Who is... James Holzhauer?

[Athena]

All things James Holzhauer.

[saber5055]

Calling @lb60.

[Abstract]

I'm just going to make this my main post on the topic, and add links as I run across them. If it's something other than an article I will indicate it.

James talks about his sports gambling career

Podcast where James is interviewed (this is really long, he doesn't come on till about an hour in, I'm not a big enough fan to bother listening.)

Interview with one of the Holzhauer 44

Transcript: Planet Money - How Uncle Jamie Broke Jeopardy

James delivers first Jeopardy winning streak since Ken Jennings

Podcast - Effectively Wild

Video interview on MLB Network

Preschool math prodigy

He was told to smile to get on Jeopardy

What James teaches us about investment strategy

James shares his favorite children's books

Another of the 44 - Jasmine

Science of memory and recall

Edited May 17, 2019 by Abstract

[lb60]

 

Have fun all you James fangirls/guys.

<runs out of thread never to return>

Edited May 15, 2019 by lb60

[Browncoat]

1 hour ago, lb60 said:

 

Have fun all you James fangirls/guys.

<runs out of thread never to return>

<marks thread read and runs out after @lb60>

[Abstract]

So I have the thread to myself then? Well okay.

Point of order: I'm a fan, not a fangirl. There's a difference. 

[Athena]

You can love him, hate him, or love to hate him, as long as you keep the conversation civil. 

[Abstract]

Apparently I have become a James apologist IRL. I was talking to a friend of mine today whose teen son is ridiculously smart and a huge Jeopardy fan. I asked her how J was enjoying the James run, and she said "Well he doesn't like him, thinks he's cocky."

So then I naturally had to tell her about James' Twitter and how he pokes fun at himself all the time, and then explain how his huge DD bets stem from actual gambling strategy and mathematical probabilities rather than being just full of himself. She promised to pass it on. 

Thankfully my friend understands geeking out and being a fan of things, that's one reason why we're friends.

[lb60]

<runs in to like Browncoat's post>

<runs out screaming>

[Abstract]

Such loneliness. 

[saber5055]

Just think ... in 15 or 20 years we can tell our grandkids that we watched James Holzhauer win all those games. (And the grandkids will look upon us as the fossils we are.)

[hendersonrocks]

4 minutes ago, Abstract said:

Such loneliness. 

You are not alone! I am also a fan and not a fangirl, and think that is an important distinction. I am deeply impressed with his knowledge base and strategic play; I also find his awkwardness endearing. 

I also understand why he’s not everyone’s particular brand of jam. 

[Toothbrush]

57 minutes ago, saber5055 said:

Just think ... in 15 or 20 years we can tell our grandkids that we watched James Holzhauer win all those games. (And the grandkids will look upon us as the fossils we are.)

He'll still be playing.  

[Abstract]

1 hour ago, Toothbrush said:

He'll still be playing.  

At some point the buzzer finger has to slow down, doesn't it? 

[Good Queen Jane]

James made Tank McNamara! And as a long time Cincinnati Reds/Pete Rose fan, I loved this cartoon.

[Prevailing Wind]

Oh! Hinds captured James' look quite well. Good job!

[j5cochran]

4 hours ago, Good Queen Jane said:

James made Tank McNamara! And as a long time Cincinnati Reds/Pete Rose fan, I loved this cartoon.

I love Tank McNamara! It's the only comic strip that has captured the joyful madness that is marching band.

[Abstract]

I think he's here through the end of the season at minimum. I don't think the show would be making this big a deal about him if they knew he was going to get beaten before season's end.

I edited my post at the beginning of the thread to add an article about Jasmine. She was the third contestant in the battle between James and Adam.

Edited May 16, 2019 by Abstract

[Grundoon59]

There was a funny story on NPR'S All Things Considered today by the reporter who is the "other" uncle to James' niece and nephew who were two of James' early shout outs.  The reporter seems to really like James but is jokingly disappointed to have lost his cool uncle points. Sorry I can't remember the reporter's name - I was driving while listening.

[Abstract]

51 minutes ago, Grundoon59 said:

There was a funny story on NPR'S All Things Considered today by the reporter who is the "other" uncle to James' niece and nephew who were two of James' early shout outs.  The reporter seems to really like James but is jokingly disappointed to have lost his cool uncle points. Sorry I can't remember the reporter's name - I was driving while listening.

It's Kenny Malone. I don't know if the full story is what aired on ATC, but the whole podcast is in my link upthread "How Uncle Jamie Broke Jeopardy."

[Grundoon59]

Thanks Abstract.  I will check it out since I did have to pay some attention to the road while I was listening.

[Abstract]

Added new article about James from a cognitive studies perspective.

[Abstract]

I missed a couple of decades of Jeopardy, so I'm just now watching the IBM Challenge, one of the few old episodes that hasn't been purged from the internet by evil Sony.

If James can beat Ken and Brad (hoping not, but you never know), I want to see him go up against Watson. 

Edited May 17, 2019 by Abstract

[Abstract]

New video on Jeopardy's Twitter account:

The legends have spoken

[Abstract]

He still has to take out the trash

[Mindthinkr]

Someone on Twitter asked him why, now that he’s made so much money, that he doesn’t pay someone to take out his trash. He replied that he likes being married to his wife. 

Edited May 18, 2019 by Mindthinkr
I should have proofed before posting.

[Good Queen Jane]

So even Tom Brady is rooting for James,

[M. Darcy]

31 minutes ago, Good Queen Jane said:

So even Tom Brady is rooting for James,

Like I needed another reason to hate James...but that does it. 

[Trillium]

Mr. Trillium and I are fans. We enjoy his knowledge of basically everything and his all in style of play.  Although we are interested in see how he finally loses. I’m a super awkward person too so maybe that’s why I like him. Plus I’m low key jealous that he’s found a way to make a ton of money without a traditional job to travel the world with his family. He’s living my dream life. 

[BuckeyeLou]

James is getting lots of press!  He has an interview in the new Sports Illustrated magazine(not the Swimsuit one, lol), in Time Magazine & I got the new TV Guide today & article in there about him too. 

[opus]

A reminder for James haters. Don’t worry. It’ll happen.

A reminder for James lovers. Don’t get complacent. It’ll happen.

Edited May 23, 2019 by opus

[Abstract]

@opus, are you the same Opus from the Jboard?

Here's an odd article, the writer thinks James should take a dive. 

"Potentially charismatic"

[opus]

1 hour ago, Abstract said:

@opus, are you the same Opus from the Jboard?

Although I try to get Opus if I participate at a message board (which admittedly isn't many, I'm usually more of a lurker), no, that's not me at Jboard

[JudyObscure]

Thanks Opus, that Nancy was adorable.  Maybe we have to wait until James passes Ken's two and half million mark.  I didn't realize Ken earned that much.

[mostlylurking]

19 hours ago, opus said:

A reminder for James haters. Don’t worry. It’ll happen.

A reminder for James lovers. Don’t get complacent. It’ll happen.

Edited 19 hours ago by opus

And then she lost the very next day....oh well she secured her place in history I guess!

[Mindthinkr]

LOL on his comment. 

[Driad]

I am unspoiled, but if James makes it all the way to the end of the season, it might be a good time for him to retire undefeated.

[Abstract]

James' appearance on The Chase

If you want to see his first complete domination on a game show, this is worth watching. His wife gets some screen time too. They're an adorable couple. He refers to her as the smokin' brunette who's carrying his baby. 

Edited May 29, 2019 by Abstract

[Sounder]

James will only lose when his own aggressive style finally gets him.....like betting a bundle on daily doubles or final jeopardy and blowing it........other than that.....if he were to win as many games as Ken Jennings,.  he'll have like seven mil racked up.

[Abstract]

This guy is, um, bold. 

A love letter for James Holzhauer

While I can hesitantly and guiltily admit to a Jeopardy crush (not James), the idea of writing it in gory detail for the world to see is cringey, as the kids say. I don't think I could do it even if I were single and being paid by the word.

[GreekGeek]

6 hours ago, Abstract said:

This guy is, um, bold. 

A love letter for James Holzhauer

While I can hesitantly and guiltily admit to a Jeopardy crush (not James), the idea of writing it in gory detail for the world to see is cringey, as the kids say. I don't think I could do it even if I were single and being paid by the word.

I was just about to post a link to the same thing. It really irked me. It wasn't enough to write a mash note to James, the author had to put down the opponents by saying they don't really matter, that they "fidget and fret; they mash their buzzers and bite their lips and bobble their heads in frustration", and that they're "evil" if they happen to "steal" DD's from him.

ETA: I know the last part was tongue in cheek, but it still bugged.

Edited May 30, 2019 by GreekGeek

[Abstract]

I had to suffer by seeing this. Join me in my misery. A Redditor photoshopped James' face onto every Jeopardy All-Star:

[Prevailing Wind]

Well, Austin's never looked better. Bwahahahahaha

[Abstract]

James on the Pat McAfee show

Language warning! Not James (that I've heard so far, about halfway finished), but the host. Good interview though.

[Abstract]

So, if James happens to hit $138,118 on Friday, he will set a new one-day record AND beat Ken's regular-play record in one fell swoop.

It's not likely, but this is James we're talking about.

After that, at his current pace he's on track to pass Brad's money record BEFORE passing Ken's winning games record. 

Edited May 31, 2019 by Abstract

[Abstract]

There's an article about James in The Onion, which is of course a satire site. I am not going to link here, because it is extra crude even for The Onion. Search if you want, consider yourself warned.

James posted the article on his social media, much to the chagrin of all the more straight-laced fans who see him as "such a nice boy." (I'm pretty straight-laced myself, but I'm not so lost to reality as to attribute angelic qualities to a guy who has spent most of his adult life in casinos.) My takeaway is that James' skin is elephant thick, and absolutely nothing is going to rattle him.

[Conotocarious]

I just watched the Pat McAfee interview on YouTube. James seems nice and totally unflappable. I don’t see any of the arrogance and/or social awkwardness that I’ve frequently seen attributed to him. 

[preeya]

3 hours ago, Conotocarious said:

I just watched the Pat McAfee interview on YouTube. James seems nice and totally unflappable. I don’t see any of the arrogance and/or social awkwardness that I’ve frequently seen attributed to him. 

 

Me-2. I got the same impression of him.

But who knows, IRL he could be a total prick.

Edited June 1, 2019 by preeya

[Abstract]

How can anyone hate a guy with this kind of wit?  

"Politely active"

[Abstract]

I love this video. Melissa's laugh is contagious. 

James takes the #CrackCancer challenge

And he tags Ken, Brad, and Buzzy to add them to the challenge. So I'll be watching for that.