# 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:** 86
**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:** [January 9, 2021, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1701 "2021-01-09T18:38:06Z")
I wonder if anyone has compiled statistics on Trebek’s _Jeopardy!_ career; how much total money has been won, how many clues has he read, etc. ---
**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 9, 2021, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1702 "2021-01-09T18:55:53Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > Nice tribute at the end of Friday’s show (clips of Alex: in costume, on location, dancing, etc) tt realy was. I think it was in the meet the contestants section, he commented that he had a large book collection waiting to be read. Now he’ll never get read them - a fate that awaits a lot of us. ---
**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 9, 2021, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1703 "2021-01-09T22:40:11Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > Starting with the Alex Trebek edition, the second- and third-place players took home prizes, not the cash total they had accumulated. (In the 2000s, this was changed to $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.) > [@Kamino\_Neko](#): > > [Wheel of Fortune] doesn’t promote playing ‘safe’ by checking out after you hit a certain point, thus making the rest of the show boring, which is the problem the Jeopardy! producers have said they were having when they did it that way. > [@mtnmatt](#): > > they used to let second and third keep their winnings, but it resulted in people getting to a threshold they wanted/were comfortable with and then shutting down to ride out the game. I fold. I tap out. I was not aware that it had been tried. ---
**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 9, 2021, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1704 "2021-01-09T22:51:09Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > the rule change I think would be appropriate would be to raise the payments to the second- and third-place players, doubling or even tripling the current amounts. I agree. These amounts have not kept up with inflation. > [@amarinth](#): > > 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. That’s a pretty funny joke, but it gave me an idea. How about making Second Place $10,000 and Third Place $2,000? Would that be enough motivation? ---
**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:** [January 10, 2021, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1705 "2021-01-10T01:50:23Z")
How about giving 2nd place half of whatever the winner gets, and 3rd place half of that? ---
**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 10, 2021, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1706 "2021-01-10T01:53:49Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > How about giving 2nd place half of whatever the winner gets, and 3rd place half of that? . That might create an incentive for those who, say a third through the game, see that one person is smarter/faster. The other two could lay back and let that one person get all the Daily Doubles (by choosing only questions from the top row, should they be called on to play when the Star happened to miss a question). In other words, by maximizing what the Star made, they’d get a bigger payday than they likely could if they played their best. ---
**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 10, 2021, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1707 "2021-01-10T20:11:35Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > How about giving 2nd place half of whatever the winner gets, and 3rd place half of that? Those ratios are roughly consistent with several marathons and poker tournaments that I found. > [@Sherrerd](#): > > (When one player is dominating the game, that would) create an incentive (for the other 2 players to) lay back… [B]y maximizing what the Star made, they’d get a bigger payday than they likely could if they played their best. It’s starting to look like the problem of second and third prizes might be more difficult than we had thought. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1708 "2021-01-12T06:22:21Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > How about giving 2nd place half of whatever the winner gets, and 3rd place half of that? How about not fixing what isn’t broken? ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1709 "2021-01-12T06:54:01Z")
I thought Ken Jennings today was quite good. And he opened with a very nice tribute to Alex Trebek. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1710 "2021-01-12T10:28:38Z")
I know it’s only been one day, but I’m not sure I can adjust to being comfortable with Jennings’ delivery. He speaks too fast, appears to be rushing through the answers. I like Jennings - his written work, his quizzes, his Tweets - but I sure do miss Alex. mmm ---
**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:** [January 12, 2021, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1711 "2021-01-12T13:45:24Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > > [@panache45](#): > > > > How about giving 2nd place half of whatever the winner gets, and 3rd place half of that? > > How about not fixing what isn’t broken? The whole discussion started when I mentioned that my mother noted the difference between Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! in terms of how much money the two losing players get. And it is true that a change in host is a good opportunity to make substantive changes in how a show works. ---
**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 12, 2021, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1712 "2021-01-12T14:34:14Z")
Did they make any changes to the rules of TPIR when Drew Carey took over for Bob Barker? (Really asking; I never watch it.) The article only mentions superficial changes in how Drew and other talent interact with the audience and contestants. Like I said upthread, the only reason to change the rules that would carry any weight with the Jeopardy! show runners would be if it increased viewership, and no one has made any persuasive arguments that any of the changes suggested would do that. So the eventual permanent host will probably not be a carbon copy of Alex (as Ken seems to be trying to be), but I doubt they’ll change the mechanics of the show in any significant way. ---
**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 12, 2021, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1713 "2021-01-12T15:15:00Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > but I sure do miss Alex. I miss Art, but I’ve gotten over it. Mostly. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1714 "2021-01-12T15:37:49Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > The whole discussion started when I mentioned that my mother noted the difference between Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! in terms of how much money the two losing players get. And it is true that a change in host is a good opportunity to make substantive changes in how a show works. Maybe it’s the engineer in me but making two major changes at the same time is generally a terrible idea. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1715 "2021-01-15T23:14:40Z")
As a Wisconsin native, I knew that Joliet accompanied Marquette. Did not know FJ. Brian ---
**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:** [January 17, 2021, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1716 "2021-01-17T18:31:50Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > How about not fixing what isn’t broken? Nope. If it ain’t broke, fix it 'til it is. ---
**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:** [January 17, 2021, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1717 "2021-01-17T19:19:02Z")
**KLINGON PROVERB:** If it doesn’t fit, force it! ---
**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:** [January 17, 2021, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1718 "2021-01-17T21:34:35Z")
Not a rule, but they got rid of that stupid mike cable BB used to drag around. ---
**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:** [January 19, 2021, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1719 "2021-01-19T13:13:32Z")
Last night’s Final Jeopardy category was ‘Movie Settings,’ and the clue was: **In 2017 this New York City luxury store opened its first café, with truffle eggs, waffles & croissants on the menu** The answer is Tiffany’s; but did any of the scenes in Breakfast at Tiffany’s actually take place at the store? ---
**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:** [January 19, 2021, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1720 "2021-01-19T13:37:02Z")
There was a scene of Holly standing in front of the store. I think she might have had a danish and a coffee. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696.md?page=85) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696.md?page=87)