Quote: gamerfreakI am pretty sure Levar Burton is squeaky clean.
Speaking for myself only, I find squeaky clean people boring. Burton is low on my list of people I'd like to see. He is too upbeat, does not make good comments, and is rather robotic.
I hate to see anybody judged over a bad joke they told years ago and apologized for.
I guess Richards should have taken a hard, realistic look at his own situation in life after Trebek died, realized how good he had it behind the camera, then kept his ambition in check and his mouth shut.
I have always thought that the TCM "old movies" host, Ben Mankiewicz, has the right kind of demeanor and skills to host Jeopardy.
Quote: GialmereI guess Richards should have taken a hard, realistic look at his own situation in life after Trebek died, realized how good he had it behind the camera, then kept his ambition in check and his mouth shut.
This comment is from Reddit-
“ Mike Richards could have made millions of dollars over the course of the next 20 years by just being a fairly anonymous game show producer. He didn't even need to be that good at the job, he just needed to entrench himself and trust institutional inertia to keep him there. All he had to do was just not try to be famous, but he couldn't resist the spotlight.”
Quote: WizardSpeaking for myself only, I find squeaky clean people boring. Burton is low on my list of people I'd like to see. He is too upbeat, does not make good comments, and is rather robotic.
I hate to see anybody judged over a bad joke they told years ago and apologized for.
I agree, but would only add that I believe Burton makes a lot of sense for many reasons, and could be coached to become a really good host.
It would be nice if everything was a meritocracy, but I think they left that at the door when they made the auditions public.
Quote: gamerfreakI agree, but would only add that I believe Burton makes a lot of sense for many reasons, and could be coached to become a really good host.
It would be nice if everything was a meritocracy, but I think they left that at the door when they made the auditions public.
Personally I liked the idea of having the auditions be public. The show must go on anyway and it’s fun to see different people approach the job. Especially when they invited people whose day jobs are far away from TV hosting—like Aaron Rodgers.
By the way, James H. posted some amusing comments on Twitter rejoicing in today’s developments.
Quote: TinManPersonally I liked the idea of having the auditions be public. The show must go on anyway and it’s fun to see different people approach the job. Especially when they invited people whose day jobs are far away from TV hosting—like Aaron Rodgers.
By the way, James H. posted some amusing comments on Twitter rejoicing in today’s developments.
It was fun to watch, but I don’t think it was a good way to pick a host.
Quote: DRichWhat about Ben Stein, I miss seeing him on game shows.
Man, I loved that show. I was tickled by the disclaimer at the end describing how it was indeed Ben Stein's money that contestants were winning.
It was super exciting when a contestant actually beat him.
Oh yeah, and Jimmy Kimmel was there too!
Side note: I used to love Remote Control on MTV, but I watched part of an episode on YouTube, and it doesn't hold up.
How this would play out is anyone's guess but it seems doubtful it will. I would say that Richards has them over a barrel. The last thing Sony needs right now is the bad press of a prolonged legal battle with skeletons falling out of the closet and the press gleefully airing the dirty laundry. My guess is they will settle out of court with Sony paying Richards some ungodly amount of money just to make him go away.
Full Story at Fox News
Quote: GialmereAnother ring has been added to the circus. Mike Richards has hired an attorney, presumably to sue Sony for ousting him as executive producer of both "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune". Should the matter go to court, Sony will no doubt argue he was in violation of his contract's morality clause. Richards, however, could counter that all his objectionable behavior was public record and Sony hired him anyways.
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How this would play out is anyone's guess but it seems doubtful it will. I would say that Richards has them over a barrel. The last thing Sony needs right now is the bad press of a prolonged legal battle with skeletons falling out of the closet and the press gleefully airing the dirty laundry. My guess is they will settle out of court with Sony paying Richards some ungodly amount of money just to make him go away.
Full Story at Fox News
If he’s an employee at will (somewhat unlikely because he’s probably a Union member, but possible), they can fire him for any reason (other than certain prohibited reasons not applicable here) or no reason at all. And if there’s a binding arbitration clause in his contact (more likely), this will never get before the press. So I’m less optimistic about his chances of getting a substantial payday. There may be some “get out of here” money in his contract similar to severance pay. But who knows? His career sure did do a 180 quickly
Quote: GialmereThis is probably the least of Jeopardy's problems right now, but an article I was reading pointed out that announcer Johnny Gilbert is 93 years old.
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Why do we never see Johnny? And why does everyone refer to him by his full name? When Barb played the hot Blonde who sometimes prerecords questions announced the players, but by show time Johnny did it after the game was long over and they dubbed that in.
Quote: WizardQuote: GialmereThis is probably the least of Jeopardy's problems right now, but an article I was reading pointed out that announcer Johnny Gilbert is 93 years old.
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Why do we never see Johnny? And why does everyone refer to him by his full name? When Barb played the hot Blonde who sometimes prerecords questions announced the players, but by show time Johnny did it after the game was long over and they dubbed that in.link to original post
I believe he's been spending more and more time doing his job from home in his older age, and since Covid started, he's been working from home 100% of the time.
Full Story at We Got This Covered
Quote: GialmereNot much happening on the Jeopardy! front, but one article discusses the behind-the-scenes infighting going on as junior staffers try to fill the vacuum left by Richards' departure. It also mentions that talent agencies are actively telling their clients not to audition for the host job on the (now) toxic, train-wreck of bad publicity.
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Full Story at We Got This Covered
It's a game show...and there's no way for me to even respond without getting political, at this point.
I'll just say, "Maybe the problem isn't with Jeopardy," and leave it at that.
Quote: Mission146link to original post
I'll just say, "Maybe the problem isn't with Jeopardy," and leave it at that.
Is there actually a problem?
Quote: DRichQuote: Mission146link to original post
I'll just say, "Maybe the problem isn't with Jeopardy," and leave it at that.
Is there actually a problem?link to original post
Huge problem.
Quote: Mission146Quote: DRichQuote: Mission146link to original post
I'll just say, "Maybe the problem isn't with Jeopardy," and leave it at that.
Is there actually a problem?link to original post
Huge problem.link to original post
Can you define the problem for me in terms that I might be able to understand?
Quote: billryanNo host. Hard to have a show with no host. The various tribes have picked their candidate and are searching the interwebs for things to make anyone else look bad.
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That doesn't sound like a problem to me. Cancel show, it will sell in syndication for the next 30 years.
Quote: DRichQuote: Mission146Quote: DRichQuote: Mission146link to original post
I'll just say, "Maybe the problem isn't with Jeopardy," and leave it at that.
Is there actually a problem?link to original post
Huge problem.link to original post
Can you define the problem for me in terms that I might be able to understand?link to original post
I will if you would like to create a similar thread at DT. The problem is societal/political in nature.
Quote: Mission146Quote: DRichQuote: Mission146Quote: DRichQuote: Mission146link to original post
I'll just say, "Maybe the problem isn't with Jeopardy," and leave it at that.
Is there actually a problem?link to original post
Huge problem.link to original post
Can you define the problem for me in terms that I might be able to understand?link to original post
I will if you would like to create a similar thread at DT. The problem is societal/political in nature.link to original post
Obviously, I don't care that much. I honestly don't even know what thread we are in.
So what to make of it?
It's possible (as mentioned in an earlier post) that the show is having trouble getting guest hosts due to all the bad publicity it now suffers from. On the other hand, the fact that none of the other guest hosts (conspicuously LeVar Burton and Buzzy Cohen) are in this new fold suggests that, despite their baggage, Jeopardy! is zeroing in on Bialik and Jennings as the new hosts. At the very least this move buys Sony more time to think things over (again).
Full Story at CNN
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In other Jeopardy! news, the Matt Amodio train continues to roll along. Tonight he ended the first round at -600 and ended winning the game with around $35,000.
Note that this interview took place the day after it was announced that Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings will run the show through December. So, presumably, Burton never received a phone call from Sony. If you're thinking that he'd still take the job if the phone does ring, however, he made his position very clear in a feisty Twitter exchange with an LA Times Journalist.
Feisty Exchange at Yahoo News
Panelists will reveal behind-the-scenes secrets of the show and what it was like to deal with the on-camera pressure and compete during the COVID pandemic. They'll also offer insider tips on what it takes to become a "Jeopardy" contestant.
One contestant, Yoshie Hill, was on Alex's last three shows. She said she could discern that he was in pain, but when the camera started, he was radiant: He looked you in the eye and made you feel like you were most important person.
One contestant did a dozen online tests before getting on the show.
Another said it's a long day. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.: do makeup, play a mock game; he taped Friday show and it didn't start until 4:30; had to change clothes for next show; stories of tapings going until 9 p.m.
They were surprised at the comaraderie and warmth among fellow contestants.
Buzzing in: not based on host's speaking; lights appear on side of the screen; someone backstage activating lights; need to get into rhythm of the host's speaking and producer activating the lights.
Staff advised one contestant that she was buzzing in a half-second too fast.
Monitor to the left of the "big board" shows each contestants' dollar amounts.
They like watching Matt Amodio. One person said fatigue might be a disadvantage for Matt because of the long day.
Producers want contestants to be brief when picking category and amount.
Producers say answering with only last name is OK.
During commercial breaks: Alex retakes a question for better enunciation ("pickups"); judges make decisions — usually not too long, about 3 minutes.
Contestants re-tell their story if they go too long or too short, or if they mess up.
For final jeopardy, get paper to do math. unlimited time, but they speed you up after 5 minutes. They tell you to write the question as well as the wager, so nobody runs out of time writing the question.
Before Covid, contestants stayed at the same hotel, have shuttle; but pay your own way for hotels and meals. Now you find your own place to stay and get to the studio on your own.
Panelists don't believe the questions have been dumbed down or more pop culture-oriented.
Most got their prize money checks 5 months after air date.
November the 8th also marks one year since the death of Alex Trebek. It was a crazy year that no fan of the show will ever forget.
“Jeopardy!” has not yet revealed any hosting information for beyond 2021.
It has been announced that LeVar Burton will now be hosting a new game show based on the board game "Trivial Pursuit".
Story at USA Today
Quote: GialmereIn other Jeopardy! host news...
It has been announced that LeVar Burton will now be hosting a new game show based on the board game "Trivial Pursuit".
Story at USA Today
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This is good news. Levar is very charasmatic and well beloved. Hopefully his new game show is a hit.
Answer: They will continue hosting Jeopardy! through the end of the season.
Question: What's Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings? (See what I did there?)
No big surprise with this announcement coming out today. I can actually see the show riding this hoss for as long as both hosts are ready and willing to go. Perhaps it takes two people to replace Alex Trebek.
Full Story at Deadline
The Search for the Lost ‘Jeopardy!’ Tapes Is Over. The Mystery Behind Them Endures.
Thanks for sharing.
Summary?Quote: GialmereIt seems a 37 year old Jeopardy! mystery has been (mostly) solved. It concerns an enigmatic five time winning champion, why the five episodes she appeared in were neither archived nor rebroadcast, and why she wasn't invited to that year's Tournament of Champions. It's a long article, so if you're not a fan of game shows (and Jeopardy! in particular) you should ignore this post. If you are interested, here is the story at The Ringer...
The Search for the Lost ‘Jeopardy!’ Tapes Is Over. The Mystery Behind Them Endures.
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Quote: 100xOddsSummary?
Here name was Barbara Lowe Vollick but, as a writer, she didn't think anyone was going to purchase anything with that last name. Her agent suggested just using Lowe and from that point on she often did so. She let the producers decide which name they wanted her to use on the show and they decided upon Barbara Lowe.
She was a "quirky" contestant who wore her heart on her sleeve... at a time when Jeopardy! didn't have quirky contestants. They believe she beamed when her opponent's answered incorrectly.
She got sick after her second win and the cameras had to stop rolling for awhile. This apparently cost the show time and money.
She corrected Trebek on one of her answers and they gave her credit for it. An associate producer later told her to save any future corrections/questions for an ad break. Apparently Trebek wasn't happy with this.
The consensus seems to be the staff and Trebek didn't like her.
She never received a check for her five day winnings. She waited a long time and then finally had to hire a lawyer to help her collect her winnings. Apparently, Jeopardy! was arguing the delay of her being sick had cost the program a lot of money and the show was attempting to recoup by holding her winnings. She reluctantly agreed to half of the money she won, rather than risk not receiving any of it in a court ruling.
They say she used a different social security number but Vollick denies this and says she's never used any other number.
She was deemed ineligible for the Tournament of Champions because they say she had appeared on more than three game shows and that’s against the network rules. There seems to be no evidence of her violating these rules and in fact her original application lists the three shows she remembers being on. That rule itself is also in question as it also seems the rule was a maximum of one appearance in a 12-month period and no more than two appearances in a five-year window, which she didn't violate.
Jeopardy! chose not to re-air her episodes.
jeopardy should pay her the other half, at a minimum.
heck, recreate the tournament of champions from that year with the original contestants and add her.
Quote: 100xOddsthats not right.
jeopardy should pay her the other half, at a minimum.
heck, recreate the tournament of champions from that year with the original contestants and add her.
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Years ago, a friend won on a game show and told us he didn't get the money until the episode was scheduled to air. His paperwork stated that he didn't get paid if the episodes didn't air. He was told the more energetic and humourous he was, the greater chance the episode would air.
Are there episodes of Jeopardy that never aired? (and contestants that werent paid)Quote: billryanQuote: 100xOddsthats not right.
jeopardy should pay her the other half, at a minimum.
heck, recreate the tournament of champions from that year with the original contestants and add her.
link to original post
Years ago, a friend won on a game show and told us he didn't get the money until the episode was scheduled to air. His paperwork stated that he didn't get paid if the episodes didn't air. He was told the more energetic and humourous he was, the greater chance the episode would air.
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And unless it's written into the signed contract, something like, "any downtime caused by the contestant will result in lesser payment from any winnings they might receive" then she should have received the full amount of her winnings and in a timely manner.
So her stomach was upset and because of that, production was halted for a an hour or so. Big deal. That type of thing should be expected now and then.
And unless I see actual evidence that she violated the rule about appearing on other game shows, which would include the name of the show she appeared on and the date she appeared, to fully validate that claim that she broke that rule, I have to reject the claim entirely.
“Right,” Trebek responded. “We disqualified her because we learned she had lied on her application. She had been on seven or eight other game shows under four other identities and Social Security numbers.”
Well, was it seven other game shows or was it eight? Four other identities and SS numbers? Seriously? How in the world did Jeopardy get access to these other SS numbers? The entire sentence sounds made up to me.
Alas, we will probably never know the full story. The events happened 37 years ago and many of the people who were involved are now gone.
Pat Sajak has announced that this season's "Wheel of Fortune" will be his last. Thus endeth the Trebek/Sajak era of "Jeopardy!" and the Wheel. A person born the day of Sajak's first show will be 41 years old when the last episode is broadcast.
Some are already lobbying for Vanna White to take over hosting duties. Whatever they decide, I'm guessing it won't be an entire season of auditioning guest hosts.