Sincere apologies for the delay. Remember that I was worried about how I’d cover these last 2 days since I’d be in Wisconsin? Well I had good reason to be worried even though I thought I had everything figured out. But all’s well that ends well I suppose. Just know that I’ve been thinking about you obsessively all day.
I think I’ve mentioned that the show raffles off gift cards to the App Store? I haven’t mentioned that I won one myself at the end of the morning session the day these episodes were taped. I’d been trying to figure out what to do with it or how to pass it on here, since I don’t have an Apple device. So I’ve come up with this: For a chance to win it, follow the blog by e-mail using the widget on the right. Tonight’s a good reason you need that, huh? For another chance, like us on Facebook. I’ll give you one week.
After the Wednesday episode, I’d planned to do my usual and stay for the lunch break no matter what. Bill MacDonald, who I’d been sitting next to, said something like if I want to be in the in-crowd…. And I said “And I do…” then I have to go to lunch with them. So I left for lunch for the first time. I knew there were no ticketholders that day; only production guests and contestant guests. I knew I’d be able to get back into the studio for sure. Dan Pawson‘s wife Andrea Saenz went too, and we stopped at an Indian place. The Whitlock family came in after we did, including the precious 5-year-old. He wasn’t pleased, and held his nose as he walked around! Later I saw him eating happily.
Andrea did not know at lunch that I had been on the show. Then she thought maybe Jerome had told her. But later the same day, Jerome said to me, “Have you been on?” !!! Yes, I met him for the first time that night at O’Brien’s Pub!
Since Maria Wenglinsky (alternate for the 2000s contestants) came to the studio for the afternoon session and Bill was her guest, he sat by her. Andrea sat on the end of the row on Bill’s other side, apparently so she could be nearer to Dan. (We got to sit on the contestant side again!) I sat then next to Michael Rooney, who is fine but I haven’t spoken to as much. Bill sat directly in front of me, which you’ll need to know later.
Roger’s not wearing a coat! When he was rehearsing without one and then left the stage, I thought he was retrieving it. I remember thinking when he appeared on the screen, it’s a shame he’s got a big ol’ microphone so plainly visible. Someone in the audience commented on how tense Roger looked when he played that morning, but I didn’t think so.
Like when I saw Brad play for the first time in January, I watched him and not the clues. I saw him smile at the clue reminding him of Watson! Brad found the Daily Double of the round in U.S. Geography before the first break.
Brad 3200 (6 right and one wrong)
Ken 800 (3 right and one wrong)
Roger 1800 (4 right)
Brad wagered everything on this clue: “The snowy dome of this tallest volcano in the lower 48 states is often shrouded in clouds.” He was wrong. Roger got the next clue right, and then came the first break.
Brad 0
Ken 800
Roger 2400
Someone listening in the room with me said after this clue, “He had to think about that one?!” In A Blank Expression: “Take advantage; make ___ while the sun shines.” It was Roger. Even he chuckled!
At the end of the round:
Brad 2000 (4 right)
Ken 3200 (6 right and one wrong)
Roger 5000 (4 right)
Bill commented that it was unusual for Brad to be selecting first in the Double Jeopardy round. Maria said, “It’s Maundy Thursday; it’s the penitential season.” Brad found the first Daily Double in Historic Days. Taping stopped at that point, presumably to make sure Brad’s response to the last clue, “the evacuation of the Saigon embassy,” was acceptable.
Brad 7600 (5 right and 2 wrong)
Ken 4000 (2 right and one wrong)
Roger 8200 (2 right)
Brad wagered just 2000 on this clue: “December 15, 1791.” Brad got it. Roger found the next Daily Double in Medical Terms. I had told my family about this today (the day after it aired; don’t worry), so I was happy to say “Here it comes…” to them.
Brad 9600
Ken 8400 (3 right)
Roger 10200 (One right)
Roger rolled like his usual self and wagered it all on this clue: “Doctors use this 5-letter term for swelling or bloating in the body due to an excess build-up of fluid.” And oh yeah, Ken said “Do it” before Roger’s wager. Roger started his wager with, “Yeah,” as if he agreed. Did you hear the crowd go wild? Afterward I was worried about Roger looking arrogant, even though I know he’s not. And he didn’t look it to me today. Did he look it to you? Trebek even read the clue thinking Roger’d know it. But as you probably know, Roger was wrong. What was Ken laughing at? And what did Roger try to give as a response, anyway? At the after-party when someone commented on that clue, Roger said he’d known it. He said all he could think of was “dropsy.”
At the end of the round:
Brad 14000 (5 right)
Ken 12000 (7 right)
Roger -800 (One right and 2 wrong)
Roger said, “It’s a 2-day final, right?”, to the delight of the audience. I whispered to Michael, “Can Roger play in the final?” And Michael said, “Not today he can’t.” The Final Jeopardy category was The Academy Awards.
A Jeopardy! staffperson handed out cards to the tournament contestants. They too would be participating in the final by writing down their response. Then the staffperson would take the group’s picture, each holding up his or her response. Maria was, of course, sitting on the opposite side of the studio as the contestants. When the staffperson asked “How many of you weren’t here earlier?”, Maria said loudly “TODAY?” She jumped to the contestant side.
This is the final clue: “1 of the 2 movies in the last 30 years, one a drama & one a comedy, to win Oscars for Best Actor & Best Actress.” Ken didn’t write anything. He lost 5000. Brad lost 4000. Russ, Leszek, Mark Lowenthal and Dan got the Final from the audience, as did Tom Cubbage and of course maybe more.
Mr. Trebek referred to Roger as “David,” but that part was cut out. Naturally. Roger looked back into the audience when Trebek said “David”! Michael drew a laugh when he said between episodes, “Roger should sign in as ‘David.'”
On to tomorrow! Thanks be to God this post is done.
One year ago: People who need People
Two years ago: Laker Lew
Three years ago: [untitled]
Four years ago: I Heart Jeopardy!
