Tuesday, June 24, 2008
END OF THE TOC POSTS
This ends the TOC section of the Blog. If you are interested in the chronicle of my experiences on the regular show, you can begin with the first (oldest) post by clicking HERE.
ODDS AND ENDS, HODGEPODGE, AND POTPOURRI
I have to admit, it was hard to keep quiet for 89 days about the outcome of our trip to California. As difficult as it was for me and my wife, though, I can only imagine how it must have been for my daughter. She even had TEACHERS playfully try to get her to divulge the results. But she stood strong, and the 89 days were finally over and it was time to see it on TV. Ironically, seeing it televised somehow made it all seem more "real" than it had really being there.
Here's a bit about how we watched each episode:
Monday - 200 cheering church-members gathered in our former sanctuary to watch on the big (25 feet by 25 feet) screen. It was an awesome evening - lots of fun to share the experience with members of my "church family." We had snacks in the fellowship hall afterward.
Tuesday - we watched at home with friends in HDTV! Yes, I finally broke down and bought a big-screen ("only" 42") TV with the anticipated Jeopardy! money (no payments or interest for six months!)
Wednesday - had to watch on TIVO because the kids had a swim meet. Life goes on, even for the Jeopardy! champion. As it should.
Thursday - watched in a hotel room at our Synod (church district that includes Maryland and Delaware) Assembly in Gettysburg, PA. Lots of fun watching the reaction as victory was pulled from the jaws of defeat in FJ.
Friday - also watched in a hotel room at the Synod Assembly. The loss took all the air out of the room for a moment - funny, folks were expecting me to win. But then there was much congratulation.
All week, I received e-mails from Lutherans around the country rooting me on. Saying my church name on Monday allowed folks to find the church website, and my e-mail address. It was like I was playing for the "Lutheran Team" or something, but actually very cool.
I also received e-mails, and a phone call, from folks I hadn't seen in a very long time. The reconnection was a nice fringe-benefit of the experience.
I've been recognized in the grocery store, at a swim meet, at two hospitals (making pastoral visits) and at a minor league baseball game (Go Aberdeen Ironbirds!). "Aren't you Pastor Dave, the guy on Jeopardy!?" That's been pretty cool, and I think it's great that folks remember I'm a pastor - I do admit feeling good about how I did and it is sort of a rush to be recognized, but hopefully I have glorified God in this experience.
There have also been four articles in the Aegis, Harford County's paper. One was about the upcoming appearance, then one on Wednesday of the run (Pastor Wins Two on Jeopardy), one on Friday (Pastor Wins Fourth - the subhead was something about "more luck than skill" - thanks a lot - what about the skillful wager?) and one that will be in tomorrow's paper as of this writing.
I was also interviewed on the Baltimore Christian radio station (WRBS). It was a hoot being a guest on their morning show, then hearing people call in to talk about what gameshow they'd like to be on.
As for THE MONEY - it takes 3-4 months after the airdate for J! to pay. Once the winnings do arrive, the first check we will write will be 10% to the church. Now, we have already purchased the Plasma TV I promised to buy in the Philadelphia audition, but there's no interest or payments for 4 months. I'm also going to buy my wife the ring I wanted to buy her when we were engaged 13 years ago. I apparently promised my son an X-Box 360 if I won more than $50,000 (of course thinking that was highly unlikely), so there's that too. Speaking of my son, he'll be starting college next year and is starting to drive this summer. My daughter will be attending a national Youth Drama competition next year. All in all, the money will be quite a blessing for us and allow us also a nice cushion for emergencies - and perhaps downpayment on a car since both of ours have 150K+ miles.
Finally, the exhortation. If you've ever thought about trying out for a gameshow, DO IT. You don't have anything to lose by going for it. Remember, I auditioned four times for Millionaire before I got on and twice for Jeopardy. If I had given up, I wouldn't have the experiences (or the $200K+).
In fact, that applies to any dream you might have - GO FOR IT! Take a chance, risk a little, and it may just be that the journey leads to your dream. If not, at least you will have journeyed.
Corny? Yep, but I mean it.
God's blessings on your journey, and God's peace in your life.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
GOING HOME
The taping day was over. We walked out of the studio and into the sunlight. Just ahead, leaning against a wall talking about whatever Jeopardy Superstars talk about, were Ken Jennings, Brad Rutter, and Bob Harris. I decided I didn't mind being the ultimate Jeopardy nerd - I strolled over and asked for their autographs. They obliged, and even complimented me on my gameplay.
They also signed autographs for my daughter - Rutter signed, "To a future Jeopardy! Champion."
A few steps away, a group of folks who had been in the audience stopped me. They wanted MY autograph. Pretty cool, I thought.
Of course it would've been nice to win that last game, but it worked out nicely. We were able to spend the next day playing Southern California Tourist, with a stroll along Venice Beach (including the famous Muscle Beach) to dip our toes in the Pacific Ocean, a walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a drive through Beverly Hills, and dinner at famous Pink's Hotdog Stand.
Before we knew it, the day, and our adventure, was over, and we were on the overnight flight back east.
Only 89 days til the airdate!
To the Next Installment - ODDS AND ENDS, etc.
They also signed autographs for my daughter - Rutter signed, "To a future Jeopardy! Champion."
A few steps away, a group of folks who had been in the audience stopped me. They wanted MY autograph. Pretty cool, I thought.
Of course it would've been nice to win that last game, but it worked out nicely. We were able to spend the next day playing Southern California Tourist, with a stroll along Venice Beach (including the famous Muscle Beach) to dip our toes in the Pacific Ocean, a walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a drive through Beverly Hills, and dinner at famous Pink's Hotdog Stand.
Before we knew it, the day, and our adventure, was over, and we were on the overnight flight back east.
Only 89 days til the airdate!
To the Next Installment - ODDS AND ENDS, etc.
GAME FIVE - Friday, June 20
You can find the clues, correct responses, and results of the game HERE.
I have very little recollection of the pre-game for this game. There's nothing in my admittedly sketchy notes from the time. I do remember that the grilled-cheese sandwich issue had resolved itself. But, I was feeling quite drained. It was the fifth game of the day, and if you remember way back to my post about going to the studio I hadn't slept a whole lot the night before. All the adrenaline of the first games had been spent.
Watching last night, I was surprised the game was as close as it was for as long as it was. I had been worried about Friday because my recollection was that Doris had blown me out. But if I hadn't made that silly Jack London/Ernest Hemmingway error (boy, I must have been tired - Nick Adams = Jack London????), the 4000 swing (no -2000 for missing, +2000 for getting it), would've left me in another 2/3 situation at the end of the game. Of course, if Doris still made the shut-out wager, I still would've lost.
I went all-in on the Final thinking if was going out, I was going to go out with a bang. Also, I had a glimmer of hope that Doris, having seen me wager small in the previous game, might have wagered small herself. That of course would have been more likely in a 2/3 game. But Doris played it perfectly and got the win she deserved.
Whether I was tired or not, Doris certainly earned the win. She was a fantastic player and will be, I think, tough to beat after a good night's sleep (next week's shows were taped on the next day, Wed. 3/19). She was on fire with the buzzer and displayed a tremendous range of knowledge. My wife and daughter - as well as the family that went with us - still talk about how amazed they were that Doris knew so much about Sumo wrestling.
Which reminds me, near the top of my "times I'm glad I didn't buzz in list" is the clue about the part of the body that's out of bounds for sumo wrestlers means forbidden this. America - especially my church - didn't want to hear what I was thinking "this" was.
That is an example of the way my brain was (not) working in this game. I CANNOT believe I missed Iota - I had to learn New Testament (Koine) Greek in seminary - but I remember trying to think of a four-letter word with one VOWEL, not one CONSONANT as the clue specified. Yeah, I was tired.
I now have have even more respect now for Ken Jennings and anyone else who has played Monday-Friday on Jeopardy. And I have especially more respect for folks like Mike Dupee who began their run on Monday and won all 5 in a week - it is, I would guess, an advantage in some ways to get started mid-week. I know that helped me on Millionaire - I was the very last contestant on a taping day, only answered four questions before time ran out, but slept much better that night and came back more refreshed the next day both from the rest AND knowing what to expect.
I want to emphasize - none of that is an excuse for losing to Doris. She is one heck of a player.
After the post-game chat with Alex, I went back to the Green Room to collect my garment bag. I made sure to thank all the Contestant Coordinators I could find - they are really awesome folks who are great at what they do.
I couldn't resist asking one of the coordinators - Robert - about the TOC. "Maggie said that if we win more than 3 games we're eligible for the TOC. Should I be thinking about that?"
"Stay in touch," Robert replied.
I am thrilled to even have a chance of being in the TOC. That would just exceed my already surpassed expectations. And it'll give me more to add to this blog.
So stay in touch.
It's been a great ride so far. Thanks for sharing it with me.
To the Next Installment - GOING HOME
I have very little recollection of the pre-game for this game. There's nothing in my admittedly sketchy notes from the time. I do remember that the grilled-cheese sandwich issue had resolved itself. But, I was feeling quite drained. It was the fifth game of the day, and if you remember way back to my post about going to the studio I hadn't slept a whole lot the night before. All the adrenaline of the first games had been spent.
Watching last night, I was surprised the game was as close as it was for as long as it was. I had been worried about Friday because my recollection was that Doris had blown me out. But if I hadn't made that silly Jack London/Ernest Hemmingway error (boy, I must have been tired - Nick Adams = Jack London????), the 4000 swing (no -2000 for missing, +2000 for getting it), would've left me in another 2/3 situation at the end of the game. Of course, if Doris still made the shut-out wager, I still would've lost.
I went all-in on the Final thinking if was going out, I was going to go out with a bang. Also, I had a glimmer of hope that Doris, having seen me wager small in the previous game, might have wagered small herself. That of course would have been more likely in a 2/3 game. But Doris played it perfectly and got the win she deserved.
Whether I was tired or not, Doris certainly earned the win. She was a fantastic player and will be, I think, tough to beat after a good night's sleep (next week's shows were taped on the next day, Wed. 3/19). She was on fire with the buzzer and displayed a tremendous range of knowledge. My wife and daughter - as well as the family that went with us - still talk about how amazed they were that Doris knew so much about Sumo wrestling.
Which reminds me, near the top of my "times I'm glad I didn't buzz in list" is the clue about the part of the body that's out of bounds for sumo wrestlers means forbidden this. America - especially my church - didn't want to hear what I was thinking "this" was.
That is an example of the way my brain was (not) working in this game. I CANNOT believe I missed Iota - I had to learn New Testament (Koine) Greek in seminary - but I remember trying to think of a four-letter word with one VOWEL, not one CONSONANT as the clue specified. Yeah, I was tired.
I now have have even more respect now for Ken Jennings and anyone else who has played Monday-Friday on Jeopardy. And I have especially more respect for folks like Mike Dupee who began their run on Monday and won all 5 in a week - it is, I would guess, an advantage in some ways to get started mid-week. I know that helped me on Millionaire - I was the very last contestant on a taping day, only answered four questions before time ran out, but slept much better that night and came back more refreshed the next day both from the rest AND knowing what to expect.
I want to emphasize - none of that is an excuse for losing to Doris. She is one heck of a player.
After the post-game chat with Alex, I went back to the Green Room to collect my garment bag. I made sure to thank all the Contestant Coordinators I could find - they are really awesome folks who are great at what they do.
I couldn't resist asking one of the coordinators - Robert - about the TOC. "Maggie said that if we win more than 3 games we're eligible for the TOC. Should I be thinking about that?"
"Stay in touch," Robert replied.
I am thrilled to even have a chance of being in the TOC. That would just exceed my already surpassed expectations. And it'll give me more to add to this blog.
So stay in touch.
It's been a great ride so far. Thanks for sharing it with me.
To the Next Installment - GOING HOME
Friday, June 20, 2008
GAME FOUR - Thursday, June 19
You can find the clues, correct responses, and results of the game HERE. (Another big THANKS to the J-Archive folks. Let me know how I can help and I'll let you know if I can do it.)
If I looked sort of green during the Jeopardy round, it wasn't your TV set or cable provider. That grilled cheese sandwich I wrote about yesterday was working on my belly bigtime.
Of course the first order of business was a new Hometown Howdy; I got out something about "You've seen me threepeat, watch to see if I can do . . . whatever you call winning four times."
It was really difficult to get focused, and my play showed it. I fell way behind in the Jeopardy round, and for the first time had the privilege(?) of choosing first in Double Jeopardy.
I must be careful to say that it wasn't just or even mostly the grilled cheese sandwich that put me behind - both Kew and Kara are excellent players. On another day with a different FJ (obviously), things would've been much different.
Kew really got on my nerves, though. Not him personally, but his style with the signalling device. He sort of swung it every time he rang in, and seeing the motion out of the corner of my eye when I was having so much trouble with my timing made me growl inwardly a little bit. (Note that I am not saying he was doing the swing-thing to be distracting. It was what worked for him.)
Between J and DJ, I - how can I put this delicately - took an unscheduled grilled-cheese related trip back to the green room. The contestant coordinators were great about it, as was the sound guy who had to unmike and mike me all over again. (I'm only including this detail for the information of any future contestants who may become sick during a game - they will escort you and the game will wait for you. I was told at least one other contestant had recently become sick during a game or between games.)
I felt better in DJ, and was fortunately able to get back into second place. For the second game in a row, I was shut out in DD's in DJ (and in J this game). There were several triple stumpers I can't believe we left on the table, but the one that is the most embarrasing was a striped animal called - of all rare things - a zebra. I don't know about the other two, but I thought zebra was way too obvious for a 1200 clue. You can hear me saying, "Not zebra" right before Alex says it.
A word about video clues - I HATED them. I am a verbal, not a visual, person, and I found it very hard to figure out what they wanted on many of the video clues. They also threw off my rhythm of reading the clue and deciding whether to ring in before Alex was done reading - I had to wait until whatever Clue Crew member was done. I do think the Clue Crew is good for the show, just not for my playing of the game.
Finally, a note about Final Jeopardy. FJ wagering strategy was the primary element of my preparation for actually playing the game. Thanks to the J-Archive, the Jeopardy Message Board, playing VJ, and consulting with wagering gurus like "Slam," I was ready for this situation. I was within 2/3 (actually 3/4) of the leader, Kew, so I could win if we both missed. Also, the third place player (Kara) was far enough behind (thanks to her unfortunate "Iwo Jima" response on a DD) that I didn't have to worry about her score. At 16300 to 14200, I wagered 2001 to cover a possible zero bet by Kew if I did get FJ right, but it was small enough to beat him if he made the usual lockout wager.
Since most FJ's are gettable by a good player like Kew, the great likelihood was that I would lose. I spent most of the time during the commercial break before FJ looking around the set, saying to myself, "You're about to leave. Remember this - it's been a great ride!"
I was quite hopeful when I saw the FJ clue. I had no idea - maybe Kew wouldn't either. I struggled to think of some company with its logo in script - Hallmark was all I could come up with. I wasn't surprised to be wrong. When Kew's response of "Adding Machines" was revealed I knew he was wrong. But had he wagered enough for me to win?
I think my surprise at winning this game was evident on TV. These are the thoughts I reemember: Wow! I 'm going to play again. Four-time champ. Maybe TOC? Thank you God for this opportunity! I hope Kew's ok.
Folks have asked if I felt sorry for the people who lost the games I won. Well, I think the idea of competition is for everyone to do their best to win - that's sort of the bargain we made with the Jeopardy! folks when we agreed to be on the show, to give them a good show. While I empathized with those who didn't win, the only person I really felt bad for was Kew. He played a great game, and then lost on the only really hard FJ in my games so far.
During the chat with Alex after the game, he pointed to the audience and asked, "Is that your wife?" I looked up and there she was, sort of slumped down in the seat, breathing funny. It turned out that she had started hyperventilating when I won - I think there's a brief shot of her on the show as televised. She was just incredibly surprised as I was. She had told our daughter during that last break to pack up, we were done.
Thankfully, she recovered. And she was wrong.
There would be at least one more game!
To the Next Installment - GAME FIVE
If I looked sort of green during the Jeopardy round, it wasn't your TV set or cable provider. That grilled cheese sandwich I wrote about yesterday was working on my belly bigtime.
Of course the first order of business was a new Hometown Howdy; I got out something about "You've seen me threepeat, watch to see if I can do . . . whatever you call winning four times."
It was really difficult to get focused, and my play showed it. I fell way behind in the Jeopardy round, and for the first time had the privilege(?) of choosing first in Double Jeopardy.
I must be careful to say that it wasn't just or even mostly the grilled cheese sandwich that put me behind - both Kew and Kara are excellent players. On another day with a different FJ (obviously), things would've been much different.
Kew really got on my nerves, though. Not him personally, but his style with the signalling device. He sort of swung it every time he rang in, and seeing the motion out of the corner of my eye when I was having so much trouble with my timing made me growl inwardly a little bit. (Note that I am not saying he was doing the swing-thing to be distracting. It was what worked for him.)
Between J and DJ, I - how can I put this delicately - took an unscheduled grilled-cheese related trip back to the green room. The contestant coordinators were great about it, as was the sound guy who had to unmike and mike me all over again. (I'm only including this detail for the information of any future contestants who may become sick during a game - they will escort you and the game will wait for you. I was told at least one other contestant had recently become sick during a game or between games.)
I felt better in DJ, and was fortunately able to get back into second place. For the second game in a row, I was shut out in DD's in DJ (and in J this game). There were several triple stumpers I can't believe we left on the table, but the one that is the most embarrasing was a striped animal called - of all rare things - a zebra. I don't know about the other two, but I thought zebra was way too obvious for a 1200 clue. You can hear me saying, "Not zebra" right before Alex says it.
A word about video clues - I HATED them. I am a verbal, not a visual, person, and I found it very hard to figure out what they wanted on many of the video clues. They also threw off my rhythm of reading the clue and deciding whether to ring in before Alex was done reading - I had to wait until whatever Clue Crew member was done. I do think the Clue Crew is good for the show, just not for my playing of the game.
Finally, a note about Final Jeopardy. FJ wagering strategy was the primary element of my preparation for actually playing the game. Thanks to the J-Archive, the Jeopardy Message Board, playing VJ, and consulting with wagering gurus like "Slam," I was ready for this situation. I was within 2/3 (actually 3/4) of the leader, Kew, so I could win if we both missed. Also, the third place player (Kara) was far enough behind (thanks to her unfortunate "Iwo Jima" response on a DD) that I didn't have to worry about her score. At 16300 to 14200, I wagered 2001 to cover a possible zero bet by Kew if I did get FJ right, but it was small enough to beat him if he made the usual lockout wager.
Since most FJ's are gettable by a good player like Kew, the great likelihood was that I would lose. I spent most of the time during the commercial break before FJ looking around the set, saying to myself, "You're about to leave. Remember this - it's been a great ride!"
I was quite hopeful when I saw the FJ clue. I had no idea - maybe Kew wouldn't either. I struggled to think of some company with its logo in script - Hallmark was all I could come up with. I wasn't surprised to be wrong. When Kew's response of "Adding Machines" was revealed I knew he was wrong. But had he wagered enough for me to win?
I think my surprise at winning this game was evident on TV. These are the thoughts I reemember: Wow! I 'm going to play again. Four-time champ. Maybe TOC? Thank you God for this opportunity! I hope Kew's ok.
Folks have asked if I felt sorry for the people who lost the games I won. Well, I think the idea of competition is for everyone to do their best to win - that's sort of the bargain we made with the Jeopardy! folks when we agreed to be on the show, to give them a good show. While I empathized with those who didn't win, the only person I really felt bad for was Kew. He played a great game, and then lost on the only really hard FJ in my games so far.
During the chat with Alex after the game, he pointed to the audience and asked, "Is that your wife?" I looked up and there she was, sort of slumped down in the seat, breathing funny. It turned out that she had started hyperventilating when I won - I think there's a brief shot of her on the show as televised. She was just incredibly surprised as I was. She had told our daughter during that last break to pack up, we were done.
Thankfully, she recovered. And she was wrong.
There would be at least one more game!
To the Next Installment - GAME FIVE
Thursday, June 19, 2008
GAME THREE - Wednesday, June 18
You can find the clues, correct responses, and results of the game HERE. (Thanks again to the folks who maintain the J! Archive.)
After a quick (and this time uneventful) change of clothes it was back into the studio for Game 3. After another Hometown Howdy (something lame about watching to see if I could "Three-peat"), it was time to play.
My attitude was different going into this game. I was much more relaxed. I had achieved my three big goals:
1. Don't finish the first game in the negative and miss out on FJ and the conversation with Alex.
2. Win one game.
3. Win a second to prove that it wasn't a fluke.
Remember, these were goals, NOT expectations. I was so happy to have won two games I was just having fun in this game. Was I as focused? No. Did I play as well? No. But I did enjoy this game more - in the first two games I never would have said, "I couldn't have been more wrong" after fumbling the "Waterboy" clue (I responded "Drowning" instead of "Dehydration" as the way The Waterboy's father died in the movie). It was cool to hear what sounded like canned laughter added to the broadcast after my comment. Being relaxed also didn't help me to be judicious in ringing in - I gave a whopping FOUR incorrect responses.
Jules and Lucyanne were both excellent players. It was apparent that Lucyanne was quite nervous, but she played great. Her getting both DD's in DJ totally neutralized the way I had won the first games with big DD wagers. It also hurt that I got the J round DD so early - and that I had gone in and out of the negative prior to that so I didn't have much to wager.
Watching the game last night, as the clues dwindled and I fell behind Lucyanne, I said to my wife, "I don't know how I won this game." I was seriously surprised that I took the lead and held it with the last category - "We Have Met the Anime." What do I know about Anime? Thanks to my son, I knew the Pokemon and Transformers clues cold (Lucyanne beating me to the buzzer and responding "Bee Movie" instead of Transformers was really the clincher - a 2400 swing). I ALMOST knew the Akira clue (I responded "Akiro" and was negged 800) not from the Anime but from the part of the clue about Kirosawa's name. Where I knew "Sailor Moon" from I have no idea. God has just designed my brain to be "sticky," I guess, and pick up things when I don't even realize it.
On FJ, I wrote down "Henry Fonda" immediately then spent about 25 seconds trying to think who else it could be. When Jules got it right I knew I was right and knew I had won (the math was easier in this game). I had wagered to beat second-place Lucyanne by a dollar, but she missed anyway. I had won a third game!
I can't say enough how gracious both Lucyanne and Jules were. I hope I was as gracious a winner.
Now it was time for lunch. After being selected to play the first game of the day, I was quite pleasantly surprised to still be around. The remaining players were escorted to the studio commissary. The walk was quite cool - "Over there is where they filmed the Wizard of Oz . . . on that street they were just filming Men in Black II. "
Here's some inside info for tonight's game: If I look a little green, here's why - for lunch we could order pretty much whatever we wanted on J!'s dime. I was looking for something bland, so I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich. It was really good, but it was really good because it was fried in a lot of butter. The grease of the sandwich and the cheese did not do well on my hyped-up stomach. I'll have more about the effects of lunch in tomorrow's entry (isn't that something to look forward to!)
For now, advice for future contestants - stay away from anything greasy.
To the Next Installment - GAME FOUR
After a quick (and this time uneventful) change of clothes it was back into the studio for Game 3. After another Hometown Howdy (something lame about watching to see if I could "Three-peat"), it was time to play.
My attitude was different going into this game. I was much more relaxed. I had achieved my three big goals:
1. Don't finish the first game in the negative and miss out on FJ and the conversation with Alex.
2. Win one game.
3. Win a second to prove that it wasn't a fluke.
Remember, these were goals, NOT expectations. I was so happy to have won two games I was just having fun in this game. Was I as focused? No. Did I play as well? No. But I did enjoy this game more - in the first two games I never would have said, "I couldn't have been more wrong" after fumbling the "Waterboy" clue (I responded "Drowning" instead of "Dehydration" as the way The Waterboy's father died in the movie). It was cool to hear what sounded like canned laughter added to the broadcast after my comment. Being relaxed also didn't help me to be judicious in ringing in - I gave a whopping FOUR incorrect responses.
Jules and Lucyanne were both excellent players. It was apparent that Lucyanne was quite nervous, but she played great. Her getting both DD's in DJ totally neutralized the way I had won the first games with big DD wagers. It also hurt that I got the J round DD so early - and that I had gone in and out of the negative prior to that so I didn't have much to wager.
Watching the game last night, as the clues dwindled and I fell behind Lucyanne, I said to my wife, "I don't know how I won this game." I was seriously surprised that I took the lead and held it with the last category - "We Have Met the Anime." What do I know about Anime? Thanks to my son, I knew the Pokemon and Transformers clues cold (Lucyanne beating me to the buzzer and responding "Bee Movie" instead of Transformers was really the clincher - a 2400 swing). I ALMOST knew the Akira clue (I responded "Akiro" and was negged 800) not from the Anime but from the part of the clue about Kirosawa's name. Where I knew "Sailor Moon" from I have no idea. God has just designed my brain to be "sticky," I guess, and pick up things when I don't even realize it.
On FJ, I wrote down "Henry Fonda" immediately then spent about 25 seconds trying to think who else it could be. When Jules got it right I knew I was right and knew I had won (the math was easier in this game). I had wagered to beat second-place Lucyanne by a dollar, but she missed anyway. I had won a third game!
I can't say enough how gracious both Lucyanne and Jules were. I hope I was as gracious a winner.
Now it was time for lunch. After being selected to play the first game of the day, I was quite pleasantly surprised to still be around. The remaining players were escorted to the studio commissary. The walk was quite cool - "Over there is where they filmed the Wizard of Oz . . . on that street they were just filming Men in Black II. "
Here's some inside info for tonight's game: If I look a little green, here's why - for lunch we could order pretty much whatever we wanted on J!'s dime. I was looking for something bland, so I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich. It was really good, but it was really good because it was fried in a lot of butter. The grease of the sandwich and the cheese did not do well on my hyped-up stomach. I'll have more about the effects of lunch in tomorrow's entry (isn't that something to look forward to!)
For now, advice for future contestants - stay away from anything greasy.
To the Next Installment - GAME FOUR
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
GAME TWO - Tuesday, June 17
You can find the clues, correct responses, and results of the game HERE. (Thanks again to the folks who maintain the J! Archive.)
After winning the first game, I returned to the Green Room (still not really green) to change clothes. I had planned to wear my clerics (pastor clothes) for the second game - I didn't want to embarrass anyone but myself if I made a fool of myself in my first appearance.
I got my clergy shirt on, then went to grab the plastic white tab (that fits into the collar) from my garment bag. The problem was . . . it wasn't there. I fished around in the pockets of the garment bag, but there was no tab.
It was DIY time - I asked CC Tony if there was any white cardboard around. He and CC Corinna went on a search, and located a sheet of cardboard. And some scissors. Then I spent my last moments in the Green Room cutting out a strip of the cardboard that fit into my collar. They said it was the first time they'd ever dealt with that problem! If you watched the show on HD, you might have noticed that the tab was a little frayed around the edges from my inexpert cutting.
Oh well - it was back out onto the set. I stepped up to the champion's podium. Then came another problem - I had to come up with a new Hometown Howdy.
Hometown Howdies are recorded by the contestants just before the game begins. You introduce yourself and say where you're from and ask folks to watch you. It's distributed to your local station for show promotion, but apparently they are very rarely actually aired. With the help of my wife and daughter, I'd come up with a semi-creative howdy for my first game: "Hey Maryland, I'm Dave Simpson from Harford County. Grab a bushel of crabs and something cold to drink and watch me on Jeopardy!." You can view it here.
No one told me I needed to come up with a NEW Howdy for each game. I'm not sure what I said - it was something about defending my title - but I got through it.
Then it was time to play. Until I watched last night, I really didn't remember much about this game. Of course I knew the final score, but I even got who I played mixed up between tonight and last night. I knew at some point I had wagered a True Daily Double in the Jeopardy round, but was surprised when it was in this game and that is was for 4800 (my memory was that it was less).
The keys to this game were hitting the DD's and wagering big. That was my plan going in - using shows I watched and the J! Archive, I was able to determine that I knew around 80% of past DD's in the Jeopardy Round that were in the first four rows (not in the 1000 row in other words). I planned to go TDD figuring that the odds were good I'd know it, and if I didn't I'd have the DJ round to make it up. I just hoped I'd have the guts to make that wager. The strange thing is that it didn't really take guts - being so focused on the game I wasn't phased. But watching last night, I said out loud, "What are you doing?"
The only way I got Philippines out of that clue was the one word "Bataan" in the midst of everything else. I'd never heard of those universities.
The same basic thinking went into my 5000 wager in DJ. I love "Before and After" as a category - if you can't get one part often the other part will give it to you - and this was an 800 clue, so might as well go for something that would give me some space in the game. Especially after Brian had just run the Spanish American War Category (I knew I was in trouble when that came up him being a history teacher and all), I need to make a move.
People have been asking me today why I looked so nervous when my answer was revealed in Final Jeopardy. After all, they said, you knew you got it right after the other two players' answers were revealed, and you knew you had wagered enough. Well, not exactly. I knew I had the right answer. But math is NOT my strong point - I'm a verbal guy. You don't get a calculator, just a piece of white paper and a felt-tipped marker. You have to lock in your wager before the Final Jeopardy clue is revealed. I doubled Brian's score, subtracted mine from it, then added a dollar. Then I did it again. I knew that at least one person had lost on Jeopardy! because of a math error, so did it a couple more times. So the sighing and nervousness wasn't acting - I wasn't absolutely sure I'd won until I saw my final score displayed.
I was thrilled to win a second time. Folks have also asked me about pointing up and saying "Thank you" after I win. It's not thanking God that I won, it's thanking him for the opportunity to be there and the gifts that He endowed me with that allow me to have a chance to be on Jeopardy!. Kicker Matt Stover of the Ravens has talked about that a lot - he points up after every kick, whether he makes it or not.
One more thing - I was interviewed on the radio this morning, which was kind of cool. The local Contemporary Christian radio station, WRBS, thought it was noteworthy that a pastor was winning on Jeopardy. On the morning show, I had the chance to talk about the process of getting there and to tell the story about my cardboard collar. Most importantly, I was able to name my church - Trinity Lutheran in Joppa Maryland.
It's been a fun ride. Just remember, I have to lose sometime. What's happened so far has already exceeded my expectations if not my hopes. We'll see what happens tonight.
To the Next Installment - GAME THREE
After winning the first game, I returned to the Green Room (still not really green) to change clothes. I had planned to wear my clerics (pastor clothes) for the second game - I didn't want to embarrass anyone but myself if I made a fool of myself in my first appearance.
I got my clergy shirt on, then went to grab the plastic white tab (that fits into the collar) from my garment bag. The problem was . . . it wasn't there. I fished around in the pockets of the garment bag, but there was no tab.
It was DIY time - I asked CC Tony if there was any white cardboard around. He and CC Corinna went on a search, and located a sheet of cardboard. And some scissors. Then I spent my last moments in the Green Room cutting out a strip of the cardboard that fit into my collar. They said it was the first time they'd ever dealt with that problem! If you watched the show on HD, you might have noticed that the tab was a little frayed around the edges from my inexpert cutting.
Oh well - it was back out onto the set. I stepped up to the champion's podium. Then came another problem - I had to come up with a new Hometown Howdy.
Hometown Howdies are recorded by the contestants just before the game begins. You introduce yourself and say where you're from and ask folks to watch you. It's distributed to your local station for show promotion, but apparently they are very rarely actually aired. With the help of my wife and daughter, I'd come up with a semi-creative howdy for my first game: "Hey Maryland, I'm Dave Simpson from Harford County. Grab a bushel of crabs and something cold to drink and watch me on Jeopardy!." You can view it here.
No one told me I needed to come up with a NEW Howdy for each game. I'm not sure what I said - it was something about defending my title - but I got through it.
Then it was time to play. Until I watched last night, I really didn't remember much about this game. Of course I knew the final score, but I even got who I played mixed up between tonight and last night. I knew at some point I had wagered a True Daily Double in the Jeopardy round, but was surprised when it was in this game and that is was for 4800 (my memory was that it was less).
The keys to this game were hitting the DD's and wagering big. That was my plan going in - using shows I watched and the J! Archive, I was able to determine that I knew around 80% of past DD's in the Jeopardy Round that were in the first four rows (not in the 1000 row in other words). I planned to go TDD figuring that the odds were good I'd know it, and if I didn't I'd have the DJ round to make it up. I just hoped I'd have the guts to make that wager. The strange thing is that it didn't really take guts - being so focused on the game I wasn't phased. But watching last night, I said out loud, "What are you doing?"
The only way I got Philippines out of that clue was the one word "Bataan" in the midst of everything else. I'd never heard of those universities.
The same basic thinking went into my 5000 wager in DJ. I love "Before and After" as a category - if you can't get one part often the other part will give it to you - and this was an 800 clue, so might as well go for something that would give me some space in the game. Especially after Brian had just run the Spanish American War Category (I knew I was in trouble when that came up him being a history teacher and all), I need to make a move.
People have been asking me today why I looked so nervous when my answer was revealed in Final Jeopardy. After all, they said, you knew you got it right after the other two players' answers were revealed, and you knew you had wagered enough. Well, not exactly. I knew I had the right answer. But math is NOT my strong point - I'm a verbal guy. You don't get a calculator, just a piece of white paper and a felt-tipped marker. You have to lock in your wager before the Final Jeopardy clue is revealed. I doubled Brian's score, subtracted mine from it, then added a dollar. Then I did it again. I knew that at least one person had lost on Jeopardy! because of a math error, so did it a couple more times. So the sighing and nervousness wasn't acting - I wasn't absolutely sure I'd won until I saw my final score displayed.
I was thrilled to win a second time. Folks have also asked me about pointing up and saying "Thank you" after I win. It's not thanking God that I won, it's thanking him for the opportunity to be there and the gifts that He endowed me with that allow me to have a chance to be on Jeopardy!. Kicker Matt Stover of the Ravens has talked about that a lot - he points up after every kick, whether he makes it or not.
One more thing - I was interviewed on the radio this morning, which was kind of cool. The local Contemporary Christian radio station, WRBS, thought it was noteworthy that a pastor was winning on Jeopardy. On the morning show, I had the chance to talk about the process of getting there and to tell the story about my cardboard collar. Most importantly, I was able to name my church - Trinity Lutheran in Joppa Maryland.
It's been a fun ride. Just remember, I have to lose sometime. What's happened so far has already exceeded my expectations if not my hopes. We'll see what happens tonight.
To the Next Installment - GAME THREE
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
GAME ONE - Monday, June 16
You can find the clues, correct responses, and results of the game here. (Thank you to the folks who maintain the J! Archive, an awesome source for fans and potential contestants of Jeopardy!.)
So, I was playing in the first game of the day even though I would have preferred to watch for a while. At least maybe I could get Podium #3. You see, in the practice rounds earlier in the day I had for some reason felt much more comfortable on the end than in the middle. I also like to sit on the aisle at movies and plays and ballgames.
Right before we went out, Sujit and I each drew a folded up paper from the hand of Contestant Coordinator Tony Pandolfo. We unfolded them - Sujit's paper had a big "3" on it. Mine had a "2." Things definitely weren't going as planned.
The rest of the first game is just a blur. As I watched at the viewing party last night (we had about 200 folks watch on the big screen in our former church building) lots of it seemed new to me. I didn't remember very many of the clues or even the categories.
I did remember that I began in the negative. My very first response was a, well, non-response. I rang in on "Celebrity Authors" for $400 about the author of a diet book. Then I watched the timing lights count down the five seconds while I struggled to remember Kirstie Alley (which wasn't the right response anyway). Nothing came. Wonderful start. The only good thing was that Lowell and Sujit responded incorrectly as well.
On that clue, I had not put into practice what I had read about playing Jeopardy!. To be most successful, you have to ignore Alex's reading of the question and read it for yourself from the game board. Then you have to decide whether you know it or not - whether to ring in or not. Then you have to formulate the answer. Ideally, you do all of that BEFORE Alex finishes his reading of the clue so you are ready to time the signaling device.
In a strange way, getting that initial negative was like a slap across the face that I needed to get into the game. Yes, I'm a pastor and all but I am extremely competitive. After that stumble, I focused. It was all about the game. People ask if I was nervous . . . not from that point on.
Last night I got to relive the roll I got on in the Jeopardy round. Almost running "Oh 'Boy'" and then running "American Revolution" was an incredible feeling. I can't describe it. It wasn't that I knew a lot more than Lowell and Sujit - I just got into a rhythm on the buzzer (I know that "signaling device" is proper term because they don't buzz, but "buzzer" is easier to type and read so that's what I'm using from now on). I really believe that playing video games (Madden football) with my son helped with the buzzer.
I don't feel great about my interview with Alex - I appear very wooden and he had to drag stuff out of me. The problem at that point wasn't nerves - I just wanted to get that part over with and get back to the game! (Told you I was focused.)
When the Jeopardy round ended the scores were 9000 (Me) - 1600 (Lowell) - 0 (Sujit). I spent the break drinking water (Contestant Coordinator Robert kept us supplied with bottles of water during breaks) and telling myself "Lots of money left on the board. You've seen people blow it ahead by more than this. Stay focused."
The Double Jeopardy categories were just awful for me. "Reality TV"??? There is some Pop Culture I'm good on - movies, older TV, music before 1990 (Yes I'm old) - but certainly not Reality TV. "Mythological Rhyme Time" wasn't confidence-inspiring - mythology is a major gap in my fundamentals of trivia knowledge. I kept meaning to study mythology in my preparation but never got to it. My trepidation turned out to be justified - I wouldn't get anything in either category.
There were only two categories I felt really good about: "Shakespeare" (I majored in literature in college) and "'G'-Countries" (I mean, how many countries start with "G?"). When I got control of the board, I went to Shakespeare first, and proceeded to embarrass myself and the English Professors at my college. In my defense, it has been 25 years since college. BUT, Shakespeare was something I specifically studied for the show. Missing the one clue by confusing Hamlet and MacBeth (you can see by my reaction I did realize it immediately after it was too late) and leaving a gimme Richard III clue lying there were not the highlights of the game.
What was worse was that Sujit had made a run in the Mythology category. He was closing the gap. So . . . I went to my other hopeful category - "'G'-Countries." I started with the 400, got that, then made a decision. I wasn't happy with the other remaining categories. I needed to get some distance from Sujit. I wanted to find a Daily Double.
I skipped the 800 clue - DD's are rarely in that row. The DD wasn't in the 1200, but I got it and maintained control. "'G'-Countries for 1600." Ding ding ding! Daily Double.
Here's where it was important not to think of the scores as money. I needed to wager big. There is no way I would ever bet $4000 on ANYTHING in "real life," but 4000 POINTS (that's how I thought about it) was what I risked on that clue.
Countries and capitals was a primary study area for me in preparation for the show. The clue had other stuff, but basically was "What country has Tbilisi as it's capital." What is Georgia! +4000!
That was one of two turning points of the game. The other was the 2000 clue in Colleges and Universities. It was late in the game, and Sujit had just more than half of my score. The clue was about a Baltimore college that has the Lacrosse Hall of Fame, a gift for someone who lives in Maryland (like me!). But Sujit rang in first and guessed University of Maryland. -2000. I rang in with the correct response. So that turned out to be another $4000 swing and was pretty much the game right there.
I spent the last few clues of the game determined not to ring in unless they asked me something like my dog's name - I wasn't going to risk losing a lock game (having more than double the 2nd place player going into Final Jeopardy) on something I thought I knew but didn't. Most of the last clues I really didn't know anyway because they were in "Reality TV."
At the end of Double Jeopardy, I looked up at the scores. I did indeed have a lock game. What a great feeling! I was going to be a Jeopardy! champion.
All that was left was to decide on a Final Jeopardy wager. I had 20,800, and decided I'd like to win at least $20,000 so I'd only risk $800. The final clue was a triple-get; everyone picked up on "Tiffany's" in the clue and got Truman Capote.
After the post-game discussion during the credits with Alex and the other contestants, CC Tony said, "Come on champ, you need to get changed."
"Champ." I kind of liked that!
I had 15 minutes to change clothes. No time to savor the victory - it was very soon time to play again. And . . . no more middle podium. I was going to get that end podium. Podium #1. Woo hoo!
To the Next Installment - GAME TWO
So, I was playing in the first game of the day even though I would have preferred to watch for a while. At least maybe I could get Podium #3. You see, in the practice rounds earlier in the day I had for some reason felt much more comfortable on the end than in the middle. I also like to sit on the aisle at movies and plays and ballgames.
Right before we went out, Sujit and I each drew a folded up paper from the hand of Contestant Coordinator Tony Pandolfo. We unfolded them - Sujit's paper had a big "3" on it. Mine had a "2." Things definitely weren't going as planned.
The rest of the first game is just a blur. As I watched at the viewing party last night (we had about 200 folks watch on the big screen in our former church building) lots of it seemed new to me. I didn't remember very many of the clues or even the categories.
I did remember that I began in the negative. My very first response was a, well, non-response. I rang in on "Celebrity Authors" for $400 about the author of a diet book. Then I watched the timing lights count down the five seconds while I struggled to remember Kirstie Alley (which wasn't the right response anyway). Nothing came. Wonderful start. The only good thing was that Lowell and Sujit responded incorrectly as well.
On that clue, I had not put into practice what I had read about playing Jeopardy!. To be most successful, you have to ignore Alex's reading of the question and read it for yourself from the game board. Then you have to decide whether you know it or not - whether to ring in or not. Then you have to formulate the answer. Ideally, you do all of that BEFORE Alex finishes his reading of the clue so you are ready to time the signaling device.
In a strange way, getting that initial negative was like a slap across the face that I needed to get into the game. Yes, I'm a pastor and all but I am extremely competitive. After that stumble, I focused. It was all about the game. People ask if I was nervous . . . not from that point on.
Last night I got to relive the roll I got on in the Jeopardy round. Almost running "Oh 'Boy'" and then running "American Revolution" was an incredible feeling. I can't describe it. It wasn't that I knew a lot more than Lowell and Sujit - I just got into a rhythm on the buzzer (I know that "signaling device" is proper term because they don't buzz, but "buzzer" is easier to type and read so that's what I'm using from now on). I really believe that playing video games (Madden football) with my son helped with the buzzer.
I don't feel great about my interview with Alex - I appear very wooden and he had to drag stuff out of me. The problem at that point wasn't nerves - I just wanted to get that part over with and get back to the game! (Told you I was focused.)
When the Jeopardy round ended the scores were 9000 (Me) - 1600 (Lowell) - 0 (Sujit). I spent the break drinking water (Contestant Coordinator Robert kept us supplied with bottles of water during breaks) and telling myself "Lots of money left on the board. You've seen people blow it ahead by more than this. Stay focused."
The Double Jeopardy categories were just awful for me. "Reality TV"??? There is some Pop Culture I'm good on - movies, older TV, music before 1990 (Yes I'm old) - but certainly not Reality TV. "Mythological Rhyme Time" wasn't confidence-inspiring - mythology is a major gap in my fundamentals of trivia knowledge. I kept meaning to study mythology in my preparation but never got to it. My trepidation turned out to be justified - I wouldn't get anything in either category.
There were only two categories I felt really good about: "Shakespeare" (I majored in literature in college) and "'G'-Countries" (I mean, how many countries start with "G?"). When I got control of the board, I went to Shakespeare first, and proceeded to embarrass myself and the English Professors at my college. In my defense, it has been 25 years since college. BUT, Shakespeare was something I specifically studied for the show. Missing the one clue by confusing Hamlet and MacBeth (you can see by my reaction I did realize it immediately after it was too late) and leaving a gimme Richard III clue lying there were not the highlights of the game.
What was worse was that Sujit had made a run in the Mythology category. He was closing the gap. So . . . I went to my other hopeful category - "'G'-Countries." I started with the 400, got that, then made a decision. I wasn't happy with the other remaining categories. I needed to get some distance from Sujit. I wanted to find a Daily Double.
I skipped the 800 clue - DD's are rarely in that row. The DD wasn't in the 1200, but I got it and maintained control. "'G'-Countries for 1600." Ding ding ding! Daily Double.
Here's where it was important not to think of the scores as money. I needed to wager big. There is no way I would ever bet $4000 on ANYTHING in "real life," but 4000 POINTS (that's how I thought about it) was what I risked on that clue.
Countries and capitals was a primary study area for me in preparation for the show. The clue had other stuff, but basically was "What country has Tbilisi as it's capital." What is Georgia! +4000!
That was one of two turning points of the game. The other was the 2000 clue in Colleges and Universities. It was late in the game, and Sujit had just more than half of my score. The clue was about a Baltimore college that has the Lacrosse Hall of Fame, a gift for someone who lives in Maryland (like me!). But Sujit rang in first and guessed University of Maryland. -2000. I rang in with the correct response. So that turned out to be another $4000 swing and was pretty much the game right there.
I spent the last few clues of the game determined not to ring in unless they asked me something like my dog's name - I wasn't going to risk losing a lock game (having more than double the 2nd place player going into Final Jeopardy) on something I thought I knew but didn't. Most of the last clues I really didn't know anyway because they were in "Reality TV."
At the end of Double Jeopardy, I looked up at the scores. I did indeed have a lock game. What a great feeling! I was going to be a Jeopardy! champion.
All that was left was to decide on a Final Jeopardy wager. I had 20,800, and decided I'd like to win at least $20,000 so I'd only risk $800. The final clue was a triple-get; everyone picked up on "Tiffany's" in the clue and got Truman Capote.
After the post-game discussion during the credits with Alex and the other contestants, CC Tony said, "Come on champ, you need to get changed."
"Champ." I kind of liked that!
I had 15 minutes to change clothes. No time to savor the victory - it was very soon time to play again. And . . . no more middle podium. I was going to get that end podium. Podium #1. Woo hoo!
To the Next Installment - GAME TWO
Monday, June 16, 2008
POST MOVED
Before the games aired, this post was the "Reading This Blog" post that is now at the beginning. Please move on to the next post. Thank you.
AT THE STUDIO
The shuttle left the Radisson at 8:00 am, filled with 12 sleep-deprived people carrying garment bags (everyone brings 3 sets of clothes to the studio in case they win so it will look like a "new day" to viewers at home). I had three alarms - the hotel clock radio, my cell phone, and a wake-up call - and didn't need any of them. I found on the shuttle that my experience was not unique. It was about 15 minutes to the studio, and we were passing through the studio gates. Just like in the movies. How glamorous!
Then we were dropped off. In a parking garage. Not so glamorous, after all.
While we waited on benches at the parking garage, I struck up a conversation with a fellow-contestant. We quickly ascertained that this wasn't the first time we had met.
Remember Sven? Sven who I auditioned with in DC. Sven who had played the mock game with me in that audition? Sven whose wife I responded to in my first post on the Jeopardy! Message Board? Sven who I had played trivia with with online? Well, that was him.
As happy as we were for each other that we had made it onto the show, we were also somewhat concerned. We knew how careful Jeopardy! - and all game shows - are about the appearance of collusion. What would they do about two contestants who sort of knew each other? We agreed that we needed to tell the Contestant Coordinators as soon as possible, not just because it was the right thing to do, but so that it wouldn't look like we were trying to collude.
Soon we were picked up in another small bus and taken to the Jeopardy! studio. It's right across from the Wheel of Fortune studio, by the way. When we got off the bus we were led inside to the Green Room, which, of course, is not green. There were papers to fill out and rules to go over. There was also a pretty good spread of danishes and bagels and doughnuts, but none of us seemed really hungry. Especially Sven and I - or at least me, I shouldn't speak for Sven.
We did make the coordinators aware of our situation. Maggie told us not to worry about it, they would handle it but she'd have to speak to the lawyers.
Great. Lawyers.
The Defending Champion, Lowell, arrived later than the rest of us because he is from there in Los Angeles. I thought he looked much calmer than the rest of us. I wondered how many games he had won - I figured he was probably a multi-day champion who would just run over all of us newbies.
For about an hour, Maggie went over the rules for the day and rules for the show, as well as a review of how the game was played. It was an awesome presentation - she is so much fun that any nervousness about the game or about the possible-appearance-of-collusion situation dissolved for the time Maggie was doing her spiel.
Then it was time to go to the actual Jeopardy! set to practice the buzzers. It was about this time, I think, that Maggie explained that she had talked to the lawyers and that everyone would get to play. Eventually. I'll explain more about that later because to do so before the games air could be something of a spoiler.
Going onto the set was a rush. Seeing the podiums (podia?) and the game board and Alex's podium was very cool. There was a big difference between this set and the Millionaire set - although the Millioniare set was also impressive, when you looked up close it was kind of tacky. But because Jeopardy! is filmed in HD, the set was much more solid.
We all got to play parts of two Jeopardy! games, taking turns at the different podiums (podia?) and getting used to the signaling devices. As you probably know, you can't ring in until Alex is finished reading a clue. At that point, an assistant producer presses a button that activates the signaling devices. Two white lights at the sides of the game board light up that show you can ring in.
Ring in too early, and you're locked out for a half second. Ring in too late and you're, well, too late. I followed the advice in Mike Dupee's book to not wait for the lights, but to try to anticipate them. When you watch the show you can see how well that worked out. He also suggests resting your hand on the podium rather than holding the buzzer up - I tried both ways and his way definitely felt best.
After the practice games, we went back to the Green Room. It was almost time for the taping to begin - the audience was arriving! We were told that Ken Jennings, Brad Rutter, and Bob Harris would be in the audience that day. We all thought that was very cool. To explain to non-Jeopardy! obsessed people what that was like, I have said to imagine playing golf in front of Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Lee Trevino.
Just before time to start, it was revealed who would be facing Returning Champion Lowell. My only real preference was not to go first - not that I was really that intimidated by Lowell, but I wanted to prolong the experience. If I was going to lose, I didn't want it to be in the first game of the day and be done with Jeopardy! so quickly. I was really hoping to watch a couple of games before jumping into the fire.
So . . . of course my name was the first one called. It was time to play Jeopardy!!
To the next installment - GAME ONE
Then we were dropped off. In a parking garage. Not so glamorous, after all.
While we waited on benches at the parking garage, I struck up a conversation with a fellow-contestant. We quickly ascertained that this wasn't the first time we had met.
Remember Sven? Sven who I auditioned with in DC. Sven who had played the mock game with me in that audition? Sven whose wife I responded to in my first post on the Jeopardy! Message Board? Sven who I had played trivia with with online? Well, that was him.
As happy as we were for each other that we had made it onto the show, we were also somewhat concerned. We knew how careful Jeopardy! - and all game shows - are about the appearance of collusion. What would they do about two contestants who sort of knew each other? We agreed that we needed to tell the Contestant Coordinators as soon as possible, not just because it was the right thing to do, but so that it wouldn't look like we were trying to collude.
Soon we were picked up in another small bus and taken to the Jeopardy! studio. It's right across from the Wheel of Fortune studio, by the way. When we got off the bus we were led inside to the Green Room, which, of course, is not green. There were papers to fill out and rules to go over. There was also a pretty good spread of danishes and bagels and doughnuts, but none of us seemed really hungry. Especially Sven and I - or at least me, I shouldn't speak for Sven.
We did make the coordinators aware of our situation. Maggie told us not to worry about it, they would handle it but she'd have to speak to the lawyers.
Great. Lawyers.
The Defending Champion, Lowell, arrived later than the rest of us because he is from there in Los Angeles. I thought he looked much calmer than the rest of us. I wondered how many games he had won - I figured he was probably a multi-day champion who would just run over all of us newbies.
For about an hour, Maggie went over the rules for the day and rules for the show, as well as a review of how the game was played. It was an awesome presentation - she is so much fun that any nervousness about the game or about the possible-appearance-of-collusion situation dissolved for the time Maggie was doing her spiel.
Then it was time to go to the actual Jeopardy! set to practice the buzzers. It was about this time, I think, that Maggie explained that she had talked to the lawyers and that everyone would get to play. Eventually. I'll explain more about that later because to do so before the games air could be something of a spoiler.
Going onto the set was a rush. Seeing the podiums (podia?) and the game board and Alex's podium was very cool. There was a big difference between this set and the Millionaire set - although the Millioniare set was also impressive, when you looked up close it was kind of tacky. But because Jeopardy! is filmed in HD, the set was much more solid.
We all got to play parts of two Jeopardy! games, taking turns at the different podiums (podia?) and getting used to the signaling devices. As you probably know, you can't ring in until Alex is finished reading a clue. At that point, an assistant producer presses a button that activates the signaling devices. Two white lights at the sides of the game board light up that show you can ring in.
Ring in too early, and you're locked out for a half second. Ring in too late and you're, well, too late. I followed the advice in Mike Dupee's book to not wait for the lights, but to try to anticipate them. When you watch the show you can see how well that worked out. He also suggests resting your hand on the podium rather than holding the buzzer up - I tried both ways and his way definitely felt best.
After the practice games, we went back to the Green Room. It was almost time for the taping to begin - the audience was arriving! We were told that Ken Jennings, Brad Rutter, and Bob Harris would be in the audience that day. We all thought that was very cool. To explain to non-Jeopardy! obsessed people what that was like, I have said to imagine playing golf in front of Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Lee Trevino.
Just before time to start, it was revealed who would be facing Returning Champion Lowell. My only real preference was not to go first - not that I was really that intimidated by Lowell, but I wanted to prolong the experience. If I was going to lose, I didn't want it to be in the first game of the day and be done with Jeopardy! so quickly. I was really hoping to watch a couple of games before jumping into the fire.
So . . . of course my name was the first one called. It was time to play Jeopardy!!
To the next installment - GAME ONE
TO CALIFORNIA
The trip to California was uneventful (except for the delay of our departure because "the plane cannot get any power" - not real comforting for a fearful flier like me). We arrived at the Radisson late on Sunday night, and awoke early on Monday - it didn't feel real early as our bodies were still on Eastern Time - to go to Disneyland. We had a great time. Even I had a great time, especially watching my daughter have fun, although everything reminded me of what I didn't know. For example, one of the Disneyland marching bands was playing "76 Trombones" which I knew was from The Music Man but it took me 15 minutes to pull the composer - Meredith Wilson - out of my brain. Thank goodness that form of insanity was temporary and would end the next day.
After Disney, we met some friends for dinner. A family from our church decided to use my appearance on Jeopardy! as an excuse for a trip to California. It was very cool having more familiar faces that were going to be in the studio audience.
That night, I didn't sleep a whole lot. I kept telling myself what I told everyone - getting on the show was the goal. Winning would be nice, but just the opportunity to play the game was enough.
That was all true, but . . . I sure didn't want to make a fool of myself. I certainly didn't want to finish in the negative and miss out on playing Final Jeopardy and the hang-out time with Alex Trebek after the game. That would be embarrassing.
And what if I gave a wrong response to a clue about the Bible?
No, there wasn't much sleep that night at the Culver City Radisson.
But again, I'm focusing too much on the negative stress. There was as much - if not more - just plain excitement that when I got up the next day it would be the day I was going to be on Jeopardy!
But I couldn't remember who the Prime Minister of Canada was. It was important information - after all, Alex Trebek is from Canada. About 2am I got up and googled the answer - Stephen Harper.
Now I was ready.
To the next installment - AT THE STUDIO
After Disney, we met some friends for dinner. A family from our church decided to use my appearance on Jeopardy! as an excuse for a trip to California. It was very cool having more familiar faces that were going to be in the studio audience.
That night, I didn't sleep a whole lot. I kept telling myself what I told everyone - getting on the show was the goal. Winning would be nice, but just the opportunity to play the game was enough.
That was all true, but . . . I sure didn't want to make a fool of myself. I certainly didn't want to finish in the negative and miss out on playing Final Jeopardy and the hang-out time with Alex Trebek after the game. That would be embarrassing.
And what if I gave a wrong response to a clue about the Bible?
No, there wasn't much sleep that night at the Culver City Radisson.
But again, I'm focusing too much on the negative stress. There was as much - if not more - just plain excitement that when I got up the next day it would be the day I was going to be on Jeopardy!
But I couldn't remember who the Prime Minister of Canada was. It was important information - after all, Alex Trebek is from Canada. About 2am I got up and googled the answer - Stephen Harper.
Now I was ready.
To the next installment - AT THE STUDIO
23 Days
Jeopardy! clues can be about anything in the world. So, the question for me was, "How do you learn everything in the world in 23 days?"
Well, of course you can't. I had to prioritize. Between work and family and eating and sleep, I had to maximize my study time. I went back to watching Tivo'd Jeopardy! and tracking my Coryats. With the GSN repeats in the afternoon, that was an hour a day of practice with the remote. I tried not to be angry all over again at the people who had stolen my laptop (and all the electronic flash cards I'd made); after all, I'm in the forgiveness business.
I put MemoryLifter on my new computer and made new flash cards of all the most important stuff - world capitals, Shakespeare's Plays, Presidents and Vice Presidents, State Nicknames, and so on. And I tried not to obsess with studying - after all Brad Rutter (who beat Ken Jennings in the Ultimate Tournament of Champions) had said that he had prepared not so much by studying, but by "a lifetime of paying attention." And I'd been paying attention, right? That's how I'd managed to get this far, right?
Of course, I must not have been paying attention when the capital of Burkina-Faso was discussed (It's Ouagadougou, by the way).
During those 23 days, I couldn't watch TV without seeing potential Jeopardy! clues everywhere. They sometimes ask about slogans, so even commercials were suddenly important. I'd be channel surfing and come across a movie on Turner Classic Movies and worry because I couldn't remember the director.
I don't want to give the idea that the 23 days were all stressful - I was actually very excited about the trip to California. After much discussion, it was decided that my wife and daughter would accompany me on the adventure (my son didn't want to get behind in a couple of his tougher high school classes, a decision I very much respected). I was resistant at first because there was certainly no guarantee I'd win enough money to cover expenses beyond my own, but my wife convinced me this was a one-time opportunity and she wanted to share it with me. I'm glad she did - the whole experience was much more fun to share than it would have been if I'd stuck to my original plan of going alone and being "focused."
Making the plane and hotel reservations made the whole thing seem more real. So did telling people - "By the way, I'm going to be on Jeopardy!"
I was surprised to be consistently asked if "they give you a book to study." Nope. That would sure make things easier, though.
The 23 days actually passed very quickly, and then it was Palm Sunday and church services were done and we were on our way to the airport. On our way to California. On our way to Jeopardy!
To the Next Installment - TO CALIFORNIA
Well, of course you can't. I had to prioritize. Between work and family and eating and sleep, I had to maximize my study time. I went back to watching Tivo'd Jeopardy! and tracking my Coryats. With the GSN repeats in the afternoon, that was an hour a day of practice with the remote. I tried not to be angry all over again at the people who had stolen my laptop (and all the electronic flash cards I'd made); after all, I'm in the forgiveness business.
I put MemoryLifter on my new computer and made new flash cards of all the most important stuff - world capitals, Shakespeare's Plays, Presidents and Vice Presidents, State Nicknames, and so on. And I tried not to obsess with studying - after all Brad Rutter (who beat Ken Jennings in the Ultimate Tournament of Champions) had said that he had prepared not so much by studying, but by "a lifetime of paying attention." And I'd been paying attention, right? That's how I'd managed to get this far, right?
Of course, I must not have been paying attention when the capital of Burkina-Faso was discussed (It's Ouagadougou, by the way).
During those 23 days, I couldn't watch TV without seeing potential Jeopardy! clues everywhere. They sometimes ask about slogans, so even commercials were suddenly important. I'd be channel surfing and come across a movie on Turner Classic Movies and worry because I couldn't remember the director.
I don't want to give the idea that the 23 days were all stressful - I was actually very excited about the trip to California. After much discussion, it was decided that my wife and daughter would accompany me on the adventure (my son didn't want to get behind in a couple of his tougher high school classes, a decision I very much respected). I was resistant at first because there was certainly no guarantee I'd win enough money to cover expenses beyond my own, but my wife convinced me this was a one-time opportunity and she wanted to share it with me. I'm glad she did - the whole experience was much more fun to share than it would have been if I'd stuck to my original plan of going alone and being "focused."
Making the plane and hotel reservations made the whole thing seem more real. So did telling people - "By the way, I'm going to be on Jeopardy!"
I was surprised to be consistently asked if "they give you a book to study." Nope. That would sure make things easier, though.
The 23 days actually passed very quickly, and then it was Palm Sunday and church services were done and we were on our way to the airport. On our way to California. On our way to Jeopardy!
To the Next Installment - TO CALIFORNIA
THE CALL, Part Two
This brings us back to where I began this saga. It was the night before the snow day and I had tried to return Maggie's call, but had gotten her voice mail. It was then about 8pm and I figured I couldn't call until at least noon the next day since she was on Pacific Time. Sixteen hours. Sixteen hours before I would find out why she was calling. Here's what was going on in my head for those 16 hours:
She's calling to invite me on the show!
Maybe. But 21 months after the audition? There must be some other reason she's calling.
She's calling to invite me on the show!
Maybe.
There was sort of a loop like that going on. Of course when I called about 12:30 the next afternoon I got her voice mail again.
Then I got involved in making cookies. You see, my daughter and I have this tradition that we make cookies on every snow day. Well, of course we were out of eggs and I had to make the short trek to the store to get some. And of course Maggie called back during the 20 minutes I was away. And of course I got her voice mail again when I called her back. Argggh!
Finally, about 3:30 on Friday, February 22, 2008, Maggie called as I was pulling a batch of tollhouse cookies out of the oven. She asked me several eligibility questions (have I been on any game shows in the past year, do I know anyone who works for the show, am I running for political office, am I a criminal, etc.), then she said the Magic Words: "We'd like you to come out to California and tape an episode of Jeopardy!"
Woo hoo!
Maggie explained that they were now keeping people in the pool for up to 24 months.
Well thank you for that!
The tape dates were March 18 and 19. They tape five shows a day and invite 12 people, so 10 get on the first day and two are held over until day 2. She gave me some instructions about what to wear and what to bring and where to stay (Jeopardy! doesn't pay your way to California, but they do have a deal with the Culver City Radison that includes a good rate and a contestant shuttle to the studio. And, even if you finish 3rd you get $1000 - $2000 for 2nd - so most of your expenses are ultimately covered).
There was only one problem - March 18 and 19 were during Holy Week, one of the busiest times of the Church Year. I'd have to check with my boss, the Senior Pastor, but I thought I could make it work. The 18th was Tuesday - I could fly out after Palm Sunday services on the 16th, and fly back overnight on the 19th, which would get me back in time to preach as scheduled at the Maundy Thursday morning service on the 20th. I could write my sermon on the plane. Yeah, that would work.
Thankfully, my plan was approved. I was on my way to California.
Just 23 days to prepare!
To the next installment - 23 DAYS
She's calling to invite me on the show!
Maybe. But 21 months after the audition? There must be some other reason she's calling.
She's calling to invite me on the show!
Maybe.
There was sort of a loop like that going on. Of course when I called about 12:30 the next afternoon I got her voice mail again.
Then I got involved in making cookies. You see, my daughter and I have this tradition that we make cookies on every snow day. Well, of course we were out of eggs and I had to make the short trek to the store to get some. And of course Maggie called back during the 20 minutes I was away. And of course I got her voice mail again when I called her back. Argggh!
Finally, about 3:30 on Friday, February 22, 2008, Maggie called as I was pulling a batch of tollhouse cookies out of the oven. She asked me several eligibility questions (have I been on any game shows in the past year, do I know anyone who works for the show, am I running for political office, am I a criminal, etc.), then she said the Magic Words: "We'd like you to come out to California and tape an episode of Jeopardy!"
Woo hoo!
Maggie explained that they were now keeping people in the pool for up to 24 months.
Well thank you for that!
The tape dates were March 18 and 19. They tape five shows a day and invite 12 people, so 10 get on the first day and two are held over until day 2. She gave me some instructions about what to wear and what to bring and where to stay (Jeopardy! doesn't pay your way to California, but they do have a deal with the Culver City Radison that includes a good rate and a contestant shuttle to the studio. And, even if you finish 3rd you get $1000 - $2000 for 2nd - so most of your expenses are ultimately covered).
There was only one problem - March 18 and 19 were during Holy Week, one of the busiest times of the Church Year. I'd have to check with my boss, the Senior Pastor, but I thought I could make it work. The 18th was Tuesday - I could fly out after Palm Sunday services on the 16th, and fly back overnight on the 19th, which would get me back in time to preach as scheduled at the Maundy Thursday morning service on the 20th. I could write my sermon on the plane. Yeah, that would work.
Thankfully, my plan was approved. I was on my way to California.
Just 23 days to prepare!
To the next installment - 23 DAYS
WAITING
The post-audition wait began with dinner in Philadelphia. I had the opportunity to meet someone I "knew" online while I was there who was also auditioning. I had "met" Mark playing an online trivia game similar to Jeopardy!. Meeting him in person was fun, but a little disconcerting - that is no comment about Mark, but in general about meeting people in the flesh who have before only been a disembodied online presence.
One of the other regulars in that online trivia game is a guy named Sven. You remember him - we auditioned together in DC, and played in the same mock game. My first post on the Jeopardy! message board was in response to his wife's post? Yeah, that Sven. We didn't have anything to do with getting each other to the online game, but there we were in the same online community. Don't forget him - he'll show up again in a bit.
Besides online trivia, I prepared for the possible call by watching the show on Tivo. While I watched, I'd hold the remote control and "ring in" on clues I knew by pressing the pause button. I also held a clipboard with a grid of Jeopardy and Double Jeopardy values. After each show I'd total up my Coryatt Score (named for Karl Coryat and explained here). I'd track my score to see if studying was helping and also pay attention to categories where I was consistently having problems.
Studying was focused on Mike Dupee's book, as well as Secrets of the Jeopardy! Champions by Chuck Forrest and Mark Lowenthal. Both books have a wide range of stuff that appears often on Jeopardy! as well as information about the show.
Perhaps my most useful tool was a free flash card program called MemoryLifter. With MemoryLifter, you can make electronic flash cards with any questions you desire - and the program will keep asking you the ones that you don't know, while moving the ones you do know into another virtual "box." I made flash cards for all of the information in the Dupee book, and many of the facts in the other book. For example, I learned all the countries and their capitals in the world.
As the year after the audition progressed, my studying dwindled. I became less hopeful of getting the call. By the time the year had elapsed, I was busy with other things, like finally graduating with my Master of Divinity Degree after nine years of part-time study which meant I was finally getting ordained. Also, about that time my laptop was stolen, so there went all those electronic flash cards I'd made. As time moved farther into 2007, Jeopardy! moved farther from my thoughts.
Little did I know that 2008 would bring Jeopardy! right back into the center of my awareness!
To the next installment - THE CALL, Part Two
One of the other regulars in that online trivia game is a guy named Sven. You remember him - we auditioned together in DC, and played in the same mock game. My first post on the Jeopardy! message board was in response to his wife's post? Yeah, that Sven. We didn't have anything to do with getting each other to the online game, but there we were in the same online community. Don't forget him - he'll show up again in a bit.
Besides online trivia, I prepared for the possible call by watching the show on Tivo. While I watched, I'd hold the remote control and "ring in" on clues I knew by pressing the pause button. I also held a clipboard with a grid of Jeopardy and Double Jeopardy values. After each show I'd total up my Coryatt Score (named for Karl Coryat and explained here). I'd track my score to see if studying was helping and also pay attention to categories where I was consistently having problems.
Studying was focused on Mike Dupee's book, as well as Secrets of the Jeopardy! Champions by Chuck Forrest and Mark Lowenthal. Both books have a wide range of stuff that appears often on Jeopardy! as well as information about the show.
Perhaps my most useful tool was a free flash card program called MemoryLifter. With MemoryLifter, you can make electronic flash cards with any questions you desire - and the program will keep asking you the ones that you don't know, while moving the ones you do know into another virtual "box." I made flash cards for all of the information in the Dupee book, and many of the facts in the other book. For example, I learned all the countries and their capitals in the world.
As the year after the audition progressed, my studying dwindled. I became less hopeful of getting the call. By the time the year had elapsed, I was busy with other things, like finally graduating with my Master of Divinity Degree after nine years of part-time study which meant I was finally getting ordained. Also, about that time my laptop was stolen, so there went all those electronic flash cards I'd made. As time moved farther into 2007, Jeopardy! moved farther from my thoughts.
Little did I know that 2008 would bring Jeopardy! right back into the center of my awareness!
To the next installment - THE CALL, Part Two
THE SECOND AUDITION - Philadelphia
I got to the audition site, a downtown hotel, in
This audition was hosted by Senior Contestant Coordinator Glenn Kagan. Contestant Coordinators Robert James and Corina Nusu were there as well. Glenn was certainly not as energetic as Maggie (not that anybody could be), but he still made the audition fun and efficient. We started with yet another 50-question test (speculation is that this test is to weed out online test cheaters) which was not graded while we were there. Then all 19 of us got to play a mock game. As in DC, we had signaling devices like those on the show, and the clues appeared on video screen. I was in the second-to-last group of three to play; it was a lot of fun, and I hoped that the fun I was having was evident to the coordinators. Just to make sure, when we were done I said, "That was a blast!" I didn't have to fake any enthusiasm - it really was a blast! Playing on the show could only be better.
"You know how different anniversaries have gifts associated with them? The first anniversary is the paper anniversary, 25 is silver, 50 is gold? Well, if I win a lot of money on Jeopardy! I'm going to convince my wife that our next anniversary is the Plasma Anniversary."
That got a big laugh, including from Glenn, which I figured was a good thing. After about 2 hours, the audition ended. We were told we'd be in the pool for a year.
The only negative about the audition was that we were supposed to turn in several forms at one point, and somehow I missed one. I had to get up and hand the form to Robert, whose look I interpreted as "Don't you know that we're watching to see if you can follow directions. Maybe next year."
But who knew. All I could do was wait and see if the phone rang.
To the next installment - WAITING
Sunday, June 15, 2008
THE ONLINE TEST
My next opportunity to pursue the Jeopardy! dream came in February, 2006. Jeopardy had changed the audition process - instead of inviting random people to take the test at an audition, they instituted an online test. The east-coast test was March 28, 2006. The 50 questions flew by - there was only 15 seconds to type an answer, then the answer box disappeared and the next question popped up. For an idea of the wide range of question topics, here are the first 10 questions from that test:
1. It is the only Ivy League school in Rhode Island.
2. Vermont's highest peak, Mt. Mansfield, is in this mountain range.
3. Set in New York, this Marlon Brando film won the 1954 Oscar for Best Picture.
4."He" is this part of speech.
5. It is the wonderful land created by L. Frank Baum.
6. The name of this unbalanced Roman Emperor of 37-41 CE means "little boot."
7. It is the geometric structure created by R. Buckminster Fuller.
8. Earth passed through the tail of this object in 1910.
9. Appomattox Court House, site of a famous surrender, is in this state.
10. The Mexican state of Quintana Roo lies on this large peninsula.
Registration for the test included requesting an audition city; I requested Philadelphia because I figured that there would be fewer folks competing for slots there than for DC. The process was that auditions would be filled randomly by those who passed the online test (Jeopardy! has never confirmed what is a passing score, but 35 is widely assumed to be the magic number). The odds weren't great - reportedly somewhere up to 100,000 people took the test, between 10, 000 and 20,000 passed, and 2000 received audition invitations (those are not "official" numbers, but numbers gleaned from the message board - anyone with better numbers please leave a comment). Still, I was hopeful. Why not?
On April 17, 2006, I found in my e-mail a new message from "Jeopardy_Contestant_Search." It began:
Congratulations! You have been selected for a follow-up appointment at an upcoming
Jeopardy! contestant search for the Philadelphia area, exclusively for
those who successfully passed the online test. This is the next step in
becoming a Jeopardy! contestant.
I'd made it to the "next step!"
To the next installment - THE SECOND AUDITION
1. It is the only Ivy League school in Rhode Island.
2. Vermont's highest peak, Mt. Mansfield, is in this mountain range.
3. Set in New York, this Marlon Brando film won the 1954 Oscar for Best Picture.
4."He" is this part of speech.
5. It is the wonderful land created by L. Frank Baum.
6. The name of this unbalanced Roman Emperor of 37-41 CE means "little boot."
7. It is the geometric structure created by R. Buckminster Fuller.
8. Earth passed through the tail of this object in 1910.
9. Appomattox Court House, site of a famous surrender, is in this state.
10. The Mexican state of Quintana Roo lies on this large peninsula.
Registration for the test included requesting an audition city; I requested Philadelphia because I figured that there would be fewer folks competing for slots there than for DC. The process was that auditions would be filled randomly by those who passed the online test (Jeopardy! has never confirmed what is a passing score, but 35 is widely assumed to be the magic number). The odds weren't great - reportedly somewhere up to 100,000 people took the test, between 10, 000 and 20,000 passed, and 2000 received audition invitations (those are not "official" numbers, but numbers gleaned from the message board - anyone with better numbers please leave a comment). Still, I was hopeful. Why not?
On April 17, 2006, I found in my e-mail a new message from "Jeopardy_Contestant_Search." It began:
Congratulations! You have been selected for a follow-up appointment at an upcoming
Jeopardy! contestant search for the Philadelphia area, exclusively for
those who successfully passed the online test. This is the next step in
becoming a Jeopardy! contestant.
I'd made it to the "next step!"
To the next installment - THE SECOND AUDITION
THE FIRST AUDITION - Washington, DC
I auditioned the first time for Jeopardy! in February of 2005. At that time, if you were fortunate enough to get an audition time you were invited to take a 50-question test with about 100 other people. If you passed, you stayed to play a mock game and participate in an interview with the contestant coordinators. My audition was in DC, and was run by Maggie, the extremely energetic Contestant Executive. I passed the test (along with about 12 others), but apparently did not "wow" Maggie and the others in the mock game and interview because I wasn't called during the year we were told we would be in the pool. I should note that I was at "podium" 3 in the mock game, and someone named Sven was at podium 1. (The significance of this will become clear later). Also, my first post on the Jeopardy! Message Board was after this audition - I had lurked for a while but when Sven's wife posted about the chances of getting called for the show after an audition, I responded by writing that I thought Sven was a shoe-in for a Call. I was wrong. Then.
To the next installment - THE ONLINE TEST
To the next installment - THE ONLINE TEST
Friday, June 13, 2008
THE CALL, Part One
My family and I were eating dinner on Thursday, February 21, 2008. The phone rang. We don't typically answer the phone during dinner, but we might check the caller ID to make sure it's not a call from the church or from a family member. Most of the time we don't even do that, but Karen happened to be getting something from the refrigerator and glanced at the caller ID on her way back to the table.
"It's from California."
My kids have been trained about out-of-state and unidentified callers. "Must be a sales call" they chirped in unison. Our attention turned back to our food as the phone played out its five rings before the voice mail took control. We soon forgot that the phone had even rung.
That evening was a little different than a typical school night. There was ice and snow predicted for the next day, and it was doubtful that schools would be open. While my wife went to a meeting at church, my daughter and I decided to make it a Movie Night. I had mentioned to her earlier in the day that I'd never seen Disney's Tarzan all the way through, so she thought it was important to fill this gap in my cinema experience right away.
We settled down to watch Tarzan. After a while, about 8:15, I went into the kitchen to get something to drink. For some reason, I picked up the phone to see if we had any phone messages - on the phone company voice mail system that we have, the dial tone is several staccato pulses when you have messages rather than the usual steady tone. Sure enough, there were messages. I dialed the voice mail number and entered my code. One message.
"Hello, this is Maggie Speak from Jeopardy and I'm trying to reach Dave Simpson." She then gave a number for me to call back. My heart was pounding.. Quickly, I tried to call back, but I got Maggie's voice mail. I left a message. I went back to the living room and couldn't sit still to watch the movie.
I was excited - was Maggie calling to invite me onto Jeopardy!? Why else would she call? But . . . I was confused. It had been 21 months since I'd auditioned back in May, 2006. They said we'd only be in the contestant pool for a year. What was going on? I'd have to wait until the next day - the next snowy and icy day - to find out. It gave me plenty of time to wonder, to dream, and to remember the process that had gotten me to this point.
To the next installment - THE FIRST AUDITION
"It's from California."
My kids have been trained about out-of-state and unidentified callers. "Must be a sales call" they chirped in unison. Our attention turned back to our food as the phone played out its five rings before the voice mail took control. We soon forgot that the phone had even rung.
That evening was a little different than a typical school night. There was ice and snow predicted for the next day, and it was doubtful that schools would be open. While my wife went to a meeting at church, my daughter and I decided to make it a Movie Night. I had mentioned to her earlier in the day that I'd never seen Disney's Tarzan all the way through, so she thought it was important to fill this gap in my cinema experience right away.
We settled down to watch Tarzan. After a while, about 8:15, I went into the kitchen to get something to drink. For some reason, I picked up the phone to see if we had any phone messages - on the phone company voice mail system that we have, the dial tone is several staccato pulses when you have messages rather than the usual steady tone. Sure enough, there were messages. I dialed the voice mail number and entered my code. One message.
"Hello, this is Maggie Speak from Jeopardy and I'm trying to reach Dave Simpson." She then gave a number for me to call back. My heart was pounding.. Quickly, I tried to call back, but I got Maggie's voice mail. I left a message. I went back to the living room and couldn't sit still to watch the movie.
I was excited - was Maggie calling to invite me onto Jeopardy!? Why else would she call? But . . . I was confused. It had been 21 months since I'd auditioned back in May, 2006. They said we'd only be in the contestant pool for a year. What was going on? I'd have to wait until the next day - the next snowy and icy day - to find out. It gave me plenty of time to wonder, to dream, and to remember the process that had gotten me to this point.
To the next installment - THE FIRST AUDITION
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