Jeopardy! Battle of the Decades
The Jeopardy! Battle of the Decades was a special 5-week tournament airing throughout the 30th season of the television game show Jeopardy! to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the daily syndicated version of the show, hosted by Alex Trebek. The tournament involved 45 previously successful Jeopardy! contestants split into three groups based on the time period of their initial appearance on the program.[1] Though the groups roughly represented 1984-1993, 1994–2003, and 2004–2013, they were referred to as the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, respectively. The tournament's 1980s round began airing on February 3, 2014 with the tournament's final episode airing that year on May 16, covering 25 shows in total.[2] The tournament's grand prize was US$1,000,000.[1] Brad Rutter won the $1,000,000 cash prize, once again giving Rutter the highest game-show winnings in history.
Background[edit]
The Battle of the Decades was conceived by Jeopardy! executive producer Harry Friedman. Knowing that the Trebek version was nearing its 30th anniversary, he and other producers of the program contacted every still-living Jeopardy! contestant who had ever participated in a Tournament of Champions to see if they would be interested in making another appearance on the program. The many people who expressed interest were asked to submit a video and an essay of several paragraphs, discussing why they should reappear.[3] In the end, the list was narrowed down to 45 contestants, with 15 players from each "decade" the Trebek version had been airing.[1]
For each "decade," one participant was selected by the viewers in an online poll on the show's Twitter account and official website, with the choices coming from a producer-created shortlist.[4]
The tournament was played in four separate rounds. Three preliminary rounds were played, one per "decade"; in each round, the 15 participants from that "decade" competed against each other in a series of five games. Only the winner of each game advanced, while the other players received $5,000 each. The fourth and final round was played according to the show's traditional two-week tournament format, with a week of quarterfinal games between the 15 winners from the preliminary rounds. Each of these five games included one player from every "decade." The winners advanced, as did the four non-winners with the highest scores (the "wild card" positions). The nine remaining players competed in three semifinal games (though the decades were now ignored for the seeding), and only the winners advanced to the two-game final match. The finalists' scores over both games were added to determine the overall standings, with $1 million awarded for first place, $100,000 for second, and $50,000 for third. Players eliminated in the semifinals and quarterfinals received $25,000 and $10,000, respectively.
Contestants[edit]
1980s bracket[edit]
Contestants in the 1980s bracket of the tournament initially appeared on Jeopardy! from 1985 to 1993.[5]
| Name | Season(s) | Original J! Winnings | BotD Finish & Winnings |
J! Career Winnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India Cooper | 8 (May 1, December 16-20, 1991) | $68,400 | Invitee ($5,0001) | $129,400 |
| Richard Cordray | 3 (April 21-27, 1987) | $40,303 | Invitee ($02) | $45,3032 |
| Tom Cubbage | 5 (May 8, 18, 19, 1989) | $26,600 | Semi-Finalist ($25,000) | $161,600 |
| Chuck Forrest | 2 (September 30-October 4, 1985) | $72,800 | Semi-Finalist ($25,000) | $252,800 |
| Leslie Frates | 7 (February 1-7, 1991) | $56,099 | Invitee ($5,000) | $103,599 |
| Phoebe Juel | 9 (May 13, 14, 1993) | $28,000 | Invitee ($5,000) | $43,000 |
| Mark Lowenthal | 4 (May 4-24, 1988) | $49,901 | Quarter-Finalist ($10,000) | $169,901 |
| Tom Nosek | 9 (November 3-23, 1992) | $65,640 | Quarter-Finalist ($10,000) | $194,240 |
| Leszek Pawlowicz | 8 (October 10-16, 1991) | $75,400 | Semi-Finalist ($25,000) | $205,400 |
| Jim Scott | 7 (September 25-October 1, 1990) | $49,300 | Invitee ($5,000) | $159,300 |
| Leslie Shannon (Miller) | 9 (October 8-14, 1992) | $64,300 | Invitee ($5,000) | $99,300 |
| Frank Spangenberg | 6 (January 9-15, 1990) | $102,597 | Invitee ($5,000) | $274,596 |
| Jerome Vered | 8 (May 18-22, 1992) | $96,801 | Invitee ($5,000) | $499,102 |
| Bob Verini | 3 (June 18-24, 1987) | $46,802 | Invitee ($5,000) | $276,802 |
| Andrew Westney | 7 (February 13, 20, 21, 22, 1991) | $25,000 | Invitee ($5,000) | $36,000 |
1990s bracket[edit]
Contestants in the 1990s bracket of the tournament initially appeared on Jeopardy! from 1993 to 2002.[5]
| Name | Season(s) | Original J! Winnings | BotD Finish & Winnings |
J! Career Winnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dave Abbott | 14 (June 16-22, 1998) | $68,599 | Invitee ($5,000) | $178,599 |
| Robin Carroll | 16 (March 13-17, 2000) | $64,100 | Quarter-Finalist ($10,000) | $299,100 |
| Jill Bunzendahl Chimka | 18 (May 28-June 3, 2002) | $85,099 | Invitee ($5,000) | $101,099 |
| Mark Dawson | 18 (September 14-20, 2001) | $52,599 | Quarter-Finalist ($10,000) | $385,849 |
| Mike Dupée | 12 (April 9-15, 1996) | $66,401 | Invitee ($5,000) | $203,901 |
| Bob Harris | 14 (October 31-November 27, 1997) | $58,000 | Invitee ($5,000) | $174,400 |
| Fritz (Ryan) Holznagel | 11 (November 3-December 1, 1994) | $49,413 | Invitee ($5,000) | $184,413 |
| Dan Melia | 13/14 (July 18-September 4, 1997) | $75,600 | Invitee ($5,000) | $252,801 |
| Pam Mueller | 17 (November 10, 16, 20, 21, 2000) | $50,000 | Semi-Finalist ($25,000) | $182,201 |
| Claudia Perry | 13 (September 11, 1996, January 1-7, 1997) | $45,303 | Invitee ($5,000) | $80,303 |
| Brad Rutter | 17 (October 30-November 3, 2000) | $55,102 | Winner ($1,000,000) | $4,470,102 |
| Rachael Schwartz | 10 (October 22-28, 1993) | $37,499 | Quarter-Finalist ($10,000) | $162,499 |
| Babu Srinivisan | 17 (May 16-22, 2001) | $75,100 | Invitee ($5,000) | $100,100 |
| Eddie Timanus | 16 (October 20-26, 1999) | $69,700 | Invitee ($5,000) | $94,700 |
| Shane Whitlock | 12 (February 14, 19, 22, 23, 1996) | $32,800 | Invitee ($5,0001) | $98,200 |
2000s bracket[edit]
Contestants in the 2000s bracket of the tournament initially appeared on Jeopardy! from 2003 to 2012.[5]
| Name | Season(s) | Original J! Winnings | BotD Finish & Winnings |
J! Career Winnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vijay Balse | 26 (March 4-10, 2010) | $82,400 | Invitee ($5,000) | $339,400 |
| Colby Burnett | 29 (November 7, 16, 19, 20, 2012) | $100,000 | Semi-Finalist ($25,000) | $375,000 |
| Roger Craig | 27 (September 13-21, 2010) | $230,200 | 3rd Place ($50,000) | $531,200 |
| Celeste DiNucci | 22 (July 20-27, 2006) | $83,601 | Invitee ($5,000) | $339,601 |
| Michael Falk | 22 (April 4-7, 2006) | $59,403 | Invitee ($5,000) | $315,403 |
| Stephanie Jass | 29 (October 8-17, 2012) | $147,570 | Invitee ($5,000) | $164,570 |
| Ken Jennings | 20/21 (June 2-November 30, 2004) | $2,520,700 | 2nd Place ($100,000) | $3,422,700 |
| Vinita Kailasanth | 18 (November 7, 14, 19, 20, 2001)5 | $50,000 | Invitee ($5,000) | $90,000 |
| Tom Kavanaugh | 22 (December 29, 2005-January 10, 2006) | $142,602 | Invitee ($5,000) | $154,602 |
| Larissa Kelly | 24 (May 20-28, 2008) | $222,597 | Invitee ($5,000) | $328,597 |
| Tom Nissley | 27 (December 14-24, 2010) | $235,405 | Invitee ($5,000) | $341,405 |
| Dan Pawson | 24 (December 27, 2007-January 9, 2008) | $170,902 | Quarter-Finalist ($10,000) | $431,902 |
| Russ Schumacher | 20 (October 17-23, 2003) | $64,800 | Semi-Finalist ($25,000) | $345,800 |
| Maria Wenglinsky | 22 (October 31-November 21, 2005) | $122,300 | Invitee ($5,0001) | $139,300 |
| Keith Whitener | 29 (October 24-November 2, 2012) | $147,597 | Invitee ($5,000) | $253,597 |
Tournament and game results[edit]
1980s week results[edit]
| Game | Air Date | Quarter-finalist | 2nd Place ($5,000) | 3rd Place ($5,000) | Clues and Summary (from the J! Archive) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Score | Name | Score | Name | Score | |||
| 6766 | February 3, 2014 | Chuck Forrest | $33,400 | Jim Scott | $6,200 | India Cooper | $2,000 | Game Summary |
| 6767 | February 4, 2014 | Leszek Pawlowicz | $28,000 | Andrew Westney | $27,200 | Leslie Frates | $3,999 | Game Summary |
| 6768 | February 5, 2014 | Tom Nosek | $7,201 | Richard Cordray | $5,200 | Leslie Shannon (Miller) | $0 | Game Summary |
| 6769 | February 6, 2014 | Mark Lowenthal | $9,000 | Frank Spangenberg | $7,199 | Phoebe Juel | $2,100 | Game Summary |
| 6770 | February 7, 2014 | Tom Cubbage | $16,801 | Jerome Vered | $10,000 | Bob Verini | $1,999 | Game Summary |
1990s week results[edit]
| Game | Airdate | Quarter-finalist | 2nd Place ($5,000) | 3rd Place ($5,000) | Clues and Summary (from the J! Archive) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Score | Name | Score | Name | Score | |||
| 6786 | March 3, 2014 | Rachael Schwartz | $7,900 | Eddie Timanus | $7,700 | Babu Srinivasan | $0 | Game Summary |
| 6787 | March 4, 2014 | Pam Mueller | $17,000 | Fritz (Ryan) Holznagel | $11,603 | Dan Melia | $9,700 | Game Summary |
| 6788 | March 5, 2014 | Robin Carroll | $11,200 | Shane Whitlock | $7,999 | Bob Harris | $0 | Game Summary |
| 6789 | March 6, 2014 | Mark Dawson | $15,599 | Claudia Perry | $11,600 | Dave Abbott | $5,199 | Game Summary |
| 6790 | March 7, 2014 | Brad Rutter | $30,600 | Mike Dupée | $28,300 | Jill Bunzendahl Chimka | $03 | Game Summary |
2000s week results[edit]
| Game | Air Date | Quarter-finalist | 2nd Place ($5,000) | 3rd Place ($5,000) | Clues and Summary (from the J! Archive) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Score | Name | Score | Name | Score | |||
| 6806 | March 31, 2014 | Colby Burnett | $16,201 | Celeste DiNucci | $14,801 | Tom Nissley | $13,400 | Game Summary |
| 6807 | April 1, 2014 | Roger Craig | $17,601 | Vijay Balse | $17,600 | Stephanie Jass | $15,600 | Game Summary |
| 6808 | April 2, 2014 | Russ Schumacher | $15,400 | Larissa Kelly | $14,799 | Tom Kavanaugh | $0 | Game Summary |
| 6809 | April 3, 2014 | Ken Jennings | $23,600 | Michael Falk | $2,400 | Vinita Kailasanath | $1,600 | Game Summary |
| 6810 | April 4, 2014 | Dan Pawson | $12,700 | Maria Wenglinsky | $3,100 | Keith Whitener | $1 | Game Summary |
Quarterfinal results[edit]
| Game | Air Date | Semi-finalist | 2nd place ($10,000) | 3rd place ($10,000) | Clues and Summary (from the J! Archive) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Score | Name | Score | Name | Score | |||
| 6831 | May 5, 2014 | Roger Craig | $22,078 | Leszek Pawlowicz | $15,000 | Robin Carroll | $0 | Game Summary |
| 6832 | May 6, 2014 | Russ Schumacher | $16,700 | Pam Mueller | $14,798 | Tom Nosek | $2,400 | Game Summary |
| 6833 | May 7, 2014 | Brad Rutter | $32,400 | Dan Pawson | $399 | Mark Lowenthal | $300 | Game Summary |
| 6834 | May 8, 2014 | Ken Jennings | $40,000 | Tom Cubbage | $19,500 | Rachael Schwartz | $7,600 | Game Summary |
| 6835 | May 9, 2014 | Chuck Forrest | $11,900 | Colby Burnett | $11,000 | Mark Dawson | $8,600 | Game Summary |
Semifinal results[edit]
| Game | Air Date | Finalist | 2nd Place ($25,000) | 3rd Place ($25,000) | Clues and Summary (from the J! Archive) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Score | Name | Score | Name | Score | |||
| 6836 | May 12, 2014 | Ken Jennings | $30,401 | Chuck Forrest | $26,200 | Russ Schumacher | $0 | Game Summary |
| 6837 | May 13, 2014 | Brad Rutter | $32,800 | Leszek Pawlowicz | $10,399 | Tom Cubbage | $8,592 | Game Summary |
| 6838 | May 14, 2014 | Roger Craig | $12,799 | Colby Burnett | $4,099 | Pam Mueller | $1,595 | Game Summary |
Final results[edit]
| Game | Air Date | Winner ($1,000,000) | 2nd Place ($100,000) | 3rd Place ($50,000) | Clues and Summary (from the J! Archive) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Score | Name | Score | Name | Score | |||
| 6839 | May 15, 2014 | Brad Rutter | $10,000 | Ken Jennings | $7,000 | Roger Craig | –$8004 | Game Summary |
| 6840 | May 16, 2014 | $11,800 | $599 | $4,000 | Game Summary | |||
| Total | $21,800 | $7,599 | $4,000 | |||||
Notes[edit]
^1 Cooper, Whitlock, and Wenglinsky were selected as the standby players for the quarter-finals and were part of the traveling contingent for the quarter-finals taping. In Jeopardy! tournaments, standby players usually are the next highest scoring player on eligibility lists. For this tournament, one eliminated player from each of the 3 preliminary weeks was chosen by producers as the standby player.
^2 Politicians and political appointees are ineligible to participate on Jeopardy! Since Richard Cordray was director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at the time of taping and broadcast of the show, he was ineligible to receive the $5,000 consolation prize all invitees who lost their preliminary game received. His winnings were not distributed to anyone. Unlike other contestants, Cordray paid his own way to participate in the Tournament.
^3 This contestant did not qualify to play Final Jeopardy! because he or she had a zero score at the end of Double Jeopardy!.
^4 This contestant did not qualify to play Final Jeopardy! because he or she finished Double Jeopardy! with a negative score.
^5 Vinita Kailasanth originally competed on Jeopardy! in 2001, which was part of the "1990s decade" for the first round groupings, but as her Tournament of Champions appearances weren't until 2004, she was included in the 2000s decade games.
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Bowe, Jillian (September 16, 2013). "Jeopardy! Stages Battle of the Decades Tourney for 30th Anniversary". Zap2it. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
- ↑ "80's Week kicks off Jeopardy! Battle of the Decades Tournament". WDBJ. February 3, 2014. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
- ↑ "Here's How We Created the Most Exciting Jeopardy! Tournament in 30 Seasons!". Jeopardy! News on Tumblr. Sony Pictures Digital/Jeopardy Productions. August 10, 2014.
- ↑ Sharp, Darinda (September 16, 2013). "Arkansas 'Jeopardy!' Champion One of Five Fan Favorite Candidates for Decades Tournament". University of Arkansas Newswire. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Darinda. "Jeopardy! Battle of the Decades: About the Tournament". Sony Pictures Digital/Jeopardy Productions. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
External links[edit]
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