# 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:** 181
**Author:** ![Jay\_Z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Jay\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jay_Z)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2021, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/3607 "2021-12-28T19:24:07Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Why would people _want_ to make changes to something that isn’t broken and works fine? You have not given any compelling reason to make any changes other than “mix it up!” And I have no idea why you think memorizing the populations of various cities is any different than memorizing the list of presidents. “I don’t like the crammers and repeated contestants going on month long runs, where Final Jeopardy doesn’t matter most of the time. I’ve grown bored with all contestants using the same strategies on a stale, never changing game.” Those are MY reasons. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2021, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/3608 "2021-12-28T19:53:00Z")
I will grant that seeing the same contestant for 3 weeks+ is boring. And having every game being a runaway, where FJ is irrelevant, is boring. And that it’s happened twice this season already, brings this “problem” to the forefront. But I don’t the solution involves changing the nature of the questions. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2021, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/3609 "2021-12-28T20:05:26Z")
> [@Jay\_Z](#): > > “I don’t like the crammers and repeated contestants going on month long runs, where Final Jeopardy doesn’t matter most of the time. I’ve grown bored with all contestants using the same strategies on a stale, never changing game.” Those are MY reasons. YMMV. In the last three years there have been five contestants go for more than 10 wins (obviously, James Holzhauer and Matt Amodio went for considerably longer). There were only seven during the previous 15 years. ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2021, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/3610 "2021-12-28T20:13:16Z")
@Jay_Z you are bang on. The change of the 5 game rule has spawned a new breed of contestants that have crammed and prepared for the game - they have memorized Shakespeare, African countries and capitals, old testament crap, british authors, etc. They just roll over the average contestant and it’s not fun to watch. ---
**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:** [December 28, 2021, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/3611 "2021-12-28T21:19:09Z")
I don’t get what you are saying here. “The contestants who study facts often found on Jeopardy do well! That’s no fair to the stupid contestants! Time to change it up so those who don’t know trivia have a chance to win. Because that’s what Jeopardy should stand for: not studying and not retaining knowledge.” It really just comes down to who is faster on the buzzer. Probably most contestants know the same answers Amy does, she’s just faster. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2021, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/3612 "2021-12-28T21:26:22Z")
I can’t imagine that anyone would like clues like this Category: State Capitals Population of the least populated state Capital What is 7477? I much prefer With a population of 7477, this state capital is the only one without a McDonalds restaurant. What is Montpelier. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2021, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/3613 "2021-12-28T21:33:10Z")
> [@Jay\_Z](#): > > I want the show to be more about actual thinking and less of a cramming contest I don’t think I understand what type of question you’re talking about. You mentioned “population” but, to me, world/country/city populations are pure cramming. Could you give examples of the thing you’re looking for? Are there any shows that have the sorts of questions you’d like to see? > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I’ve been watching episodes of _[Only Connect](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Only_Connect)_ on YouTube and it seems to require a different skill set. I’ve also been watching Only Connect. It feels great when I get a question before they do. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2021, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/3614 "2021-12-28T21:40:00Z")
I think the only time I get the question before the contestants on Only Connect is when it involves American entertainment or sports (which is surprisingly often). ---
**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:** [December 29, 2021, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/3615 "2021-12-29T09:30:46Z")
It’s too bad there isn’t an American version of _Only Connect_. I’m curious how well I’d do if not for the cultural divide. I’m just never going to get the questions about _The Archers_ or _Blue Peter_ presenters. Does anyone know if they accept question submissions? I have a great picture question for them. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2021, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/3616 "2021-12-29T17:00:20Z")
> [@Jay\_Z](#): > > I want a show more dependent on critical thinking and less dependent on cramming. I’m not sure I know what that even means in the context of a show where winning depends on having a correct answer. What is an example of critical thinking in this context? “What was the cause of the Civil War? You have 15 seconds to defend your answer.” ---
**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:** [December 29, 2021, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/3617 "2021-12-29T17:23:03Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > I’m not sure I know what that even means in the context of a show where winning depends on having a correct answer. What is an example of critical thinking in this context? > > “What was the cause of the Civil War? You have 15 seconds to defend your answer.” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/DXRslcMsGlQ/maxresdefault.jpg "Who Killed JFK Today") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXRslcMsGlQ) You might recognize one of the contestants. ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_Mabes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mike_mabes/32/1782_2.png) [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2021, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/3618 "2021-12-31T07:49:10Z")
Go Amy! First trans champion in Jeopardy history (at least that we know about) ---
**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:** [December 31, 2021, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/3619 "2021-12-31T16:38:43Z")
And isn’t it wonderfully ironic that Ken Jennings is hosting her games! ---
**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:** [December 31, 2021, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/3620 "2021-12-31T16:55:24Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > And isn’t it wonderfully ironic that Ken Jennings is hosting her games ! How so? (sincere question). ---
**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:** [December 31, 2021, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/3621 "2021-12-31T17:45:02Z")
> [@Mike\_Mabes](#): > > Go Amy! First trans champion in Jeopardy history (at least that we know about) Actually, no. [Kate Freeman](https://www.today.com/popculture/jeopardy-contestant-kate-freeman-1st-out-transgender-player-win-t204063) in December 2020 was first. She won one game. Also, according to [this article](https://www.advocate.com/television/2020/12/16/trans-bi-jeopardy-contestants-offer-landmark-representation), there was a multi-game winner in the 1990s who transitioned after being on the show, and spoke about it later. > [@Procrustus](#): > > > [@panache45](#): > > > > And isn’t it wonderfully ironic that Ken Jennings is hosting her games ! > > How so? (sincere question). I’m not **panache45** , but I assume the irony is Ken being host while another player approaches his record. (Nothing to do with being trans.) ---
**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:** [December 31, 2021, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/3622 "2021-12-31T20:36:40Z")
Right. He’s #1 and she’s currently #4. Closing in. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2021, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/3623 "2021-12-31T20:47:56Z")
Not really “closing in”, as her cash total is less than a third of his, as is the the number of games she’s won compared to his. ---
**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:** [January 1, 2022, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/3624 "2022-01-01T01:43:25Z")
Plus he’s officially the GOAT. For her to replace him there would require another GOAT tournament. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2022, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/3625 "2022-01-01T05:41:54Z")
I thought today’s FJ about Music Legends, or whatever it was, was too easy. I couldn’t believe the unanimous wrong answer. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2022, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/3626 "2022-01-01T06:14:48Z")
Simon & Garfunkel was my guess as well. I suppose if you’d seen that quote before, it might have rung a bell, but I’m sure I never had. Otherwise, there was little about that clue that pointed to Lennon and McCartney. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696.md?page=180) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696.md?page=182)