# 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:** 50
**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:** [January 28, 2020, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/981 "2020-01-28T23:58:27Z")
Alex may think he’s a wiz on pronouncing foreign words, but Wisconsin town names stumped him. The question was: Rev up your big ol’ RV & go to this Wisconsin county south of Waupaca & east of Waushara. He mangled both of them horribly, comically. I think he said “WAH pa ka” and WAH sha ra". (wah PACK a and Wah SHARE a). ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/982 "2020-01-29T02:02:31Z")
^ On the 15th he did a pretty poor job at pronouncing _Abkhazia_. ---
**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 29, 2020, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/983 "2020-01-29T02:29:31Z")
> [@USCDiver](#): > > Registration for the online test is open now. I want to thank you for this reminder. The message board on which I usually see a reminder was silent about it (I did post about it there, after having seen the news in your post). I took the test today, and as is so often true when I take it, I’m now annoyed with myself over at least three stupid wrong-answers I typed. Though if it’s only three I’ll be grateful (could well have missed others without realizing it). We shall see. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2020, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/984 "2020-01-29T02:34:11Z")
I took today’s test also. The only one that I really blew was the physicist question. The other ones I either knew or didn’t know. ---
**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:** [January 29, 2020, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/985 "2020-01-29T14:28:20Z")
I’m pretty sure I’m not eligible, since I got on air back in 1991, but I tried one of the practice tests, and it confirmed my suspicion that I probably couldn’t get on these days, even if I were allowed. I was wrong on or couldn’t answer 13 out of 30. Just another sign of my steady deterioration since age 35. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![magnusblitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@magnusblitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magnusblitz)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2020, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/986 "2020-01-31T04:15:07Z")
Just finished the Thursday test, it actually seemed pretty easy - there were only a couple questions that I truly had no idea. Unfortunately there were also definitely a few where I should’ve known the answer but blanked, so probably another year without an invitation. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Othersider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/cab0a1/32.png) [@Othersider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Othersider)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2020, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/987 "2020-01-31T05:40:10Z")
> [@magnusblitz](#): > > Just finished the Thursday test, it actually seemed pretty easy - there were only a couple questions that I truly had no idea. Unfortunately there were also definitely a few where I should’ve known the answer but blanked, so probably another year without an invitation. 🙂 It did seem a bit easier than usual. I think I got 40, didn’t study, and I’m tired and sick. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Steven\_Maven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steven_maven/32/3272_2.png) [@Steven\_Maven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Maven)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2020, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/988 "2020-01-31T19:59:52Z")
> [@magnusblitz](#): > > Just finished the Thursday test, it actually seemed pretty easy - there were only a couple questions that I truly had no idea. Unfortunately there were also definitely a few where I should’ve known the answer but blanked, so probably another year without an invitation. This week (Wednesday) was my first try. Like **magnusblitz** , there were a few I didn’t know and a few I knew but couldn’t remember in time. The site says they won’t tell you your score or even if you passed. If you pass, you go in The Pool but still might not get called. If you get called, you still have to pass an Audition. YIKES! Normally, I am an optimistic person, but in this case, I am not hopeful. Does anyone have a guess to the following questions? Pure speculation is welcome. (What else do we have to go on?) •How many people took the test? •What is a passing score? (I figure it has to be at least 90%.) •Do they grade on a curve or absolute score? •Do they grade on a percentage score or by a magic number for the pool? •What percentage of test takers passed and therefore get into The Pool? •What percentage of The Pool get called for an audition? •What percentage of people pass The Audition and therefore get on the show? ---
**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:** [February 1, 2020, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/989 "2020-02-01T00:41:11Z")
Did you notice the other day, the category was “parts of speech” and almost every clue read like a synopsis of Schoolhouse Rock, using some of the same examples and wording. Conjunction Junction, Lolly Adverbs, Noun is a Person Place or Thing, Interjection! It must have been deliberate. ---
**Author:** ![gregorio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@gregorio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gregorio)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2020, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/990 "2020-02-01T23:08:25Z")
And iirc it seemed like the contestants didn’t have an idea of what Schoolhouse Rock was (is). ☹ ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/991 "2020-02-04T00:24:05Z")
Does anyone know if there’s a way to watch Ken Jennings’ original run? I was vaguely aware of it at the time, but never saw him play then. I can’t seem to find anything on it. I see there are a few recent episodes on Hulu and a few recent tournaments on Netflix, but nothing like a full archive that I can find. ---
**Author:** ![McDeath\_the\_Mad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a3d4f5/32.png) [@McDeath\_the\_Mad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/McDeath_the_Mad)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2020, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/992 "2020-02-04T22:41:08Z")
I can’t believe nobody has mention the lady on Friday’s game (or maybe it was Thursdays game). She was in position 3, and got a Daily Double in the second round. I think she wagered $3k or $4k, Alex read her the answer and she asked if she could change her wager AFTER hearing the answer! And she wasn’t trying to be funny either, she was dead serious. Needless to say she was in the negative for FJ. Crazy… MtM ---
**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:** [February 5, 2020, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/993 "2020-02-05T00:10:05Z")
> [@McDeath\_the\_Mad](#): > > I can’t believe nobody has mention the lady on Friday’s game (or maybe it was Thursdays game). > > She was in position 3, and got a Daily Double in the second round. I think she wagered $3k or $4k, Alex read her the answer and she asked if she could change her wager AFTER hearing the answer! > > And she wasn’t trying to be funny either, she was dead serious. > > Needless to say she was in the negative for FJ. > > Crazy… > > MtM I actually got the sense it was an attempt at deadpan humor. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2020, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/994 "2020-02-05T01:40:10Z")
Holy cow, another stinker tonight. Seems to be more common these days or else I’m just playing closer attention since the GOAT Tourney. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2020, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/995 "2020-02-05T02:10:54Z")
> [@USCDiver](#): > > I actually got the sense it was an attempt at deadpan humor. I agree. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2020, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/996 "2020-02-05T02:39:41Z")
Don’t think dead games like this are more common than they used to be…if they were, I’d probably be able to remember another time I’ve been this bloody frustrated with the contestants. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2020, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/997 "2020-02-05T02:40:59Z")
> [@USCDiver](#): > > I actually got the sense it was an attempt at deadpan humor. I think so too, but admit I wasn’t quite sure. Something about her had already seemed _very_ slightly “off” to me. But it has to have been deadpan. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2020, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/998 "2020-02-05T07:13:39Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > I think so too, but admit I wasn’t quite sure. Something about her had already seemed _very_ slightly “off” to me. But it has to have been deadpan. Either way, it was pretty dumb. And yeah, Tuesday’s game sucked. Where are they digging these people 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:** [February 13, 2020, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/999 "2020-02-13T23:25:59Z")
Speaking of triple stumpers, more evidence today that the player pool has gotten weaker. I was shocked that no one knew Hinckley shot Reagan! ---
**Author:** ![Steven\_Maven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steven_maven/32/3272_2.png) [@Steven\_Maven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Maven)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1000 "2020-03-03T17:23:18Z")
I received an email with the subject “Now you can take the Jeopardy! Test ANYTIME!” That’s good news for all aspiring players. For details go to the Jeopardy! site. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696.md?page=49) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696.md?page=51)