By this game, I think we had worked out the general formula for picking the lineups, so we figured it would be a 7 game winner (Brian or Courtney), a 5 game winner (Tyler), and a 4 game winner (Margaret, John, or Jackie). Watching the contestants walk up to the podiums was such a weird rollercoaster of emotion from the audience. They would come in one at a time and get settled at their podium before the next person came in, so it was a constant volley of excitement to see people I knew and then panic at the fact that they had to play each other. Most quarterfinal matchups had at least one person that I didn’t know very well, but this one happened to be all three people that I talk to a lot on Twitter and absolutely adore!!
Tyler told his opponents “Good luck” before the game which was very sweet. I imagine once you step on stage it’s very hard to focus on anything but the game, so when someone acknowledges their opponent before or after the game I feel like that must be a very deeply ingrained habit in their character.
Outfit Details
Hey, no quarter zip!! Love the lavender dress shirt, and he even included a pocket square. I saw Brian in the audience later in the day and got a closeup photo for my files.
Tyler is wearing a plaid blazer, plum dress shirt, and his late grandfather's tie. (He talked about the tie in the post-game chat with Ken) Love this outfit and the tribute to his grandfather.
I don't even think I need to write anything about this! Just, look at her! Incredible print, iconic accessories, signature glasses & lip color. Utter perfection.
Ken has had all new ties so far for the Tournament of Champions! Tonight he wore a pink geometric design (maybe flower shapes? I didn’t get a close look!) because “On Wednesdays we wear pink!”
Vibe Check
Brian - professional
Brian has a very centered posture, he walks on stage with purpose like he’s about to play a concert or deliver a speech. It’s not an over-the-top theatrical energy like Jonathan though, it’s a more subdued intensity.
Tyler - ready to be done
I tried to find a different way to phrase this because I don’t mean it in a negative way at all. But his energy on stage is just so “came to do it, let’s get it done before I pass out”, it’s just the most relatable vibe!
Margaret - fun but intense
This is what I wrote in my notes: “the sweet Southern lady who would say bless your heart then stab you in the back… but wholesome” Like, at your birthday party she will bake you a cake, but kick your ass at all the games while having the best time and then send you a thank you note afterwards for inviting her.
Mistakes and Retakes
On the first clue of the game (“St. Mark’s Square in this city”) the correct answer was Venice, but when Brian said “What is Rome” Ken said “Yes… NO!” This happens sometimes and they just edit out the mistake.
Ken said “TEAMS of the MLB Hall of Famers” rather than “TEAM” (since he’s not on screen when he reads the categories, they just rerecorded this as a pickup later, he didn’t have to stop)
Ken’s clue reading is really good, he usually has to do a couple pickups for pronunciation or inflection but those are easily done during commercials. Sometimes when he messes up a line in his intro or transitions, he’ll stop and say “Dammit!” because those they usually have to start from the beginning if he makes a mistake. Somebody asked him during one of the Q&As “What does it feel like to curse in front of your parents?” and he said, “It’s nothing they haven’t heard before!”
Interesting clues/categories
If you listen to Ken Jennings’ podcast Omnibus, you might remember that there is an episode about the Left Behind book series. (As someone who was raised fundamentalist Baptist, I’m always enamored with this particular content niche.) I was excited to see this clue and wondered if Ken had a hand in the clue selection.
During the next commercial break, Ken took questions from the audience (he walks over to the edge of the stage, I don’t think he’s allowed to come any closer because of Covid protocols) and I immediately raised my hand and asked “Do you think the writers were inspired by Omnibus for the Left Behind clue?” He chuckled and explained to the rest of the audience that he had done an episode about Left Behind on his podcast, but that he thinks it’s usually just a coincidence when topics overlap.
The anagrams category had some tricky “has to be plural” answers, like maraschino / harmonicas which Brian got correct and chalets / satchel which Margaret missed by saying chalet, singular.
The Well-Oiled Machine
Decided to make a new section for general production tidbits that don’t really fit anywhere else. I’ve heard so many people describe a Jeopardy! taping as a “well-oiled machine” and it seems trite but it is so accurate! It’s honestly almost mesmerizing to watch everything that goes on in the studio.
It was around this game that it started sinking in how quickly a Jeopardy! taping goes from surreal to routine. Watching the whole process three times in a row, it became so familiar.
Corina Nusu does the instructions before Final Jeopardy. First she gives everyone a green piece of paper and a sharpie to do the wagering math. She tells them to write their wager in the box, with a dollar sign, then press a button to lock it in. Sometimes wagering takes a while (up to 5 minutes). There was only one game I saw where they had to call time on someone and I’ll talk about that when it airs. After the wagers are locked in she always has to remind people to put the paper out of sight on the podium (I think they slide it under the white part of the podium, which you can see in this photo Zach tweeted the other day!)
After that they do the “bumper” which is the clip that you sometimes see during the commercial break between Double and Final Jeopardy with the contestants writing. Corina tells everyone to pick up their light pen and write “Who is” (or “What is” depending on the answer) at the top of the screen, while the camera captures this.
Then before Ken reveals the clue, Corina always has to do the same spiel even for tournament of champions contestants who have done it countless times.
“Read the category. Read the clue. Write the answer. Check your work. Reread the category and make sure your answer fits. If you don’t know how to spell something, spell it phonetically. If something happens to the pen write your answer on the piece of pink paper. Check. Your. Work! When your answer is revealed, we love a poker face. Wait for the reveal and then EMOTE! Don’t forget! Check your work!”
After the game, the contestants that didn’t win would be ushered off and Sarah Foss would come on stage to do a post-game interview with the winner (I’m guessing clips from these will be used on social media or the podcast at some point!)
Overheard Segment
Ken: Tyler, did you consider betting anything else?
Tyler: You gotta bet on yourself!
Ken: What about you, Margaret?
Margaret: They say “go big or go home” but the last time I went home it was because I went big! So I went small this time.
Miscellany
Margaret and Tyler were just side by side the whole time! I don’t do a lot of “gameplay analysis” because I’m mostly here for the atmosphere, but even I can’t help but notice when things are THAT close!
Tyler’s fiancée Meghan moved seats during the break between DJ and FJ and sat in the row behind us for Final Jeopardy! She, Cindy, and I were SCREAMING when Tyler won. (Side note: Meghan was wearing a gorgeous blue sweater that I was obsessed with)
Meghan posted some photos on Twitter today - including a parking garage photo from the morning! I sadly neglected to take any group photos.
This was the third game of the day, so it was time for lunch break after it ended. This is already running long so I’ll save the lunch recap for tomorrow. Make sure to subscribe below so you don’t miss the riveting saga of what I ate for lunch!