WILLisms.com: Ken Jennings, Second Best Jeopardy Player Ever.

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Ken Jennings, Second Best Jeopardy Player Ever.

Ken Jennings, the world famous 30-year-old from Salt Lake City, whose record-shattering 74-win, $2.52 million run on Jeopardy last year set the nerd world ablaze with excitement, has been dethroned as the greatest Jeopardy player ever.

Brad Rutter, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in winning the $2 million Ultimate Tournament of Champions, can now claim the title of highest money earner in Jeopardy history. Rutter had previously won $1.1 million on the show.

Jennings, meanwhile, just plain blew it. He looked terrible out there:

...fans also hoped their hero - who will star in his own game show on Comedy Central later this year - would dazzle once again. But dazzle he did not. Jennings, a Utah software engineer, often looked tentative over the last three nights, while Rutter was aggressive and - frankly - far more impressive.
Wednesday night was more or less representative: Rutter started off strong, zipping through the first round, while Jennings and third-place Jerome Vered, a L.A.-based writer, were forced to play catch-up.

It was a thoroughly disappointing effort from Ken Jennings, but his recent ineptitude should not tarnish his past accomplishments on the show. One possibility was that Jennings was rusty. Earning a bye all the way to the final round, Jennings was not on top of his game, while Brad Rutter was in mid-season form, quick to the buzzer and clear-minded.

If Rutter were really cruel, he would send this along to Ken Jennings' house for Christmas:

Yes. Why, yes, yes I can.

Posted by Will Franklin · 25 May 2005 10:35 PM

Comments

I have a child who should be on Jeopardy! Even when he was very, very small he came up with answers that I couldn't believe anyone would know! When he was moving out of his apartment in college. One of his roommates told me one of the things they would miss about him was his ability to get every answer on Jeopardy...I just can't believe he is mine!

Posted by: Zsa Zsa at May 26, 2005 06:24 AM

My wife met Jennings at Toy Fair in NYC and he was kind of a dick. She was working a booth where you could guess how many lego pieces were in a jar and win a prize. KJ came up and was looking at the jar when my wife recognized him and joked, "hey, you're not allowed to guess!" He didn't laugh, just kind of gave her an annoyed look. Then, she mentioned that her husband had been on Jeopardy (yes, me), and he just mumbled something like "really" and walked away. Needless to say, we were pretty pleased he got his clock cleaned yesterday.

Posted by: paul at May 26, 2005 01:10 PM

Paul, That is sooooo cool that you were on Jeopardy!

Posted by: Cindy T. at May 26, 2005 01:46 PM

Jeopardy is the best show on television today! I would think Will Franklin would be great on jeopardy!

Posted by: Bob at May 28, 2005 08:21 PM

I think the comments are a little hard on Ken! If you watched closely and followed he is a gentlman to all especially his contestants! His sense of humor and knowlege captured many hearts who wished he would have broken the record in the tournament. Brad was great and seemed to be a good guy also. Neither were boastful of their knowlege or winnings! Ken brought happiness and joy into our homes each game. We wish both of these guys the best of happiness and hope to see Kenny return to the Jeporady. Do persons realize how many questions he answered correctly, luck or not? Can't be all that lucky to answer over 2000 questions? You must admit he is no dummy as many call him!! Let them try the game!
As I close on behalf of all of us out here who love and miss Kenny we wish him the best of happiness with his family and future blessings. These winnings were so well-deserved! I would love to meet Ken just to say thanks. Thanks for his great performance, knowlege, witty ways to bring fun to the game, and again his so well displayed kindenss to all. Thanks for the reality show, not a show to bring sex, violence, crime, nudity, etc. into our homes for our children and grandchildren to view. This seems to be the trend of 2005 plus even on the commercials. Is this what people would say is great?

Hope to see you Kenny on Jeopardy again and other shows. We pray you continue to be the great man and father you are and keep your winning smile! You wil make out well in life due to your personality and great gifts God has given to you. Brad we did not see too much of you but you seem to be a great man also. Congratulations on beating out the champ! You are both champions and always will be!
God bless all of you,
Thank you,

Gerard & Dorothy Bolduc, Family & Friends

Posted by: Dorothy Bolduc at June 1, 2005 09:57 AM

Wow that guy is a [deleted].

Posted by: Fade The Butcher at July 20, 2005 06:16 PM