Final Jeopardy! question

[MSTieScott]

We know that the light pens are deactivated once the thirty seconds are up. But can the contestants write with them before the thirty seconds begin? In other words, while Alex is finishing reading the clue?

--
Scott Robinson

[clemon79]

Better question: are they in fact still light pens, or have they moderned up and gone to a touch-sensitive stylus yet?

[MarkBarrett]

[quote name=\'MSTieScott\' date=\'Dec 28 2005, 11:51 PM\']We know that the light pens are deactivated once the thirty seconds are up. But can the contestants write with them before the thirty seconds begin? In other words, while Alex is finishing reading the clue?

--
Scott Robinson

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Yes, players are instructed they can begin writing as soon as the clue is revealed.   I was just about done with my first FJ response before Alex finished reading the clue.

[WhammyPower]

It is also clearly seen on the J! DVD (the multi-cam "episode") that players can start writing before the 30 second timer starts.

[Jay Temple]

Interesting.  I would have assumed that once they were activated for recording the FJ wager, it wasn't really worth the trouble to deactivate them and reactivate them.

[clemon79]

[quote name=\'Jay Temple\' date=\'Dec 29 2005, 07:24 AM\']Interesting.  I would have assumed that once they were activated for recording the FJ wager, it wasn't really worth the trouble to deactivate them and reactivate them.

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Are we really at the point where flipping one switch (or clicking one mouse button, or whatever) is REALLY classified as "not worth the trouble?" I sure hope not.