Andy here with the recap of the final episode of the week!
James Cross and Melanie Hess are the challengers today for Mike Shapiro, who won $3,401 yesterday!
J! round categories:
GET YOUR KICKS
“C” IN AMERICAN HISTORY
GRAPE JAM
STATE OF THE BOOK
TRANSLATE THE LYRIC FROM LATIN
ONE EXTRA LETTER
Mike went straight for the ONE EXTRA LETTER category — no surprise there, after he went to ANAGRAMS yesterday. We also saw TRANSLATE THE LYRIC and AMERICAN HISTORY. Scores at the end of 15:
Melanie $2,600
James $2,600
Mike $1,000
Alex was as shocked as I was when STATE OF THE BOOK $600 (“Centennial” by James Michener) went unanswered, even by Mike! Needless to say, the Daily Double was at $800! James got to play it after having gotten the $400 clue correct, and the scores were:
James $3,000
Melanie $2,600
Mike $1,000
James bet $1,500. His clue: “The Help”. Much to my surprise, I said the same answer that James did! His score went to $4,500.
We did get through 30 clues in this round; scores at the end of 30 were:
James $6,700
Melanie $4,600
Mike $3,200
DJ! round categories:
GET YOUR KICKS
1960s NEWSMAKERS
CEREMONIES
CHINA TOWNS
GILBERT & SULLIVAN
JEOPARDY! IN 3-D
1960s NEWSMAKERS had another Triple Stumper I picked up at $1200: In Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, this Pirates second baseman hit the winning home run in the bottom of the 9th inning. As if on cue, NEWSMAKERS $1600 had the Daily Double. This one was Mike’s, and the scores were:
James $6,700
Mike $4,800
Melanie $4,600
Mike bet $3,000. His clue: In 1961 this 2-time Democratic presidential nominee was appointed U.N. ambassador. Mike gave a correct response to put him to $7,800!
A question I had a serious problem with: CEREMONIES $1200 (5 Nobel Prizes are awarded each December 10 in this city). 4 Nobel Prizes are awarded in the city mentioned. The 5th, Peace, is awarded in Oslo. “Economics” is not a Nobel. I don’t want to get political here on the blog, but it is probably the most underrated reason as to why our society is in the condition it is in. Melanie took a $1,200 neg on the question.
Another Triple Stumper at CHINA TOWNS $800: The seat of Stark County, Ohio has not changed its name from this to Guangzhou, unlike the Chinese city it’s named for. The reason why I mention this? CHINA TOWNS $1200 had the final Daily Double! This was James’, and the scores were:
Mike $13,800
Melanie $10,200
James $9,900
James bet just $3,000. His clue: This city is famous for its brewery; today its beer is the No. 1 Chinese beer in the United States. Another correct response put him $900 sort of the lead!
The final $2000 clue went James’ way, meaning the scores going into Final were:
James $16,500
Mike $15,800
Melanie $10,200
FJ! category: EUROPEAN LITERATURE
FJ! clue: This 1922 novel’s first chapter is titled “The son of the Brahman”
Melanie 10200 – 4900 = 5300
Mike 15800 + 5599 = 21399
James 16500 – 15101 = 1399
Some controvery here: Mike’s answer appears to have been spelled “Siddharta”. James’: “Siddhart”. James’ was ruled as incomplete (correctly IMO). Mike’s was ruled as correct. I’m personally not 100% sure if the judges made the right call. I know I have heard that second H be silent, but I’m also not sure if that was actually correct to do so. We had one email about it already! In any case, Mike’s wager would have won him the game regardless of the ruling of his answer (and it also likely renders Melanie’s case moot on the Nobel question as well). Not a good day for the staff, though!
(Edited to add: J! board appears to be of the consensus that a) “Siddharta” is an alternative name for the Buddha, and b) the second H may be allowed to be silent, according to the Oxford dictionary.)
Jeanie will have Monday’s recap and a Q&A from Rebecca. We’ll see you then!