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Today on the show Jen stops by to talk about her love of Cher, the rudeness of so-called "shy" children and her distrust of The New York Times. Also on the show she fails to realize that part of what makes Jeopardy so great is the discomfort it creates.

trebek

Jeopardy occupies a space on television were people are, for the most part, devoid of any charisma or style and instead are judged by a bizarre quality, their intelligence. The competitors are often not traditionally attractive and have no idea what the word "interesting" means. Yet you always find one to root for. The host is a version of these people who has reached his highest potential and now looks down on those beneath him. It's unlike anything on television and that's why it's great.

TBTL Song of the Day: "Mouthful of Diamonds" by Phantogram

My Song of the Day: "I Will Be Fine" by David Vandervelde

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  • Jake Barker wrote...
    Luke
    March 21, 2013 5:51 pm
    That was supposed to say "Luke" fails to realize. I regret the error. Jen fully understands the greatness of Jeopardy.
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  • Raliced wrote...
    Ouch
    March 22, 2013 12:42 pm
    I’ve been subscribing to the podcast for a few months now, and usually appreciate the Burbank/Walsh/Andrews banter to liven up my cubicle. Thank You. While I sometimes disagree with the occasional political discussions or pop culture pronouncements, I’ve never felt compelled to create an account and comment until today. As a happy TBTL listener who also happens to be a past Jeopardy champion, imagine my dismay to hear on the podcast that the contestants are “not interesting people” who share dull stories with Alex Trebek. Ouch. That wasn’t too bad, until I found the blog and found that not only am I boring, I’m “devoid of charisma and style” and I’m probably not very attractive as well. Double Ouch. Thank goodness those cubicle walls are nice and high and no one can see the tears welling up. Sniff. Actually, you’re right about the stories, although I reserve the right to disagree about my charisma and beauty. For me, that was absolutely the most painful part of appearing on the show. The contestant wranglers ask you to come up with three stories and one of the things you do on the morning of the tape date is practice them with your fellow contestants. However, Alex doesn’t pick which one he’s going to talk to you about until you are actually right in the middle of the game. Here’s the problem with the stories. I don’t think I’m an inherently uninteresting person, but with every relative and friend, both close and distant tuned in, I was pretty circumspect about what I chose to reveal. I have what I think is a hilarious story about spending a night in county jail, but I’m still not ready for Mom to hear about that escapade. I had an awful time coming up with something that was both pithy and appropriate for general consumption. So, I ended up talking about my lifelong dream to go dog sledding. Mush. Anyway, I still love the show. I’m just relieved I never had my parents sell girl scout cookies for me
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  • booksbunny wrote...
    How cool...
    March 22, 2013 1:20 pm
    that a venn diagram that overlaps between past Jeopardy champions and TBTL actually exists. I think I've heard that Ken Jennings listens on occasion too... :) For the most part, TBTL listeners fall into the "intelligent" camp, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. As an aside, it is my dream to try out for Jeopardy someday... I'm sure I'll come off as awkward in the interview if I ever make it. :)
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  • Jake Barker wrote...
    Re: ouch
    March 23, 2013 7:38 am
    I certainly didn't mean to imply that every single person on the show is a hideous freak. The point I was trying to make was that Jeopardy is a place where the only thing that puts you on TV and keeps you on TV is your intelligence. Sometimes that means you get the beautiful, charming and somewhat awkward contestant who works at the La Brea Tar Pits that I was totally crushing on. Sometimes it means that contestant is ousted by one who looks and behaves like a cereal killer. That guy is probably not a bad guy but he doesn't come off well on TV and his likability is not a factor in whether or not he gets to stay on TV. The point is that show is the only place where the standard by which you are judged is not at all superficial and sometimes thst leads to extreme uncomfortability and I love it. Also there is no doubt in my mind that Alex Trebek is a sociopath.
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  • Sheila from Ithaca wrote...
    er....Cereal Killer?
    March 27, 2013 5:51 am
    Jake?
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  • booksbunny wrote...
    Cereal Killers...
    March 27, 2013 8:18 am
    Lol! Death by the Rice Krispies guys. Or maybe it was Cap'n Crunch in the ballroom with the knife. My money is on Tony the Tiger in the kitchen with the rope. :)
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  • booksbunny wrote...
    The problem with Jeopardy interviews...
    March 22, 2013 1:15 pm
    Is absolutely not the contestants. It's Alex and his terrible interviewing skills and complete lack of genuine interest in everything the contestants have to say. He doesn't seem to put any of them at ease. I personally don't think most of them are uninteresting or unattractive at all. Massive intelligence is inherently attractive to me, but maybe that's because I'm kind of a nerd myself.
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  • susanthaler wrote...
    I lost on Jeopardy (baby)
    March 22, 2013 3:17 pm
    Hey Raliced! I was on the J-party (doesn't that sound like more fun?) 15 years ago, and you're absolutely right--you don't get to write up a whole script ahead of time. The producers ask you for 3 "interesting facts" about yourself, and you really don't know what Alex is going to ask. In my case, AT went off on a tangent that completely threw me for a loop--provoking that proverbial deer-in-the-headlights reaction from me--the most painful part of the experience indeed! He really is not a good interviewer and has gotten worse over the years--he just doesn't seem that interested in most people. He also wears a LOT of makeup and tells goofy stories during commercial breaks. But I still love the show and we still record and watch it every night. I love finding someone to root for, and I like it even better when I feel like all three contestants are worthy and I'd be happy if any of them won.
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