# Jeopardy discussion

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-discussion/957207>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Tags:** reality-or-game-show\
**Created:** [January 4, 2022, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-discussion/957207 "2022-01-04T18:16:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 10

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**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:** [February 2, 2022, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-discussion/957207/181 "2022-02-02T13:19:30Z")

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I only knew it because I know that at some point in history (no idea when) there was someone known as the Antipope located in Avignon, and I guessed that at some point after that the Vatican might have acquired the Antipope’s HQ, perhaps to stop it becoming the site of another future schism.

Although I got the right response, it was based on vague memories and guesses. Maybe now I’ll go read up on the Antipope(s) and fight my own ignorance.

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**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2022, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-discussion/957207/182 "2022-02-02T15:20:40Z")

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> [@commasense](#):
>
> Although I got the right response, it was based on vague memories and guesses.

And that’s exactly how you win at Jeopardy! No one knows everything, but you know the clue reminds you of _this_ fact, which “sounds like” _that_ fact, and somewhere in your head you have a link between _that_ fact and pigs (but you don’t know why), and also you know that J! likes certain subjects a lot, which means that Charlotte’s Web is the correct answer. Q. E. D!

And I wanted Zoha to win. Loved her comeback from a distant third with a well executed DD, but also because her winning would make the bigots upset, and I love it when their heads hurt.

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**Author:** ![Arcite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@Arcite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arcite)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2022, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-discussion/957207/183 "2022-02-02T18:12:38Z")

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> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#):
>
> And that’s exactly how you win at Jeopardy! No one knows everything, but you know the clue reminds you of _this_ fact, which “sounds like” _that_ fact, and somewhere in your head you have a link between _that_ fact and pigs (but you don’t know why), and also you know that J! likes certain subjects a lot, which means that Charlotte’s Web is the correct answer. Q. E. D!

Yes, Avignon, the Western Schism, and the antipopes are another pet topic of the Jeopardy writers. I’ve watched enough Jeopardy that, as with Charlotte’s Web, Langston Hughes, and the Adriatic Sea, when the clue is about one of these topics I can usually guess the correct response despite not actually knowing anything about the subject.

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**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:** [February 2, 2022, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-discussion/957207/184 "2022-02-02T20:14:13Z")

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I knew FJ, because I have actually been in Avignon. I’ve even been on the famous bridge there (and yes, there were people dancing on it).

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**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2022, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-discussion/957207/185 "2022-02-02T20:21:49Z")

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I pulled “Ghent” out of my hole, and I don’t even know what it is.

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**Author:** ![Bayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bayaker/32/3454_2.png) [@Bayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bayaker)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2022, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-discussion/957207/186 "2022-02-02T20:31:51Z")

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> [@commasense](#):
>
> I only knew it because I know that at some point in history (no idea when) there was someone known as the Antipope located in Avignon, and I guessed that at some point after that the Vatican might have acquired the Antipope’s HQ, perhaps to stop it becoming the site of another future schism.

Just to clarify - The Papacy was moved to Avignon by a legitimate pope, and several legitimate successors stayed there. IIRC, there were only two anti-popes at Avignon, and they were at the end of “The Babylonian Captivity”, after a the _real_ pope moved back to Rome. Most of the anti-popes of this period resided in Italy(not necessarily Rome) and were supported by factions controlled by the Holy Roman Emperor.

I got FJ right immediately, although I could not remember if Avignon was on the Rhone or not. But it was about papal property in France, so there is only one answer they would be looking for.

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**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2022, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-discussion/957207/187 "2022-02-02T20:50:02Z")

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I confused the Rhone and the Rhine, so it was all downhill from there.

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**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2022, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-discussion/957207/188 "2022-02-02T21:29:04Z")

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I’m embarrassed to admit it, but my guess was “Budapest.”  
For some reason I got stuck on the “_partly_ a World Heritage Site” portion of the clue, and I did know that Buda and Pest were once two different cities on opposite sides of a river. But being absolutely terrible with European rivers, I clearly don’t know the Rhône from the Danube.  
And what did the French Revolution have to do with any of this? I dunno. Told you it was embarrassing.

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**Author:** ![Arcite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@Arcite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arcite)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2022, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-discussion/957207/189 "2022-02-02T21:51:23Z")

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I guess European rivers are one of those subjects you have to cram once you find out you’re going to be on the show. I see them the same way I see numbered Monarchs:

“What is the Rhine?”

“No, you idiot, how could anyone think Rhine was the correct response? Go back to elementary school. James!”

“What is the Rhone?”

“Yes, of course, _that_ is the blindingly obvious response that’s totally different from the Rhine!”

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**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\
**Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-discussion/957207/190 "2022-02-09T00:45:21Z")

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I missed it last night so a reminder that the College Tournament is on at prime time.

Brian

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**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\
**Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-discussion/957207/191 "2022-02-09T01:04:06Z")

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I have my DVR set to record all Jeopardy! episodes but it wasn’t set to automatically record the college tournament. So if you want to watch it, you might check your DVR.

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**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\
**Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-discussion/957207/192 "2022-02-09T01:36:11Z")

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There are 36 contestants, the QF winners advance but looking at the bracket not sure how it works, there are 6 slots in SF game 1.

Brian

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\
**Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-discussion/957207/193 "2022-02-09T03:40:51Z")

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Was tonight’s FJ a blatant plug for the movie, or merely a coincidence?

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**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:** [February 9, 2022, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-discussion/957207/194 "2022-02-09T03:44:57Z")

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Each show is an hour.

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**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\
**Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-discussion/957207/195 "2022-02-09T05:11:07Z")

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I really don’t like that in the College Championship you can win your Semifinal and not advance to the Finals. That just seems _wrong_.

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**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\
**Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-discussion/957207/196 "2022-02-09T11:50:47Z")

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That was part of my confusion I wasn’t sure how it worked-- looking at the bracket I thought there were 6 spots per game (12 people per episode), It is 3 people per game and 6 per episode-- the two lines were for name and university.

For the record, the format is:  
6 nights of quarter finals, two games a night. The winners of each game move to the semi-finals, the losers get $10k  
2 nights of semi-finals (4 total games). The top 3 winners move on to the finals. The 4th place winner gets $35k, losers get $20k  
1 night final, traditional tournament 2 game format.  
Winner: $250k  
Second: $100k  
Third: $50k

Brian

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**Author:** ![Arcite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@Arcite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arcite)\
**Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-discussion/957207/197 "2022-02-09T19:01:01Z")

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Has Jeopardy ever done this before? Had one of its tournaments air in prime time and concurrently with regular Jeopardy? What prompted this?

I’m annoyed because I didn’t hear about it ahead of time, and Youtube TV considers it a different show so didn’t DVR it, so now I’ve missed last night’s episode.

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**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\
**Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-discussion/957207/198 "2022-02-09T19:53:22Z")

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The “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) Tournament, between Ken Jennings, James Holzhauer, and Brad Rutter, was shown in prime time. Apparently this is going to be the plan going forward–the regular game in syndication, special tournaments in prime time. Back when they had “settled” on Mike Richards as the permanent syndicated host, doing the prime time tournaments was going to be Mayim Bialik’s sole job. When Richards got the boot, they went back to having her and Ken alternate hosting the regular show.

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**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\
**Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-discussion/957207/199 "2022-02-09T21:32:43Z")

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She still pauses before confirming that the contestant’s response was correct or not.

Clue: “This animal is commonly known as Man’s Best Friend”  
Contestant: “What is a dog”  
She looks at her prompter which says “Dog”. She waits for the light from the judges anyway. It comes green indicating that the contestant was correct. She says “Correct!”

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Allecher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a6a055/32.png) [@Allecher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Allecher)\
**Post date:** [February 9, 2022, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeopardy-discussion/957207/200 "2022-02-09T23:31:35Z")

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> [@Arcite](#):
>
> I’m annoyed because I didn’t hear about it ahead of time, and Youtube TV considers it a different show so didn’t DVR it, so now I’ve missed last night’s episode.

It is my understanding that the tournament episodes are available on the ABC website the following day.

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