I appeared on Jeopardy! on October 31, 1995. Not being Ken Jennings, I came in third on my first (and only) appearance on the show. But I did OK, despite the obtuse categories like “Texas Airports” (HUH?) The only question I got wrong was Final Jeopardy (who cares about the U.N. anyway?) and I even beat 2 guys to the punch on a few sports questions.  To the eternal surprise of everyone who knows me, I answered a question about football coach Mike Ditka that, to this day, I cannot explain why I knew. They know that my sports knowledge is basically limited to what time the Notre Dame football game will be televised on a given fall weekend. 

Even though, as a contestant, I had to pay my own way across the country to play the game and win Valuable Prizes (a “$600-value” set of videotapes that I mostly gave away–what? no refrigerator?  No stereo?  No lifetime supply of Rice-a-Roni, the San Francisco treat?),  I did get the cool “Jeopardy Challenge” scorekeeper gadget, which was fun, but is now obsolete since they’ve doubled the dollar amounts given for each question.

I don’t like the new rule that allows amazing people like Ken Jennings to play forever. When I was on the show, we were told that only about 400 contestants per year have the chance to be on. That was with the 5-day-win limit. With no win limit, that makes the annual contestant pool that much smaller, so people like me might not ever have the chance to play the game. But I still listen to the show on my kitchen radio while I do dishes. Maybe someday one of my kids will be a contestant!

COUPON TIME

I didn’t get any fabulous electronics as my game-show consolation prize, so I’ll have to console myself with electronics deals like these:

15% off your online order at Sirius
Use coupon code SIRIUS15.
Valid through: Unknown

Free Emergency Radio when you buy a Grundig GS350DL Portable AM/FM/Shortwave Radio at Crutchfield.com
Receive free compact Eton Microlink Emergency Radio with hand crank, solar panel, and built-in flashlight and cell phone charger. Receives AM, FM, and all NOAA weather bands.
Valid through: January 24, 2009
We retain the right to cancel and/or modify this offer at any time without prior notice. Return of the qualifying purchase will void the offer and will require the return credit being adjusted to reflect the unit’s value.

10% off Bose Quiet Comfort Headphones Plus Free Shipping!
Use this link to activate coupon.
Valid through: January 17, 2009

Save up to 30% on Digital Cameras at Circuit City
Valid through: January 10, 2009

10% off all Toshiba Accessories at Toshiba Direct
Use this link to get the coupon code or input DYNAMITE10 at checkout.
Valid through: January 19, 2008