I’ve been participating in an e-mail version of JEOPARDY!, the TV game show that has been on the air in its current incarnation for over 30 years. Earlier versions makes the run more like four decades.
There has been some interdepartmental game of the TV show Jeopardy going on around here. I was invited to join by this guy, not in my department but in my building, who told the organizer “Alex” that I’m really smart; thanks for the pressure. I wonder if “Alex” knows I was was once on the real JEOPARDY?
Here are some of the rules.
* All the answers and questions come from the Jeopardy Desk calendar of the current date.
* Don’t cheat. NO looking at the desk calendar, NO looking up the answer anywhere (i.e. internet, dictionary, etc), NO discussing or giving it away with anyone.
* The Answer must be in the form of a question or you will lose points
* Only those with positive points can play Final Jeopardy.
I won the first round, and tied for first the last round, so maybe I was feeling a tad cocky. BTW, no real money changes hands.
Today’s Answer is worth $600 and the category is: Theater Lingo
The Jeopardy game answer is: To be “Born in” one of these suitcases means you’re born into an acting family.
My first instinct was to say in a trunk, but I wasn’t sure, so I passed.
Six people got it right, two got it wrong, 11, including me, passed.
What is a trunk?
Nuts, didn’t trust my instincts.
***
Today’s Answer is worth $400 and the category is: Hey, Sailor!
The Jeopardy game answer is: On September 20,1519, this Portuguese navigator headed West on a trip around the world.
Not only did I know this straight off, I knew he didn’t make it, but died in 1521. Talk about your useless trivia.
Who is Ferdinand Magellan?
There’s a five-way tie for 1st place, and I’m in a three-way tie for 7th place.
***
Today’s Answer is worth $1200 and the category is: Hey, Sailor!
The Jeopardy game answer is: He served at the Civil War Battle of New Orleans before becoming a naval hero of the Spanish-American War.
My first guess was David Farragut, who fought in the Gulf of Mexico during the Civil War. Fortunately, I wasn’t confident enough to guess, and a good thing: Farragut died in 1870, long before the 1898 war.
Who is (Admiral) George Dewey?
The leader has $1600, and I’m in a three-way tie for 6th, still with $400.
***
Today’s Answer is worth $600 and the category is: Notable Places
The Jeopardy game answer is: Two battles near this “Springs” city of upstate New York are often called the turning point of the American revolution.
This should have been a gimme for everyone, for this was only 30 miles from here!
What is Saratoga (Springs)?
The leader has $2200, and I’m in a three-way tie for 6th with $1000.
***
Today’s Answer is worth $400 and the category is: Title Role Playing
The Jeopardy game answer is: Dr. Strangelove
I have actually never seen this 1964 film – for shame! – but feel I ought to. Seen a lot of clips, though, and knew right away.
Who is Peter Sellers?
The leader has $2600, and I’m in a two-way tie for 5th with $1400.
***
Today’s Answer is worth $1200 and the category is: Title Role Playing
The Jeopardy game answer is: The Great Gatsby (2013)
Never saw the movie, but I remember reading that one actor had good roles in two films that year, the other being The Wolf of Wall Street, which I ALSO did not see.
Who is Leonardo DiCaprio?
I have $2600, still tied for 4th.
***
Today’s Answer is worth $200 and the category is: Words & Their Meanings
The Jeopardy game answer is: This is the indentation on the bottom of a wine bottle, or a kick on fourth down in football.
That’s AMERICAN football.
I think EVERYONE knew this.
What is a punt?
***
Today’s Answer is worth $600 and the category is: Words & Their Meanings
The Jeopardy game answer is: As well as a summary or account, it can mean an explosive noise, as from a rifle.
I got this straight away.
What is a report?
Leader with $4600; I’m in a three-way tie for 3rd with $3400.
***
Today’s Answer is worth $1200 and the category is: “Aire” Time
The Jeopardy game answer is: The Physiocrats, 18th Century French Economists, were in favor of this, the government staying out of economic affairs.
I wonder if “Alex” penalized for misspelling, since “aire” is in the clue?
The question to Friday’s answer was: What is Laissez-Faire?
A new leader at $4800, and I’m in a tie for 2nd with $4600.
That was the last question before the Final Jeopardy. Based on this category, we wager with the amount of money you have, but we don’t know the question.
The Final Jeopardy Category is: Annual Events
I bet it all, because the person I’m tied with will bet it all, based on previous experience.
The next day:
Your answer to this category is: Forefathers Day, December 21, celebrates the 1620 landing here.
Really? I suspect EVERYONE will get this right.
What is Plymouth Rock?
Sure enough, the winner had $9498, with me tied for second at $9200.
***
From the REAL JEOPARDY!
What’s it like to be one of the Jeopardy! clue writers?
The episode of March 12, 2015 was just awful. And very lonely for one contestant.
