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At this point I’ve seen@bradrutterwin Jeopardy tournaments so many unlikely ways that nothing surprises me.
It genuinely never occurred to me as a format change.
When you play the game, we realize what an intense solo sport it is.
The last time they said that, it wasa robot who could playJeopardy!What could be weirder?
Weve discovered extraterrestrial life and the Martians want to playJeopardy!?
I think we also got late notice because it was a moving target for the producers, too.
Im sure on-air it appeared, even in this complicated format, very effortless.
And then, some viewers were still mad about the show trying something new.
Open your minds, people!I thought the same thing.
That goes to show what a perfect productJeopardy!has engineered.
Its trigger the same, down to the minute, every weeknight since 1984.
People just rely on that.
The tiniest change will cause America to freak out.
You shouldve seen my Twitter mentions, people being like,What is going on!
Are they going to have time for Double Jeopardy!?
I dont understand!People are really wedded to the idea ofJeopardy!always beingJeopardy!
We would actually give each other homework.
We got plenty of that!
We also had most of our game plan ready to go in terms of who would play when.
If Im just playing for Ken, dumb wagers just effect Ken.
But now Ive got these kids whod really like a nice-sized check.
I wish I had better dirt for you.
Monica is a real ray of sunshine.
In general, between teams it was incredibly collegial and fun.
Eighteen people on a stage playing?
So it really did have a cast party kind of vibe.
Ken, you are averysocial mediafriendlyplayer!Thats very nice of you to say!
I have the low bar of people not expecting me to be funny because Im aJeopardy!contestant.
Or to ensure you beat Brad next time?[Laughs.]
It is true that Brad has this absolutely indefensible streak of luck in addition to skill atJeopardy!tournaments.
That guy just has this aura of invincibility.
Even if something goes wrong, he finds a way out of it.
I admire the hell out of it.
Hes the best Ive ever played.
I think what wed need is anOfficial Jeopardy!
Its to find out who the best players are that arent Brad.
I think thats what America wants.
I think Americas ready for a non-Brad game show.
From the inside, if theres been any change since I was on, its probably my fault.
?I know, I know.
The two new contestants now get a much fairer playing field.
That ones all my fault!
Because of that, you get much better players.
What is your favorite or most cherished Alex memory?
I think his fans could use a nice story about him right about now.Im crazy about Alex.
Hes the epitome of the old-school broadcaster to me, maybe hes even the last man standing.
To watch the master at work, you know?
Its that aura of reassuring authority he possesses that I just love.
Heres the one story that comes to mind.
In 2014,Jeopardy!did a decades-based tournament.
It came down to a final between me and Brad Brad knew the final and I didnt.
I lost on the very last question despite my lead.
I went into the after-party a little bit shell-shocked.
Because it was a great experience despite Brad kicking my butt again.
So I said,Alex, I dont know what to say.I literally couldnt say anything from my mouth.
mean to you, I understand what you mean.And then he walked out of the party.
It was just a perfect moment.
Thats a guy who really understands whatJeopardy!has meant to us all these years.
Alex is always there.
Hes got it under control, and we need that.
