I DVR Jeopardy! and watch it when I’m working in the kitchen, so this is from the 5/8/14 show.
Category: Shakespeare
Clue: I’m talkin’ Shakespeare, Claudio & Isabella … Talkin’ Pompey … Lucio & the Duke, Say Hey! to this play
Correct response: What is Measure for Measure?
So, my question is: WTF?
FWIW, Trebek read the clue in what my wife described a a “jive” speech pattern.
The writers like to make the answers more interesting for a couple of reasons.
It was written as jive speech, or some kind of lingo. So why not? It wouldn’t sound right without that. The question should be why the clue was in that form. (assuming you have given us the text, and not just what Alex said).
That’s the way is was in the answer. Alex gave it a noble try.
Normally, the clue would be “Characters in this play include Claudio, Isabella, Pompey, Lucio & the Duke”
When the writers play games, the game is usually based on something inherent to whatever the correct response is. But I’m not aware of any connection between jive talking and Measure for Measure.
That’s what I meant by “WTF.” Should have been more explicit.
They’re making a New York baseball joke. The clue matches the rhythm of “Talkin’ Baseball” by Terry Cashman and I’m guessing Alex was trying to do an old-fashioned New York accent. Edwin “Duke” Snyder was a star centerfielder for the Brooklyn (later L.A.) Dodgers at the same time Willie “Say Hey Kid” Mays was a star centerfielder for the New York (and then San Francisco) Giants.
edit: In fact the full title of Cashman’s song is “Talkin’ Baseball (Willie, Mickey & The Duke).” Mickey Mantle (of the Yankees) was the third star centerfielder in NY baseball at the time Cashman is singing about .
I assumed the phrasing was an homage to ‘Talkin’ Baseball’. Still not sure what that has to do with Measure for Measure though.
I think it was “…& The Duke” that sparked the writers’ interest.
There’s a Duke in the play, you see.
Terry Cashman’s song “Talkin’ Baseball” (lyrics here) was the first thing I thought of when I saw that episode, as well. The “Say Hey!” plus the “…and the Duke” strongly suggest that.
What I couldn’t figure out was why allude to “Talkin’ Baseball” for that particular clue. I still don’t know, other than sheer whimsy on the writers’ part.
Edited to add: Wow, three more posts appeared while I was typing that!
Now I get it.
Don’t like it. But I get it. Thanks.
(I even knew of the song. :smack:)
Sounds like Brian Griffin teaching English on*** Family Guy***.
Cannot find a clip for that episode. Damn! :mad:
Here’s a transcript:
All right. So’s I’m chilling in Verona when my homie busts out with:
“Yo, Romeo. Check out that biatch Juliet in the window.”
Problem is, Juliet’s peeps are, like, East Coast rappers…
and my posse’s representing West Side.
Just like my boys Tupac and Biggie. Know what I’m saying?
Should have been Comedy of Errors.
Does he really need the help?
Stranger