Could very well be. I flat-out disliked her because I felt she just exuded Republicanism, although I could not tell you exactly why, and was overjoyed when Mattea won.
Won by a buck one day, lost by a buck the next. Now those were a couple of exciting games.
I heard her tone of voice as modest and bemused, not egotistical. I get the feeling that she’s the kind of person who learns something new on MANY days.
And actually retains it, which is the real trick.
This really has been a remarkable season on Jeopardy, with Matt Amodio’s 38 game streak, Amy Schneider’s 40 game streak and Mattea Roach’s 23 game streak. Heck, in another season Jonathan Fisher’s 11 game streak would be notable. This season, it’s just a footnote.
I think Emily was pissed about the “Kroc” clue.
She got the name wrong. It’s Ray, not Roy. Perfect example of why contestants are told to give only the last name. That can result in a BMS, but better safe than sorry.
Bristol Myers Squibb?
Ken is taking a break from the show. Not many details about why or how long, beyond “a few months.”
We are not lucky to have her. They are introducing her as “Host of Jeopardy” which they didn’t do for Ken. I am worried.
Great. Months of Dr. Brainpills 
Hilarious bad guess “Out of Africa” for the mambo in the Catskills question.
Be more specific.
They introduce her as “Host” because she was officially named the host of the prime-time college specials. Jennings is still officially an interim host.
Are told? It’s good advice, but I thought that was merely informal lore among prospective contestants–are you saying the contestants are “officially” told that by Jeopardy staff as part of their orientation?
Anyone else surprised none of the three got tonight’s FJ? It was a good example of a reasoning-heavy clue: “what 1920s American novel’s title sounds like it could also have something to do with a knight’s retirement?” I correctly guessed it without ever having read A Farewell to Arms or knowing anything about Queen Elizabeth I’s champion knight or his retirement.
Yeah, if she is made permanent host of the regular show, I won’t be watching regularly.
Players are told that responding with only the last name is acceptable as long as there is no ambiguity. E.g., for a clue about presidents, “Washington” would be acceptable, but “Johnson” would not. Although they may not be explicitly told not to give a first name if it’s not necessary, the clear implication is that providing more than the minimum opens you up to an unforced error, as in “Roy Kroc.”
Well, when you put it like that, it does sound pretty easy, but I didn’t get it. Here’s the exact wording:
A 1590 poem written for the retirement of Queen Elizabeth’s champion knight shares its title with this 1929 novel by an American.
I think the specificity of “1929” made me focus on the stock market crash, which was obviously the wrong direction. If they’d said “the 1920s,” I might have had a better chance.
But “The Great Gatsby”?!? “The Grapes of Wrath”?!? WTF???
I guessed For Whom The Bell Tolls.
I stand by it because it was close.
I guessed O Captain My Captain, which is just stupid.
I had no clue for FJ. Never ever would have come up with the correct response.
God, Mayim is so bad at hosting! So many pauses after the contestants give the correct responses, she didn’t tell Karim he could wager up to $1000 when he had $800 and then awkwardly paused after he said “I’ll wager $1000” and she didn’t say the reason why “Roy Kroc” was wrong but “Kroc” was accepted. (Because his name was Ray.) She’s terrible. What made anyone think she was the best choice as host?
^This is by far my biggest complaint about Bialik’s efforts to date. I don’t think she has ever stated this rule at any of the numerous times it has applied on her episodes. For me somehow it crosses the line between a general awkwardness and a dereliction of duty as host. So a bit of teeth-grinding on my part when Karim had clean up after her twice in the same show.
BTW, I got a real kick out of Karim’s second DD clue. I believe I had previously only ever heard the terms “Boswash” and “megalopolis” one time back in junior high social studies, but somehow they had stuck with me all these years. I think this was the first time I ever heard them out in the wild.
Yes. I’ve read (from former contestants) that is part of their briefing. Perhaps one the formers on this board will chime in.