Andy here with the recap of the Election Night game, and the 500th post here! Let’s hope for 500 more!
Colin Bodels and Jessica Lee are the challengers today for Paul Nelson!
J! round categories: A YEAR IN THE LIFE; “OO” WHAT’S THAT?; LONG SONGS; WORLD CAPITAL ATTRACTIONS; RUNNING; WITH SCISSORS
We got to the Daily Double very early, under WORLD CAPITAL ATTRACTIONS $800. Paul had nailed the first three clues, and tried to double up his $1,200. His clue: The Copernicus Science Centre & the John Paul II Museum Collection. His correct answer brought his score to $2,400.
Now, I saw Paul go into the middle of A YEAR IN THE LIFE after the Daily Double was found. When there’s strategic considerations in play, like late when you need big-money clues, I have no problem with going straight to them. However, I can’t say that I’m a fan of doing it senselessly. At the opening break, we had scores of:
Paul $4,800
Colin $1,400
Jessica $0
I’m honestly surprised we got to the 15 clue mark with Jessica not having rung in! Most of the time, if a contestant has buzzer issues, they’ll go to break earlier!
In her interview, Jessica admits to being an ex-synchronized swimmer! I guess we know there won’t be Jell-O served at her viewing party!
Jessica did get in after the break a couple of times!
Two shocking Triple Stumpers in LONG SONGS: This 8-minute-long classic begins, “There’s a lady who’s sure all that glitters is gold” and Set aside 17 minutes, baby, if you want to hear this Iron Butterfly hit in its entirety. Alex claims he couldn’t recall it. I don’t believe him at all!
At the end of 30, your scores were:
Paul $7,200
Colin $2,400
Jessica $1,200
DJ! round categories: LITERARY AWARDS; GODLY EXPRESSIONS; FOOD STUFF; WE’VE GOT TO STOP MEETING LIKE THIS; MOVIES: WHO PLAYED ‘EM?; “G”, I LOVE SCIENCE
Paul and Jessica got off to the best start, but it was Colin who saw the first Daily Double in this round! Scores:
Paul $10,800
Colin $6,000
Jessica $2,400
Colin bet just $2,000. (Andy writes “Game Over” in his notebook.)
His clue: White Sands National Monument is actually an expanse of dunes of this mineral. Colin’s’ correct response brings him to $8,000 and a huge opportunity wasted. Colin only got in 2 more times over the final 20 clues.
The middle of the game saw a run of Triple Stumpers in GODLY EXPRESSIONS and the three contestants’ score stay static for a bit, but Paul got his run going before finding the last Daily Double in WE’VE GOT TO STOP MEETING LIKE THIS $2000. Scores:
Paul $14,800
Jessica $400
Colin $9,600
It would have been much more interesting had Colin ventured more on his first Daily Double, but Paul has a big lead here and a chance to put the game away. He bet just $2,500 — I’m not sure I would have gone as small as he did here. His clue: An 18-minute brawl was caught on film during this 1968 meeting in Chicago. In spite of being too young to remember it, Paul got the answer anyway to move to $17,300.
Paul came very close to a lock game but just barely missed it! I was impressed with Jessica’s knowledge; it’s too bad the buzzer was so unkind to her!
Scores going into Final Jeopardy!
Paul $18,100
Colin $9,200 (adjusted to $10,000 after a neg was reversed)
Jessica $2,000
FJ! round category: CABINET DEPARTMENTS
FJ! clue: “Si ve algo, diga algo” was part of a 2011 Spanish-language TV campaign by this cabinet department
Jessica 2000 + 1900 = 3900
Colin 10000 – 8200 = 1800
Paul 18100 – 1900 = 16200
Had Colin actually been bold and wagered $4,067 or greater on his Daily Double instead of just $2,000, he would likely be the champion right now! But instead, Paul’s a 3-day champion going into the Teacher’s Tournament!
The other day, I noticed that some of the values in the Tournament of Champions standings weren’t correct; I’ve gone and made the requisite adjustments, the standings below are now correct! I’ve also added a placeholder position for the November 2012 Teacher’s Tournament champion!
Jeanie’ll be around tomorrow with the first game of the Teacher’s Tournament!
Tournament of Champions update:
1. Monica Thieu $100,000 (College Champion)
2. Patrick Quinn $100,000 (Feb. 2012 Teacher’s Champion)
3. Unknown $100,000 (Nov. 2012 Teacher’s Champion)
4. Jason Keller $213,900 (9 wins)
5. Keith Whitener $147,597 (7 wins)
6. Stephanie Jass $147,570 (7 wins)
7. Joel Pool $116,800 (6 wins)
8. Dave Leach $98,054 (6 wins)
9. David Menchaca $115,503 (5 wins)
10. David Gard $84,700 (4 wins)
11. Dan McShane $62,001 (4 wins)
12. Patrick Morrison $80,701 (3 wins)
13. Francis Lansangan $78,401 (3 wins)
14. Matt Samberg $61,402 (3 wins)
15. Andy Baggarly $60,402 (3 wins)
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16. Stephanie Fontaine $54,500 (3 wins)
17. Joey Falco $53,999 (3 wins)
18. Erin Zweiner $53,399 (3 wins)
19. Beau Henson $51,203 (3 wins)
20. Margaret Swanson $48,000 (3 wins)
21. Paul Nelson $45,400 (3 wins)
22. Claudia Gray $45,202 (3 wins)
23. Dan Adkison $37,400 (3 wins)
24. Jacob Silverman $35,998 (3 wins)
25. Jessamine Price $26,803 (3 wins)