# Jeopardy! contestant back on after 10 years...wears same tie! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 14, 2009, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-contestant-back-on-after-10-years-wears-same-tie/513742 "2009-10-14T04:08:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-contestant-back-on-after-10-years-wears-same-tie/513742/1 "2009-10-14T04:08:50Z")
This is shamelessly stolen from the [Jeopardy! Forum](http://boards.sonypictures.com/boards/forumdisplay.php?f=11) (where they first discovered it) but I thought there are enough Jeopardy fanatics on this board to justify posting it here. A player from Monday’s show, Jeff Kirby, had already appeared on the show in 1999. There was no indication on Monday’s show that the producers had brought him back for a do-over, nor did he mention his previous Jeopardy! appearance in a recent [newspaper interview](http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:l173wcMrnvgJ:www.santamariatimes.com/articles/2009/09/06/news/centralcoast/news03.txt+jeff+kirby+jeopardy&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us). In fact, in the article, he says he qualified for Jeopardy! by auditioning on the Brain Bus. So, did he sneak back in the contestant pool? Or did Jeopardy! not want to dredge up ancient history and explain why he was allowed to compete again? For what it’s worth, there don’t appear to be any scoring problems with his 1999 game. If this was a J! mess-up, I’ll bet they clamp down a lot harder on names and social security numbers. It seems pretty incredible that they didn’t catch this sooner, considering he used the same name (assuming he did, in fact, sneak on). [1999 Jeff](http://www.j-archive.com/showplayer.php?player_id=4371&highlight=jeff+kirby) [2009 Jeff](http://www.j-archive.com/showplayer.php?player_id=6404&highlight=jeff+kirby) (Also, is it just me, or did he really age really poorly in those ten years?) ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-contestant-back-on-after-10-years-wears-same-tie/513742/2 "2009-10-14T14:45:37Z")
That’s funny – _Jeopardy_, which I no longer watch, was on in the [del]restaurant[/del] dive bar with food in the back where I had dinner with a friend last night, and I mentioned that I no longer watch it, as I got like ten correct answers in a row. He asked if I could ever go back on, and I said no, they’re really strict about it – you can also only be on three different gameshows over your entire lifetime. Or not. ---
**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-contestant-back-on-after-10-years-wears-same-tie/513742/3 "2009-10-14T15:58:18Z")
He even won first time around, and played (and lost) a second game as a champion. I’d really love to know, as a former contestant myself, what changed to allow him a second bite at the apple. And I want my second bite too! ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-contestant-back-on-after-10-years-wears-same-tie/513742/4 "2009-10-14T19:45:45Z")
Maybe it’s his “lucky tie.” Although I can’t help but think he must have given a false response at some point in the application process, which means the show doesn’t have to award him his prize money. I wonder if the second-place finisher then becomes the “champion” or the game is just considered void. > [@Erdosain](#): > > (Also, is it just me, or did he really age really poorly in those ten years?) He seems to have gained some weight and lost some hair, which is - sadly - completely unremarkable for a middle-aged man. (Of course, I’m viewing the page through middle-aged eyes. I initially thought it said he worked for the “ **Occult** Union School District.”) ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-contestant-back-on-after-10-years-wears-same-tie/513742/5 "2009-10-14T19:51:10Z")
My guess is that he snaked his was back on somehow. The boyfriend of a friend of mine has been on something like twenty game shows. He managed to get on Wheel of Fortune twice which is also not allowed. He did it as a dare from a friend of his and was as shocked as anyone that he was able to pull it off. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-contestant-back-on-after-10-years-wears-same-tie/513742/6 "2009-10-14T19:53:48Z")
Whoops, I incorrectly inferred that he won a game this year. So I guess it’s just a question of whether or not to call Emma the second-place finisher rather than third. ---
**Author:** ![Rack-a-Bones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rack-a-Bones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rack-a-Bones)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-contestant-back-on-after-10-years-wears-same-tie/513742/7 "2009-10-14T19:56:35Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > That’s funny – _Jeopardy_, which I no longer watch, was on in the [del]restaurant[/del] dive bar with food in the back where I had dinner with a friend last night, and I mentioned that I no longer watch it, as I got like ten correct answers in a row. He asked if I could ever go back on, and I said no, they’re really strict about it – **you can also only be on three different gameshows over your entire lifetime.** > > Or not. Empasis mine of course, but huh? Is this a Universal Rule of Life? If I was on the Newlywed, Family Feud and Wheel of Fortune 20 years ago, I couldn’t be on Jeopardy! today? Also, how did you get on the show? I’m not interested myself, I’m just curious about the process. Do they do a tour and seek out contestants or do you have to go to them? ---
**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-contestant-back-on-after-10-years-wears-same-tie/513742/8 "2009-10-14T21:32:07Z")
> [@Rack-a-Bones](#): > > Empasis mine of course, but huh? Is this a Universal Rule of Life? If I was on the Newlywed, Family Feud and Wheel of Fortune 20 years ago, I couldn’t be on Jeopardy! today? I wasn’t told that there was a limit when I was on in '04, they asked what TV shows you’ve been on, not just game shows, and said that included being a “person on the street” on local news, even. But they didn’t mention any sort of “three game shows” regulation. ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-contestant-back-on-after-10-years-wears-same-tie/513742/9 "2009-10-14T21:32:24Z")
> [@TWDuke](#): > > Whoops, I incorrectly inferred that he won a game this year. So I guess it’s just a question of whether or not to call Emma the second-place finisher rather than third. Actually, he finished third on Monday, so fortunately no one is out any money. However, people on the J! Forums have been arguing that Emma deserves a second chance, which I don’t understand. She was clearly not better than Terry, so why should she get to go again? Some people have also wondered if Jeff blew the final couple of questions on purpose to avoid winning (all this assuming he snuck back on). Winning his game this year would clearly have caused him to be outed sooner. Plus, can you imagine the headaches for Jeopardy! if he had been a multi-day champ? They would have had to bring back tons of contestants for a re-do. That would have been a public relations disaster. Again, all this assuming that he snuck back on, which there hasn’t been any confirmation yet. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-contestant-back-on-after-10-years-wears-same-tie/513742/10 "2009-10-14T22:06:47Z")
> [@TWDuke](#): > > Maybe it’s his “lucky tie.” He’s a _Jeopardy!_ contestant. It’s likely his ONLY tie. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ronald\_C.Semone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cc9497/32.png) [@Ronald\_C.Semone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronald_C.Semone)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-contestant-back-on-after-10-years-wears-same-tie/513742/11 "2009-10-14T22:38:28Z")
The other day I was showing an old family photo album to a visiting relative and I noticed that a picture taken of me when I was 17 and all dressed up to receive an award of some kind shows me wearing a necktie that still hangs in my closet and which I occasionally wear. I am 71. ---
**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:** [October 15, 2009, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-contestant-back-on-after-10-years-wears-same-tie/513742/12 "2009-10-15T01:19:08Z")
> [@tumbleddown](#): > > I wasn’t told that there was a limit when I was on in '04, they asked what TV shows you’ve been on, not just game shows, and said that included being a “person on the street” on local news, even. But they didn’t mention any sort of “three game shows” regulation. You know, I seem to remember filling out the form at the interview and it asking “have you appeared on any game show in the last x years” (where x = a number I can’t recall). Of course, I remember lots of things that turn out to only be slightly true… :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-contestant-back-on-after-10-years-wears-same-tie/513742/13 "2009-10-15T05:48:35Z")
[The producers know, and I’m guessing they’re embarrassed and ticked.](http://boards.sonypictures.com/boards/showthread.php?t=43216) ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-contestant-back-on-after-10-years-wears-same-tie/513742/14 "2009-10-15T12:47:00Z")
> [@Rack-a-Bones](#): > > Empasis mine of course, but huh? Is this a Universal Rule of Life? If I was on the Newlywed, Family Feud and Wheel of Fortune 20 years ago, I couldn’t be on Jeopardy! today? > > Also, how did you get on the show? I’m not interested myself, I’m just curious about the process. Do they do a tour and seek out contestants or do you have to go to them? I was on in '94 (back when the dollar amounts were lower, won $46,00 in three games, lost the fourth), so it’s entirely possible I remember this wrong, but this is what I was told at the time. I was also told that they maintained a central database with people’s SSNs to ensure it. I got on when they did a contestant search in Atlantic City, where Merv Griffin owned a casino. ---
**Author:** ![troub](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troub/32/14802_2.png) [@troub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troub)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-contestant-back-on-after-10-years-wears-same-tie/513742/15 "2009-10-15T15:01:07Z")
> [@Ronald\_C.Semone](#): > > The other day I was showing an old family photo album to a visiting relative and I noticed that a picture taken of me when I was 17 and all dressed up to receive an award of some kind shows me wearing a necktie that still hangs in my closet and which I occasionally wear. I am 71. I’m a relatively young guy, but yeah, I got my first real ties about 15 years ago and yes, they’re still in my closet, and I do still wear them. Many people don’t wear ties every single day, don’t spill food on them, don’t pick horrible garish trendy patterns that would really go out of style, so as long as it’s not ratty or tattered, or obviously too short, or something like that I can’t really fault a guy for happening to show up in the same tie 10 years apart. I actually shudder to think how many times some of my favorite ties might appear in different pictures from different events over the past decade. ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-contestant-back-on-after-10-years-wears-same-tie/513742/16 "2009-10-15T19:28:37Z")
I tried out for _Jeopardy!_ about fifteen years ago when there was an audition in suburban Cleveland, where I was living at the time. On the form, there was a question along the lines of “Have you ever been on any game show previously? If so, give show’s name and approximate date.” I asked if this would include _Academic Challenge_ (high school quiz competition with no cash prizes, although I still have the dictionary I won for helping my team to victory). I was told that yes, that program would be one of my allowed three game/quiz shows in a lifetime, although the fact I had appeared in two different seasons didn’t count double against me. I was one of the eight or nine people who passed the preliminary test and got invited to play a sample game. After the competition was over, a woman I’ll call Clueless (the only female to have “made the cut” that day) was talking with the contestant coordinators and mentioned she had been on _Jeopardy!_ a few years previously. I don’t know if she had “forgotten” to mention this on the application, but she seemed surprised when told she couldn’t participate again – she had thought that “enough time must have passed” since her initial appearance. At any rate, I was never selected to appear, nor were any of the other guys from my session. Since people who had tried out earlier or later that day at that hotel did appear in the coming months, however, I’ve concluded that Clueless’s participation somehow tainted our session and rendered us non-cheaters all ineligible, much as if we had been Olympic relay sprinters forced to return our golds when one of our teammates was discovered to have tested positive for steroids after the medal ceremony had taken place. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-contestant-back-on-after-10-years-wears-same-tie/513742/17 "2009-10-15T20:22:51Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > Plus, can you imagine the headaches for Jeopardy! if he had been a multi-day champ? They would have had to bring back tons of contestants for a re-do. Imagine the headaches if they ever find out some disqualifying fact about Ken Jennings. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-contestant-back-on-after-10-years-wears-same-tie/513742/18 "2009-10-15T21:19:18Z")
> [@Ronald\_C.Semone](#): > > The other day I was showing an old family photo album to a visiting relative and I noticed that a picture taken of me when I was 17 and all dressed up to receive an award of some kind shows me wearing a necktie that still hangs in my closet and which I occasionally wear. I am 71. That’s awesome. You’re my hero. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-contestant-back-on-after-10-years-wears-same-tie/513742/19 "2009-10-15T21:41:45Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > Actually, he finished third on Monday, so fortunately no one is out any money. Gah. I was looking at the apparently meaningless “[Coryat Score](http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=3171).” > [@](#): > > However, people on the J! Forums have been arguing that Emma deserves a second chance, which I don’t understand. She was clearly not better than Terry, so why should she get to go again? Rabble-rousers and malcontents, the lot of them. > [@](#): > > Again, all this assuming that he snuck back on, which there hasn’t been any confirmation yet. Despite my track record in this thread, I feel confident in saying this was not an honest mistake. He had to lie at least once during the application process. ---
**Author:** ![ProfessorX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@ProfessorX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ProfessorX)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-contestant-back-on-after-10-years-wears-same-tie/513742/20 "2009-10-16T18:00:18Z")
> [@Ronald\_C.Semone](#): > > The other day I was showing an old family photo album to a visiting relative and I noticed that a picture taken of me when I was 17 and all dressed up to receive an award of some kind shows me wearing a necktie that still hangs in my closet and which I occasionally wear. I am 71. That is pretty awesome, but I definitely use a lot of my ties a ton and recycle and keep them forever unless they get stained or otherwise ruined. Don’t think that’s so bad assuming it’s still in style. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-contestant-back-on-after-10-years-wears-same-tie/513742.md?page=2)