# 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:** 81
**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:** [December 2, 2020, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1601 "2020-12-02T05:57:22Z")
> [@jaycat](#): > > Did I miss something? Did they ask if the Flying Dutchman was doomed to sail the North Sea? I thought it was Cape Horn. _“In a maritime fable Captain Falkenberg endlessly traverses the North Sea in this spectral craft”_ More than one version of the legend, different oceans: _[Flying Dutchman | Captain, Myth & Origin | Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Flying-Dutchman)_ ---
**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 2, 2020, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1602 "2020-12-02T06:08:35Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > > [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > > > My best ever was for the category “Alliterative Athletes”. > > Cassius Clay? Nope. The episode was ten years ago, and that is relevant. ---
**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:** [December 2, 2020, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1603 "2020-12-02T06:17:03Z")
Andre Agassi? ---
**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 2, 2020, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1604 "2020-12-02T06:34:02Z")
When I saw the category, I said to myself “who is Mark McGwire?”, and then after a second I thought “or it could be Sammy Sosa.” The clue was: > In 1998 these 2 baseball rivals shared top honors as Sports Illustrated’s Sportsmen of the Year ---
**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:** [December 2, 2020, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1605 "2020-12-02T13:39:16Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > More than one version of the legend, different oceans: > _[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Flying-Dutchman](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Flying-Dutchman)_ Hmm. Did the clue say, “in one version?” ---
**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:** [December 2, 2020, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1606 "2020-12-02T19:15:34Z")
> [@jaycat](#): > > Hmm. Did the clue say, “in one version?” Nope. Here it is again, exactly as it was read on the air: _“In a maritime fable Captain Falkenberg endlessly traverses the North Sea in this spectral craft”_ ---
**Author:** ![AppallingGael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9bd4f/32.png) [@AppallingGael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AppallingGael)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2020, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1607 "2020-12-02T22:14:51Z")
> [@jaycat](#): > > > [@Railer13](#): > > > > IIRC, a fair number of the answers given by Ken Jennings contained an inflection that sounded like a guess. Of course, they were almost always the correct answer. > > It’s an affectation. 'Oh gee whiz, am I really that smart?" If I were on the show, I’m sure I’d indulge in an occasional bit of upspeak. It’s usually worthwhile to guess if you’re 75% sure, but I’d be mortified to be wrong with complete confidence 25% of the time. It’s not like real life where you just keep mum when you don’t know. Of course, there’s an art to speaking just the right amount of up. ---
**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:** [December 2, 2020, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1608 "2020-12-02T22:21:23Z")
Of course, the “answer in the form of a question” gimmick is going to lead to some of that, anyway. ---
**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 3, 2020, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1609 "2020-12-03T06:15:08Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > > [@Steven\_Maven](#): > > > > > [@Wheelz](#): > > > > > > What changes do you expect? > > > > I do not have any guesses what, if anything, the producers are planning. All I was trying to say is that the roll-out of the new host would be the perfect opportunity for the producers to introduce any changes that they’ve already been considering. > > One change that I wouldn’t mind seeing is a, say, 10% penalty for correct responses if the contestant’s inflection is indicative of a guess. With a corresponding decrease in the penalty for wrong guesses. > > Responses that sound like the contestant is guessing drive me up the wall. That is one of the worst “suggestions” I’ve ever read for this show. ---
**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:** [December 5, 2020, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1610 "2020-12-05T17:06:45Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > the rule change I think would be appropriate would be to raise the payments to the second- and third-place players I support increasing the payout to the non-winners. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > My mother pointed out that on _Wheel of Fortune_, the second and third place contestants go home with whatever money they have at the end. Let _Jeopardy!_ follow the example of _Wheel of Fortune_ (also a Merv Griffin Production). Let the 2nd and 3rd place players keep their winnings with a guaranteed minimum at a new level keeping up with the times. > [@commasense](#): > > From the producers’ POV, the main reason for not letting the losing players keep their cash is that it would cost **a lot** more money. The losing players’ final totals are often in the the tens of thousands. For normal people (as normal as Dopers get), several tens of thousands of dollars per day sounds like “a lot” of money. However, we’re talking about “show business” here. According to Quora, the production budget for one episode of _Jeopardy!_ is $2 million. Even if the payout for the 2 players reached $40,000, that increases the base amount by only **2%.** > [@commasense](#): > > Anyone suggesting that the rules should or might be changed would have to explain why and how the change would increase viewership more than decrease it. That’s the only metric the producers care about. You have stated the heart of the matter. I think this change will encourage more aggressive bets, especially in Final Jeopardy. That, in turn, will attract more viewers. ---
**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:** [December 5, 2020, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1611 "2020-12-05T17:20:56Z")
> [@Steven\_Maven](#): > > Let the 2nd and 3rd place players keep their winnings with a guaranteed minimum at a new level keeping up with the times. > [@Steven\_Maven](#): > > I think this change will encourage more aggressive bets, especially in Final Jeopardy. Really? I disagree. Let’s say that I am in second place with $8k and the leader has $17k. Obviously I cannot catch her. I would think long and hard about betting any money, knowing I might lose it with a wrong answer. Especially if the category is Art History or some other subject in which I’m not particularly strong. Right now there’s no downside to placing big bets in FJ if you’re not the leader (okay, $2k vs $1k). But when it’s your actual money on the line, your betting strategy might become quite conservative. ---
**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 5, 2020, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1612 "2020-12-05T17:22:07Z")
Nitpick, but “[Merv Griffin Productions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merv_Griffin_Enterprises)” (although it was actually Merv Griffin Enterprises) hasn’t existed for a long time. The show is produced by Sony Pictures Television, as you will see if you sit through all of the credits. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2020, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1613 "2020-12-05T18:01:14Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Really? I disagree. Let’s say that I am in second place with $8k and the leader has $17k. Obviously I cannot catch her. I would think long and hard about betting any money, knowing I might lose it with a wrong answer. Especially if the category is Art History or some other subject in which I’m not particularly strong. Then 1st and 2nd keep their money. Third gets the box of Rice-a-Roni. It gives more interest to the runaway first place games in final jeopardy when 2nd and 3rd might actually care about being not last. ---
**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 5, 2020, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1614 "2020-12-05T19:29:43Z")
If all three get to keep their money, what about contestants who wind up in the red? Should they be fined that amount, and possibly jailed until they pay? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2020, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1615 "2020-12-05T20:26:32Z")
I’d like to see non-lethal electric shocks added to punish exceptionally boneheaded answers. Also, for those who get all three daily doubles and blow them. Finally, and most deservingly, for those who lose in FJ through stupidity rather than ignorance. Perhaps consider instant incineration for failed attempts at “cute” FJ answers as well to discourage the practice? I realize these changes might drastically reduce the available pool of (willing) players, but I’m inclined to think overall they would improve the game itself. ETA: I would also like to see illegal defense called more often. ---
**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 5, 2020, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1616 "2020-12-05T20:29:29Z")
Personally, I want to penalize those who append “What is” to responses that are already in the form of a question. But I don’t expect that to happen. ---
**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 5, 2020, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1617 "2020-12-05T20:50:05Z")
> [@Dropo](#): > > ETA: I would also like to see illegal defense called more often. Please explain ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2020, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1618 "2020-12-05T21:05:06Z")
What is an attempt at a joke? ---
**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:** [December 6, 2020, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1619 "2020-12-06T02:52:08Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > The show is produced by Sony Pictures Television, as you will see if you sit through all of the credits. I stand corrected on the current name of the company that produces both shows. I never watch the credits. I was too lazy to look it up, and somebody else had used that name at some point in this thread. **Mea f-ing culpa.** ---
**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 6, 2020, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1620 "2020-12-06T05:18:18Z")
> [@Steven\_Maven](#): > > For normal people (as normal as Dopers get), several tens of thousands of dollars per day sounds like “a lot” of money. However, we’re talking about “show business” here. According to Quora, the production budget for one episode of _Jeopardy!_ is $2 million. Even if the payout for the 2 players reached $40,000, that increases the base amount by only **2%.** First of all, I seriously question the accuracy of that $2 million number. I can’t imagine how it could cost that much per ep. Per taping day, or per taping week, possibly. Do you have a link? (Not doubting _you_, just want to look into the reliability of the source.) Second, accepting your $40,000 figure, that would still represent an increase of 1,333% in their budget for losers’ prizes. They tape 230 episodes a year, times $37,000, is an additional $8.5 million. Not chump change in anybody’s book. Third, and this is the main reason, they tried it, and for reasons people have explained here numerous times, it made the game _worse_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696.md?page=80) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696.md?page=82)