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two day champion
Jun. 8th, 2006 08:55 pmOne of the things they ask of Jeopardy! contestants is to provide a bunch of little stories about themselves. On the second episode Alex Trebek asked a question about the unusual place where Athena had accepted a proposal of marriage. I was dismayed as the response delved toward subjects which might prove very distracting. I should have known better, for Athena and I had long shared an ability to dissociate and refocus on the matter immediately before us. Athena forged ahead seemingly undistracted.
As the Final Jeopardy! category was announced Athena was ahead, but not doubly so. That left us unsure whether she would be able to win. The longer-than-broadcast break before Final Jeopardy! seemed even longer than usual. Alex was cutting up the audience by being out of character when the director started the countdown. By the time the count terminated Alex was on his mark and ready to deliver the clue.
What I saw on the broadcast tonight was a very serene Athena who had written down the response almost immediately and closed her eyes even before the camera panned across her during the Think music. It was a very pleasant surprise, for over two months ago at the taping I had seen none of that.
As soon as Alex read the clue I was distracted by F who was again sitting next to me after the lunch break. For all previous clues we had exchanged nothing more than glances, mild gestures of dismay, and a few quiet words as we saw the contestants miss responses that we knew. This time F was on the verge of frothing. He was saying ``She knows this'' so loudly that I was concerned he could be heard on stage. Only hours before he had said that I might have to restrain him. I thought I might just have to take him at his word, but I considered that any extreme thing I might do would be worse for Athena than doing nothing. I don't know what my facial expression looked like, but I think my gestures probably indicated that I was preparing to take him at his word.
In contrast to the previous episode the clue was truly obscure. The challengers did not have the correct response. As it turned out F was right, and Athena was right. Athena won again.
I surmise that Alex Trebek had seen the quick response and serene expression on Athena's face, for he let her announce the correct response. She explained to the world why she knew it, and to me why F had been so excited. ``It's my boyfriend's alma mater.''
Having seen Athena's face today I'm pretty sure I understand the closed-eyes, too.
That was a prayer of thanks, right sis?
Later that day after all of the taping was done Athena explained what was happening when Alex gathered the three lady contestants for conversation as the credits rolled. Alex had noted the incongruity between Athena's story in the interview and her explanation of the correct Final Jeopardy! response.
That's not my story to tell.
As the Final Jeopardy! category was announced Athena was ahead, but not doubly so. That left us unsure whether she would be able to win. The longer-than-broadcast break before Final Jeopardy! seemed even longer than usual. Alex was cutting up the audience by being out of character when the director started the countdown. By the time the count terminated Alex was on his mark and ready to deliver the clue.
What I saw on the broadcast tonight was a very serene Athena who had written down the response almost immediately and closed her eyes even before the camera panned across her during the Think music. It was a very pleasant surprise, for over two months ago at the taping I had seen none of that.
As soon as Alex read the clue I was distracted by F who was again sitting next to me after the lunch break. For all previous clues we had exchanged nothing more than glances, mild gestures of dismay, and a few quiet words as we saw the contestants miss responses that we knew. This time F was on the verge of frothing. He was saying ``She knows this'' so loudly that I was concerned he could be heard on stage. Only hours before he had said that I might have to restrain him. I thought I might just have to take him at his word, but I considered that any extreme thing I might do would be worse for Athena than doing nothing. I don't know what my facial expression looked like, but I think my gestures probably indicated that I was preparing to take him at his word.
In contrast to the previous episode the clue was truly obscure. The challengers did not have the correct response. As it turned out F was right, and Athena was right. Athena won again.
I surmise that Alex Trebek had seen the quick response and serene expression on Athena's face, for he let her announce the correct response. She explained to the world why she knew it, and to me why F had been so excited. ``It's my boyfriend's alma mater.''
Having seen Athena's face today I'm pretty sure I understand the closed-eyes, too.
That was a prayer of thanks, right sis?
Later that day after all of the taping was done Athena explained what was happening when Alex gathered the three lady contestants for conversation as the credits rolled. Alex had noted the incongruity between Athena's story in the interview and her explanation of the correct Final Jeopardy! response.
That's not my story to tell.
