(06-05-2019 10:28 AM)David Lockmiller Wrote: (06-05-2019 07:01 AM)RJNorton Wrote: What I disagree with is the TV and Internet "chat" that James did not try as hard as usual. IMO, he had two tough opponents and simply lost fair and square. (My wife does not agree with me.)
I also disagree with the TV and Internet "chat" that James did not try as hard as usual. However, Roger, I believe that I have made a good argument that James may not have simply lost "fair and square." There is, in my opinion, some distinct possibility that the producers of Jeopardy may have "rigged" the last match with the purpose that he lose.
I believe it is true that a week of episodes are filmed in one day and thus eight contestants would have been available from which to choose for the first show of the week. And, I believe that there is the possibility that the producers selected the strongest two of the eight opponents that could have been pitted against James in the first show of the week, which James narrowly lost because of the daily doubles going to Emma.
Believe it or not, Roger and all others, I hope that I am wrong and that the contest was "fair and square" (to use Roger's words). And, I freely admit that all of my "evidence" is circumstantial and that my theory is only possibly correct. But in support of my argument, for example, Gail King in the YouTube video commented that when Emma heard the Final Jeopardy question category, the English major from Princeton must have said to herself "I got this." Emma was obviously the stronger of the two opponents against James and no doubt the Final Jeopardy category favored her the most of all three contestants because of her college education (which the producers of the show must have been well aware).
The other opponent did pretty well in the second round (Alex commented on this) which in and of itself was an additional detriment to James being able to catch up to Emma before the Final Jeopardy question. Thus, Emma had more chips on the table at the end and that precluded James from being able to win if both James and Emma answered the Final Jeopardy question correctly.
With my statements made herein, I intend no disrespect to anyone with a different view of the matter.
Upon further consideration, I withdraw this claim I made against the producers of Jeopardy. I am in possession of too little information in support of my claim.