The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: chris319 on July 15, 2004, 10:44:12 PM
-
I am interested in Jeopardy! again.
I am involved in the game. Ken is slowing down and we are starting to have some competition. I find myself rooting for his opponents when they approach or surpass his score. I am thrilled during those brief moments, few and far between, when he is in the red.
I am rooting for Ken to lose. This is the Dan Enright effect: "You want the viewer to react emotionally to a contestant. Whether he reacts favorably or negatively is really not that important. The important thing is that he react. He should watch a contestant hoping that the contestant will win, or he should watch the contestant hoping the contestant will lose."
No offense intended to JenKennings.
-
Correct me if I am wrong, but hasn't he been in the red but once?
-
Dan did eventually have to tell Herb Stempel when to say bye-bye.
-
Twice, that I can recall.
-
..and since we know someone demanding Ken take a dive can't be done, we'll just have to watch Ken tucker out. Is Jeopardy a 5-a-day taping, or is it split up? Ken has the stress factor of 5 tapings in a week, as compared to his opponents who are fresh and rested when they face Ken for their duels - plus the interviews, guest shots...and I would imagine his normal day-to-day life has been out of sync for some time. It's gotta take a toll, and he probably will be beaten soon by someone not necessarily smarter, but fresher/stronger. But Chris' main point is that it's great to have some emotional tie with a contestant. I agree. Too many shows, the players come and go so fast we don't have time to care. In the days of the panel shows, we could root for our favorite panelists and hiss the others. They were the week-to-week constants while the guests came and went. My emotional connection is more like watching how he'll handle his eventual descent, and how others will react when it's done. I hope in the light that will be immediately shone on the guy or gal who beats Ken, the prevailing mood will be more like "Man, Ken was one hell of a player and kept swinging the bat until the last out", as compared to "Great! Now we have a human champ instead of a nerd with a sponge memory"..or words to that effect. How much you want to bet the person who beats Jennings won't go beyond five games? Go, Ken - and when the battle's over, we'll celebrate a victory - not a defeat. And Chris will be right - we'll see a type of emotional drama that is greater than in times past when any great contestant was prevented from being revered or reviled because of a five-game - ten game limit.
-
As a common viewer after watching his dismal performance over the last two shows after Mr. Jennings crossed $1 million, I'm starting to be attached. We've seen he hasn't been running the board. And with how close players get to him, I'm just hoping Ken would pull away and score high. But luckily his luck was still there going into Final Jeopardy!, mathematically speaking.
Hang on, folks. Here comes the drama. Root for Ken till the end.
-
Allow me to clarify: I'm rooting AGAINST Ken and FOR his opponents. I suppose you could call it an "emotional tie" to a contestant but not in a positive sense. But it's got me involved in the show again.
Notice how Ken surpassed the $1 million mark smack dab in the middle of the July book.
Yes, Dan Enright told Herb Stempel to throw the game but that version of Twenty One was rrrrrigged.
Where's Vivienne Nearing when we need her?
-
I'm willing to bet that Ken will eventually bow out very graciously. I mean, when all is said & done, Ken will go back to where he was before his instant celeberty status over the past 6 weeks. Methimks, it'll take a long time for Ken to FULLY recover from all this.
-
[quote name=\'Craig Karlberg\' date=\'Jul 16 2004, 04:44 AM\'] I'm willing to bet that Ken will eventually bow out very graciously. I mean, when all is said & done, Ken will go back to where he was before his instant celeberty status over the past 6 weeks. Methimks, it'll take a long time for Ken to FULLY recover from all this. [/quote]
Yeah, but the trauma of dealing with it will be softened by his million dollars. :)
This "Dan Enright Effect" as you call it, Chris, can also be seen in professional wrestling. It's all about reaction. Once you can arouse any strong emotion in a mark, you've got them.
I am rooting FOR Ken. Sure, he doesn't need me to root for him, but I do enjoy seeing him rewrite game show history and I'd like to see him break the McKee record.
Obviously, this story has captured the imagination of a country that needs to root for someone. I'm proudly joining in.
-
[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' date=\'Jul 15 2004, 10:19 PM\']Dan did eventually have to tell Herb Stempel when to say bye-bye.[/quote]
And somewhere in the Irving Thalberg Buildling, Harry Friedman's thinking, "those were the good old days."
What I'd like to know--why did Ken's opponent make such a wussy DD bet at the end of the first round? Did he really think that first pick in DJ! was more important than the lead--particularly because Ken wouldn't have been last if he'd bet it all or most of it?
-
[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Jul 16 2004, 02:53 AM\'] Notice how Ken surpassed the $1 million mark smack dab in the middle of the July book. [/quote]
Is the July book even that important, given how many shows are in reruns right now?
-
[quote name=\'rigsby\' date=\'Jul 16 2004, 01:00 PM\'] [quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Jul 16 2004, 02:53 AM\'] Notice how Ken surpassed the $1 million mark smack dab in the middle of the July book. [/quote]
Is the July book even that important, given how many shows are in reruns right now? [/quote]
Not as important as the other books but it's still a nice time to have your ratings spike.
It wouldn't take much for Spongeken Squarepants to wiggle out of Jeopardy! -- just slow down that lockout thumb.
-
[quote name=\'rigsby\' date=\'Jul 16 2004, 04:00 PM\'] [quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Jul 16 2004, 02:53 AM\'] Notice how Ken surpassed the $1 million mark smack dab in the middle of the July book. [/quote]
Is the July book even that important, given how many shows are in reruns right now? [/quote]
Well, it's the most competitive month of the summer programming-wise because it's a sweeps month. The July sweeps are probably the least important of the sweeps months, but it is becoming more and more important as networks begin programming for the summer instead of just dumping failed midseason-replacements and pilots in among the reruns.
-
[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Jul 16 2004, 03:05 PM\'] It wouldn't take much for Spongeken Squarepants to wiggle out of Jeopardy! -- just slow down that lockout thumb. [/quote]
He wouldn't even have to go that far, Chris.
"What is 'what you have written down on that card, Alex?'"
"Who is Grant Stoomb?"
"Who is Myra Maines?"
"Who's Dick Hertz?"
"Who is Hassan Bin Sobar?"
"Who is Amanda Huginkess?"
-
Returning to "The Dan Enright Effect"...
The people who are rooting against Ken are doing so because they feel he has already reached his goal/served his porpose, obtaining the one million dollars, and is no longer exciting or needed. The people rooting for Ken are probably counting on Ken reaching the two million dollar mark, or just winning higher amounts of money. *
* Just my interpretation on human nature. I guess it's a glass half empty/half full thing.
-
[quote name=\'1978-Jeopardy\' date=\'Jul 17 2004, 06:45 AM\']The people who are rooting against Ken are doing so because they feel he has already reached his goal/served his porpose, obtaining the one million dollars, and is no longer exciting or needed. The people rooting for Ken are probably counting on Ken reaching the two million dollar mark, or just winning higher amounts of money. [/quote]
People were rooting against Ken well before he reached $1M. I think a lot of people are rooting against him because they don't enjoy runaway games, and/or don't enjoy seeing a succession of pretty good players not have much of a shot at even a single win.
I, really and truly, am not rooting for him or against him. I love it when he's got a $30,000 lead, and I love it when the other contestants are giving him a run for his money. It's all exciting to me.
-
I'm watching for the following things:
* A $100,000 victory
* Breaking Kevin O.'s $2.18M record
* Breaking that 100% winner overseas' record of 75 games
* The night when a giant killer comes along and takes over podium #1
Will all four occur? We shall see.
-
Let's see here:
The first scenerio is doubful because Ken needs at least $50K to work with & bets at least that amount.
Breaking Kevin's mark is possible but he needs at least 30 more wins to do that at his current average.
The 75 game win streak from 100% is possible but an even LONGER odds there.(I guess maybe that's why they wanted to re-research the Thom McKee mark because of international records).
The last one is a definite YES! It's only a matter of time before Ken bows out.
I don't think ALL 4 will occur, but the last one is definitely money in the bank.
-
[quote name=\'Craig Karlberg\' date=\'Jul 18 2004, 04:56 AM\'] The first scenerio is doubful because Ken needs at least $50K to work with & bets at least that amount. [/quote]
Hmmm, interesting.
-
[quote name=\'Robert Hutchinson\' date=\'Jul 17 2004, 01:04 PM\'] [quote name=\'1978-Jeopardy\' date=\'Jul 17 2004, 06:45 AM\']The people who are rooting against Ken are doing so because they feel he has already reached his goal/served his porpose, obtaining the one million dollars, and is no longer exciting or needed. The people rooting for Ken are probably counting on Ken reaching the two million dollar mark, or just winning higher amounts of money. [/quote]
People were rooting against Ken well before he reached $1M. I think a lot of people are rooting against him because they don't enjoy runaway games, and/or don't enjoy seeing a succession of pretty good players not have much of a shot at even a single win.
I, really and truly, am not rooting for him or against him. I love it when he's got a $30,000 lead, and I love it when the other contestants are giving him a run for his money. It's all exciting to me. [/quote]
and/or don't enjoy seeing a succession of pretty good players not have much of a shot at even a single win.
I was thinking that it is somewhat unfair to new players, that it's a longshot for them to get a single win. How about this format change: On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, have 3 new players each day. On Thursday, the 3 winners play each other. On Friday, you have the returning champion, the winner from Thursday, and a former champion play. This would have each week be like a mini-tournament.
-
The people who are rooting against Ken are doing so because they feel he has already reached his goal/served his porpose, obtaining the one million dollars, and is no longer exciting or needed.
No, it's because the matches have become totally predictable: Ken will go into Final Jeopardy! with > 2x his nearest opponent's score. Worse, the score will be $5,000 to $400 to $-200 going into the first commercial. Gee, who d'ya think's gonna win? No dramma, no suspense. Will Ken win $35,000 or $36,000 today? Stay tuned, you won't want to miss it.
I'd be ecstatic if I won $1 million but so help me Hannah I don't understand the psychological thrill of watching someone else win it.
Last call for Vivienne Nearing.
-
[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Jul 18 2004, 09:29 AM\'] Last call for Vivienne Nearing. [/quote]
Have Ken take on both Viv and Erik Krapelein on the same telecast.
By the by, the way I can see a $100,000 win happening is if Ken knocks both opponents out of the running before Final Jeopardy!, has (for example) $55K and wagers of $45K of it knowing he's back tomorrow no matter what.
-
And who can beat Jennings? Another super-genius. This could become a vicious cycle of braniacs having multi-week runs.
-
No, it's because the matches have become totally predictable: Ken will go into Final Jeopardy! with > 2x his nearest opponent's score. Worse, the score will be $5,000 to $400 to $-200 going into the first commercial. Gee, who d'ya think's gonna win? No dramma, no suspense.
I agree there. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I'm kind of enjoying Ken's streak. I just find it truly amazing how far he's gone, but at the same time it would be nice to see a competitive game again.
When was the last time the game was in doubt going into Final Jeopardy anyway?
-
[quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' date=\'Jul 19 2004, 08:26 AM\']
No, it's because the matches have become totally predictable: Ken will go into Final Jeopardy! with > 2x his nearest opponent's score. Worse, the score will be $5,000 to
When was the last time the game was in doubt going into Final Jeopardy anyway?
June 28th or 29th IIRC.
-
[quote name=\'zachhoran\' date=\'Jul 19 2004, 06:32 AM\'][quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' date=\'Jul 19 2004, 08:26 AM\']When was the last time the game was in doubt going into Final Jeopardy anyway? [/quote]
June 28th or 29th IIRC.[/quote]
Of what year?
-
I'm unbaised on his continuing reign of terror, but perhaps Ken may have a personal goal he wants to reach ala Michael Larsen did on Press Your Luck...
Putting the 'beating the system" point aside, Larsen purposely slowed down after hitting the $100K mark -- he began passing spins and hitting spaces that had no additional spins so he could finish his run.
Might Ken have a magic threshold that, once reached (a certain # of games, a certain $$$ winnings amount, a guaranteed seat on the Sony Board of Directors...), will allow him to relax a bit and just play a little looser -- giving the opponents more of a chance to keep up with him?
We'll find out.
-
On Monday Spongeken Squarepants won with $35,000. The burning question is, will he shock the world tomorrow by winning with $35,001?
Oooh, I can hardly wait.
-
[quote name=\'TimK2003\' date=\'Jul 19 2004, 07:34 PM\']Putting the 'beating the system" point aside, Larsen purposely slowed down after hitting the $100K mark -- he began passing spins and hitting spaces that had no additional spins so he could finish his run.[/quote]
I've never seen more than a couple of short clips of Larsen's shows, but I remember a handful of people saying that it looked like he was hitting non-extra-spin spaces because he was starting to lose his cool, so to speak. Wasn't one of them near the very end a space with a Whammy on one of the slides?
-
[quote name=\'Robert Hutchinson\' date=\'Jul 19 2004, 10:03 PM\'] [quote name=\'TimK2003\' date=\'Jul 19 2004, 07:34 PM\']Putting the 'beating the system" point aside, Larsen purposely slowed down after hitting the $100K mark -- he began passing spins and hitting spaces that had no additional spins so he could finish his run.[/quote]
I've never seen more than a couple of short clips of Larsen's shows, but I remember a handful of people saying that it looked like he was hitting non-extra-spin spaces because he was starting to lose his cool, so to speak. Wasn't one of them near the very end a space with a Whammy on one of the slides? [/quote]
Indeed it was. He also did Whammy on his very first spin (but didn't for the rest of the game).
Doug
-
Yes, on the very last spin he took he stopped on the space that was where he hit his first and only whammy.
-
[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Jul 19 2004, 09:47 PM\'] On Monday Spongeken Squarepants won with $35,000. The burning question is, will he shock the world tomorrow by winning with $35,001?
Oooh, I can hardly wait. [/quote]
And you've cared enough to either watch or look at a recap.
Looks like J! is doing its job rather well. (And if you are to believe the Professor, J! is tied with WOF for #1 syndicated show in the country.)
Brandon Brooks
-
I wouldn't be surprised to see J! ACTUALLY be in first place in syndication when the latest weekly numbers come out later this week. Here's how I see'em.
J! 8.2
WOF 7.8
-
I haven't been enjoying Jeopardy! on the competition level much recently (since Ken obliterates nearly all of his opponents), but I do find it interesting to watch to see how much money he can rack up in one day (see if he can come back and hit that $60,000 he was trying for that one day). Kind of like rooting for the solo contestant on Millionaire -- how successful will he be with two other people trying to answer his clues? Maybe not what the original intent of Jeopardy! is, but it's still interesting to me.
(Plus, I'm enjoying the different ways he's writing his name on the screen. I don't suppose the camera was ever close enough to show whether he placed the correct value on his "K" Scrabble tile, or whether it was an indistinguishable smudge.)
And while I'm not rooting for Ken to lose, I'll kick myself if I miss the episode where it does finally happen. Whenever that may be.
--
Scott Robinson
-
[quote name=\'Craig Karlberg\' date=\'Jul 20 2004, 04:07 AM\'] I wouldn't be surprised to see J! ACTUALLY be in first place in syndication when the latest weekly numbers come out later this week. Here's how I see'em.
J! 8.2
WOF 7.8 [/quote]
J! is in first place in syndication, supposedly. And I see them as eleventy billion and eleventy billion plus 2.
Brandon Brooks
-
[quote name=\'MSTieScott\' date=\'Jul 20 2004, 11:49 AM\'] (Plus, I'm enjoying the different ways he's writing his name on the screen. I don't suppose the camera was ever close enough to show whether he placed the correct value on his "K" Scrabble tile, or whether it was an indistinguishable smudge.) [/quote]
It *was* a 5, but I guess you'll have to take my word for it at this point. Those light-pens aren't really any good for detail work... :)