# Merv Griffin announces that something "amazing" is going to happen... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 18, 2004, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merv-griffin-announces-that-something-amazing-is-going-to-happen/245842 "2004-05-18T20:42:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merv-griffin-announces-that-something-amazing-is-going-to-happen/245842/101 "2004-06-12T03:07:37Z")
The range of topics that this guy knows about is incredible. He has no weaknesses that I can see. I don’t have a good enough memory to know for sure but can anyone think of a topic where he didn’t at least get one of the questions right? He’s like Michael Schumacher. You pretty much figure he’ll win, you just watch to see for how long, by how much and if by some fluke he doesn’t, what the heck happened. ---
**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:** [June 12, 2004, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merv-griffin-announces-that-something-amazing-is-going-to-happen/245842/102 "2004-06-12T03:11:56Z")
He got it wrong and ended with $34K?!? So I guess his nearest competitor had almost $17K going into FJ? ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merv-griffin-announces-that-something-amazing-is-going-to-happen/245842/103 "2004-06-12T03:26:16Z")
The syndication contract that King World has with individual stations requires the stations to show every episode at _some_ time within 24 hours of its intended broadcast time, if the normal broadcast time is pre-empted. If your station cheated you out of a _Jeopardy!_ show, complain! 😃 ---
**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:** [June 12, 2004, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merv-griffin-announces-that-something-amazing-is-going-to-happen/245842/104 "2004-06-12T04:41:21Z")
If that’s true, they’ll probably run the episode at 3:30 am, and I don’t think I’ll stay up all night to check. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merv-griffin-announces-that-something-amazing-is-going-to-happen/245842/105 "2004-06-12T04:53:59Z")
I got it. He hired a new producer/umbrella holder on May 20. After 3 weeks, the guy really sucked at the umbrella holding duties, and was given his final warning. On June 11, after several near eye-gougings on national TV, Merv beat him to death with a large portion of the exclamation point. The show will henceforth be known as **Jeopardy.** (minus the top half of the exclamation point). ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merv-griffin-announces-that-something-amazing-is-going-to-happen/245842/106 "2004-06-12T04:59:57Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > He got it wrong and ended with $34K?!? So I guess his nearest competitor had almost $17K going into FJ? I…never really noticed, actually. I’ve only been paying attention to Ken’s cash. Second place guy got it right, FTR. ---
**Author:** ![USCDiver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uscdiver/32/354_2.png) [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merv-griffin-announces-that-something-amazing-is-going-to-happen/245842/107 "2004-06-12T19:16:24Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > He got it wrong and ended with $34K?!? So I guess his nearest competitor had almost $17K going into FJ? I believe he had about $40,000. Next guy had about $9000. Champion guy was being conservative, I suppose, and only wagered $6000. On a side note, I’d like to say that of the two Final Jeopardies I’ve seen him miss, I had guessed the same answer he did (Cyprus and Kruschev…correct answers Crete and Castro). So even if I’m not as smart as the guy, I _am_ as stupid as he is. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2004, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merv-griffin-announces-that-something-amazing-is-going-to-happen/245842/108 "2004-06-14T23:59:59Z")
Now 9 days — $291,158. He missed both big daily doubles today, but got a fairly easy FJ correct. Once again, he entered FJ untouchable. He picks a lot of DDs, but I guess that’s because he gets so many questions right. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merv-griffin-announces-that-something-amazing-is-going-to-happen/245842/109 "2004-06-15T00:21:20Z")
I missed his wager - was he insanely conservative again, or did he go into 5 digits? ---
**Author:** ![5\_time\_champ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/278dde/32.png) [@5\_time\_champ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5_time_champ)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merv-griffin-announces-that-something-amazing-is-going-to-happen/245842/110 "2004-06-15T03:13:54Z")
> [@Walloon](#): > > The syndication contract that King World has with individual stations requires the stations to show every episode at _some_ time within 24 hours of its intended broadcast time, if the normal broadcast time is pre-empted. If your station cheated you out of a _Jeopardy!_ show, complain! 😃 No, KSDK in St Louis pre-empted my inglorious defeat in the 2001 Tournament of Champions. The station gave me a copy of the episode but would not replay it at like 3:30 a.m. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merv-griffin-announces-that-something-amazing-is-going-to-happen/245842/111 "2004-06-15T10:53:44Z")
Tengu, he wagered conservatively, calculated to insure a win. 5 Time Champ, that sucks. But congratulations! ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merv-griffin-announces-that-something-amazing-is-going-to-happen/245842/112 "2004-06-15T19:09:05Z")
So, should we start some sort of dead pool for Ken? Not for his death, of course. That would be silly. But how long can he last? He’s brilliant, and remarkably non-geeky and modest, it seems. I’ve got a fiver on 15 wins. On another note, how many shows are taped in a day? I think it would have to be at least three, but more than five seems way too grueling. Anyone know for sure? ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merv-griffin-announces-that-something-amazing-is-going-to-happen/245842/113 "2004-06-15T19:19:36Z")
Five shows are taped per day, three before lunch, two after. Two days in a row (10 total shows); then they take a two-week hiatus. ---
**Author:** ![minty\_green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@minty\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minty_green)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merv-griffin-announces-that-something-amazing-is-going-to-happen/245842/114 "2004-06-15T20:03:16Z")
When did they change the rule that you were gone after five shows, win or lose? ---
**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:** [June 15, 2004, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merv-griffin-announces-that-something-amazing-is-going-to-happen/245842/115 "2004-06-15T20:33:33Z")
Less than a year, I think. Maybe only since the beginning of this year. I just went to the _Jeopardy!_ Web site to see if I could find out, but it’s down for maintenance. I also just went back to the rules agreement I signed when I played in 1991, and the maximum value of all prizes you could win in five shows then (back before the values were all doubled) was $100,000. Anything over that you agreed to donate to a charity. I guess _Millionaire_ has upped the stakes throughout the game show business. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merv-griffin-announces-that-something-amazing-is-going-to-happen/245842/116 "2004-06-15T21:03:21Z")
It happened when they doubled the clue values. And you’re right, after Regis’ show, working a whole week for a lousy 30 grand fell out of favor. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merv-griffin-announces-that-something-amazing-is-going-to-happen/245842/117 "2004-06-15T21:09:12Z")
From the website of distributor [King World](http://www.kingworld.com/pr-skysthelimit.htm): > [@](#): > > Culver City, CA, July 22, 2003 - In celebration of _Jeopardy!_’s milestone 20th Anniversary season that kicks-off on September 8, 2003, producers announced today “unlimited game play” for contestants who return as champions on the nation’s #1 quiz show in the new season. For the past nineteen seasons, _Jeopardy!_ winners could return to compete on the program for up to five days before retiring undefeated. Beginning this Fall, the champion will be invited back to the show with no restriction on the number of times a player can win. As the contestant keeps winning, they keep accumulating more money — ensuring more classic _Jeopardy!_ competition. ---
**Author:** ![Nightwatch\_Trailer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9dc877/32.png) [@Nightwatch\_Trailer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightwatch_Trailer)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merv-griffin-announces-that-something-amazing-is-going-to-happen/245842/118 "2004-06-15T21:10:31Z")
I bet I know who wins today. I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes it even longer than fifteen days. No one I’ve seen yet can touch this guy. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merv-griffin-announces-that-something-amazing-is-going-to-happen/245842/119 "2004-06-15T21:12:07Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > It happened when they doubled the clue values. No. They doubled the dollar amounts on [November 26, 2001](http://www.kingworld.com/pr-jeopardy-doublemoney.htm). ---
**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:** [June 15, 2004, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merv-griffin-announces-that-something-amazing-is-going-to-happen/245842/120 "2004-06-15T21:17:25Z")
We could have two pools: days and cash. He’s at 9 days and $291,158 going into today’s show. My entry in the days pool is unlucky 13, and in the cash pool is $418,300. Any more guesses? BTW, according to a thread here a while ago (sorry, can’t find it now), there are at least 15 former _Jeopardy!_ players on the SDMB. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merv-griffin-announces-that-something-amazing-is-going-to-happen/245842.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/merv-griffin-announces-that-something-amazing-is-going-to-happen/245842.md?page=7)