Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Jeopardy! Tryout Screenings Go Online

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the what-is-what-could-go-wrong-alex dept.

KingSkippus writes "According to a CNN article, the television game show Jeopardy! is now offering online contestant screenings in addition to conducting contestant searches in various cities across the country. Potential contestants will still have to pass an interview and an additional test in person to be considered for the pool of 400 contestants each year, but now the next Ken Jennings can apply without leaving the comfort of his or her own chair. The first online screenings begin March 28."

102 comments

  1. Great... by dark_15 · · Score: 5, Funny

    So now I can scream the answers at my computer instead of the TV! Gotta love technology...

    --
    Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness...
    1. Re:Great... by lillgud · · Score: 4, Funny

      So now I can scream the answers at my computer instead of the TV! Gotta love technology...

      Yeah, but you're supposed to scream the question.

    2. Re:Great... by Alex+P+Keaton+in+da · · Score: 3, Funny

      I think they meant:
      What is, screenings are going online, alex.
      Your answer wasn't in the form of a question....

      --
      And All I Ask is a Tall Ship And a Star to Steer Her By
    3. Re:Great... by instantkamera · · Score: 1

      "What is, screenings are going online, alex." Questions end in question marks.

    4. Re:Great... by hackstraw · · Score: 1

      So now I can scream the answers at my computer instead of the TV! Gotta love technology...

      Please rephrase that in the form of a question.

    5. Re:Great... by Alex+P+Keaton+in+da · · Score: 1

      Are you and English teacher, or just an asshole?

      --
      And All I Ask is a Tall Ship And a Star to Steer Her By
    6. Re:Great... by instantkamera · · Score: 1

      "Are you and English teacher"

      AN english teacher ...

      At least you used a question mark.

    7. Re:Great... by LouisZepher · · Score: 3, Funny

      No, I don't think he's an asshole. Look at his punctuation. See? No colon.

    8. Re:Great... by Alex+P+Keaton+in+da · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      Are you a typing teacher, of just an asshole! Wait, that should be a question mark. Are you a typing teacher, or just an asshole? Shoot, which is correct? Can you help me out- that question is rhetorical, you clearly are an asshole, so do I need the question mark?
      By the way, welcome to the internet, where some quickly written messages lack proper punctuation. Also, sometimes, GASP! typos show up!
      But seriously, I do appreciate your help. I wish I had you around when I was working on my Master's thesis!
      Here is some punctuation help:
      Go fuck yourself.
      FUCK YOU!
      Do you think I care about your opinions about my typing? (The answer is clearly no...)
      You, sir, are a complete asshole. Wow, commas and a period! You must be salivating!!! Wow, three exclamation points! Holy Cow! Two more!

      --
      And All I Ask is a Tall Ship And a Star to Steer Her By
    9. Re:Great... by Afrosheen · · Score: 1

      "Are you a typing teacher, of just an asshole!"

        Dude, just quit typing. Proper typing and punctuation online, in public forums, is often used as a watermark for one's intelligence, just like proper speech in real life. Type like a moron, be interpreted as a moron, and you've no one to blame but your lazy self. Might as well leave the caps lock on while you're at it.

    10. Re:Great... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      WHY WOULD I LEAVE TEH CAPS LOCK ON?
      Post Comment Lameness filter encountered. Post aborted! Reason: Don't use so many caps. It's like YELLING.

    11. Re:Great... by jimfinity · · Score: 0

      um....are you calling him an asshole because he corrected you? because correcting someone is exactly what you were doing in your initial post when you pointed out it "wasn't in the form of a question."

  2. Easier and Cheaper for People by brian23 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Finally, a shift away from having to fly to California and waste about $500 on room and board for a chance that you may not get on the show.

    1. Re:Easier and Cheaper for People by Ucklak · · Score: 1

      Don't they usually come to a nearby town and do screenings?
      Wheel of Fortune came to my town for the same reason and some friends actually got on the show.

      --
      if you steal from one source, that is plagiarism, if you steal from many, well, that's just research.
    2. Re:Easier and Cheaper for People by brian23 · · Score: 1

      Sometimes. They haven't been near me ever and I live in Central FL, which is not rural at all.

    3. Re:Easier and Cheaper for People by hackstraw · · Score: 1

      Jeopardy actually has recruitment tours where they let people come to local hotels, and if they fair well, they go on the real show.

    4. Re:Easier and Cheaper for People by UttBuggly · · Score: 1

      Well, sort of.

      I registered last night and the closest city to me is St. Louis, so if I do "pass", I'll still be flying and staying in a hotel at least one night.

      And the same rules still apply; if you pass the on-line test, the mock session, and the personality interview, you go into the contestant pool for 1 year. No guarantee you'll ever get to stand on stage and say " what is terrified out of my mind, Alex? "

      --
      I am my own gestalt.
  3. 'I'll take "The-Rapists" for $200, Alex' by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    That's Therapists

    1. Re:'I'll take "The-Rapists" for $200, Alex' by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'll take "The PenIs Mightier" for $1000.

    2. Re:'I'll take "The-Rapists" for $200, Alex' by GoodbyeBlueSky1 · · Score: 1

      Buck Futter!

      --
      why? forty-two.
  4. All I hope... by Heem · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I just hope that the website works cross platform. I'd hate to miss my chance to appear on Jeopardy (not that I have much of one) just because I refuse to run IE and/or Windows

    --
    Don't Tread on Me
    1. Re:All I hope... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

      I'd hate to lose my friends just because I refuse to cover my mouth when I sneeze.

      I'd hate to lose my job just because I refuse to do what my boss tells me to do.

      I'd hate to have a president I don't like just because I refuse to vote.

      Either use the tools to get the job done, or stop whining about it.

    2. Re:All I hope... by chrismcdirty · · Score: 1

      Is that BadAnalogyGuy masquerading as an AC? Those were all horrible analogies. None of your statements involved a tool, yet you mention using tools to get the job done. A better one would have been "I'd hate to miss out on digging a hole because I refuse to use a shovel."

      --
      It's like sex, except I'm having it!
    3. Re:All I hope... by JBReynolds · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Prepare to be disappointed, then. Their Web page states that it requires MSIE 5.0 or later and Flash 7.

    4. Re:All I hope... by rkcallaghan · · Score: 2, Insightful

      A better one would have been "I'd hate to miss out on digging a hole because I refuse to use a shovel."

      How about "I'd hate to miss out on digging a hole because I refuse to use Microsoft Brand Shovel with NEW! Bent Handle and Seive-blade Technology!"

      ~Rebecca

    5. Re:All I hope... by Buran · · Score: 1

      It also says that they don't expect problems if you don't use IE but like all idiot corporations these days (or most of them?) they "recommend" it. But I plan to use my Mac, running Firefox, anyway (I registered yesterday).

      --
      i am a soviet space shuttle
  5. Yay by Rendo · · Score: 0

    What is totally awesome since I don't have to get out of the house and have my pale skin go away. Alex Trebeck - "That is correct" I'll take Ways to stay inside the house for $400 please.

  6. i tried out for this once by circletimessquare · · Score: 5, Interesting

    man was it hard. we assembled in a hotel conference room in midtown manhattan. the staff played a little intro tape of the talking head of trebek wishing us good luck and giving us the intructions, then it was off to questions: 50 fill-in-the-blank questions

    you needed to get 35 right to move onward. stuff onvloving the minutiae of the battle of bull run, and various french names for certain foot movements in ballet. very hard

    i would say out of a roomful of 200 people, 5 moved forward

    no, i wasn't one of them ;-P

    i can only wonder at what sort of cheating preventatives they'll employ for online: like a huge pool of questions (so repeating the test won't yeild value), and a 5 second countdown to answer questions... i hope

    or we won't be seeing the next ken jennings from online jeopardy applications, we'll be seeing the next script kiddie

    --
    intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
    1. Re:i tried out for this once by cheinonen · · Score: 1

      There will be a 15 second limit online, and as you have to type the answer, that doesn't leave you much time to Google anything really. I tried out for the college version (which has a cut-off higher than the 35 limit of the regular one, but uses the same test, since they can only take 15 people a year) and made it to the final level of cuts, but didn't get in. I've been waiting since then to get a chance to try out again so I will be doing this online next week.

    2. Re:i tried out for this once by brian0918 · · Score: 1

      15 seconds is an eternity for Google. I got a lot of practice back from Who Wants to be a Millionaire, and could usually come up with an answer in about 8-10 seconds.

    3. Re:i tried out for this once by CastrTroy · · Score: 1

      15 seconds may be short for google, but isn't short for you and 15 of your smartest friends.

      --

      Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
    4. Re:i tried out for this once by masterzora · · Score: 2, Informative

      As clearly mentioned on the page this is a *preliminary screening* process. There will be further screening for those who advanced.

      --
      Remember, open source is free as in speech, not free as in bear.
    5. Re:i tried out for this once by SeeMyNuts! · · Score: 1


      It doesn't matter. Now that the tests are on-line, Alex will soon be saying "And, now, here's our returning champion, Google AI, who has shattered all records by winning $19,424,647,422,153! Can it break $19,424,647,500,000 today? Our new contestants are a smart bunch...oh forget it, I'd quit if Google AI didn't rig my bank and 401K!"

    6. Re:i tried out for this once by Bob+Cat+-+NYMPHS · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I went to one near Central Park south (fail) and later they started doing tests at Merv Griffin's casino in AC (pass, not chosen), and then just a screening at the Pequot Sun casino in CT (pass), and finally again in Manhattan (PASS AND CHOSEN!)

      I'll answer all the stupid questions now.

      They do not pay for your flight or hotel. They do not give you the answers beforehand. Yes, you have to pay taxes on winnings. No, Alex is not cool, he is a jerk.

      I was on three shows (two wins), you'll see me on Game Show network every year or so. No residuals.

      --
      The latest Slashdot meme.
    7. Re:i tried out for this once by sconeu · · Score: 1

      They just *said* it was 35. They don't reveal the actual number you need.

      Sconeu -- Jeopardy contestant, airdate March 1991.

      --
      General Relativity: Space-time tells matter where to go; Matter tells space-time what shape to be.
  7. Paradey.. by solarbob · · Score: 0

    Google for the SNL Celebrity Jeopardy. Total Class.

    Suck it Trebeck - Sean Connery

    --
    SolarVPS - Quality Windows and Linux Virtual Servers
  8. Re:I'll take... by sevenoverzero · · Score: 1

    There is no longer a $500 value question ;)

  9. Google help by mancontr · · Score: 0

    You can use Google for searching whatever you need to. This'll be only a googling-contest...

    1. Re:Google help by DerGeist · · Score: 2, Informative
      If you look on the linked page, you'll see you only have 15 seconds per question.

      Also the article summary clearly states that you still must pass an interview and another written test.

      Good luck making those into a "googling-contest."

    2. Re:Google help by fritzk3 · · Score: 1

      No, but I imagine some folks will get a small crowd around the monitor to pool their collective knowledge... entering under the name of the most knowledgeable among them. It might be a decent way to get through the computer gauntlet, anyway.

      --
      All your sig are belong to us.
    3. Re:Google help by zippthorne · · Score: 1

      That's a lot of work. You need to have enough people to experience almost the entire question pool PLUS the "real person" everyone's working for. I just don't see the motivation for more than a couple such groups to form.

      --
      Can you be Even More Awesome?!
  10. Prediction by Slightly+Askew · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This will last all of 2 weeks before the list of questions and answers is published in its entirety on the Internet and the spike in successful entries causes Jeopardy to shut down the program.

    On a side note, I took one of these tests when the Jeopardy bus was touring the US and thought the questions were very age-biased. There were a disproportionate number of questions about events about late 60's / early 70's pop culture. I wonder if they target those in their mid 30's to mid 50's, as this is probably their target viewing audience as well. As a child of the 80's, I could have told them who shot John Lennon or Ronald Reagan, but not who shot Andy Warhol. I also would have preferred they ask about bumbling superheros with suits from outer space and not superheros with the powers of an Egyptian goddess.

    --
    Public use of any portable music system is a virtually guaranteed indicator of sociopathic tendencies. -- Zoso
    1. Re:Prediction by hal2814 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Do you think they want smarter people on the show? I imagine the Internet questionsing gives them a great opportunity to prevent another Jennings by dumbing down the entire applicant pool by selecting people who can search the Web the best instead of people who just know more trivia.

      Of course the questions are geared towards getting people in their target viewing audience on the show but those types of questions are also the ones that are actually on the show. What's really interesting is that the pop culture range hasn't really changed much over the show's lifespan. Even back in the 80's, the pop culture questions were mostly geared towards the 60's and 70's. It makes it look to me like they're not trying very hard to reach a new younger audience but merely to maintain the audience that they have. That's not neccessarily a bad thing since the show probably won't last much longer than Trebeck's tenure as host anyways.

    2. Re:Prediction by DerGeist · · Score: 2, Insightful
      Umm...who said they were going to re-use questions?

      If you read the article you'll see the tests are at specific dates and times. One night they use a set of questions, the next another, and so on.

      A better argument would be to suggest that this opens the doorway for collusion since you can use AIM, your phone, a bunch of friends, whatever to draw from a bigger Q/A pool but all you'll buy yourself is an embarassing interview and written test later on.

    3. Re:Prediction by B3ryllium · · Score: 1

      bumbling superheros with suits from outer space

      There's always the popular "Blithering Blatherscythe!", don't think they've had that one yet.

    4. Re:Prediction by British · · Score: 2, Informative

      Have you checked out the other questions they typically ask on an episode? It goes back further than that. You would have to have been living in France during the 1700s to get some of those dang questions right.

    5. Re:Prediction by Otter · · Score: 1
      I imagine the Internet questionsing gives them a great opportunity to prevent another Jennings by dumbing down the entire applicant pool by selecting people who can search the Web the best instead of people who just know more trivia.

      Ummm, that would tend to create another Jennings by increasing the advantage of outliers over the median.

      --
      What I'm listening to now on Pandora...
    6. Re:Prediction by CastrTroy · · Score: 1

      I would think that they wanted another Jennings. That was when I found the show the most exciting. They were getting more press and viewership than ever before.

      --

      Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
    7. Re:Prediction by Buran · · Score: 1

      I found it boring as hell and actually quit watching during that time because it was boring to always know who would win. I found a report of when Jennings would finally lose and just kept wiping it off my Tivo, without ever watching, before that day.

      --
      i am a soviet space shuttle
    8. Re:Prediction by Bemopolis · · Score: 1

      More likely, they are trying to improve the chances of those people who GET to try out. In my day (c. 1992) I had to send in a postcard and be randomly selected to take the test. I guess I was smart enough to send in 40, but I don't think a rudimentary knowledge of probablility is what they are going for.

      And on your other note, they would LOVE to have another Ken Jennings -- their ratings shot up by about a third. Which is why they held that Ultimate Tournament of Champions last year to get him back on the show.

      Which, at the risk of horn-tooting, is also why I had the money to buy this new computer to type this response on. (But no, my real name is not Brad Rutter.)

      Bemopolis

      --
      "I guess the moral of the story is, don't paint your airship with rocket fuel." -- Addison Bain
    9. Re:Prediction by Philosinfinity · · Score: 1

      Actually it will last for 3 days. Each time zone (with mountain and central combined) reports at the same time on the same night. Then you'll be waiting for next year/quarter for another shot.

  11. My sincere apologies... by D3r1v3D · · Score: 5, Funny

    Alex Trebek: And in last place with negative 120,000 (sighs and pauses) Sean Connery.

    Sean Connery: Well, well, well Trebek. Fancy seeing you here. It's been a while.

    Alex Trebek: Not long enough.

    Sean Connery: That's not what your mother said last night.

    Alex Trebek: Okay Here are the categories for double jeopardy. (Board appears)

    They are: POTENT POTABLES, COLORS THAT ARE RED, JAPAN US RELATIONS; I have no idea what that category is doing up there.

    Sean Connery: I had relations this morning Trebek, hope we didn't wake you. Your mother's a screamer.

    Alex Trebek: For your information my mother's in a nursing home in Alberta, Canada.

    Sean Connery: Oh she was nursing it alright.

    1. Re:My sincere apologies... by MicrowavedH2O · · Score: 1

      Alex Trebek: Good work, all right. Finally, Mr. Connery.. the category was Numbers, and you wrote.. [ shows his screen ] ..a letter V. Well, I tell you what, my friend - V is a Roman numeral, so despite your best efforts, you answered correctly. Let's see what you wagered.. [ wager is revealed to use the V as part of a K in "Suck it Trebek" ] "Suck it Trebek". [ Connery laughs wildly ] That's all the time we have. Good night, my.. [ Reynolds places over-sized hat on Trebek's head ] Would you get that off of me? [ pulls it off his own head ] [ fade out ] http://snltranscripts.jt.org/99/99cjeopardy.phtml

    2. Re:My sincere apologies... by dr_dank · · Score: 3, Funny

      The ones with Norm Macdonald doing Burt Reynolds were gold. Midway through this sketch, Burt Reynolds changes his name to "Turd Ferguson".

      Alex Trebek: That's not the right answer. [ Reynolds buzzes in ] Burt Reynolds.

      Burt Reynolds: That's not my name.

      Alex Trebek: Okay. Turd Ferguson.

      Burt Reynolds: [ laughs ] Yeah, what do ya want?

      Alex Trebek: You buzzed in!

      Burt Reynolds: No I didn't.

      Alex Trebek: Yes you did!

      Burt Reynolds: Yeah, well, that's your opinion.

      Source

      --
      Where does the school board find them and why do they keep sending them to ME?
    3. Re:My sincere apologies... by espo812 · · Score: 1

      Some jokes don't translate very well to a message board.

      --

      espo
    4. Re:My sincere apologies... by CheechBG · · Score: 4, Funny

      BUCK FUTTER!

      Connery: "I've got to ask you...about the Penis Mightier."
      Trebek: "No, no, no, that's The Pen is Mightier!"
      C: "Gussy it up however you want Trebek, what matters is, does it work! Will it really mighty my penis man!"
      Nicholas Cage: "wait, wait, wait, you guys are selling penis mightiers?!"

    5. Re:My sincere apologies... by GigsVT · · Score: 1

      Or to Live TV.

      When I first saw those sketches I really didn't think they were very good. I guess they grow on you. Probably is why people always say "SNL from n-5 years ago is so much better than SNL today"... it's just not funny until it has some time to sink in. :)

      --
      I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
    6. Re:My sincere apologies... by joranbelar · · Score: 1
      Pure comedy gold, my friends, with apologies to SNL Transcripts:

      Alex Trebek: [ shakes head ] Let's just go with Foreign Flicks for $800. [ Connery buzzes in. ]

      Sean Connery: Ursula Andress.

      Alex Trebek: What?

      Sean Connery: Ursula Andress, Catherine Deneuve, and Charo, twice.

      Alex Trebek: That's Foreign Flicks, Mr. Connery. Foreign Flicks. Mr. Reeves, why don't you pick?

      Keanu Reeves: I shall take Balloons for $800, if you please.

      Alex Trebek: That's not a category.

      Keanu Reeves: My mistake. I shall choose Balloons for $600.

      Alex Trebek: I tell you what, let's do Colors That End in Urple. For $800. This color ends in "urple". [ Swank buzzes in. ] Hilary Swank.

      Hilary Swank: What is light urple?

      Alex Trebek: [ shakes head ] Wow. [ Reeves buzzes in. ] Keanu Reeves.

      Keanu Reeves: I will venture a guess. Who is Jaleel White?

      Alex Trebek: What?

      Keanu Reeves: Is that not the gentlemen who played Urple, the humorous fellow with the glasses who loves cheese?

      Alex Trebek: That's Urkel! [ Connery buzzes in. ] Oh good, Mr. Connery wants to say something.

      Sean Connery: I thought of some more foreign ladies I snogged.

  12. Not the strangest thing I've seen on a game show. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    KEBERT XELA

  13. Hopefully... by TheNoxx · · Score: 5, Funny

    This will bring whole new meaning to the term "slashdotted":

    Trebek: "You wagered everything you had and your answer is... CowboyNeal? The hell...?"

    --
    Ex nihilo nihil fit.
    1. Re:Hopefully... by corbettw · · Score: 1

      I think Slashdot should offer a bounty of $1000 to the first person who actually gets on Jeopardy and answers "Who is CowboyNeal?" during Final Jeopardy. Just for the pure fun of it.

      If Slashdot won't/can't do it themselves, then a group of Slashdotters should. Hell, I'd contribute $50 to the cause. Who's with me?

      --
      God invented whiskey so the Irish would not rule the world.
  14. Ken Who? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    Not to be a stickler - but it amazes me that Ken Jennings is always quoted in stories that relate to Jeopardy - like he's the greatest ever or something. Brad Rutter was actually the winningest Jeopardy contestant before Ken Jennings came along and there were restrictions on how long a contestant could be on the show. Then he proceeded to kick Jennings' a$$ on the Jeopardy Master's tournament and reclaimed the title. So - in fairness - we really ought to say "the next Brad Rutter". I'm just sayin....

    1. Re:Ken Who? by TheLongshot · · Score: 1

      Actually, I wonder if it would have worked better for Ken if he was actually able to compete against these guys equally, rather than be given a bye, basically. In that final, he sure looked rusty, while the other guys had been competing for weeks.

  15. Nonsense! by brian0918 · · Score: 1

    Everyone knows that true knowledge is measured by how many names of people/places/things you know. I doubt Einstein would've come up with his theories of relativity without knowing the names of his predecessors.

    1. Re:Nonsense! by Mr.+Underbridge · · Score: 1
      Everyone knows that true knowledge is measured by how many names of people/places/things you know.

      Did you memorize that?

  16. In Soviet Russia by Thrymm · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Questions answer YOU!

  17. In Soviet Russia by jlebrech · · Score: 1

    They answer the answers

  18. Remember, though... by Mille+Mots · · Score: 1
    I doubt Einstein would've come up with his theories of relativity without knowing the names of his predecessors.

    As the Cult of Einstein is wont to remind us, if you steal from one source, that is plaigiarism, if you steal from many, well, that's just research.

    ;)

    --
    This sig intentionally left blank

    1. Re:Remember, though... by I_M_Noman · · Score: 1
      if you steal from one source, that is plaigiarism, if you steal from many, well, that's just research.
      Unless your name is Lobachevsky, in which case it's all research...
  19. Interesting... by cosmotron · · Score: 1

    According to the Contest Overview, you can't "PHRASE YOUR RESPONSE IN THE FORM OF A QUESTION!" What are they changing the rules?

    --
    Ryan - http://www.thecosmotron.com/
    1. Re:Interesting... by ScottCooperDotNet · · Score: 1

      It is only for the web tryout and not the broadcast.

    2. Re:Interesting... by cosmotron · · Score: 1

      I know, I know...it was just a bad attempt at humor. =[

      --
      Ryan - http://www.thecosmotron.com/
  20. What the hell? by GuloGulo · · Score: 1

    "I imagine the Internet questioning gives them a great opportunity to prevent another Jennings"

    Yes, I can't imagine why those silly Jeopardy people would want their show mentioned that much, or god forbid watched that much.

    Ken Jennings got the Jeopardy people more press than they've had in years. What you've said makes no sense.

    --
    "The government grants you rights, not the other way around."-- beav007. Yes, these people really exist...
  21. Did this already by The_Steel_General · · Score: 2, Informative

    I was one of the test subjects for this process. I'd signed up for future auditions on their website, and got an email one day: Go to this website on this day - at this specific time - to take an online test.

    They had a page with a Flash application that gave you questions and a place to enter your answer. Didn't have to be in the form of a question, which was fortunate, because you didn't get much time to enter it. There were plenty I barely answered, so I can't imagine typing it into Google first. (Just realized: Because it was Flash, you couldn't copy and paste it there, either.) No going back to previous questions, either.

    I evidently did well enough, because I was called to an in-person audition as well. It sounds like it was about the same as previous auditions as mentioned elsewhere in this thread. In any case, the people there said they were testing this to do the initial filter on contestants - previously, they'd pull dozens (hundreds?) of hopefuls, they'd take the test, wait an hour to get them tested, and most wouldn't do well enough to go to the next step. (One audition was mentioned where NOBODY did well enough on the test to move forward.)

    The one I was at had maybe 30-40 people, and everyone passed the written: They made us take another test, similar to the online one but written rather than electronic. Different questions, just the answers again, and not a lot of time to get it right. (But you could, if you wanted, go back and change your answers. Not that you had time for that.)

    Evidently, the rest of the audition was just like it used to be: Take people three at a time to play a mock game, to see how you handle being in front of people. I thought I did okay...but haven't heard back yet. And they said that the only way we'd know how we did was if we heard back within a year. Still waiting...

    TSG

  22. Ah... Umm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "What is a Philben?"

  23. how much did you win? by circletimessquare · · Score: 2, Insightful

    show some love, you thankless twit

    you got cash for your knowledge of minutiae, and were in a position thousands of others would love to be in

    why show so much negativity over a life experience which can only be exciting?

    what personality disorder do you suffer from exactly?

    --
    intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
    1. Re:how much did you win? by Bob+Cat+-+NYMPHS · · Score: 1

      Since you asked so nicely, cts... $28,601 + a Gateway PC + Sauder computer furniture + Libman ops + a case of Jergens lotion + electronic Jeopardy home game + A YEAR'S SUPPLY OF SIOUX BEE HONEY! (The honey actually lasted much longer than a year.)

      Subtract the cost of the flight and hotel and rental car.

      It's NOT FUN being a contestant. It's work. Fill out forms, get made-up, change clothes quickly between shows, GET INTERVIEWED BY A JERK ON TV (they cut out the banter between Alex and me on one show, he was rude, and my response got a HUGE laugh) zoom zoom zoom. At least I got paid, unlike the 3rd placers who got about $250 worth of crappy watches. Maybe they get the honey, too, dunno.

      A friend of mine who was also on the show decribed the experience as "being proccessed". I agree.

      Maybe you've inspired me to write my first k5 article, cts. You must not be ALL bad.

      --
      The latest Slashdot meme.
  24. Re:I'll take... by pedalman · · Score: 1

    Ooo!!!! Ooo!!! Ooo!!! I know this one!!!!!!!!!!!

    --
    Friends don't let friends line-dance.
  25. Next question by Kyont · · Score: 1

    Alrighty then Alex, I'll take "Who All Your Base Are Belong To" for $8,000.

    Whoddya mean, "someone seems to have hacked in and changed the screens?"

    --
    You shall see a cow on the roof of a cotton house.
  26. Don't Tell Them! by iamlucky13 · · Score: 1

    Darn it, don't let the slashdotters know! How am I going to make it on the show with all that competition?!?

    It would be really funny though if the tryout site gets "slashdotted."

  27. Last Night's Jeopardy.... by iamlucky13 · · Score: 1

    Anybody watch it last night? The lady who won was previously on once a long time ago, before they even had Alex. The first time around she got $60 and a board game. This time she won about $20,000. Most of the contestants are equally as lame as your average Joe, but every now and then somebody has an interesting story during the introductions.

    1. Re:Last Night's Jeopardy.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually, she won $60 and an encyclopedia.

  28. Tough Eligibility Requirements by MirgNave · · Score: 0
    Check out the eligibility requirements to be a contestant.

    What are the eligibility requirements?
    Applicants must be over 18 (except for the Teen Tournament, College Championship and the Kids' shows). You are not eligible to be a contestant on JEOPARDY! if you have appeared on any version of the show with Alex Trebek. You are not eligible to be a contestant on JEOPARDY! if you have appeared on a game show/dating show/relationship show/reality show in the last year or three game shows/dating shows/relationship shows/reality shows in the last 10 years. You are not eligible to play on JEOPARDY! if you are employed by, related to, or within the last five years known anyone who works for Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., King World Productions, Inc., Sullivan Compliance Company, or any television stations broadcasting Wheel of Fortune or JEOPARDY!

    WOW! That's a pretty exclusive group!!!

  29. heh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    From the FAQ:

    +>

    I am on a Macintosh. Will I still be able to participate in the test?
    Although we do not encourage you to take the test on a Mac, the test is compatible with the Mac OX operating system. For the best experience, you should:

            * use a PC
            * Internet Explorer 5 or higher
            * Disable any pop up blocking software
            * download Flash 7 or higher

    +>

    Explain to me why it is recommeded to use a PC w/ IE???

  30. what was the point of that reply? by circletimessquare · · Score: 1

    to convince me that you are, indeed, so utterly thankless?

    ever hear the phrase "don't look a gift horse in the mouth"?

    what does that phrase mean to you? what lesson about life is meant to be gleaned from this nugget of common sense?

    please, write the article on k5, my intrigue now is to get at what makes you so selfish that you can't appreciate the experience AND the gobs of money for so little time and effort!

    you truly have some sort of god-awful handicapping personality disorder

    --
    intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
    1. Re:what was the point of that reply? by Bob+Cat+-+NYMPHS · · Score: 1

      Hey, you were the one who wanted to know how much I won.

      If I were to meet Merv Griffin, I would thank him for creating the game. I thanked the contestant coordinators. Alex, who I repeat is a JERK, gets no thanks, but he no doubt got a bigger paycheck than I did for far less effort.

      I'd also like to thank the data entry operator from South Carolina who I beat on the second show, since she took time off from work, brought her family with her, and ended up with those fine watches (and mops), probably ending up down several thousand dollars for the thrill of being on TV for 22 minutes. Hey, maybe they promoted her to data entry supervisor after the show, so she's now making $8/hr instead of $7.75/hr.

      I bet she gets the stupid questions too.

      --
      The latest Slashdot meme.
  31. you're odious by circletimessquare · · Score: 1

    someone as thankless as you must have some pretty difficult times establishing personal relationships

    to be on a game show, to win over $25K, and have nothing but complaints?

    wow

    you're pretty pathetic dude

    --
    intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
    1. Re:you're odious by Krenath · · Score: 1

      I don't see you as being all that much better. At least Bob Cat is an entertaining read.

      You, however, jump out of nowhere to harass him about having the nerve say he was less than thrilled by the experience.

      Whether or not you agree with him, that's your choice, sure. But insulting him needlessly because you still worship Alex doesn't change his mind and force him to realize that "hey, maybe I really *am* pathetic and so therefore Alex isn't such a bad guy after all."

      In a contest to see who's the more pathetic and odious, you're more likely to take home the Sauder desk while Bob Cat'll get stuck with the mops.

      Personally, I think human dignity is worth more than a mere $25,000 and if you have to be treated as cattle and herded onstage and off so the network can make their cash, it's not necessarily worth it.

      I doubt I'd cheerfully thank someone even if they did paid me $25k to treat me like a commodity.

    2. Re:you're odious by Bob+Cat+-+NYMPHS · · Score: 1

      Thanks! For defending me, I'd like to send you the last bottle of the Jergin's Lotion! It's a bit congealed after 7 years, actually. Even for a slashdotter, it's hard to use up a case of the stuff. I forgot to mention the Mrs. Buttersworth Syrup coupons, too, but they're long gone,anyway.

      The best part of this whole discussion is that cts made me his foe! How awesome is that?

      --
      The latest Slashdot meme.
  32. NO MAC SUPPORT by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I looked at this when they announced it the other day - but it says you must have a PC and Internet Explorer 7. It's not like I'm running something totally obscure - I'm on a Mac, for crying out loud. Why can't I compete?

  33. it's a GAME SHOW you moron by circletimessquare · · Score: 1

    "Personally, I think human dignity is worth more than a mere $25,000 and if you have to be treated as cattle and herded onstage and off so the network can make their cash, it's not necessarily worth it"

    wtf?!

    BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

    uh... uh... can't breath

    BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

    ah, the priorities of the coddled fat rich western self-involved child

    oh man, thanks for the laugh, you're making me tear up from laughing, i needed that belly laugh

    we have people scraping by on less than a dollar a day, and you're talking about the affront to human dignity of winning $25K on a game show

    man, this thread has been an entertaining look into some pretty sad little shallow lives

    how sheltered and insular can someone be exactly?

    i shudder at the thought now!

    LOL ;-)

    --
    intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
    1. Re:it's a GAME SHOW you moron by Krenath · · Score: 1

      You'd throw away your dignity and self-respect for a mere $25K yet you call us sad and shallow? Next time I pass a donation box, I'll throw a dollar in for you. Take yourself out somewhere nice. And remember to thank me.

  34. PC Only by BodhiCat · · Score: 1

    The page says you have to have a PC with Explorer to take the test. Grrr, no Mac/Safari. I guess they know that the average Mac user is smarter and will blow the other contestants away.