# 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:** 38
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2019, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/741 "2019-10-03T00:31:04Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Is it just me or has Final Jeopardy been a lot harder this season? I usually get 3 or 4 right a week, but I’m struggling to get 1. I agree, and I think it’s a good thing. Too many cases in recent years where Final Jeopardy became irrelevant because everyone (or at least the leader) got it right. ---
**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:** [October 7, 2019, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/742 "2019-10-07T17:40:43Z")
Alex Trebek says the [end may be near](https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/07/us/alex-trebek-pancreatic-cancer-hosting-trnd/index.html?no-st=1570468781). > [@](#): > > Trebek told CTV he has begun to get sores inside his mouth from the chemotherapy, which makes it difficult to enunciate. He sometimes hears himself slurring his words on the quiz show, he said. > > “I will keep doing it (the show) as long as my skills do not diminish, and they have started to diminish,” he told [CTV’s Lisa LaFlamme in an interview](https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/alex-trebek-tells-lisa-laflamme-i-m-not-afraid-of-dying-1.4625438) Friday. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/743 "2019-10-07T17:50:26Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > Alex Trebek says the [end may be near](https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/07/us/alex-trebek-pancreatic-cancer-hosting-trnd/index.html?no-st=1570468781). I’m confused about the show’s timeline right now. I know they stopped taping so Alex could undergo more treatment, but is he back now? I haven’t read anywhere that they’ve resumed taping, but this article makes it sound like they have. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/744 "2019-10-07T18:31:21Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > I’m confused about the show’s timeline right now. I know they stopped taping so Alex could undergo more treatment, but is he back now? I haven’t read anywhere that they’ve resumed taping, but this article makes it sound like they have. They started taping again in September. StG ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2019, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/745 "2019-10-08T23:29:25Z")
Alex made a comment at the end of the 10/7 episode about he was getting words wrong throughout the show. Yikes. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/746 "2019-10-09T00:38:57Z")
So what are the plans for Jeopardy after Trebek? It sounds like he’ll have to at least retire fairly soon. Are there talks of a replacement host? ---
**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:** [October 9, 2019, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/747 "2019-10-09T03:32:51Z")
Trebek says his skills are now in decline. > **[Alex Trebek says his pancreatic cancer may mean the end of his time at...](https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/07/us/alex-trebek-pancreatic-cancer-hosting-trnd/index.html?no-st=1570468781)** > > After months of battling pancreatic cancer, Alex Trebek hinted in an interview that his long tenure as host of "Jeopardy!" may be nearing an end. ---
**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:** [October 9, 2019, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/748 "2019-10-09T04:07:44Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Trebek says his skills are now in decline. > > [https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/07/us/alex-trebek-pancreatic-cancer-hosting-trnd/index.html?no-st=1570468781](https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/07/us/alex-trebek-pancreatic-cancer-hosting-trnd/index.html?no-st=1570468781) [Ahem](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=21903012&postcount=742). ---
**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:** [October 9, 2019, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/749 "2019-10-09T06:03:12Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > [Ahem](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=21903012&postcount=742). “Ahem” is hardly a string enough word. I LOOKED RIGHT AT your post and didn’t see it. :smack: Again: :smack::smack: ---
**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:** [October 9, 2019, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/750 "2019-10-09T17:07:45Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > So what are the plans for Jeopardy after Trebek? It sounds like he’ll have to at least retire fairly soon. Are there talks of a replacement host? Here are a couple of articles: [‘Jeopardy!’ Reportedly Searching for Alex Trebek’s Replacement](https://www.tvinsider.com/765358/jeopardy-alex-trebek-replacement/) > [@](#): > > “Talk about his replacement has always centered around finding a female host and someone of color. But at the same time, they want someone smart and well-educated,” [gossip columnist Rob] Shuter shared. “Someone that is respected and trustworthy. They are aiming more for Gayle King than Real Housewife Nene Leakes!” [Alex Trebek Hints His ‘Jeopardy!’ Days May Be Numbered — but Who Could Replace Him?](https://www.distractify.com/p/who-will-replace-alex-trebek-on-jeopardy) > [@](#): > > [Trebek] has given some thought to who he’d like to see take his place if and when he were to step back. During a talk at 92nd Street Y in February, he suggested CNN legal analyst Laura Coates, L.A. Kings announcer Alex Faust, and TCM host Ben Mankiewicz. ---
**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:** [October 9, 2019, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/751 "2019-10-09T17:48:04Z")
I suspect the producers already have plans firmly in place, and are keeping quiet about it out of respect for Trebek. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/752 "2019-10-09T18:10:26Z")
I hate when they determine the specific end target for the search first (female of color) and work backwards from there. Just pick the best person. I’ve always wanted Ken Jennings. I think I’ve read that he’s interested, and he has the jeopardy cred to replace a giant, and I think he’d make a good host. ---
**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:** [October 9, 2019, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/753 "2019-10-09T20:21:18Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > I hate when they determine the specific end target for the search first (female of color) and work backwards from there. Just pick the best person. > > I’ve always wanted Ken Jennings. I think I’ve read that he’s interested, and he has the jeopardy cred to replace a giant, and I think he’d make a good host. Yeah, we wouldn’t want white males to be under-represented among TV game show hosts. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/754 "2019-10-09T20:35:24Z")
[I guess last night they aired an incorrect fact about Tetris blocks having names.](https://kotaku.com/jeopardy-airs-a-hilariously-incorrect-bit-of-tetris-tr-1838889592) I have to admit, that guy did a great job making a fake manual page. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/755 "2019-10-09T22:12:19Z")
That’s wild. > [@commasense](#): > > Yeah, we wouldn’t want white males to be under-represented among TV game show hosts. :rolleyes: That’s almost exactly the opposite of what was said. Literally that post was against taking underrepresentation or overrepresentation into account at all when choosing the host. I would split the difference and say they should break a tie by going with a woman of color, but should not rule out a white man if that is clearly the best host. It really needs to be someone who basically knows all the answers without having to look them up. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/756 "2019-10-09T22:30:36Z")
How often is the non-runaway score leader going into Final Jeopardy the only one to get FJ wrong? ---
**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:** [October 10, 2019, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/757 "2019-10-10T02:43:22Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > It really needs to be someone who basically knows all the answers without having to look them up. You understand that the host has the answers on cards in front of him, don’t you? ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/758 "2019-10-10T03:57:55Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > You understand that the host has the answers on cards in front of him, don’t you? Yes, of course. But that doesn’t allow them to instantly respond to a wrong answer with “Ohh, sorry: you were thinking of the Tudor Dynasty rather than the House of Stuart that succeeded it. That will cost you $2000, but you still control the board, pick again.” That’s the kind of shit Alex Trebek can pull out of his hat, and it makes him a boss. (I have heard people complain that he is a showoff, but I love it.) I don’t want that mastery replaced by some telegenic presenter who can read everything smoothly off of cue cards, but doesn’t really know the stuff cold. ---
**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:** [October 10, 2019, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/759 "2019-10-10T05:50:34Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > Yes, of course. But that doesn’t allow them to instantly respond to a wrong answer with “Ohh, sorry: you were thinking of the Tudor Dynasty rather than the House of Stuart that succeeded it. That will cost you $2000, but you still control the board, pick again.” That’s the kind of shit Alex Trebek can pull out of his hat, and it makes him a boss… IIRC Trebek reads all the day’s questions before they tape the games, so he can be aware of any tricky pronunciations. He even alludes to the fact sometimes during a game (e.g. “I’d never heard of this one either.”) I don’t think he’s pulling all those Mister-Know-It-All wrong answer followups out of his hat. Not that I’m dissing him - He no less impressive all the same. ---
**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:** [October 10, 2019, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/760 "2019-10-10T20:57:28Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > IIRC Trebek reads all the day’s questions before they tape the games, so he can be aware of any tricky pronunciations. He even alludes to the fact sometimes during a game (e.g. “I’d never heard of this one either.”) I don’t think he’s pulling all those Mister-Know-It-All wrong answer followups out of his hat. Not that I’m dissing him - He no less impressive all the same. Right, and Trebek has been doing this for 35 fricking years! So he’s obviously picked up plenty of information in that time. He’s very good at his job, but I don’t think he’s Ken Jennings or James Holzhauer smart. (We could also discuss whether their command of lots of facts is the same as intelligence, but that’s probably another thread.) As far as Trebek’s replacement is concerned, it’s not like there’s a Game Show Host SAT test all the potential candidates can take, so that the showrunners can give the job to the person with the highest score, regardless of sex or race. In the end it will be a subjective call, probably made at least partly on the basis of test shows, audience surveys, focus groups, and the like. But if, for instance, they’re hoping to draw in more women, or younger people, or some other key demographic, and find that, for instance, a woman of color would accomplish that as well as or better than a white man, why not? Whoever they choose, there will undoubtedly be those who will say that the new person is not as good as Trebek, and some who will say, if it’s a woman of color, that she’s not as good as some man they could have hired. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696.md?page=37) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696.md?page=39)