Jeopardy! Season 35 (2018-2019)

[ProudMary]

Chalk up "Death" as another FJ instaget for me because of The West Wing. In my head, I heard Lord John Marbury quoting the biblical verse from Revelation to Jed Bartlet as he prepares to save the world from nuclear war between India and Pakistan. 

For "Lithium" I thank Nirvana. 😉

[Etta Place]

21 hours ago, Abstract said:

Yeah, a degree in math doesn't always mean someone is great at fast mental arithmetic, but obviously it does in this case.

Interesting that he has a Bachelor's in Math. And thanks for pointing this out, I have to explain this a lot when people are surprised on the occasions I figure something out more quickly (or more accurately) than my husband, who has a PhD in Math. Try going out to dinner with a table full of mathematicians ... 

But yes, it looks like James has always been good at mental math, according to his brother.

[Moose135]

34 minutes ago, ProudMary said:

Chalk up "Death" as another FJ instaget for me because of The West Wing. In my head, I heard Lord John Marbury quoting the biblical verse from Revelation to Jed Bartlet as he prepares to save the world from nuclear war between India and Pakistan.

That was the first thing I thought of as well!

14 hours ago, SpiritSong said:

In my city, we get a Jeopardy rerun on Saturday evenings. It was a show from 2017, and I was surprised at how boring I found it. Everyone started out at the $200 category and worked down, everyone made safe bets, everyone played so cautiously. I am loving James and the way he plays, and I hope he breaks Jennings record for most games won.

I hate this type of game play.  While it's enjoyable to watch the contestants, half the fun of J! is playing along, and when they are board hopping, it makes it difficult to keep up with the category, thus making it harder to respond correctly.  I know it's probably a thing of the dinosaurs now, but I prefer the "old" way of sticking with a category in order - often the clues are written and ordered with that style of game play in mind.  I'm OK with players making larger wagers and taking more risks, but I hate board jumping.

[peeayebee]

10 hours ago, Toothbrush said:

"He has forced me to change a view that I've had for many years ... that the Ken Jennings record will never be broken," Trebek said.

I thought Alex was going to say that the view of his which changed was that you should always start at the top of the categories.

11 hours ago, Bliss said:

I remember him saying that, and thought he was referring to his daughter - that she'd been to 14 countries. Perhaps I heard it incorrectly (brain isn't on full power these days)... and my thought was a 'wondering' if he'd been to more, before she became part of his world.

My impression is that since he was, proudly, talking about his daughter he was focused on HER accomplishments.

10 hours ago, Toothbrush said:

I didn't know what the L in LSD stood for

I know I've heard it or read it (maybe in a crossword puzzle), but I couldn't remember and was impressed that James got it. I should try to stop being impressed. 

13 hours ago, Katy M said:

I know all the horsemen, but for whatever reason I didn't think the anser could possibly be Death, because it seemed like that would be the answer. 

I've second-guessed FJ many times because the answer seemed too easy, but now I know that the obvious answer is often right.

[Mindthinkr]

I finally got to play last night albeit late since I had to record it. Then I got busy chatting. I got aardvark, ratification and was stumped on FJ. Now only if the western Deadwood had that in it, I would have gotten it easily lol. I got lysergic as well as the other drugs, but I was a nurse. I’m with everyone who dislikes the before and after categories. I always need extra time to figure them out. So great to be back here. 

[saber5055]

4 hours ago, mostlylurking said:

I guess since it’s syndicated each market that picks it up can air it whenever they want?

True this. It's on at 4:30 p.m. here on an NBC affiliate, which was nice during football draft when other people couldn't watch it since it is on ABC in the evening. I'm five hours north of St. Louis though, odd it airs at the same time there.

It was nice before tv went digital, I would listen to Jeopardy on my car radio driving home from work. That might be why I don't care about board jumping or what people look like (much) since I'm used to listening to the clues/answers, not LOOKING at the clues/people. I also didn't know any of the contestants for the same reason, and only heard of Ken Jennings when I had a day off work and was at a friend's house. She insisted on watching because of Ken, and told me about him.

23 minutes ago, peeayebee said:

I thought Alex was going to say that the view of his which changed was that you should always start at the top of the categories.

My thought exactly. So I guess he hasn't changed his view on that. LOL!

[Toothbrush]

My kids have a lot of traveling to do to reach James' daughter's passport stamps (hell, so do I). Dr Toothbrush & I took a trip to Ireland pre-kids & loved it so much that we took a family trip there in 2012. Quite a different dynamic adding 3 kids under the age of 7 into the equation 😀 Oldest has now been to 4 foreign countries and 2 youngest to 5. And yeah I was that mother who insisted that passports got stamped in Canada & Mexico 😔

[Toothbrush]

12 hours ago, suebee12 said:

 Next trip later this month to the Netherlands and Belgium....I am truly jealous of this trip!

Sounds wonderful! Hope they have a great time! I loved The Netherlands & the future queen was born while we were there so that was exciting. 

1 hour ago, Etta Place said:

Interesting that he has a Bachelor's in Math. And thanks for pointing this out, I have to explain this a lot when people are surprised on the occasions I figure something out more quickly (or more accurately) than my husband, who has a PhD in Math. Try going out to dinner with a table full of mathematicians ... 

But yes, it looks like James has always been good at mental math, according to his brother.

OMG so true! I have a Bachelors in math also & tend to overanalyze. Many years ago I was helping one of my cousins with a word problem & had 3/4 of a page of equations, which was much more space than the teacher had provided for the students to show their work. I went over it & was able to reduce it to 3 or 4 steps from my approx 500 😜

1 hour ago, Moose135 said:

That was the first thing I thought of as well!

I hate this type of game play.  While it's enjoyable to watch the contestants, half the fun of J! is playing along, and when they are board hopping, it makes it difficult to keep up with the category, thus making it harder to respond correctly.  I know it's probably a thing of the dinosaurs now, but I prefer the "old" way of sticking with a category in order - often the clues are written and ordered with that style of game play in mind.  I'm OK with players making larger wagers and taking more risks, but I hate board jumping.

Going from top to bottom, left to right pleases my sense of order, but my tolerance for board jumping has increased. I do tend to get confused regarding which category we're in, but that's on me for not paying as close attention as I should. These mega-runaway games are not really holding my interest. 

[Bliss]

2 minutes ago, Toothbrush said:

My kids have a lot of traveling to do to reach James' daughter's passport stamps (hell, so do I). Dr Toothbrush & I took a trip to Ireland pre-kids & loved it so much that we took a family trip there in 2012. Quite a different dynamic adding 3 kids under the age of 7 into the equation 😀 Oldest has now been to 4 foreign countries and 2 youngest to 5. And yeah I was that mother who insisted that passports got stamped in Canada & Mexico 😔

I notice that people who have the traveling bug tend to continue the trend when they become parents... and then their children do the same, sometimes exponentially. It is one of those positive addictions.

My parents traveled more than most of their generation... I'm the same. My kids caught the bug and my grandkids are world travelers. I think at last count, 2 of them have been to 50 countries... and they're under 10 yr old. I think this has made their learning multiple languages easier.

(my kids don't exchange gifts with their spouses - spice? LOL - for anniversaries... instead, the $ goes into their travel budget)

The more you see, the more you realize how much there is to see and experience!

James' comment about the playgrounds reminded me of the many in Europe, esp Switzerland, I visited with grandkids - they're so much huger and more extensive than those in N. America. Everything from baby zip lines to amazing rope courses and climbing thingies.

[shlbycindyk]

5 hours ago, DrSpaceman said:

I live close by in Charlotte.

Horrible situation, but the one person that died it seems jumped the shooter to stop him from doing more harm.  A true hero.  Sacrificed himself

WBTV showed them escorting his body back to Waynesville this morning.  It broke my heart.

[suebee12]

20 minutes ago, Bliss said:

James' comment about the playgrounds reminded me of the many in Europe, esp Switzerland, I visited with grandkids - they're so much huger and more extensive than those in N. America. Everything from baby zip lines to amazing rope courses and climbing thingies.

Sorta' off topic but here is a photo of an amazing climbing apparatus in Tuscaloosa, AL..Snow Hinton Park. (and yes it is quite controversial! for safety reasons.)

Edited May 2, 2019 by suebee12

[JudyObscure]

I called my son in for the FJ, because we've both read the King James Version of the Bible straight through, more than once.  We missed it. 

 We were surprised when everyone got it, and then I said I'll bet they got it from the movies or TV, and that would seem to be the only thing I got right.

Edited May 3, 2019 by JudyObscure

[bad things are bad]

19 hours ago, GenerationX said:

After 20 wins, he's still at $76K/game.  Unbelievable.

IKR? It's like someone running a marathon averaging 4 minutes a mile

[saber5055]

While I did get FJ yesterday, I'll admit that when I thought of The Four Horsemen, Notre Dame football did come to mind.

[mostlylurking]

4 hours ago, saber5055 said:

which was nice during football draft when other people couldn't watch it since it is on ABC in the evening.

Oh this made me so mad!  It was on at like 1:30am.  I never thought I would be taping Jeopardy of all shows, but here we are.

[saber5055]

4 minutes ago, mostlylurking said:

Oh this made me so mad!

I was so grateful the draft didn't preempt Jeopardy here. I dislike football with the strength of a zillion suns, so at least I didn't have a stroke about that. So far, so good with the local NBC affiliate. *knock wood*

[mostlylurking]

20 minutes ago, saber5055 said:

I was so grateful the draft didn't preempt Jeopardy here.

I was like why don't they just air this on ESPN or something?  Then my husband told me they WERE airing it on ESPN in addition to ABC....that made me even more pissed!  How unnecessary!  I don't give a shit!  

Edited May 2, 2019 by mostlylurking

[Fex]

18 hours ago, Bastet said:

I loved the Before & After category, as I always do.  They could put one of those in every game and I'd be happy.

Me too, it's my favourite category! The worst category is Stupid Answers. I don't remember seeing it recently, so we're probably due, ugh

13 hours ago, GussieK said:

Tonight I surprised myself by getting all the before and afters.  I usually whiff on those ‘cause you have to think really fast before they say the answer. 

Good for you! That must have been satisfying.

[Bastet]

42 minutes ago, mostlylurking said:

I was like why don't they just air this on ESPN or something?  Then my husband told me they WERE airing it on ESPN in addition to ABC....that made me even more pissed!  How unnecessary!  I don't give a shit!  

The draft also airs on the NFL Network, which is where I watch it.  I didn't realize it was airing on ABC in addition to ESPN until I read complaints about that here; obviously Disney wanted to air it on a broadcast channel as well, which it wouldn't do if the forecast ABC ratings didn't support preemption (of prime-time programming on the East Coast, no less), but it surprises me a bit.

[DrSpaceman]

Last night was actually close in the first round.  I thought there was a chance for a close game

Then in double jeopardy he just got everything. 

I hate the before and after categories.  I suck at them

[Abstract]

Wordplay is my strength, I love the Before and Afters. Normally I run the Bible categories, but I missed FJ.

Mr. Abstract just texted that his flight gets in at 6:45. I'm not leaving for the airport till Jeopardy is over. #sorrynotsorry

[Clanstarling]

5 hours ago, Bliss said:

I notice that people who have the traveling bug tend to continue the trend when they become parents... and then their children do the same, sometimes exponentially. It is one of those positive addictions.

My parents traveled more than most of their generation... I'm the same. My kids caught the bug and my grandkids are world travelers. I think at last count, 2 of them have been to 50 countries... and they're under 10 yr old. I think this has made their learning multiple languages easier.

(my kids don't exchange gifts with their spouses - spice? LOL - for anniversaries... instead, the $ goes into their travel budget)

The more you see, the more you realize how much there is to see and experience!

James' comment about the playgrounds reminded me of the many in Europe, esp Switzerland, I visited with grandkids - they're so much huger and more extensive than those in N. America. Everything from baby zip lines to amazing rope courses and climbing thingies.

I traveled a lot as a kid because I was a military brat. I loved seeing new countries. It was shocking to realize I had to pay to travel when I was no longer a military dependent. So my trips have been, unfortunately, very limited due to lack of funds.

[solarfire]

I don’t post here often, but I read this forum regularly.

I always record Jeopardy so I can fast forward through commercials and when Alex talks to the players.  If it turns out, I have a reason to like the player, I’ll go back and watch the interview.  So far with James, nada.

Anyway, this is me “watching” Jeopardy these days.

Play along (sorta) the first round (check)

James races to 40,000 point lead (check)

No point watching the 2nd round when he hits the 2nd DD.

Fast forward to FJ in case I know the answer.

I can’t take it, this in no way, shape or form, fun to watch.

I usually root for the underdog and blow outs are just depressing to watch.

Even worse, I can’t keep up with James. He gets the answer before I have a chance to answer so I’m just watching obliteration.  Not fun.

 So basically, I’m just skimming through the show for the day (hopefully, soon) when he loses.

I’m so very much looking forward to the Teachers Tournament next week.  Good luck, teebax!!

[SHD]

I was worried about James for awhile. Several (for him) incorrect answers and the guy at the end seemed pretty speedy on the buzzer. But then there came steamroller James, saying “Not today...”

I couldn’t even imagine a guess other than the correct one for FJ, but then the middle contestant came up with a not bad guess. But I’m sure that possibility was why Alex said something about hoping they’d paid attention to the category, AMERICAN plays.

Because James is originally from my area, my office has decided to let people take a break from work to watch Jeopardy. Weird.

[saber5055]

23 minutes ago, SHD said:

Because James is originally from my area, my office has decided to let people take a break from work to watch Jeopardy. Weird.

Naperville! I've been there often!

ETA: That way, your boss(es) get to watch Jeopardy and no one can say anything about it since you all are allowed. Smart!

Edited May 3, 2019 by saber5055

[Katy M]

25 minutes ago, SHD said:

I couldn’t even imagine a guess other than the correct one for FJ, but then the middle contestant came up with a not bad guess. But I’m sure that possibility was why Alex said something about hoping they’d paid attention to the category, AMERICAN plays.

I said The Glass Menagerie.  Then, I though, uh-oh, maybe it's the Doll House.  No, I am not making the same mistake I made yesterday. Glass Menagerie, Final Answer (wrong show).

[shlbycindyk]

52 minutes ago, Clanstarling said:

I traveled a lot as a kid because I was a military brat. I loved seeing new countries. It was shocking to realize I had to pay to travel when I was no longer a military dependent. So my trips have been, unfortunately, very limited due to lack of funds.

I was an Air Force brat until I turned 16.  I went to four countries before I was a year old.  I was shocked to realize I couldn't shop at the commissary or BX after my dad retired and I got married.  So not fair!

[Browncoat]

FJ was an instaget for me tonight.  My local community theatre (which sadly no longer exists) did that play once upon a time.  I really wanted to be in it, but had another obligation on one of the performance weekends.  I could have missed a rehearsal weekend, but definitely not a performance weekend.  Anyway, that's partly why I got it before Alex even finished reading the clue.

[saber5055]

I got my butt kicked in this game, barely made it into the double digits. Eh.

I totally could not believe Josh, when he won the buzz in, selected a 200 clue. Then Jessica did the same. WTH players! Pay some freaking ATTENTION to the guy who you've been told has won 20 games.

LOL at Jessica's buzzer technique. Nothing like making it obvious when you are trying to ring in ... and not trying. At least with James we don't have a clue what his clicker hand is doing. And I thank him for that.

James' interview and Alex's reaction and reply was funny, it made me laugh. Well done, Mr. Trebek. James plays it close to the vest but he has a nice sense of humor.

FJ was an instaget for me. Another case of EIYKI, I try not to be surprised when players miss what is so easy for me. (Because I sure can miss what is easy for them!)

[lb60]

FJ=instaget.

I can't stand James.

Next week, I'm counting on teebax to restore my faith in this show. No pressure, though.

I'm very much looking forward to two James free weeks.

[saber5055]

31 minutes ago, lb60 said:

I'm counting on teebax to restore my faith in this show.

That would be so cool if she won the buzz in every time and picked all the 1000 clues first, then bet it all on the DD.

[mostlylurking]

24 minutes ago, saber5055 said:

totally could not believe Josh, when he won the buzz in, selected a 200 clue. Then Jessica did the same. WTH players! Pay some freaking ATTENTION to the guy who you've been told has won 20 games.

 LOL at Jessica's buzzer technique. 

Yeah, I knew they both had no chance when that happened.  I don’t like when people make a big show of using the buzzer, obviously they don’t do it on purpose but it gives me anxiety.

Usually I route for underdogs but I am totally loving James!  I am so impressed not only with his level and breadth of knowledge but that he is able to buzz in so quickly. Sometimes I’m barely done reading the clue and he’s already buzzing in!  It’s amazing. Plus hearing all his little stories when Alex talks to the contestants has really endeared me to him. 

I’m interested in seeing what will happen once he finally loses. Honestly I think the show will be boring for a while. It will take some time to get used to $200 clues and tiny safe wagers again. 

[Katy M]

1 minute ago, mostlylurking said:

eah, I knew they both had no chance when that happened.  I don’t like when people make a big show of using the buzzer, obviously they don’t do it on purpose but it gives me anxiety.

They're probably having more anxiety.

[saber5055]

54 minutes ago, Browncoat said:

Anyway, that's partly why I got it before Alex even finished reading the clue

And what was the other partly that caused you to get it? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Mindthinkr]

The only thing I got (other than ordinary answers) was FJ. I did vacillate a bit like @Katy M but stayed as I remembered “American” and I believe the other play was by Ibsen. 

I am so on board for our friend Teebax. Does anyone know which night she will be on? I may have to cancel plans and I won’t feel a bit guilty (to stay home and root for her). 

[Driad]

2 minutes ago, Mindthinkr said:

Does anyone know which night Teebax will be on?

From this site it looks like Tuesday. Looking forward to it!

[saber5055]

4 minutes ago, Mindthinkr said:

I am so on board for our friend Teebax. Does anyone know which night she will be on?

 I think she said she was in the second round, so Tuesday. (Don't quote me.) Monday's player pics are up at Jeopardy.com. Tuesday's won't be until, well, Tuesday.

ETA: Oh, DUH! I clicked on @Driad's link and I see one can click under the player's photos to see who is playing each day. So Tuesday is correct, I'm just a moron for not figuring out the J website. Gah.

Edited May 3, 2019 by saber5055

[Mindthinkr]

Tuesday it is. I’m officially out sick or whatever excuse I need to use. 🤣

[BuckeyeLou]

4 hours ago, saber5055 said:

While I did get FJ yesterday, I'll admit that when I thought of The Four Horsemen, Notre Dame football did come to mind.

Me too! 🙂

[Quickbeam]

Oh come on with that FJ.....if I passed away, ten days later I’d still get The Glass Menagerie. My husband (who is only a casual Jeopardy fan) was amused by Jessica flinging her buzzer. I’m thinking she was ringing in too early and then getting locked out.

[secnarf]

23 hours ago, Brookside said:

This isn't actually true, since my station doesn't air J! until 7pm PT.  That would mean people on ET wouldn't be able to post until 10pm, so I'm perfectly fine with these guidelines, of course.  I'm nothing if not reasonable at least once a year. 

The rules aren't intended for it to be after Jeopardy has finished airing in all markets (for example, I'm in ET and it airs at 7:30pm for me). It just allows people to know when to avoid the boards and when it is 'safe' to avoid being spoiled. There is a hard cut-off time for spoiler tags to be deemed unnecessary.

Also Alex, James having a daughter doesn't mean he is married. The fact that he has mentioned his wife numerous times and that we have seen her in the audience DOES mean he is married.

[M. Darcy]

Damn. I am upset that he beat Julia’s record. 

[Bastet]

“We’ve talked about his daughter, which means he’s married, of course”?  Um, no, those do not automatically go together.  He’s already talked about his wife a lot; there were any number of ways to word the intro to today’s interview story that weren’t stupid.

I guess I’ve hit James fatigue, because I let out a big sigh when he hit on the first DD, and groaned when he came upon the second.  I’ve always watched for the clues far more than the contestants, I don’t dislike him (I hardly ever go so far as to dislike a contestant, but there aren’t a lot I actively like, either – they’re just sort of there), and I’m quite impressed with his successful strategy and breadth of knowledge, so I was surprised by my reaction.  But apparently I’m tired of the runaways (not of him winning, just of him winning in a blowout).  Or maybe it’s just a mood.  Or maybe bummed that a woman no longer holds the number two slot for most wins.  I don't know, but I hope this is just a one-night annoyance and I get back to enjoying the game tomorrow.

Putting me in a happier place was how much I liked the homophonic and Tory Spelling categories.

I thought Half Dome when spotted Yosemite and a picture was famous enough not to be a TS, so that surprised me.

Another instaget for FJ; I have sure had a lot of those lately.

Edited May 3, 2019 by Bastet

[biakbiak]

I was shocked that someone missed FJ, it seemed teen or college tournament level. 

[peeayebee]

I only got FJ. I'm trying to think of something else to say...

See ya tomorrow.

[theatremouse]

I know this is irrational but it bugged me that dude said "Little League Championship". I guess "Little League" alone probably is considered correct since the clue I think said "this championship", but dude, it's called the "Little League World Series".

[Toothbrush]

Lots (relatively) of missed answers for James tonight. He could have been in trouble, had he not found the 1st round DD since Josh was doing well. Or at the very least we could have had a game. But it was all moot since steamroller James emerged in DJ. 

FJ was an instaget, also before Alex finished reading the clue. I usually skim the clues, and the words collection & fragile jumped out at me. It seemed that it was easy for James also since he was 'conducting' the Jeopardy think song when the camera panned over him, and in the past we have seen him hunched over the podium & looking like he was deep in thought. Or maybe he had just been deciding who to say hello to & he can't do it any longer, so pressure off. Whew! A Doll's House, besides not being American, was written in the 19th century I think. But as I always say, it's (sometimes) easy enough for me to come up with the right answer while on my living room sofa, and Lord only knows what would be going through my brain if I were on the stage. Especially playing the 1.6 million dollar man! 

After the contestants were introduced, Dr. Toothbrush said that if James winning wasn't 99.9% certain, Alex would have joked about how he predicts that a player with the first initial of J would win...lol

I also thought it was strange that Alex said we know James is married because he is a father, but I think it was probably just an awkward segue into talking about his Hawaiian waterfall wedding (which has been discussed previously; maybe in his first game). Also, Alex is closing in on 80, so I think that may have something to do with his thinking. My parents are about 5 years younger than Alex, and I can definitely see that being my dad's default original assumption. Not so much my mom since she is a pediatrician & has seen her fair share of unwed parents. 

6 hours ago, saber5055 said:

That would be so cool if she won the buzz in every time and picked all the 1000 clues first, then bet it all on the DD.

Complete with the all-in hand gesture. 

6 hours ago, secnarf said:

The rules aren't intended for it to be after Jeopardy has finished airing in all markets (for example, I'm in ET and it airs at 7:30pm for me). It just allows people to know when to avoid the boards and when it is 'safe' to avoid being spoiled. There is a hard cut-off time for spoiler tags to be deemed unnecessary.

It comes on at 1 or 1:30 in my market, and in the AM where my parents live. Not sure of exact times since we all record it. My parents watch right after dinner, but at home we usually watch after the kiddos are in bed so we have a modicum of peace. Although oldest miniToothbrush enjoys watching with us if we watch earlier than usual. 

4 hours ago, theatremouse said:

I know this is irrational but it bugged me that dude said "Little League Championship". I guess "Little League" alone probably is considered correct since the clue I think said "this championship", but dude, it's called the "Little League World Series".

Hubby said the same. He was pretty peeved about it actually. I guessed surfing 😂

[SuprSuprElevated]

I noticed that James mouthed "happy birthday _______" to someone after his FJ was revealed.  I don't imagine the Jeopardy folks were terribly impressed with that.  Also thought the air conducting he was doing during the FJ think music was a little awkward and unnecessary.  I suppose it's possible that he's getting bored?

Nah.

Edited May 3, 2019 by SuprSuprElevated

[Browncoat]

8 hours ago, saber5055 said:

And what was the other partly that caused you to get it? Inquiring minds want to know.

Nothing terribly interesting, just that I’m familiar with the play from high school as well as community theatre.

[EtheltoTillie]

I can’t believe James missed back burner and Iowa.