Final Jeopardy: Children’s Lit (11-1-11)
The Final Jeopardy question (11/1/2011), in the category “Children’s Lit” was:
“This classic book begins, ‘The pretty little Swiss town of Mayenfeld lies at the foot of a mountain range.'”
Yesterday’s winner, Evan “Almighty” Sandman* of California, returned today to take on new challengers: Emily Gifford from the Nutmeg State and Dave Burnstein from the Bluegrass State.
*Alex Trebek’s suggestion
Evan got the Daily Double in the first round in “Ballet,” which he was already doing very well in. He had $1,200 and made it a true Daily Double. Here’s the clue: “Prince Siegfried finds romance is for the birds (like Odette) in this 19th century ballet.” He got it right and continued to successfully dominate the category.
Living up to his nickname, Evan Almighty ended the round in the lead with $7,000. Emily was second with $4,200 and Dave came in third with $2,400.
In Double Jeopardy, “Designing Women” was to Emily what “Ballet” was to Evan earlier. She racked up a $4,800 lead over Evan. Then “Dynasties” was to Evan what “Designing Women” was to Emily, except for the last clue. Which dynasty Charles I and Charles II of Spain belonged to gave him pause. Dave tried to get it but was wrong and by then Evan was willing to take a shot. He was right, got into the lead again and also got the first Daily Double in “Cheers” right after that. He bet $2,000 and it was something he knew.
“Yalies once cheered, “Brek-ek-ek-ex, ko-ax, ko-ax”, the chorus of these creatures in an Aristophanes play”
He was pretty much playing alone for the rest of the round and the very last clue was the second Daily Double” “The name of this portion of the brainstem means ‘the long marrow'”
The extra $4,000 he won on that gave Evan an outstanding lead with $27,800 (almost as much as he won yesterday). Emily was second with $17,000 and Dave had $1,200.
Alas, despite such stellar play, Evan did not get Final Jeopardy correct and neither did Dave. Emily was the only one who had the right children’s classic.
The story about Heidi, (real name: Adelheid), the little orphan who lived with her hermit grandfather in the Alps was published in 1880. Film versions of Heidi
Dave bet his whole $1,200, and why not? He figured he was getting the $1,000 third place prize regardless. He answered “Swiss Family Robinson.” First sentence: “For many days we had been tempest-tossed.”
Emily bet $16,800 and ended up in the lead with $33,800 for having the right answer.
Evan was smiling. (Yesterday he wasn’t smiling and had the right answer). His wrong answer was “Pippi Longstocking.” First sentence: “Way out at the end of a tiny little town was an old overgrown garden, and in the garden was an old house, and in the house lived Pippi Longstocking.”
Evan bet $6,201 leaving him in second place with $21,599. And that’s how it goes sometimes. Evan was a great player, his general and specific knowledge in several categories was superb, but he got tripped up by a children’s book.
Congratulations to Emily, who was quite thrilled to win and just a bit overwhelmed all at once. She will make an attempt to duplicate her success in two weeks.
The Tournament of Champions begins tomorrow. Excited?
