I’m really enjoying watching the Jeopardy Masters Tournament. One of the things that cracks me up the most is that James keeps getting described/describing himself as a gameshow villain, but then either he does something nice/non-intimidating or it’s revealed he did something really nice in the interview part and all it keeps reading as to me is…
James: Honestly, I’m just so evil. So full of darkness. I feed off of the souls of those I play against, I strike fear into—
Ken: It says here you sleep with a teddy bear?
James: He’S MY SECOND IN COMMAND IN MY ARMY OF DARKNESS!
An institution in the States since the 1980s, Jeopardy! has never worked here. Sure, they've tried it - ITV spent most of the early 90s trying to make Jep happen - but it's never landed.
Maybe this new incarnation will hit the mark.
Stephen Fry is the host, and a longer running time allows him to take the game at a more sedate pace. A more conversational pace, it's questions and answers and just a bit of fun.
Jeopardy! has kept its conceit - we're shown the answers, and give a question beginning "(What|who) is..." Points for right questions, points off for wrong ones, and a final question to potentially double your score. Winner gets their score in pounds, which is usually around £5000.
Whisper (which is part-owned by Sony, which also owns Jeopardy!) have directly copied the Stateside version, all the music cues, all the little bits - including the cringeworthy opening announcement "From a studio you've never heard of in Salford!"
But this version of Jeopardy! works. Clever contestants, clever host, without anyone ever being smug or rubbing your nose in how much they know. It's the right show for 4pm on a dark winter's evening.
CREDIT (Clockwise from Top Left): Paramount Plus/Screenshot; Mitch Haaseth/Disney; Paramount Plus/Screenshot; Apple TV+
For my 2023 TV wrap-up coverage, I’ve decided to compile a list of the shows I was most excited to watch week in and week out. Or day in and day out, in the case of more regular programming. Or in the case of series that released their entire seasons at once, they’re the shows…
Jeopardy! Amy's memoir drops October 3rd and I can't wait. With absolutely no offense intended to the guy champs - I love them all - it's just so nice to finally have a lady in their ranks. And I love her Lisa Simpson pearls.
With three weeks until Christmas, here’s my list for Santa:
1. Peace on Earth, goodwill toward men (and women, and the non-binary, too).
2. A 10 percent raise in worldwide IQ.
3. A 20 percent raise in Pittsburgh-wide IQ.
4. A benefit concert performed by Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Julian Lennon, and Dhani Harrison. And, Dave Grohl, too. Because, why not?!
5. Alex Trebek’s (now Ken Jennings’) job on Jeopardy! (And a tennis ball gun to fire at contestants who give bonehead responses!)
6. A copy of William Shakespeare’s First Folio.
7. Someone (I'm looking at you, Kenneth Branagh!) to make a good film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.
8. A franchise quarterback for the New York Jets.
9. A publisher for my novelette Heroes Rise Again. And, for Peter Jackson to turn it into three movies!
As usual, April Fool's Day is marked on Ask Serious Rainbow by posting three game show videos. We're gonna start with Alex Trebek's first episode of Jeopardy! :D Man, the rules were different for Season 1.