# Another Doper appears on Jeopardy! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 11, 2010, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-doper-appears-on-jeopardy/524541 "2010-01-11T19:15:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![GilaB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@GilaB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GilaB)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-doper-appears-on-jeopardy/524541/81 "2010-01-20T04:15:22Z")
The only clothing items that I remember being specifically banned (I haven’t saved the instructions we got) were jeans and sneakers, but we were advised to dress ‘business casual.’ There were other guidelines as to what looks good on TV, like no busy patterns or white shirts. No limits were placed on jewelry, although I suppose they could have told us to take stuff off if they didn’t like it. Contestants have to do their own hair, but there are professional makeup people who handle the cosmetics side of things. (I thought it was very funny that the instructions said that they’d prefer if we didn’t wear any makeup to the studio, but that we could wear some light makeup if we just couldn’t bear to be seen in public without it (not phrased exactly like that.)) They tell you that you get your check 6 weeks after your last show airs; I think it’s one lump sum. As to whether they _actually_ pay thousands of dollars for answering some questions, ask me in six weeks 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-doper-appears-on-jeopardy/524541/82 "2010-01-20T05:06:21Z")
> [@](#): > > They tell you that you get your check 6 weeks after your last show airs; That means Ken Jennings had to wait about 9 months before he got paid. He first episode was June 2, 2004 and last was Nov 30, 2004. I would guess that he started taping in April (at the latest) and Jan 15 would have been ~6 weeks after Nov. 30. ---
**Author:** ![ministryman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@ministryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ministryman)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-doper-appears-on-jeopardy/524541/83 "2010-01-20T19:49:55Z")
> [@GilaB](#): > > Yes, I know one can burn from a DVR _if one has a DVD burner attached to it_. Nobody I’ve asked seems to have that particular conformation of stuff. Ahem…I do, but did not see this in time…sorry ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-doper-appears-on-jeopardy/524541/84 "2010-01-20T20:16:39Z")
> [@KittenKat](#): > > A theory of the origin & spread of humankind is called this, also the title of an Oscar-winning movie of the 1980s I’d have probably missed that because I so detested that movie that I refuse to believe that it won an award for anything. I have the same problem with the film “Terms of Endearment”. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-doper-appears-on-jeopardy/524541/85 "2010-01-21T00:52:26Z")
> [@KittenKat](#): > > You know, we really need to work on a Doper recognition code. i figured the “geek chic” look would be the doper recognition code. also yelling out “cite”. ---
**Author:** ![KittenKat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kittenkat/32/306_2.png) [@KittenKat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KittenKat)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-doper-appears-on-jeopardy/524541/86 "2010-01-21T13:29:08Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > i figured the “geek chic” look would be the doper recognition code. also yelling out “cite”. Hmm, I see now where I went wrong and let my fellow Dopers down. Whenever Alex ruled against me and gave the “correct” (;)) answer, I should have demanded “Cite!” ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-doper-appears-on-jeopardy/524541/87 "2010-01-21T14:40:18Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > i figured the “geek chic” look would be the doper recognition code. also yelling out “cite”. Or references to greetings, ornamental stones, felines, juggling, and lists. Preferably in 3 syllables. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-doper-appears-on-jeopardy/524541/88 "2010-01-21T14:42:03Z")
> [@GilaB](#): > > The only clothing items that I remember being specifically banned (I haven’t saved the instructions we got) were jeans and sneakers… Well, then, I put one over on them [when I was on in 1991](http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7dp0w_jeopardy-james-hyders-1st-day-48199_shortfilms). Watch closely at 0:24 and notice what’s on my feet. I’m wearing a nice gray suit I owned at the time, but also some nice gray sneakers that I usually wore with it. Much more comfortable than hard shoes, especially if you’re going to be on your feet for half an hour. Believe it or not, a friend of mine watching the show at the time actually noticed the sneakers and commented to me about them, even though they’re visible for all of about a second and a half. (You can see me win my first show [here](http://video.filestube.com/video,c58d065e3b7bce4303e9.html). Please don’t watch my ignominious loss on the second show [here](http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/gaming/watch/v16674821D5WH9SEC).) Anyway, these days, why would they care what you have on your feet? They start the show with the contestants in place, right? The only chance to see anything below the waist would be at the end, when you stand around talking with Alex. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-doper-appears-on-jeopardy/524541/89 "2010-01-22T22:38:56Z")
> [@GilaB](#): > > KittenKat, you and I were at the same taping. Really. My show airs on Friday. > . Just saw todays episode [spoiler]Congrats **GilaB** , A win is a win is a win!!! I thought “Altruism” ruined your chances but you hung in there and won. Now, I got to tune in on Monday to see if it continues. FTR, the guy in 2nd place must have flunked _Jeopardy wagering 101._ The guy in first had to wager what he did, but the guy in second should have wagered an amount that he would have won if both he and the guy in first both got the ‘answer’ wrong, he still would have won. [/spoiler] ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2010, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-doper-appears-on-jeopardy/524541/90 "2010-01-23T01:07:40Z")
> [@GilaB](#): > > Would you believe that I’m not sure anymore? My real name is Gila, and I’m the only female, so it should be pretty easy to figure out which one is me 🙂 Wow, Gila, you’re beautiful! :eek: I know Jeopardy is about brains–not beauty–but dang! You’ve probably heard this before, but you look a lot like Andie Macdowell. And regarding the outcome: Way to go! I didn’t see that coming, but I love it when the underdog wins like that in Final Jeopardy. I’ll be watching on Monday. ---
**Author:** ![dhkendall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9adbd/32.png) [@dhkendall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dhkendall)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2010, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-doper-appears-on-jeopardy/524541/91 "2010-01-23T01:42:20Z")
I thought she looked like Alanis Morissette, but I’m Canadian. Congrats for being on, Gila! I’m one of the Jeopardy! fans responsible for entering the entire oeuvre of J! games in [this website](http://j-archive.com/) (my assignment in particular is the J! round of Friday nights), so I got to relive your game a couple of times putting all the stuff in! You gonna share your winnings with the Dope? I think it works out to $.27 for each of us … 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2010, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-doper-appears-on-jeopardy/524541/92 "2010-01-23T02:27:48Z")
Go Gila! I had no idea at all about that Final Jeopardy question, blankety blank. What an exciting ending! I’ll stay tuned next week. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2010, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-doper-appears-on-jeopardy/524541/93 "2010-01-23T02:37:35Z")
I had NO CLUE either. My husband said “Secretary of War” and I thought that sounded good. Way to go! ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2010, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-doper-appears-on-jeopardy/524541/94 "2010-01-23T02:58:57Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > I had NO CLUE either. My husband said “Secretary of War” and I thought that sounded good. Way to go! [spoiler]I thought the same thing. I know (I think) that the title was changed to Secretary of Defence (along with Department of Defence) sometime after World War II. I didn’t have much confidence in that guess, though. The clue said the position left the cabinet, not just had a name change. And there was a thread here recently about the presidential line of succession following the order the cabinet departments were established. If the SecDef had been low on that list (confirming it was a new department, not just a name change) I think I would have noticed.[/spoiler]Well played, Gila. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2010, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-doper-appears-on-jeopardy/524541/95 "2010-01-23T03:22:29Z")
You guys are confirming that I’m not smart enough to be here. Of course, I’m not smart enough to leave, either… ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2010, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-doper-appears-on-jeopardy/524541/96 "2010-01-23T03:23:59Z")
I actually thought the FJ was pretty easy and I was surprised that only player got it. Then again, I miss the ones that everybody says are easy. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2010, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-doper-appears-on-jeopardy/524541/97 "2010-01-23T03:43:37Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > I actually thought the FJ was pretty easy and I was surprised that only player got it. Then again, I miss the ones that everybody says are easy. I’ve been on a game show, and here’s a handy rule of thumb for potential contestants: no matter what question you missed, 2/3 of the people who hear it will go out of their way to say “oh, I knew that one - it’s easy!” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2010, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-doper-appears-on-jeopardy/524541/98 "2010-01-23T04:06:23Z")
Woots Woot! Congratulations Gila! Wow what a game. I was all bummed out that you weren’t blowing away the guys and then came FJ and WHAM! smack down. I had no clue at all what the FJ question was. I’ll definitely be watching Monday to see you whoop some more ass. Also I actually liked the new category Overlapping words. I got three of the questions right. It was kind of tongue-twisting but still fun. I hope they keep it around. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2010, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-doper-appears-on-jeopardy/524541/99 "2010-01-23T04:12:27Z")
Too late to edit. Do the non-winners get any sort of prize or compensation for making it on an episode that airs? ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2010, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-doper-appears-on-jeopardy/524541/100 "2010-01-23T04:26:24Z")
> [@dhkendall](#): > > I’m one of the Jeopardy! fans responsible for entering the entire oeuvre of J! games in [this website](http://j-archive.com/) I love that website! I’ve been using it for years with my high school students when we sometimes have extra time in class. I quiz them using the Teen Tournament games. Thanks for your work on the archive! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-doper-appears-on-jeopardy/524541.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-doper-appears-on-jeopardy/524541.md?page=6)