway.

 

Since this show is edited to fit the time allowed by the network and isn't shown in real time, how can Alex be stalling to delay the game when all of the clues are still revealed by the end of the show? I've attended Jeopardy tapings but it was years ago and i don't remember there being some hard-and-fast timeline to complete each taping.

 

So I guess I can't seen Alex stalling to prevent the others from getting a chance at the questions.

 

Maybe the battery pack mic on his back is slipping or something so he has to keep checking it and isn't back scratching. Although if that is the case, production would step up and fix it. So, never mind. I did notice the camera cut away a couple time when that left arm swung around to his back so the show is noticing, too. Plus he was less jumpy Monday, even though that episode was probably taped immediately after Friday's.

 

And asking about American Sniper ... really uncomfortable.

Edited April 14, 2015 by saber5055

[proserpina65]

There was a woman a couple of years ago who wrote "Waitin for Godot" and she lost the points.

 

Because 'waitin' isn't pronounced the same as 'waiting'.  The 'blac' thing is a bit iffier.  I probably wouldn't have accepted it without the 'sea', but then again, I wouldn't accept 'de Medici' as the name of the Italian family either; I'm mean like that.

[proserpina65]

Since this show is edited to fit the time allowed by the network and isn't shown in real time, how can Alex be stalling to delay the game when all of the clues are still revealed by the end of the show? I've attended Jeopardy tapings but it was years ago and i don't remember there being some hard-and-fast timeline to complete each taping.

So I guess I can't seen Alex stalling to prevent the others from getting a chance at the questions.

He took so long on his last DD on Friday that Host Alex had to prompt him to pick an amount to bet, and even then, he hemmed and hawed a bit more.  He was definitely stalling to prevent the other contestants from getting those last few clues.  Not that it probably would've made any difference because he was out of their reach by then, but it's annoying because I want to see all the clues in every game.

 

I've attended Jeopardy tapings but it was years ago and i don't remember there being some hard-and-fast timeline to complete each taping.

 

There is - each round has a set amount of time, and when someone plays slowly (for whatever reason) they risk not getting to all the clues in that round.  When a game goes slowly, you'll hear Alex comment on there only being one minute left in the round.

Edited April 14, 2015 by proserpina65

[Trey]

 

Since this show is edited to fit the time allowed by the network and isn't shown in real time, how can Alex be stalling to delay the game when all of the clues are still revealed by the end of the show?

 

But all of the clues are not necessarily revealed in each round - except in tournaments, I believe.  So stalling is a tactic used to keep the other contestants from possibly getting more money.

 

I missed last night's game but on Friday's game I really thought Alex was just trying to decide if he should go big or play it safe on that DD - but he could have been just stalling too.

Edited April 14, 2015 by Trey

[saber5055]

I missed last night's game but on Friday's game I really thought Alex was just trying to decide if he should go big or play it safe on that DD - but he could have been just stalling too.

 

 

But don't contestants have a certain amount of time to answer? Or on DD can they take all the time they like to figure out how much to bid? I saw Alex's hesitations as him trying to get his brain to focus on one thing instead of it flying all over the place, like to his itching back.

 

But all of the clues are not necessarily revealed in each round - except in tournaments, I believe.  So stalling is a tactic used to keep the other contestants from possibly getting more money.

 

 

What has been the most answers left on a board at the end of a round? One or two left is not unusual, but I've never seen most of the game still up there, which would happen if a contestant were stalling to keep others from uncovering answers.

Edited April 14, 2015 by saber5055

[secnarf]

But don't contestants have a certain amount of time to answer? Or on DD can they take all the time they like to figure out how much to bid? I saw Alex's hesitations as him trying to get his brain to focus on one thing instead of it flying all over the place, like to his itching back.

 

What has been the most answers left on a board at the end of a round? One or two left is not unusual, but I've never seen most of the game still up there, which would happen if a contestant were stalling to keep others from uncovering answers.

Contestants have a certain amount of time to answer, but that doesn't include the bid. That doesn't mean they can stand there for >30 seconds figuring it out though, because there's still only a certain amount of time for the round.

I can't for the life of me remember when, but I remember seeing a whole category left up there once - I was annoyed because I had been looking forward to the category.

Sometimes even when Alex (Trebek) is reading out clues really slowly, I get annoyed because it eats into the time they've got for the round. I hate when there are still clues left on the board.

[mojoween]

I love when they show all the clues too. I hate when there are clues left in a category I know. And it drives me batty when Alex editorializes after a response, especially when the contestant interrupts him to ask for the next clue. Shut up, man! These people are trying to win money, not listen to your inner monologue.

[dcalley]

I also was bothered less by Alex on Monday than on Friday.

 

Roger Craig said in the past that there's no time limit on the DD wagering decision. He took a long time a couple of times, and I think that he and Alex were just doing a lot of mental math and not stalling.

[opus]

Didn't they used to have a category where they just used leftover uncovered clues from past shows? (It may have even been called LEFTOVERS).

[Trey]

Didn't they used to have a category where they just used leftover uncovered clues from past shows? (It may have even been called LEFTOVERS).

I am pretty sure I remember that too.

[saber5055]

I think that's the Potpourri category now, a little bit of everything left over. It would be a shame not to use those answers writers worked hard to think up. 

 

I agree about Alex doing mental math and not purposely stalling.

[teebax]

It wasn't just the daily double he slow played Friday. You'll have to watch again because I refuse to do so. He slowed down in picking the next clues as well. I thought it was obvious but, as usual, your mileage may vary. As I said, we'll find out if he has another game that's not as much of a blowout as Monday's was.

[Roaster]

Gutsy Daily Double bet today and it paid off for him (Alex).  Gave him all sorts of breathing room, even if these runaways are kind of a bummer to watch.  Too bad he missed FJ - we could have seen a monster payday.

[GreekGeek]

Regarding Final Jeopardy, I forgot that Clinton was born with a different name. I thought Ulysses S. Grant was originally Hiram Ulysses Grant, so why would he have been incorrect? I didn't think the clue specified last names.

[opus]

Regarding Final Jeopardy, I forgot that Clinton was born with a different name. I thought Ulysses S. Grant was originally Hiram Ulysses Grant, so why would he have been incorrect? I didn't think the clue specified last names.

Sorry. Last names.

http://www.jeopardy.com/gamesandmobile/clueoftheday/

[GreekGeek]

OK, thanks for the correction.

[mojoween]

The fact that I had absolutely no idea who the answer could have been in FJ is not giving me hope for my chances on the test that is about to start.

[Misslindsey]

Contestant Alex reminds me of Jonah Hill. 

 

I got the Clinton half of FJ and missed the Ford half. 

[saber5055]

One reason I'm liking Alex the Contestant is that he doesn't say that most irritating line ever: "I've always wanted to say this, Alex, let's make it a True Daily Double." Instead he just says, "I'll bet the whole thing." I totally LOVE him for that. And, thank the gods, not once has Alex the Host said, "HELL-low" when he has bet the whole thing.

 

It's all so refreshing.

 

And I only saw Alex the C. put his left arm behind his back once. He sort of left it there without itching that I could see. I still get a kick out of his deer-in-headlights expression though, that's still there.

 

The fact that I had absolutely no idea who the answer could have been in FJ is not giving me hope for my chances on the test that is about to start.

 

 

No kidding. I barely made it through the practice test. Bright side: I'll never have to worry about you guys making fun of me itching and jumping around when I'm (not) a contestant on this show.

[secnarf]

I'm enjoying watching Alex more and more as he goes on. I really like watching contestants end up with big pay days, and I totally agree - I love that he never says "let's make it a true daily double". I burst out laughing when he said he'd bet $100 - though imo that was a really easy DD, he missed it, so it ended up being a wise move.

[peeayebee]

I had no idea for FJ. Clinton had a stepfather, right? Abusive? Or was that his biological father. Is the reason for him changing his name somewhere in that?

 

Also, why did Ford change his name, and what was it?

 

I don't mind Alex (contestant) too much, except for the hunting around for DDs. However, singing the alphabet backwards is no big thing. I can do that. It's not hard.

[Prevailing Wind]

Ford is another one of those "I don't know how the hell I know this..." but I knew his name was originally Leslie King.  Not only did his last name change, so did his first & middle...  http://www.biography.com/people/gerald-ford-9298683

His bio-dad must've been a real peach of a guy. </sarcasm>

 

Clinton's name was Blythe. Step-dad Clinton adopted him.

Edited April 15, 2015 by Prevailing Wind

[secnarf]

I had no idea for FJ. Clinton had a stepfather, right? Abusive? Or was that his biological father. Is the reason for him changing his name somewhere in that?

 

Also, why did Ford change his name, and what was it?

 

I don't mind Alex (contestant) too much, except for the hunting around for DDs. However, singing the alphabet backwards is no big thing. I can do that. It's not hard.

I wikipedia'd both presidents after the game lol. Yeah Clinton changed his name to his stepfather's, but apparently his stepfather was also abusive.

Ford never really knew his biological father until he was older; his mother changed his whole name (first, middle and last) to match his stepfather's.

[biakbiak]

Clinton`s bio died dad before he was born. Ford's name was born Leslie King Jr. Parents divorced when he was only a few weeks old and his father was an abusive assailed and so they changed his name to that of his stepfather. It was Clinton's stepfather who was abusive.

Edited April 15, 2015 by biakbiak

[Bastet]

I knew Clinton immediately, but had no clue on the other president.  I jumped too far back in trying to come up with it, but I didn't know that about Ford, anyway, so it wouldn't have mattered.

 

I figured Drop Kick Me, Jesus was going to be a TS, but I was disappointed anyway.  I thought someone would have known Heartbreaker.

 

I was surprised Paleozoic was a TS, since I thought it obvious from Alex's response to Paleolithic that it was on the right track. 

 

I thought the Hoover Dam clue was too easy for a DD.

 

"George Clooney's bride" has a name, writers.

[opus]

One reason I'm liking Alex the Contestant is that he doesn't say that most irritating line ever: "I've always wanted to say this, Alex, let's make it a True Daily Double."

Honestly, not once in my life have I ever wanted to say Alex, let's make it a true daily double.

[dcalley]

I was surprised Trebek didn't explain FJ like he frequently does. We also had to go to Wikipedia after the show.

[ChicagoCita]

I knew Ford right away -- I have no idea why.  I rumbled around the earlier presidents until a light bulb went off and I knew it was Clinton.  I didn't know about any abuse issues, I just assumed both fathers died when the kids were tiny, their mothers remarried, and wanted a tidy family with all the same last names.

[proserpina65]

I totally ran that Mount Everest category.  But then, that's one of my few totally unexpected specialist categories (if you ever met me, you'd understand) so I'd have been embarrassed had I gotten any of those ridiculously easy questions wrong.  Hell, I could've answered them all in my sleep.

 

I was impressed that Alex knew Rich Man, Poor Man, though.  And I started wondering if maybe he has back problems.  Just something about the way he was standing at several points with his left arm up on the podium, and the way he kept shifting his weight from foot to foot; I do that when my back is really bothering me and I have to stand for awhile.

 

I didn't get the FJ though.  I figured Clinton because I knew he used his stepfather's name, but had completely forgotten about Ford.

Edited April 15, 2015 by proserpina65

[mojoween]

Aww I missed a Mount Everest category? Now I'm sad, I would love to know what they asked.

[Totale]

I'm sorry, but contestant Alex is driving me nuts with the board hopping and stalling (I don't care about the fidgeting, I'd do that), and every time he gets a bet clue we're rooting for him to bet it all and choke.  And for the producers to put the bets in the $200/400 row.

[alias1]

I have such an irrational dislike of the guy.  He is the most smug I have ever seen anyone on the show and sometimes he just looks disinterested.  I hope he eventually goes down in flames with his huge bets on the DD.  And Totale, I so agree with you that the producers should just put the DD under the lower dollar amounts.  And that's where the Hoover Dam clue should have been anyway.

[Browncoat]

I totally blanked on FJ, but I've been humming "Drop Kick Me Jesus" all day.

[ottoDbusdriver]

I'm sorry, but contestant Alex is driving me nuts with the board hopping and stalling (I don't care about the fidgeting, I'd do that), and every time he gets a bet clue we're rooting for him to bet it all and choke.  And for the producers to put the bets in the $200/400 row.

 

The boardhopping AFTER the DDs are all found in each round is the really annoying part -- there's no reason for boardhopping other than to confuse his opponents.

 

He is the most smug I have ever seen anyone on the show and sometimes he just looks disinterested.

 

He looks like he has better things to go do -- and is only on Jeopardy to kill time.

[Bastet]

And I started wondering if maybe he has back problems.  Just something about the way he was standing at several points with his left arm up on the podium, and the way he kept shifting his weight from foot to foot; I do that when my back is really bothering me and I have to stand for awhile.

 

I wondered that last night, too, because he looked rather uncomfortable at times.  (But he also looks/sounds bored sometimes, too, so his demeanor is hard to figure out.)

[proserpina65]

Aww I missed a Mount Everest category? Now I'm sad, I would love to know what they asked.

The game is up at J! Archive.  Alex missed a daily double which wanted to know the ethnicity of a particular young climber - the name told me instantly that it was Sherpa.  And the question about the Kangshung, Rombuk and Khumbu glaciers was a triple stumper.

 

I was also pretty jazzed to get the clue about the Beaufort Scale - hey, anything Royal Navy related is a win for me!  Actually read a bio of Beaufort; he was an interesting, if somewhat odd, person.

 

{edited because the clue specified ethnicity, not nationality}

Edited April 15, 2015 by proserpina65

[saber5055]

The boardhopping AFTER the DDs are all found in each round is the really annoying part -- there's no reason for boardhopping other than to confuse his opponents.

 

 

This. It can be confusing for viewers at home, too. I have to pay WAY too much attention when Alex goes sailing around the board. I've seen other contestants do that though and it worked for them, and seems to be working for this guy.

 

Yes, SO funny when Alex T prompted Alex to bet the whole thing again and he went with $100 instead. "Bite, me, Alex T!"

 

I thought Alex T was really nice to the woman contestant yesterday, the one who got FJ correct. Sometimes he's snotty to players and he's always pompous, so when he said something nice to the woman I was really gobsmacked.

 

Alex missed a daily double which wanted to know the nationality of a particular young climber - the name told me instantly that it was Sherpa.  And the question about the Kangshung, Rombuk and Khumbu glaciers was a triple stumper.

 

 

Everest is one of my interests so I was happy to see it. Right away I knew that name was Sherpa, then I wondered if Sherpa is a nationality, like is there a Sherpastan? Or is being Sherpa a race, like being Navajo? So I backpedaled on that answer. Because the Khumbu ice field is a major climbing point, I knew that answer right away.

 

I did not have one clue about FJ though. None.

Edited April 15, 2015 by saber5055

[Abstract]

I think they asked for the ethnicity, not the nationality.

[dcalley]

I totally blanked on FJ, but I've been humming "Drop Kick Me Jesus" all day.

I was kind of bummed no one got it!

 

The boardhopping AFTER the DDs are all found in each round is the really annoying part -- there's no reason for boardhopping other than to confuse his opponents.

But that is the reason. It helps him win. I can't blame him for prioritizing winning.

[proserpina65]

I think they asked for the ethnicity, not the nationality.

Yes, you are correct.  Alex's answer of "Nepalese" was the nationality but the clue specified the ethnicity.  I phrased it incorrectly in my comment.  I should've just copied the actual clue from J! Archive.  Sorry for the confusion.  I'll go back and fix it.

Edited April 15, 2015 by proserpina65

[peeayebee]

I was impressed that Alex knew Rich Man, Poor Man, though.  

I wasn't. He may have been too young to have seen the miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man (I'm not), but there's that old children's rhyme:

Rich man, poor man

Beggarman, thief.

Doctor, lawyer

Indian chief

I was surprised he took so long to answer.

[Browncoat]

 

I was surprised he took so long to answer.

 

 

I wasn't suprised -- he was stalling the game as he has done the whole time he's been on.

[proserpina65]

I wasn't. He may have been too young to have seen the miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man (I'm not), but there's that old children's rhyme:

 

 

I was surprised he took so long to answer.

I've never heard the rhyme, at least not that I remember.  So I'm still a little impressed.  (I'm too young to have seen the miniseries when it originally ran, but have seen it since - I used to have a thing for Peter Strauss.)

[saber5055]

I wasn't. He may have been too young to have seen the miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man (I'm not), but there's that old children's rhyme:

 

 

Wow. I never saw the miniseries although I've heard of it. But the old children's rhyme came right into my head. Which, I guess, tells everyone how old I am. Never even gave the miniseries one thought.

 

I still don't think Alex is stalling, why would he when he's tens of thousands ahead of second place. I think his head is just so full of swirling thoughts it takes him time to grab the right one.

[mojoween]

I didn't notice his back itchiness because I'm often listening and not watching but those podiums don't really look set up for tall people and he is very tall, so maybe he is just so very uncomfortable. I'm not over 5'1" so I'm just guessing.

He still drives me bonkers though.

This is from their Twitter page -

@Jeopardy: Celebrate the @Patriots Super Bowl win with the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS category today on #Jeopardy!

GROSS. And I'll probably run the category, and be very ashamed.

Edited April 15, 2015 by mojoween

[opus]

Aww I missed a Mount Everest category? Now I'm sad, I would love to know what they asked.

 

 

The game is up at J! Archive. 

No need to go. We deliver--

http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=4872

[Tunia]

Oh my gosh, mojoween, thank you so much for that spoiler!  Now I'll have to watch tonight even though Alex is still on. 

 

Edited b/c I was about to ruin your spoiler!

Edited April 15, 2015 by Tunia

[mojoween]

Thanks Gary!

"Into Thin Air" is one of my favorite books so I think it's highly over-valued as a $2000 clue but I also know it's probably not well known to everyone.

Tunia you're welcome, although you and I are on opposite sides of THAT fandom, heh (I'm a hardcore Giants fan, sorry).