# Dopers on Jeopardy! THE List **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** reality-or-game-show\ **Created:** [November 18, 2004, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-on-jeopardy-the-list/275535 "2004-11-18T20:39:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2004, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-on-jeopardy-the-list/275535/41 "2004-11-21T20:34:30Z")
**B** ay **P** ackers, of course ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2004, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-on-jeopardy-the-list/275535/42 "2004-11-21T22:21:26Z")
> [@](#): > > The closest Jeopardy! comes to category tipping is on the celebrity shows, when it is obvious that certain categories were inserted to cater to the celebrities’ strengths. Doesn’t always work, though! Reggie White of the Green Pay Backers is a lay minister, but he did terribly in a Bible category. I remember a show once which had Stormin’ Norman Schwartzkopf up against a Babewatch girl and some other fluff celebrity. He dominated the game, but one of the few he missed was “Who was Douglas MacArthur?” (I don’t remember the answer leading to that). ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2004, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-on-jeopardy-the-list/275535/43 "2004-11-21T23:02:05Z")
> [@Mama Tiger](#): > > Wow. You know, I think this is literally the first time in the ten years since I was a contestant that I remembered the craft service area. And the food was pretty good, plentiful if uninspired. I had a chicken breast, as I recall. > > But definitely no Alex. We were specifically told, as I recall, that he wasn’t allowed to talk to contestants until after we were actually on stage for the official taping. No craft services. Fine with me, since I’ve been to enough craft services when my daughter was acting. The cafeteria was more interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2004, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-on-jeopardy-the-list/275535/44 "2004-11-21T23:06:15Z")
> [@Mama Tiger](#): > > I reviewed US, Canadian, and Australian state and provincial capitals, world capitals, and at a very superficial level opera, mythology, the Oscars, and U.S. presidents. > > For me, the best part about the cramming was that it kept me _doing_ something instead of sitting around obsessing. Which was a far greater help than any facts I picked up. Although I ended up, as luck would have it, with a mythology category and was able to get two answers as a result of my cramming. So clearly, you never know! I crammed, but it was useless, because I went on just when they switched to cute questions from fact questions. You never know what is going to help. My only Daily Double (and the only one anyone got) was in the category of Famous Fred, and consisted of them playing the “I’ m Too Sexy” song. I got it (the singer is Right Said Fred) but only because it was the music to a dance in a play my daughter was in, and we went to five stores to find the single. I earned Jep cred from being an old geezer who knew that answer. 🙂 It also helped that the returning champ was named Fred - and I creamed him in this category (if no other.) ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2004, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-on-jeopardy-the-list/275535/45 "2004-11-21T23:40:42Z")
> [@](#): > > I crammed, but it was useless, because I went on just when they switched to cute questions from fact questions. The questions really have changed, haven’t they? These days it seems like it’s 90% pop culture, cutesy word play, etc. I had categories like Art, Mythology, Sewing. I wouldn’t even pass the test today, I don’t think. ---
**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:** [November 23, 2004, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-on-jeopardy-the-list/275535/46 "2004-11-23T04:22:25Z")
You’re given no hint to the clues, so all you can do, as others have suggested, is study a few obvious subjects. I tried to memorize the order of the presidents, state and national capitals, etc. Didn’t really pay off for me. While you watch the games ahead of you, as the new categories come up you’re saying, “Oh, I wish I could have gotten _that_ one!” As it happened, there were 12 of us the first day I taped, and I wasn’t selected for any of the shows taped that day. So I came back the second day, with a slight advantage of having been through the whole orientation process before. Although I hadn’t played, I had a slight “been there, done that” attitude that may have given me a slight edge over the other players. Another little thing I remember: just before we came back for Final Jeopardy, the contestant coordinator said, “If you don’t know the answer, go for funny.” ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-on-jeopardy-the-list/275535/47 "2004-11-23T14:26:03Z")
I’m almost ashamed to admit it, but I practiced for the buzzer using a clicky ballpoint pen while watching at home before I went on the show (I’m pretty sure the contestant coordinators suggested this at the audition). ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2004, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-on-jeopardy-the-list/275535/48 "2004-11-23T14:32:49Z")
I don’t think that’s embarrassing at all, **h.sapiens** – I was still a smoker at that point, so I used my lighter, upside-down. That is, in fact, the #1 piece of advice I’ve given to people I know who have made it on: Practice standing up in your living room with something in your hand to act like the buzzer. ---
**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:** [November 23, 2004, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-on-jeopardy-the-list/275535/49 "2004-11-23T15:53:19Z")
> [@h.sapiens](#): > > I’m almost ashamed to admit it, but I practiced for the buzzer using a clicky ballpoint pen while watching at home before I went on the show. I did that too, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. What I do regret, though, is that I didn’t adapt my “buzzing” style to the challenge of a new player on my second day. I had realized that holding the button with your forearm at a 90-degree-angle from your body could lead to larger arm movements (like banging a gavel) that that could actually lengthen your reaction time. So I held my hands crossed below the desk level. This worked well in the first show, but in the second the eventual winner was consistently getting in before me. I had fewer wrong answers on the second show than the first, and if I had tried a different style with the button, I might have done better. ---
**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:** [November 23, 2004, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-on-jeopardy-the-list/275535/50 "2004-11-23T16:03:01Z")
The latest updated list: ```auto Doper Year wins place amount notes 5 time champ 2001 5 $50,703 annieclaus 1967 0 2nd AugestWest 2004 1 2nd $31,100 Blanx 2001 0 2nd Captain Lance Murdoch 1997 2 Colibri 1974 Commasense 1991 1 2nd $7,201 ElvisL1ves 1996 0 2nd h.sapiens 1994 5 $62,000 semi-finals of tournament jsc1953 1988 0 3rd Mama Tiger 1994 0 3rd lost to a five-time champ Mr. Moto 2000 0 2nd Richardb 1984 The Man Who 2003 1 $50,000 Myron Myers, in one show Tracy Lord 2004 0 2nd $5,000 2 Teen Jeopardy! shows Twickster 1994 3 2nd $46,000 Walloon 1997 1 2nd $4,100 Voyager 1997 0 2nd ``` Eighteen dopers, ranging over a period of 37 years! And I’m looking forward to adding more soon. (Go, **TeaElle**!) I’m still looking for any additions or updates, including those I asked for in post #33. ( **Capt. Lance, Colibri, richardb**?) Thanks. ---
**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:** [November 23, 2004, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-on-jeopardy-the-list/275535/51 "2004-11-23T16:04:08Z")
The latest updated list: ```auto Doper Year wins place amount notes 5 time champ 2001 5 $50,703 annieclaus 1967 0 2nd AugestWest 2004 1 2nd $31,100 Blanx 2001 0 2nd Captain Lance Murdoch 1997 2 Colibri 1974 Commasense 1991 1 2nd $7,201 ElvisL1ves 1996 0 2nd h.sapiens 1994 5 $62,000 semi-finals of tournament jsc1953 1988 0 3rd Mama Tiger 1994 0 3rd lost to a five-time champ Mr. Moto 2000 0 2nd Richardb 1984 The Man Who 2003 1 $50,000 Myron Myers, in one show Tracy Lord 2004 0 2nd $5,000 2 Teen Jeopardy! shows Twickster 1994 3 2nd $46,000 Walloon 1997 1 2nd $4,100 Voyager 1997 0 2nd ``` Eighteen dopers, ranging over a period of 37 years! And I’m looking forward to adding more soon. (Go **TeaElle**!) I’m still looking for any additions or updates, including those I asked for in post #33. ( **Capt. Lance, Colibri, richardb**?) Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Hooleehootoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/eada6e/32.png) [@Hooleehootoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hooleehootoo)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2004, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-on-jeopardy-the-list/275535/52 "2004-11-30T22:52:24Z")
I was on an episode that aired in July 1999. I got 3rd place. ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2004, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-on-jeopardy-the-list/275535/53 "2004-11-30T23:29:50Z")
I got waxed in the tryouts in Atlanta in 1999. The group of 75 was cut down to 6 in about 30 minutes, and I did not make the cut. I used to curse at the TV at how stupid some of the people on Jeopardy are, I don’t do that anymore because they all passed a test that I could not. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-on-jeopardy-the-list/275535/54 "2004-12-01T00:21:39Z")
Not much to add, but I will anyway: I tried out in person, combining it with a trip to Disneyland. I got the call to appear on the show about 9 months later, with 2 days notice… “can you be here on Monday?”. Not much time to cram, and I didn’t bother. At the start of the show, Alex announced that they were featuring contestants who had scored particularly well on the test, so apparently they do some sort of matching of test scores. I was leading after the first round (Alex said I was “impressive”), but then inexplicably felt like I could coast to the finish line. Bet it all on FJ, and lost, to the defending champion, who went on to win (IIRC) 4 games. My lovely parting gift was a stove. I lived in an apartment. :smack: so I donated it to charity. And I sat in the audience and watched the next taping. About 6 mos later my ex-girlfriend was on the show, and won. ---
**Author:** ![richardb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/96bed5/32.png) [@richardb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/richardb)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-on-jeopardy-the-list/275535/55 "2005-01-12T03:22:10Z")
I posted a much longer account of my experience on the " Ken Jennings and Jeopardy!" thread because I ran across it first (I am catching up after not visiting these boards for a few months now): > **[Ken Jennings and Jeopardy!](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=284794)** > > I’m not a Jeopardy! watcher, but have heard about this Jennings fellow a couple of times. News piece in my local paper today says that Jennings has racked up his 66th consecutive win, earning $2.1M. It certainly sounds like this guy is unbeatable. ... It should be the last post on the second page. If you are really interested in Jeopardy trivia about the beginnings of the show (at least, the Alex Trebeck era show), then it might be interesting reading. I think I came in third (it might have been second, I’m really not 100% sure after 20 years, and I’m not motivated enough to dig up the VCR tape to check), losing to the very first 5-time champion on this version of Jeopardy!. No one except the winner kept any money, and in those first weeks of the shows tapings, the second and third place prizes were kind of sucky. I think I won paint or carpeting or something, and never bothered claiming the prizes. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-on-jeopardy-the-list/275535/56 "2005-01-12T04:07:01Z")
Nothing to add I haven’t before, except to relate again that I won, as a consolation prize, a week’s vacation at the Wyndham El Conquistador Resort in Puerto Rico. Nearly a year after the air date, Mrs. Moto and I used the trip as our honeymoon. 😃 ---
**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 12, 2005, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-on-jeopardy-the-list/275535/57 "2005-01-12T05:13:44Z")
**TeaElle** : Have you taped yet? Air date? Any news? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-on-jeopardy-the-list/275535/58 "2005-01-12T05:45:44Z")
Do foreign versions of Jeopardy count? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-on-jeopardy-the-list/275535/59 "2005-01-12T11:47:45Z")
Yeah, let us know. For that matter, I think we should compile a game show list. Has anyone here been on the Price is Right? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-on-jeopardy-the-list/275535/60 "2005-01-12T14:53:55Z")
Well, back in 1999 my wife and I were on a special, one-time Couples Tounament of the Israeli version of Jeopardy (identical format, much better host). We went up against two other pairs of newlyweds, answered everything correctly, and won 14,200 shekels. My wife and I made a great team. Apart, neither of us would have won - the respective gaps in our knowlege were too large. Between the two of us, though, we knew _everything_. Have you heard of couples “completing” each other? Well, we found a way to make money off it. The only reason the other couples took any money at all was by having better buzzer reflexes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-on-jeopardy-the-list/275535.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-on-jeopardy-the-list/275535.md?page=4)