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(It starts tonight.)
Well take Our Excitement Is Palpable for $800, Alex!
Unleash the truth.AR:We were really surprised.No we werent!We knew we were getting called back.
Yeah, were going to do this again.
AR:We didnt know it would bethissoon, though.
That was a surprise.
We struck lightning in a bottle.
Everyone during that tournament got along so well.
Not being cynical, but self-analytical, we were pretty damn sure we were coming back.
BC:I would like it noted that for the time that counted, I won and beat Austin.
AR:I would like itnotnoted that I came in third.
As it came closer to the date, the format came out.
Im looking forward to seeing what its going to look like onscreen after the experience of filming it.
It was not like your typicalJeopardy!day.
This wasnt like that at all.
And that goes with the way it was filmed, too.
It was almost like a sporting event.
How so?BC:A general show taping is a lot like the TV experience.
But with this tournament, there are additional elements at play that were shot separately.
So none of us have seen what other teams said about each other.
You normally get into a rhythm with the game since youre only playing with yourself.
AR:Buzzy is totally right.
TheJeopardy!experience onstage is theJeopardy!experience transmitted to the audience.
What people are thinking between rounds and stuff like that, which is always internalized.
This time, you hear us and other champions sitting down and talking about our strategies.
I think its going to be a really informative primer for hard-coreJeopardy!Fans.
BC:But back to the team element it was definitely a surprise for me.
When I heard team, I assumed they would make me, Austin, and Alan a team.
They didnt want to.
BC:It wouldve been really fun if the three of us got to play together.
Its like when opponents join forces and become even more powerful.
AR:Like the Rock and Jason Statham inHobbs & Shaw!
AR:Its always back toRockywith this guy.
So you had to get to know your fellow champions.
We had a contingency plan where I had a sealed envelope with my auto-draft.
When it came time to meet your teams and talk strategy, what were your respective leadership styles like?
And it turned out it was him!
I was less of a leader and more of a cheerleader at that point.
Thats why I picked you!
I dont know what Im talking about and you literally wrote the book on how to analyzeJeopardy!strategy!
Rogers strength is meticulously planning in-game strategy.
I wasnt really a leader.
I was more of a good manager who hired well.
Thats the hallmark of good management hiring people who are better than you.
BC:Alex Jacob quit his job to study and prepare for his Tournament of Champions.
He had the most dominant tournament of all time.
So he inspired me to take the preparation more seriously.
I couldnt quit my job, but I dedicated myself to methodical preparation.
Similar to Austin, I was just like, Teach me!He was generous with his notes.
We had a private Facebook group where we were constantly sharing stuff.
We played 51 games that weekend.
We crunched the data and realized some lineups performed better than others.
My wife was like, Ive never seen you prepare this hard for anything.We were very serious about it.
No one in that roster has anything to prove ego-wise.
Bragging-wise and accolade-wise, sure.
Everyone in that champions crowd has already proved themselves.
It definitely felt like Im playing with buddies Ive gotten to know over the past few days.
AR:I definitely felt like I couldnt let someone else down.
I never read them because some people smarter than me formulated them.
In my normal season, for instance, I didnt think of wagering at all.
That sounds okay to me!
That changed dramatically for me, so I didnt let me teammates down.
Our teams time in Denver made everyone feel comfortable to make those moves.
Our team was essentially like, Take the shots, just dont do something stupid.
AR:Making unforced errors are totally worse than swinging for the fences and striking out.
You dont do that, you go to another category to find the next Daily Double.
That would be more of an unforgivable offense to bet it all and get it wrong.
But if you dont move the proper way around the board, your teammates will be pissed.
BC:If youre in Double Jeopardy!
and theres a Literature category, theres a good chance the Daily Double is there.
AR:Its going to be in American History, not Ariana Grande Singles.
Although I wish Daily Doubles were always in Ariana Grande Singles.
Should we expect some pantomiming to return during your teams introductions?
AR:I think we broke the internet with that and we all agreed wed retire it.
Especially after those kids at the Teen Tournamenttried to daband couldnt even do a dab.
Buzzy texted me and was like, I have become death, destroyer of worlds.
BC:He wept because there were no more worlds to conquer.
AR:What have God wrought?
BC:It didnt feel like there would be an opportunity, necessarily, for that in this tournament.
I get that they want recognizable stuff.
But also, I dont want to fall into a schtick.
With the pantomime introductions, we didnt tell anyone we were doing it.
Alex literally saw it on the monitor and decided to join in, too.
Better to stop when youre ahead, you know?
Buzzy, I know youve expressed interest in potentially replacing him when the time comes.
He needs to keep the live audience entertained!
Someone asked him that question.
He said, Now its time for a woman to do this job, because the timing is perfect.
We need to get women into STEM.
Right on, man.
BC:I think there are two general approaches the show can do.
AR:Those are going to be some crazy shoes to fill.
BC:Its unreal how good he is.
People dont realize how hard his job is and how well he does it.
Thats not a big help!
Hes so great in finding interesting and fun ways to connect with people.
Im a huge fan of Ann Curry and would like to see her in the conversation.
AR:I think Ariana Grande should host it.
Thank you, next question.
This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.
