# The Jeopardy thread \[was James Holzhauer\]\[contains spoilers\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** reality-or-game-show\ **Created:** [April 17, 2019, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696 "2019-04-17T21:53:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 111
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2021, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/2201 "2021-06-05T17:37:18Z")
> [@JohnGalt](#): > > She was a lot less manic on Friday’s episode. Her Thursday’s performance has gotten lots of comments on social media, both pro and con. Can’t stand her. She’s a hammy showoff, trying WAY too hard. Seems to think she’s auditioning for something. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2021, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/2202 "2021-06-05T20:49:21Z")
She is. She’s auditioning for the Tournament of Champions. If she gets a sixth callback, she’s in. I’m just glad to see that a champion can win on Mayim’s watch. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2021, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/2203 "2021-06-05T21:53:08Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > She is. She’s auditioning for the Tournament of Champions Yes, but one could say that about _every_ contestant, and very few of them dial the mugging up to eleven like she does. ---
**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:** [June 6, 2021, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/2204 "2021-06-06T05:29:42Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > The thing is, last year was a HUGE celebration of Beethoven’s 250th, all over the world. That’s why they mentioned 2020. People had other things on their mind in 2020. I can’t say I remember hearing Beethoven mentioned even _once_ or anything about a 250th anniversary. Maybe if you follow classical music circles. ---
**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:** [June 6, 2021, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/2205 "2021-06-06T07:17:30Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > People had other things on their mind in 2020. I can’t say I remember hearing Beethoven mentioned even _once_ or anything about a 250th anniversary. Maybe if you follow classical music circles. And I can’t name _even one_ pop song from the past year. We all have our best and worst categories. That’s what makes the show fun. ---
**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:** [June 9, 2021, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/2206 "2021-06-09T01:24:45Z")
What union _wouldn’t_ want Happy Hour written into their contracts? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2021, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/2207 "2021-06-09T02:28:19Z")
Bartenders. ---
**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:** [June 9, 2021, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/2208 "2021-06-09T05:17:18Z")
I don’t remember ever seeing a contestant give a full answer without actually buzzing in, and especially not a returning champion. That’s embarrassing. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2021, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/2209 "2021-06-09T22:17:48Z")
Am I the only one who thought she (Champ Verlinda) looked like Mitch McConnell? Sorry, cheap shot, I know, but I couldn’t help noticing the resemblance. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2021, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/2210 "2021-06-10T00:08:35Z")
I thought today’s FJ answer was quite easy, given the clue. So I was surprised when only one of the contestants had the correct answer. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2021, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/2211 "2021-06-10T00:13:53Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > I thought today’s FJ answer was quite easy, given the clue. So I was surprised when only one of the contestants had the correct answer. - I had the same reaction. I suspect they’re still showing shows in which all the contestants come from the Los Angeles area (meaning the standard isn’t as high as when the pool is the entire nation). ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2021, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/2212 "2021-06-10T00:19:54Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > I suspect they’re still showing shows in which all the contestants come from the Los Angeles area Well, to test your theory, I just cued up my DVR recording of today’s episode. The returning champ was from LA, but the eventual champ was from Chicago, and the contestant in the middle was from Florida. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2021, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/2213 "2021-06-10T00:47:28Z")
I’m not so sure anyone under 60 knows who Otis Redding was. I would be thrilled to learn I’m wrong about that. Little Richard wasn’t a bad guess (The Macon Peach) but there was no connection with water. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2021, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/2214 "2021-06-10T01:49:44Z")
Am I the only one who heard the contestant say Karl “Mallenda” and not “Wallenda?” ---
**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:** [June 10, 2021, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/2216 "2021-06-10T03:40:24Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > I thought today’s FJ answer was quite easy, given the clue. So I was surprised when only one of the contestants had the correct answer. I knew what song they were referring to but could not pull the name of the singer from my brain. For some reason I get that song confused with Sam Cooke. > [@Stephe96](#): > > Am I the only one who heard the contestant say Karl “Mallenda” and not “Wallenda?” I didn’t hear that, but I did hear Tim say “Miss” Maisel instead of “Mrs” Maisel. ---
**Author:** ![BigDfromLA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@BigDfromLA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigDfromLA)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2021, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/2217 "2021-06-10T05:55:57Z")
There is a huge difference in the quality of contestants we have seen this week and last, compared to the far superior players from the Tournament of Champions two weeks ago. I think Buzzy Cohen benefitted/looked better as a host thanks to the excellent players involved and the flow of the game they produced. I feel bad for Mayim (who I like a lot as a host) that she is stuck with mediocre and, in some cases, goofy players (i.e. the last two champions before Tim). ---
**Author:** ![Arcite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@Arcite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arcite)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2021, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/2218 "2021-06-10T13:01:35Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > I thought today’s FJ answer was quite easy, given the clue. So I was surprised when only one of the contestants had the correct answer. In general I agree, but after first thinking of Redding, I started second-guessing myself, thinking “wait a minute, is Macon on the coast?” Because there’s no bay in Macon. ---
**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:** [June 10, 2021, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/2219 "2021-06-10T15:08:20Z")
Sad that nobody recognized Tony Randall. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2021, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/2220 "2021-06-10T22:56:15Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > > [@Sherrerd](#): > > > > I suspect they’re still showing shows in which all the contestants come from the Los Angeles area > > Well, to test your theory, I just cued up my DVR recording of today’s episode. The returning champ was from LA, but the eventual champ was from Chicago, and the contestant in the middle was from Florida. Thanks–good to have a theory tested! \ > [@BigDfromLA](#): > > There is a huge difference in the quality of contestants we have seen this week and last, compared to the far superior players from the Tournament of Champions two weeks ago. I think Buzzy Cohen benefitted/looked better as a host thanks to the excellent players involved and the flow of the game they produced. I feel bad for Mayim (who I like a lot as a host) that she is stuck with mediocre and, in some cases, goofy players (i.e. the last two champions before Tim). Good point. Even so, the non-Tournament contestants we’ve seen lately do seem less able than the non-Tournament norm, pre-pandemic. (It’s subjective, of course.) It’s nice for the producers, of course: less prize money paid out. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2021, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/2221 "2021-06-10T23:06:00Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > It’s nice for the producers, of course: less prize money paid out. I think the prize money is a drop in the bucket. They’d probably prefer higher payouts and more “excitement” generated. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696.md?page=110) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696.md?page=112)