A few months ago, word had leaked out on the web, specifically on Jason Kottke’s blog (though other ‘mainstream’ pubs claim credit) that “Jeopardy” super-winner Ken Jennings would be defeated after winning 74 episodes. It was projected that this would happen sometime in November, based on the number of days the show was to run in the Fall season.
As it turns out, this was right on, Kottke reports Sunday morning. Tuesday, November 30 looks to be the date, and he’s got the audio to “prove” it.
Even with people knowing what’s going to happen, I’m still gunning for a ratings bonanza and a ton of TiVos being set for this. How long before we’ll get statistics over how this was “highest number of pre-set recordings” or something, at least for a non-sporting event or movie?
17 responses so far ↓
1 Edith // Nov 30, 2004 at 3:48 pm
I hope you’re right about Ken Jennings… he’s an ok guy, I guess, but enough is enough. I hope they change the rules before this happens again. By last night I was ready to scrap Jeopardy as I figured he would be the death of it anyway. I hate to think of all the people that lost against him, night after night, and went home defeated every time. Why would anyone want to try??
2 Rocco // Nov 30, 2004 at 7:41 pm
I’ve been watching Jeopardy for more than 40 years! I remember my mother throwing me out of the house during the summer because I would want to watch it instead of playing outside!
I watched it lately out of habit, mostly. I liked it when I would get an “answer” when everyone else missed it. But beyond the occasional boost to my self esteem, Jeopardy was getting pretty stale.
But when Ken Jennings started to dominate for weeks I tried not to miss a show! I remember the old rules (maybe not the original) let someone stay on until they lost. The amounts were nowhere near today’s but it was pretty good for it’s time. I remember people being so quick that they would answer before the manual uncovering of the question. I also remember people being much more informed in catagories like the Bible.
Ken Jennings brought back that original excitement for me. I LOVE the rule change! Why shouldn’t someone go until they’re beaten?
My wife and I both loved Ken’s reign and look forward to the next champion who proves him or herself more knowledgable than the rest.
By the way, my mother was accepted TWICE to appear on Jeopardy but chickened out both times! Hmmm…maybe I should try out!
3 py // Nov 30, 2004 at 7:58 pm
this is gay to stop him because my life goal was to beat him and i kno i could too just gimme a couple questions of somethin that is actually important
4 Chris // Nov 30, 2004 at 8:14 pm
Jeopardy made Ken lose, the show couldnt go on with him winning and winning… There would be no tourney of champions it would have been a mess… At least they made his loss GOOD TV. Perfect scenerio… One on One– Final Jeopardy.. She answers right.. she gets question right… wagers exact amount to have him down by a dollar… and him get the question wrong… and her fake look of shock was horrible. He was probably happy to get off the show anyways… but they shouldnt keep it hidden that Jeopardy couldnt last if he kept winning. They are making the people in this country look dumb. How smart is this country?? We re-elected Bush. Enough said. Ken took his loss like a man… GOOD TV ABC GOOD TV. By releasing it before he lost probably gave Jeopardy the highest ratings ever for them. Also they bought ratings for the tourney of champions. GOOD, SMART TV. HORRIBLE DISPLAY OF PROFESSIONALISM letting him lose like that.
5 Bonnye // Nov 30, 2004 at 8:40 pm
What a Sham. Ken Jennings did not lose!!! Somehow the Jeopardy people got him off. Those questions he missed were done on purpose. Wonder what the real story is. WILL NOT be watching the show anymore.
6 Rick // Nov 30, 2004 at 10:21 pm
Why all the fuss?
My hat is off to Mr. Jennings. I respect intelligence, and Ken will be missed by my partner and me.
7 Paul // Nov 30, 2004 at 10:35 pm
I don’t know if him losing was rigged. but he screwed himself on the Daily Doubles. I’ve been following his run religiously and I for one am sad to see it end.
8 JT // Nov 30, 2004 at 11:52 pm
Gotta admit, I was surprised that Kenny lost on the final question. It’s one of the few final Jeopardy questions I’ve known the answer to. I thought I noticed a change in attitude the last two or three games. For the first time, KJ didn’t seem to be having as much fun. Believe it or not, I think he was starting to get bored. Also, time away from the family must have been getting difficult. He’s a family man, and with all the fame and fortune attained, priorities returned to the home. I respect that.
Kenny was an inspiration. A down to earth guy with an incredible memory. All the best KJ.
JT
9 Bob Zanis // Dec 1, 2004 at 8:03 am
He lost semi-intentional. On one hand he wanted to reign as Jeopardy King, on the other hand he hated the fact that Trebek grew tired of him. As you may know Jeopardy isn’t recorded live and they do edit. Alot of editing. On one occasion Trebek had an arguement with a producer over the rule change. Not that Trebek didnt like Jennings, he just feared what exactly is happening now. All the post-game hype and accusations of Jennings being forced off. An after an extreme high there is always an extreme low. The lady who beat ken has already lost. It will return to the same old Jeopardy and its “old” fans will return. Sincerely
-Bob Dutchases Zanis
10 Amanada // Dec 1, 2004 at 3:16 pm
Alrighty, i remember when i was with my grandmother and she’d always watch jeopordy. i was 9 so i found it so boring(being that i couldnt get any of the answers i just watched to see who would win) But now im old and i can get some of the answers. My parents were watching jeopordy on about the 13th night that Ken was on. They hollard for me to come watch so i did, and every clue/question that was given, ken answered. He is a machine nearly. I kno for a fact he will be in the Guinness book of world records for being soooooooooo long on Jeopordy. So we tuned in once in a while to find out if he was still on and how much he had won. after a while though it really got sickening. The competition was gone. If ken was on, he’d win. So i was shocked to find out last night that he lost. i didnt see the episode but i saw it on the news. I think its about time that he’s gone because every one would walk away defeated and thats no good. Personally i feel it was greedy of him. He could have walked away when he hit the 1 million dollar mark. Thats plenty. after all it seems hes got a good job. so he’s basically capable of retiring today! So yeah thats what i think. Leaving on a thought here: Whats a game if you already can predict the winner and theres no competiton!?
11 Jason // Dec 2, 2004 at 12:25 am
Anyone with half a brain could see that the final flight of Ken Jennings had been rigged to crash from the beginning. I mean, here’s a guy that was shooting off answers to questions about ancient Romanian idol worship - and he misses a stupid question like the H&R Block thing??? What an amazing disappointment. All through his spectacular winning streak I kept saying to myself that the person who will REALLY be famous will be the contestant who finally beats him. She beat no one! He either threw it, or some arrangement was made to end Ken’s winning career. What a colossal disappointment. Send Alex to the corner and give him a dunce cap!
12 A Socialite's Life // Dec 2, 2004 at 6:00 pm
In Defense Of Jason Kottke
What is Sony TV thinking?First off, if you’re unfamiliar with Jason Kottke’s kottke.org, I’m ashamed of you. Regardless, this is the situation between Jason, Sony TV, and Jeopardy.
13 Kev // Dec 2, 2004 at 6:59 pm
I bet he got bored and threw the game. Simple Econ 101, he probably hit the point of negative marginal returns. Maybe he could’ve made millions more, but perhaps it got to the point (with 2.5 Mil in pocket) of not being worth another $25 K to him to stick it out another day.
14 johan nooij // Dec 5, 2004 at 6:19 pm
Valt er hier nog wat te fisten ?!?!?
15 johan nooij // Dec 5, 2004 at 6:19 pm
waar zijn die geile wolven ?!?!?
16 Sukram // Dec 6, 2004 at 3:07 pm
I agree it was somehow “rigged”. KJ is a smart man and is not all about the money. He has enough to get by for the rest of his life. I think he respects the show and was ready to step down. I doubt Jeapordy forced his hand in this. I’ll bet they agreed. And for those who think “well, he must have missed his family…” You obviously don’t know how the games are taped. A dozen or more people are flown to the Jeapordy studio and they tape five games in a row. Yes on an average day of taping KJ would have played for 2.5 hours. He would then go home for the rest of the week. Sorry if that disappoints everyone but Alex dosen’t drive to work at Jeapordy EVERY weekday and Ken Jennings didn’t spend 15 weeks away from home.
I do look forward to the T.O.C. as he pits himself up against a few other smarties… we will see him shine one more time. I’d bet money that he wins that one.
17 Elaine // May 26, 2005 at 9:37 pm
No way did Ken Jennings lose that game. He gave it away. I feel he purposely lost. He didn’t even know the answer when he buzzed in and didn’t know the final question. NOWAY!!!