The Final Jeopardy question (7/4/2012) in the category “Nuclear Nations” was:

On May 18, 1974, this country tested its first nuclear device, nicknamed “Smiling Buddha.”

Matt Samberg is trying for a fourth win today. His 3-day total is an impressive $61,402. Today he faces two new players both from the Golden State: Jennifer Emmett, from Fremont; and  Ron King, from Camarillo.

Jennifer found the Jeopardy! round Daily Double in “Seaports.” She was in third place with $1,200, $5,000 behind Ron who was in the lead. She bet $800 and she was RIGHT.

21 miles from Dover, this French seaport is closer to England than any other city in mainland Europe.
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WHAT IS CALAIS?

Ron finished in the lead with $6,200. Matt was second with $2,200 and Jennifer had no money after the “Dear Abby” category. We thought it was pretty easy but the contestants had a tough time with it. We also think Jennifer should not have been judged wrong for answering “marriage” when they wanted “wedding.”

Ron found the first Double Jeopardy Daily Double in “Halley’s Category.” He held the lead with $11,800, $6,400 more than Matt in second place. He bet $3,000, said it was an eclipse and that was WRONG.

In 1677, Edmond Halley observed one of these rare astrological events: the passage of a planet across the sun’s bright dip. In his case it was Mercury.
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WHAT IS A TRANSIT?

Ron found the last Daily Double in “Title Characters.” He was now in second place with $10,400, $200 less than Matt in the lead. He bet $2,000, and guessed Pirandello, an Italian writer. That was WRONG.

In a 17th century French comedy, mankind hater Alceste.
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WHO IS THE MISANTHROPE (a play by Moliere)?

Matt finished in the lead with $13,400. Ron was next with $7,200 and Jennifer was in third place with $6,800.

Ron lost $1,200 on a clue he knew the answer to in “Spirituals.” It was the very last clue they had time for and, just like Leslie did yesterday, he neglected to answer in the form of a question. Matt was again the beneficiary of that oversight.

Only ONE of the contestants got Final Jeopardy! right.

WHAT IS INDIA?

“Smiling Buddha, formally designated as Pokhran-I, was the codename given to the Republic of India’s first nuclear test explosion that took place at the long-constructed Indian Army base, Pokhran Test Range at Pokhran municipality, Rajasthan state on 18 May 1974 at 8:05 a.m. (IST).” (wikipedia)

Jennifer wrote down China. She bet it all and finished with nothing.

Ron got it right and added $6,401 to finish with $13,601.

Matt also wrote down China. He only bet $1,001, but even before he lost that, he didn’t have enough to win this one. He finished with $12,399.

Despite that bad break at the end of Double Jeopardy!, Ron King is the new Jeopardy! champ and will return tomorrow, at which time we are sure he will not forget to answer everything in the form of a question.

Happy July 4th! We hope everyone is enjoying their Independence Day celebration.