With Superstar Jeopardy!, one ought to mood their expectations. In comparison with the mainline Jeopardy!, the clues are simpler and extra accessible to attraction to a broader viewers to watch their favourite superstar check their trivial information. That is not at all to decrease the intelligence of the contestants of the yearly particular primetime version of the long-running recreation present, as many popular culture figures have made fairly a reputation for themselves on Alex Trebek‘s stage.

Superstar Jeopardy! may be an illustrious showcase for stars to unveil their wealth of data, as was the case for Michael McKean, Patton Oswalt, and Ike Barinholtz, who shined robust sufficient to have the ability to take part in the principle sequence’ Event of Champions in 2024. On the flip facet, journalist and broadcaster Wolf Blitzer realized in 2009 {that a} woeful efficiency on Superstar Jeopardy! can result in unflattering publicity of 1’s ignorance.

‘Superstar Jeopardy!’ Places Well-known Figures’ Data Below the Highlight

Jeopardy! is greater than only a glorified IQ check measuring one’s mental capability regarding questions on historical past, science, geography, literature, movie, and many others. To succeed on Jeopardy!, contestants should be outfitted with fast reflexes on the buzzer, poise, and strategic wagering. CNN reporter and anchor Wolf Blitzer has loads of expertise on digital camera broadcasting to tens of millions of viewers about urgent subjects and points like nationwide emergencies and Presidential elections, however Jeopardy! is a distinct animal. With out the innate expertise required to excel on the rostrum, Blitzer’s information of the media and politics would exit the window. Primarily based on his Superstar Jeopardy! efficiency in 2009, you may suspect that his mind had an premature malfunction, as he completed his match with an abysmal -$4,600.

Wolf Blitzer’s Disastrous Efficiency on ‘Superstar Jeopardy’ Earned Him -$4,600

In September 2009, Blitzer confronted off in opposition to Dana Delany of China Seaside fame and comic and Conan O’Brien‘s favourite sidekick, Andy Richter, who placed on a clinic in the course of the Superstar Jeopardy! quarterfinal, as Alex Trebek may solely watch Blitzer with pity. On the finish of the Jeopardy! Spherical, Blitzer was within the inexperienced at $1,400, however throughout Double Jeopardy!, the whole lot got here crashing down. Of the 11 clues he buzzed in for, Blitzer solely answered 5 accurately, and so as to add insult to harm, he struggled in his namesake class “Wolf it Down.” For the “‘E’ Occasions 3” class, every right response contained the letter “E” 3 times, however Blitzer will need to have dozed off whereas Alex Trebek outlined the class’s guidelines, as his responses of “Jerusalem,” “defendant,” and “annodated,” (a nonexistent phrase that he did not pair along with his phrasing) had been all brief on “E”s.

Most of Blitzer’s incorrect responses had been inexplicable gaffes, reminiscent of when he responded, “What’s a Crash?” to a solution with the phrase “crash,” already within the clue. Even when he was so near an accurate response, he would stumble on the final syllable, like when he added an “S” to Julia Little one‘s title. You do not should be an professional in Italian delicacies to know that mostaccioli, a variation of penne, is nothing like fettuccine, however Blitzer proved to be pasta blind at that second. “Wolf, issues haven’t labored out in addition to you had hoped for,” a consoling Trebek stated to the CNN anchor upon conclusion of Double Jeopardy! In equity to Blitzer, anybody would have been outmatched by the buzzsaw in Andy Richter, who completed at $68,000 after Ultimate Jeopardy! Within the final gesture of pity, Blitzer’s rating was wiped away and loaned $1,000, as it’s customary for all contestants on Superstar Jeopardy!, who’re competing for a charitable trigger, to have a shot on the last spherical.

Wolf Blitzer, who confirmed he might be a flexible on-screen presence along with his intelligent cameo in Mission: Unattainable – Fallout, could not maintain his personal on the Jeopardy! stage. Blitzer’s inept efficiency was not a matter of inexperience, as his look in September 2009 was not his first rodeo. In 1997, he competed in a particular event, “Energy Gamers Week,” in opposition to writer and Huffington Submit founder Arianna Huffington and Platoon and JFK director Oliver Stone. Blitzer’s Jeopardy! debut was a significantly better outing, ending in second place behind Stone. This goes to indicate that even somebody able to answering trivia questions and mastering the buzzer will look silly when handed a batch of classes ill-suited to their strengths. When a star fails, notably one on the earth of politics and world affairs like Wolf Blitzer, the general public ridicule solely turns into extra pronounced.

Jeopardy! is offered to look at on YouTube TV within the U.S.

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