ghost of miles Posted July 24, 2004 Report Posted July 24, 2004 (edited) A few nights ago I was walking home and noticed that somebody was watching "Jeopardy" in their front living-room. Not necessarily all that odd for my artsy/bookworm-ish neighborhood, but I still thought, "That's cool, people still watch that program." Shows how clueless I've become since we gave up cable TV: 'Jeopardy!' Champ Shatters One-Day Record 41 minutes ago Add Top Stories - AP to My Yahoo! By DAVID BAUDER, AP Television Writer NEW YORK - Will Ken Jennings ever lose? Not anytime soon. The "Jeopardy!" quiz master won his 38th straight game on Friday, shattering a one-day record by earning $75,000. Now his fans — and foes — have to wait while the show goes on hiatus until September. Jennings, the 30-year-old Utah software engineer, has earned $1,321,660 during his nearly two-month stint. He's become an unlikely TV star, visiting Jay Leno on the "Tonight" show Thursday, and made geeks chic. "Jeopardy!" goes into reruns starting next Monday. But new shows will resume on Sept. 6, and Jennings will be there to defend his championship. Three times, Jennings purposely tied the one-day record of $52,000 with carefully calculated wagers on Final Jeopardy. On Friday, he approached the "Final Jeopardy" question having already earned $51,400. Asked to name two of the four Shakespeare plays in which ghosts appear onstage, Jennings correctly answered "Hamlet" and "Richard III." Then he revealed his bet: $23,600. "Will it never end for this talented young man?" host Alex Trebek said. "We'll have to wait awhile to find out." Jennings, who lives in Salt Lake City and is married with a 1-year-old son, is a Mormon who has already promised to tithe 10 percent of his winnings to his church. "Jeopardy!" used to require its champions to leave after winning five times, but last year changed its rules to allow players to continue until they are beaten. Jennings has beaten 76 challengers. While "Jeopardy!" producers will have to write Jennings a big check, that rules change has paid off: the game show's ratings have jumped by 50 percent during his reign. Story from the previous day: A Look at the 'Jeopardy!' Streak Thu Jul 22, 8:38 PM ET By The Associated Press Ken Jennings, the software engineer from Salt Lake City who has shattered the records for winning on "Jeopardy!," won again in an episode televised Thursday. An update on his record-breaking run, which began June 2: Consecutive shows as winner: 37 Money won Thursday: $52,000 Money won to date: $1,246,660 Perspective: At the start of its 20th season last fall, "Jeopardy!" changed its longtime rule that said a champion must leave after five straight wins. Now a player stays until losing. Vacation: If Jennings wins again on Friday's show, he won't be seen until September. "Jeopardy!" will show reruns during a summer break. Previous record: Tom Walsh of Washington, D.C., won $184,900 over seven days last winter. Final Jeopardy: Name the two U.S. presidents whose middle names are also the last names of two other presidents. The correct reply: Ronald Wilson Reagan and William Jefferson Clinton. Jennings was the only one to get it right. Thursday's highlight: With a chance to break a one-day record for winnings that he's already reached twice, Jennings bet only $10,000 on the final question, assuring a third tie. Quote: "You're doing this just to bug me, aren't you?" — host Alex Trebek. Edited July 24, 2004 by ghost of miles Quote
Jazzmoose Posted July 25, 2004 Report Posted July 25, 2004 I'm stunned by this...I saw the first eight games he won, but then it was about time for our annual "it's summer; screw the TV" period. The one where my other half gives up her 20+ hours of TV, and I give up Jeopardy. So, I've missed the streak. Hopefully I can pick it up in September. Absolutely amazing! Quote
rachel Posted July 25, 2004 Report Posted July 25, 2004 I'm so bummed. I didn't realize that they went on hiatus. I missed Friday's show but didn't think a thing about it because I knew he would win and "would be back on Monday"... Quote
Jim Alfredson Posted July 25, 2004 Report Posted July 25, 2004 So far, the only guy who has even remotely challenged him was Matt Ottinger, who is actually a guy from Okemos, MI (where I finished high school). Matt hosts Quiz Busters on our local PBS station, a high school quiz show much like Jeopardy. He is a trivia god. He was on about a month ago and was very close to beating Ken, but missed the final question. My wife is sick of him! She keeps hoping he loses. I think it's kind of cool. Quote
JSngry Posted July 25, 2004 Report Posted July 25, 2004 I'll take Imminent Backlashes for $1000, Alex. Quote
Guest Chaney Posted July 25, 2004 Report Posted July 25, 2004 (...) My wife is sick of him! She keeps hoping he loses. I think it's kind of cool. Does your wife continue to watch? Quote
connoisseur series500 Posted July 25, 2004 Report Posted July 25, 2004 The guy is absolutely amazing. The circuits in his brain are so quick-reacting. It's great to be that young and quick again... I used to know everything at 30. Remembered every word I ever read! He's about the only guy who would beat me in jeopardy! B) Quote
rachel Posted July 25, 2004 Report Posted July 25, 2004 He has the "buzzing in" thing down to a science, too. If you buzz in too quickly it locks you out. That's why you will notice some Celebrity Jeopardy participants spastically thumbing their buzzers. Quote
Dan Gould Posted July 25, 2004 Report Posted July 25, 2004 I am completely shocked that he finally went for the one-day record (not shocked that he broke it though, obviously). Notice the little tics and quirks he has in his wagering? Its been a long-running joke that Trebek knows what his wager will be, always, because he likes round numbers. He also seems to get miffed if his challengers go to another category without finishing the present one. Not to nitpick, but when you have an unprecedented run like this, you get to see a person's quirks. I gave my brother an over/under of 1.5 million; I'll be surprised if I lose that bet (I said "over"). Quote
rachel Posted July 25, 2004 Report Posted July 25, 2004 Yeah, I noticed his game-playing idiosyncrasies, too -- especially how he methodically finishes the category. In general he seems like a very down-to-earth, likable guy. I think that's why we haven't seen a backlash yet. People are rooting for him. I think you'll win the bet, Dan. Quote
BERIGAN Posted July 25, 2004 Report Posted July 25, 2004 (edited) I wish I'd have known the show was going on break as well.... Not only has the guy read every book on the planet, but has a photographic memory as well! Anyone ever see Champagne for Caesar?? Is that what he is up to?? I'd link to the page, but >allmovie<won't let me! Edited July 25, 2004 by BERIGAN Quote
Big Al Posted July 26, 2004 Report Posted July 26, 2004 I always imagine he's gonna lose on a Final Jeopardy category called "19th-century Mormonism." Quote
Soulstation1 Posted July 26, 2004 Report Posted July 26, 2004 i saw the show on friday and he did miss one question. he controls the board and hits all the daily doubles reminds me of "quiz show" the movie in a way ratings is the name of the game on network tv how many millions of people will check out the first game next fall? ss1 Quote
BruceH Posted July 27, 2004 Report Posted July 27, 2004 I caught this guy when he was up to his 13th day, and I've got to admit, it makes me want to watch Jeopardy a LOT more than usual. There's something fascinating about a streak, and he also seems like a nice guy. One time, I actually got more of the music questions right than he did, which made me feel totally great! (Of course, in all the other categories he got about 5 more questions right than me.) I think that's one of the main reasons people watch that show, to see if they can get more questions right than the contestants. Quote
chris olivarez Posted July 27, 2004 Report Posted July 27, 2004 I'll take Imminent Backlashes for $1000, Alex. Quote
rachel Posted September 6, 2004 Report Posted September 6, 2004 New episode tonight... Check your local listings... Quote
BruceH Posted September 7, 2004 Report Posted September 7, 2004 I took my kids to a go-cart/miniature golf course last night. Set the VCR to tape it. It didn't work. I was bummed. I'm assuming he won? Quote
John Tapscott Posted September 7, 2004 Report Posted September 7, 2004 Yes, he won. Only 10 Grand though, because he blew the last question. I don't mind the guy, but I'm kind of hoping he loses soon. They need to do some serious screening and find some 'really" bright contestants to take him on. I usually feel sorry for the other contestants. Against anyone else, they might be in the game. But in the episodes I've seen, by half way through the first round he has it wrapped up. Quote
kulu se mama Posted September 7, 2004 Report Posted September 7, 2004 Against anyone else, they might be in the game. But in the episodes I've seen, by half way through the first round he has it wrapped up. actually in the entire 40 +/- run i believe he's only needed final jeopardy once or twice. he was actually quite vulnerable last night, but the other 2 didn't know a thing. Quote
Soulstation1 Posted September 9, 2004 Report Posted September 9, 2004 i missed today's episode i assume he won again, since nothing about him losing is on the internet ss1 Quote
Dan Gould Posted September 10, 2004 Report Posted September 10, 2004 i missed today's episode i assume he won again, since nothing about him losing is on the internet ss1 CNN was running an article reporting (I believe) an AP piece that he had been beaten. But no confirmation, of course, and no one knows when the losing episode might air (they film five a day, so who knows how many were in the can before he got beat, assuming the report was accurate?) http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/09/t...y.ap/index.html Quote
Dave James Posted September 10, 2004 Report Posted September 10, 2004 My understanding is that Jennings makes it to his 75th appearance before he loses. I think he was around 40 when this "season" began, so it's not like he's going anywhere anytime soon. Guess his winnings wind up totalling over $2 million. WOW! I'm sure that by the time he tanks, it'll probably be common knowledge. Wonder what the ratings will be like for his final show. Through the roof I'd guess. Up over and out? (Note that this statement is in the form of a question) Quote
Soulstation1 Posted September 10, 2004 Report Posted September 10, 2004 he walks away with $2.5 million Quote
rachel Posted September 10, 2004 Report Posted September 10, 2004 Yeah, I heard his last show will air later in the fall. Quote
doubleM Posted September 10, 2004 Report Posted September 10, 2004 After taxes, and tithing ( , he's Mormon), he'll probably clear a cool 1.2 mil.. But I assume he'll get a load of endorsement deals for all kinds of products, services, etc.. Not bad! Quote
_forumlogo.png.a607ef20a6e0c299ab2aa6443aa1f32e.png)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.