What is a three-way tie?
Last night for the first time in Jeopardy’s history there was a three-way tie when all three contestants final scores totaled $16,000. Alex Trebek had this to say to the AP about the game show history making moment, “We’ve had a lot of crazy things happen on `Jeopardy!’ but in 23 years I’ve never seen anything like this before.” So what was the tie causing question, “1 of the men who shot her realized when he saw her body she’s often wait on him in a cafe in Dallas” The correct answer that all three got was Bonnie Parker. A mathematician said the chances of this happening were one in 25 million. Tune in Monday to see who the ultimate winner is of the three. My question is why didn’t Scott bet $2601?
UPDATE: Scott Weiss explains on his blog why he bet $2,600 and all I have to say is good for him!!!
Oh, you want to know about the Final Jeopardy! wager? It was an intentional bet. I counted on Anders and Jamey betting rationally and wagering everything. I thought it would be really cool to be a part of Jeopardy history. I knew that meant I’d be playing seasoned opponents, but it didn’t matter to me. I had already won a couple of games myself, and I thought it would be neat to share the money. (See my post about Jennifer from a couple of days; that’s what the literary people call foreshadowing. :-)). Now there’ll be a notation next to one of my games in the J! Archive. How cool is that?
But there have been other unexpected benefits. A schoolteacher present at the game came up to me and said I taught the kids a great lesson in sportsmanship and generosity. Cecil and I have become good friends with Anders and his wife Juneko, and Jamey and his wife Beth. Juneko made Beth and Cecil gorgeous glass pendants commemorating the tie, and she made a teddy bear for Ragnar out of felt. I just got a note from Anders asking what charity I’d like him to donate some of his money to.
Some people, maybe even many people, seem to think the wager was a mistake. But I don’t think so. I can’t say I was 100% altruistic in my decision. I liked Anders and Jamey; Anders and I had talked at lunch about cryptics a little, and Jamey seemed like a fun person. (Maggie commented to us before the game as to what a good time I seemed to be having, and Jamey half-joked that he hoped I’d have a little less of a good time then.) But I really wasn’t thinking about them. I thought more of the show. I’ve been watching Jeopardy! for all of its 23 years. Yesterday I got to give something back. How many players or even champions get the opportunity to do that?
Top-ranked syndicated game shows "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy!" have been renewed for two more years each through the 2011-12 season. Among the stations extending their deals with syndicator CBS Television Distribution are ABC-owned WABC New York, KABC Los Angeles, and WLS Chicago. "Wheel," the No. 1 show in syndication, averaged an 8.3 household rating through December 17, while "Jeopardy!" was No. 3 with a 6.5 average. "Wheel" is in its 24th season, "Jeopardy!" in its 23rd.
Terri Clark, Lonestar, Wynonna and Trisha Yearwood are among the artists who will film episodes of Wheel of Fortune in Charleston, S.C., in January. The episodes will air in February. Other participating artists include Steve Azar, Josh Gracin, Montgomery Gentry, Lorrie Morgan, Julie Roberts, Trent Tomlinson and Mark Wills. The stars’ winnings will be donated to their favorite charities. Letter-turner Vanna White is a native of South Carolina. This marks the show’s first visit to the state.
Martin Short, Susan Lucci, Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling and CNN host Nancy Grace are among the boldfaced names slated to compete on "Celebrity Jeopardy!" this fall. The two-week competition, with winnings going to charity, will be taped at Radio City Music Hall on Oct. 5, 7 and 8, and will be broadcast beginning Nov. 8, it was announced Tuesday. Also on the roster: Regis Philbin, Rachael Ray, James Denton, Doug Savant, Christopher Meloni, Drew Lachey, Carson Kressley, Neil Patrick Harris, Jane Kaczmarek, Joely Fischer, Dana Delany, Mario Cantone, Steve Schirripa, Bebe Neuwirth, Paul Shaffer, Sam Waterston, Soledad O’Brien of CNN and fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi. "I’m looking forward to these special weeks of shows, not only because of the fun celebrity element but also because so many good causes will benefit from the stars’ participation," host Alex Trebek said. "These celebrities are not afraid to go out on a limb, take a risk and still have a good time." Each celebrity will earn a guaranteed $25,000 for the charity of his or her choice, and the winner of each show gets a $50,000 charitable pay-off.
I love how CNN tries to improve it’s credibility by putting two of their anchors on the show. I hope that they both score the lowest…and you know they will!
