Posted By: jeanie May 17, 2011

     I’ve spent the day studying for the Jeopardy! audition, and I feel good.  I have to keep it up even when it’s inconvenient, so I don’t get rusty!  I was given a surge of motivation today when I got this clue right in War Stuff, just because of my recent studying.  I wouldn’t have known this at all even a week ago: [read by Jimmy of the Clue Crew] “Jean Lafitte changed from pirate to patriot when he and his men sailed out of these bayous in the National Historical Park named for him to aid the U.S. during this war.”  Probably no big deal to most, but believe me, I was thrilled.  I even texted my parents, sister, and friend on the spot.
     Further (possible) sign that it’s working: By the time the contestants found first Daily Double today, I’d gotten every clue to that point right.  (And the Teachers Tournament is over!)  Before I go any further, the contestants:


Joe McKee



Joyce Newmark (She’s a rabbi and was wearing a skullcap! And she was at Woodstock!)





Denise Troy
     (Joe came in as a 2-day champion having won 49500.)  Joyce was the one to find the Daily Double, in Double E, Double O.  She too was sweeping the category, but she was 200 behind Joe, while Denise had 400.  Joyce said, “Why not?” and wagered it all, absolutely the right thing to do, considering it was early and she was obviously strong in the category.  This was the clue: “Stringlike metal shavings used for scouring, polishing, and smoothing; no sheep necessary.”  She got it right.

     At the first break, this was the only clue I hadn’t answered, because I didn’t quite come up with it in time: (in In Country) “Kakata, Buchanan, Monrovia.”  Joe had 3000 at the first break, Denise had 1400, and Joyce had 5800.
     I went on to sweep That’s Expensive, including this triple-stumper: “Got $675,000?  Then the Alta-Tadema, a piano made by this company founded by a 19th century German man, could be yours.”  I’d still only missed the “Kakata” clue when I missed this triple-stumper in Really Big Show: “The high-rated ‘Cheers’ finale had this character muse on the point of life: ‘Comfortable shoes.'”  Then I missed three in Amazing Animals.
     At the end of the round, Joe had 6200, Denise had 2000, and Joyce led with 7000, even though it seemed like we hadn’t heard from her in a while.
     Joe found the Daily Double two clues into the Double Jeopardy round, in Architecture.  He wagered 2400 of his 6600 on this clue: “This Washington D.C. landmark was designed by Henry Bacon as a Greek temple with 36 Doric columns.”  He and I got it right.
     Joyce found the next Daily Double, in British Authors.  She had 14600, Joe had 13400, and Denise had 6000.  Joyce wagered 4000 on this clue: “She always kept rabbits on her farm, Hill Top, so children wouldn’t be disappointed if they stopped for a visit.”  She and I got it right.  At the end of the round, she had 22200, Joe had 10200, and Denise had 14400.  The Final Jeopardy category was College.  This was the clue: “From the Latin for ‘free,’ this 2-word term for a type of college refers to the old belief of what a free man should be taught.”  This was an insta-get for me, and Mr. Trebek said it was easy.  Joe, however, did miss it, and he lost 10000!  Denise got it right and added 7801, giving a one-dollar lead before Joyce’s response was revealed.  I’d have wagered 1200: Denise could expect Joyce to wager 6601, which would give Joyce the win if Denise had doubled.  So, since Denise couldn’t win if she got it right in that situation, she should wager expecting Joyce to be wrong and lose 6601.  She’d then wager just 1200.  Are you with me?
     At any rate, Joyce wagered a little more than she needed to: 7000.  But she had the correct response, and we will see her tomorrow.  I thought her performance today was strong, but then I thought Joe’s first two were strong, too.
     My Coryat today was 29000.  Joe‘s was 8600, Joyce’s was 19000, and Denise’s was 14400.