April 24, 2007
Another search query
...but I was actually kind of interested in this one. Someone asked Google, "Has Jeopardy! ever had a one dollar champion?" The answer is "yes", according to the Database of Champions: Col. Darryl Scott won the game with $1 on January 19, 1993. The record for the lowest total winnings is $100 (Jimmie Bucci, "1988-ish").
Posted by Francis at 11:02 AMAnd the next lowest winnings total is $101, to my grad school friend Steve Rapkin.
Posted by: saphir at April 24, 2007 02:13 PMI assume that was a one-day total? Now I'm wondering what the record is for the lowest multi-day winnings total.
Posted by: Francis at April 24, 2007 04:16 PMYou do realize that's Brian's website, right?
Posted by: Trip at April 24, 2007 06:25 PMSo, runners-up each get $1000, right? Since if you win, you get to come back, you're guaranteed to do better by winning then losing. But in the 5-and-you're-out days, it would have been possible to win 5 times and walk away with practically nothing. That would be cool.
Or do they always give you the minimum $1000?
Posted by: Rubrick at April 24, 2007 07:25 PMTrip: I thought I recognized the URL! But no, I didn't realize it was Brian's website. *slaps forehead* Hi, Brian!
Rubrick: Good question. It would be interesting if, in the short run, it were possible for the runner-up to earn more money than the winner. Any Jeopardy!-knowledgeable people want to field that one?
Posted by: Francis at April 24, 2007 08:11 PMPresent!
Actually, third place gets $1000, but second place gets $2000. So, yes, any champion who wins $999 or less and then finishes in third place on their next show will do worse than anyone who finishes second on their first show.
(I do not believe this has actually happened yet. The changeover to cash consolation prizes happened about five years ago, for the record.)
Posted by: Robert Hutchinson at April 25, 2007 12:34 AMI am THE Jimmie Bucci - yes, I was on 2 days and I only got the $100. plus the consolation prizes worth about $2500 - this was before the cash consolation prizes. It was a great experience and I did realize my dream to be a "Jeopardy Champ" - it's only too bad that I bet all except $100 or I would have had a good sum. I did much better when I was on "Scrabble" and I'm still waiting to be on my 3rd game Show
Posted by: Jimmie Bucci at September 6, 2007 06:54 AM