Jeopardy! Question

[kurtinrod62]

In the more than 40 years since "Jeopardy!" first hit the airwaves, how many "source authorities" has the show used?

[Matt Ottinger]

I believe (though people with better memories than I do may step in) that the original series was the only version that used that particular phrase, and that Grolier's Encyclopedia was the only reference work referred to as the source.

The modern version of the show has occasionally listed in the credits one reference book or another, saying that some material was "authenticated" by using the work.  Usually, that simply meant that the reference source was provided free to the show in exchange for the promotional spot.

[tvrandywest]

As each writer works individually in creating questions, there are unlimited sources. Gary Johnson supervises the subsequent steps of choosing from among the submissions, re-writing where necessary, grouping the questions, determining point values based on difficulty, and the all important work of the researchers who must back up each answer with at least two confirming authorities, and determining what other potential answers will be considered as acceptable.

Ex:
It is the female reproductive part of a flower
Pistil (also: pistilline, pistillate, pistilloid)

Married to Anastasia, this Russian ruler was the first to assume the title of Czar
Ivan the Terrible (also: Ivan Grozny, Ivan IV, Ivan Vasilyevich)


Now for the oldtimers, read along:
"The new major Enyclopedia International from Grollier Incorporated is the source authority for the preparation of questions and answers used on Jeopardy"  ;-)

Randy
tvrandywest.com

[Don Howard]

[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Sep 16 2004, 10:01 PM\'] Gary Johnson supervises the subsequent steps [/quote]
 Wasn't Gary Johnson turned into a temporary celebrity as The Judge on The Challengers?

[tvrandywest]

[quote name=\'Don Howard\' date=\'Sep 16 2004, 07:43 PM\'] Wasn't Gary Johnson turned into a temporary celebrity as The Judge on The Challengers? [/quote]
 <ding> Correct!

The accumulated knowledge of our members is truly amazing.
Perhaps we can get a group-rate for some OCD medication?

;-)

Randy
tvrandywest.com

Bonus: Gary's wife also writes for game shows, most recently HSquares.

[mystery7]

And Gary also wrote for Scrabble.

[zachhoran]

[quote name=\'mystery7\' date=\'Sep 17 2004, 06:08 PM\'] And Gary also wrote for Scrabble. [/quote]
 And Gary and Harry Friedman both cut their game show teeth working as writers on Marshall HS, no?

[mystery7]

For true, for true.