Why bring the rule back? Sure, he’ll walk away with a huge prize, but is it really that much more than would be given out to five one-day winners? Or two five-day winners? I don’t see how they’d save very much money…
They wouldn’t save much, if any, money by reinstating the max-five-wins rule. As of ten wins, he averaged $34,000 per game, which is a little high, but not outrageous. Also, an event like his winning streak does a lot to increase interest in the show.
Is this tax-free money? Or, does he have to split with Uncle Sam?
I haven’t been able to see Jeopardy for a long time, second shift and all, except Monday when I took the day off. How many days and $ is Ken-Spock up to now?
It’s taxed by both the IRS and the contestant’s home state as regular income.
I just wish the guy would stop that annoying little sideways nod of the head he makes when answering.
But maybe that nod activates some sort of remote third eye, so he can read the correct answer over Alex’s shoulder.
Wow, this guy is incredible!
I’m curious, how many 5-day winners have there been in the history of the show? One has to wonder, if they were allowed to play on, how many of these people would have put up a similiar streak?
Just curious if the winner has to pay California tax (where the show is taped) PLUS his own state tax on the winnings.
I like Jeopardy (though I think it was better in the Art Fleming era), but way too much of the outcome depends on clicking that button at precisely the right time. Ken obviously has the knack, and although his knowledge is indeed impressive, how much success is knowledge and how much is timing the button? I hope he loses, seems like he’s getting to be an arrogant little turd.
Often, one state gets first shot, then if the remaining state tax rate is greater it can take the additional portion. That’s how it worked with MA and ME for a while, I think it still does.
I use to love Jeopardy!
This sounds like a great run.
What does this Ken guy do for a living?
You have to sign tax forms before you even leave the studio.
We were California residents when Mama Tiger was on (in 1994, she tied for second, had her butt kicked by a woman who was on her fifth day – the dread when I saw my mom going up to the podium to write her name and stuff on what I knew was Amy’s last day…sigh) but my understanding is that you pay federal and California state taxes no matter what. A friend of mine was on The Price is Right some time after that, but he lives in Texas, which doesn’t have state income tax, so he paid federal and California.
Ha! What would be funnier would be if there was some kind of cliche fantasy ending:
Alex: Lo, Ken! Thou hast defeated all my minions with thy mighty knowledge of trivia! As was prophecied, thou hast beaten thy way through the ring of three, not just for five days, but five times five days.
Ken: Yea, Wizard Alex! And each day I have Thought, and I have Clicked the Button, and I have beaten all challagers. Now you, the mighty Host, are the only one left. Know, then, that I, I am the One who has been prophecied, the One who has defeated thy mighty empire of Jeopardy!
Alex: And I must thank thee.
Ken: Uh, thank me?
Alex: For the prophecy stated that I, for my sins, must host Jeopardy! in perpetuity, until a mighty Hero with a thumb like the wind came forth and vanquished the opposition. And then I would be released from my torment…
Ken: Oh, God, no!
Alex (whispering): And this Hero, he shall eternally shoulder my burden, and take my place, while I fly free.
Ken: Noooooooo…
Alex: (laughs maniacally)
(Ken’s shape deforms, weirdly twisting, transforming him into the new Host.)
They very well may bring back the rule. But the budget isn’t affected by Ken winning again and again. He doesn’t get any more money per show than any other winner just because he was on before. His final bets and totals aren’t that aggressive, and, except for the variable-bet specials, every question he gets right just subtracts the same amount from another contestant’s potential winnings.
I like the way he pretends not to be sure while giving the correct answer.
I missed today’s show - did Ken Jennings win again? If so, what’s his total up to? How many days is it now?
StG
Once again, he went into FJ unbeatable, bet far more conservatively than he needed to, and left with 30k (he got it right this time, went in with 27k, bet 3k). This was his 13th day, IIRC.
And he’s long since crossed 400k total, something like 440,158, IIRC. (The 158 stood out because of his comment about trying to get round numbers.)
Does anyone know how he compares with former five-day champions? Was there anyone like him who, every single time, went into FJ untouchable?
Play Jeopardy.
That brings to mind an old column of the Master:
No. To forget something you have to have heard of it in the first place, which frankly I hadn’t, mainly because the last cited use of jeapardous in the Oxford English Dictionary was in 1661. (“Yo, varlet, is the new quiz show ‘What’s My Linish’ or ‘Wheel of Fortunesque’?” “Neither, milord, it is ‘Jeopardous.’”) So sue me.
Does anyone else get the sneaking suspicion that this guy is going to win more than $1 million? That would be the biggest prize ever won on a quiz show, would it not?