So will Julia Collins beat David Madden‘s 19-day record today? I think so, but let’s find out.
Mr. Trebek griped about not having anything else to ask Julia. He’s just not in touch with what people want to know. The material doesn’t run out! Actually I was hoping today Julia would ask Trebek what he had for breakfast this morning, like Ken Jennings famously did in a similar situation.
I counted this first one right even though I technically didn’t respond. (I would have if I’d known Sami Siegelbaum’s response was enough.) The category was The Rodin Museum: “For 37 years, Rodin worked on ‘The Gates of Hell,’ adding and removing figures. The subject matter of the doors is based on this epic poem by Dante.” By the way, were you disappointed that Trebek wore a sweatshirt in these clues? He couldn’t be bothered to even be presentable?
I swept Single-Named Singers’ Hits.
At the first break I was surprised Julia had such a big lead when I watched the first time through. It seemed like Sami was dominant, maybe because he answered the first two.
Julia 5600 (9 right)
Sami 2400 (5 right and one wrong)
Wendy Hardenberg -600 (2 right and one wrong)
Julia found the Daily Double of the round in The Roaring 20s.
Julia 6800 (2 right)
Sami 2400
Wendy -600
Julia wagered 1800. Does this mean she expected to miss it, to make an even 5000? This was the clue: “In May 1926 President Coolidge sent U.S. Marines into this nation to quell an uprising led by General Augusto Sandino.” Even I thought this was Pavlovian, but Julia missed it.
I thought this triple-stumper in Talk Cleanly to Me was just as brainless: “Free from defects, or a playoff game-winning ‘reception’ in 1972.”
Were you too surprised that the name in this correct response is considered a serial killer (in Poker)?: “It’s hard to tell if pro Phil Laak is bluffing behind the shades & hood that earned him this serial killer nickname.” But Wendy knew it.
At the end of the round, Julia had what she did at the first break!
Julia 6800 (3 right and one wrong)
Sami 3600 (3 right)
Wendy 1000 (2 right)
It wasn’t til Sami found a Daily Double in The 28 Countries of NATO that I noticed what pretty eyes he has.
Julia 14400 (6 right)
Sami 4400 (3 right and 2 wrong)
Wendy 7000 (7 right and one wrong)
He wagered 2500 on this clue: “The one that’s 99% Muslim.” He got it, but I wish he’d wagered more!
Julia found the next Daily Double, and I have to admit I said “Oh, no.”
Julia 15600 (One right)
Sami 8100 (2 right)
Wendy 7000
She wagered 2400. This time Trebek said before she wagered that there was less than a minute to go. This was the clue in Poetic Lines: “‘10,000 eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt; 5,000 tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.'” I got this easily, but Julia didn’t know! Then she missed the next one! Wendy got the next one right, and it was the last clue. Two clues remained on the board.
Julia 11600
Sami 8100
Wendy 9000
The Final Jeopardy category was 19th Century Politics! Exciting! This is the clue: “A Senate seat from this southern state sat vacant for 4 years; when it was filled, its ex-occupant had become U.S. president.” Why did Sami start writing so late? He only got 2 letters in and lost 7000. Wendy was right and added 7201. Julia was right and added 6500.
ToC update:
1. John Pearson (November 2013 Teacher’s Champion)
2. Jim Coury (May 2013 College Champion)
3. Terry O’Shea (February 2014 College Champion)
4. Julia Collins $428,100 (20 wins)
5. Arthur Chu $297,200 (11 wins)
6. Ben Ingram $176,534 (8 wins)
7. Drew Horwood $138,100 (8 wins)
8. Jared Hall $181,001 (6 wins)
9. Sandie Baker $140,200 (6 wins)
10. Andrew Moore $137,803 (6 wins)
11. Jerry Slowik $121,800 (5 wins)
12. Joshua Brakhage $103,205 (5 wins)
13. Rebecca Rider $101,600 (5 wins)
14. Sarah McNitt $89,398 (5 wins)
15. Rani Peffer $68,701 (5 wins)
—
16. Mark Japinga $112,600 (4 wins)
17. Mike Lewis $102,800 (4 wins)
18. Carlos Ross $89,774 (3 wins)
19. Adam Holquist $76,299 (3 wins)
20. Sara Garnett $75,403 (3 wins)
21. Salvo Candela $66,195 (3 wins)
22. Neal Pollack $60,798 (3 wins)
23. John Anneken $60,112 (3 wins)
24. Tim Anderson $56,001 (3 wins)
25. Stuart Anderson $51,601 (3 wins)
26. Bill Tolany $44,200 (3 wins)
My Coryat today was 16800 (18600 without negs).
One year ago: The battle with Hastings
Two years ago: Murder on the Jeopardy! Express
Three years ago: It takes me so long just to figure out what I’m gonna wear
Four years ago: “The Sound of Silence,” for real this time
