I want to start a topic about Ken Jennings' defeat,

[JDTAY]

...but I don't know what to say.

[CoolBot]

I've always wondered how common these long streaks were cut short by the five game maximum before the rule change. Still, it's quite an accomplishment; who knows that much random trivia?

[Flying Dutchman]

What's a Ken Jennings?

[mathcam]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Jennings

Man, the Wikipedia is pretty awesome.

Cam

[rolandofthewhite]

I wish I was that smart.

[Flying Dutchman]

My mother just named a not-too-well-known Dutch writer from the 1870s, and I immediately replied with one of his titles "Schreef die niet 'De kleine Johannes?'".

I'm ashamed of myself, why don't I know USEFUL stuff....

[KingEnigma]

anyone else think its funny that he lost during sweeps week? A SCAM?!?

[halfpint]

Is that right? I think that's pretty darn funny ...

[Dourgrim]

The fix was in. Let's face it, folks, this is the first time Americans have

talked

about Jeopardy in perhaps fifteen years... and now it's the ONLY game show anyone cares about. They were giving the money away anyway... why not just keep giving it to one guy and create some press for your show? It was a very effective advertising gimmick of which no one can really prove or disprove the legality.

[Gaspode.]

it's the ONLY game show anyone cares about

Rightfully so, scam or not. It's the only one that, if authentic, involves almost no luck (I say almost because of the Daily Doubles) and absolutely requires intelligence (or useless knowledge, whatever you like to call it) to win. Plus, I think it's the most fun one to play along with, especially when it involves competitive family members.

I think there's a good chance it was fixed, but I like to think that ABC has a bit more integrity than that. (Yes, I know I'm an idealist.) Although the "leak" that he was going to lose about a month ago was definitely strategic (I know I made it a point to watch that night, in addition to the real night he lost), as was the placement of the college tournament to prolong Ken's tenure.

[JDTAY]

Um, ABC doesn't produce Jeopardy, it's a syndicated show. It runs on NBC in my area.

[Coron]

I wish I were that person.
Most wins on a single game show 75 times by Ian Lygo on 100%, 1998*
Most opponents defeated on a game show 150 by Ian Lygo on 100%, 1998**
Can't he beat those?

[Dourgrim]

Rightfully so, scam or not. It's the only one that,

if authentic

, involves almost no luck (I say almost because of the Daily Doubles) and absolutely requires intelligence (or useless knowledge, whatever you like to call it) to win. Plus, I think it's the most fun one to play along with, especially when it involves competitive family members.

I agree with this statement unequivocally... bearing in mind those two troublesome words that I bolded above. I guess I'm a cynic, but I still think the fix was in (see below).

I think there's a good chance it was fixed, but I like to think that ABC has a bit more integrity than that. (Yes, I know I'm an idealist.) Although the "leak" that he was going to lose about a month ago was definitely strategic (I know I made it a point to watch that night, in addition to the real night he lost), as was the placement of the college tournament to prolong Ken's tenure.

Remember the game show scandals of yesteryear? This is not exactly the most integrity-laden industry ever... why would it surprise

anyone

if there

was

corruption in the ranks?

[Mr_Gnome_It_All]

How many scandals have there really been? I know there was the fixing of the show "21" (just watch the movie Quiz Show) and then there was the discovery that the "Press Your Luck" board was not actually random.

What else (if anything) has there been?