Transcript 02/08/2012 Jeremy Blais

[BBTranscriptTeam]

Jeremy Blais
Matunuck, RI
Pharmacist and lifeguard
Mere mentioned he has saved 50 people over the last few years

Mere said Jeremy used to be a dancer too; Jeremy said he did that in high school at bar mitzvahs and weddings
He promised to "bust a move" for Mere if he reached the Classic level

Jeremy's parents and his sister are in the audience

Topic Tree (pre-randomized):
10 Quick Success
9 Microphone Throne
8 Size Matters
7 Wake Up, America
6 What Am I Thinking?
5 Also Known As
4 Fashionable Years
3 Stop That
2 At the Zoo
1 Healthy Beginnings


Topic Tree: (Randomized)
3 Stop That
4 Fashionable Years
8 Size Matters
2 At the Zoo
9 Microphone Throne
5 Also Known As
10 Quick Success
1 Healthy Beginnings
7 Wake Up, America
6 What Am I Thinking?


Question 1 - Level 6 What Am I Thinking?
You're not a "mind reader" unless you have which of these powers?
A. Channeling B. Telepathy
C. Clairvoyance D. Telekinesis

Spoiler

Jeremy said for some reason I absolutely just cleared up(?) on this
Mere said to take a second and started to repeat the question
Jeremy answered (B)

Answer and value

B. Telepathy
Value: $2K
Bank: $2K

Mere said the first one's always the hardest.

Question 2 - Level 7 Wake Up, America
In U.S. history, a "Great Awakening" refers to a period of time when people had a renewed passion for what?
A. Exercise B. Politics
C. Caffeine D. Religion

Spoiler

Jeremy "I think I remember this"

Answer and value

D. Religion (Mere said the first was 1730s-1770s and the second was early 1800s)
Value: $3K
Bank: $5K

Question 3 - Level 1 Healthy Beginnings
Which of these national health organizations was founded in 1924 by a group of six cardiologists?
A. National Kidney Foundation B. American Heart Association
C. American Lung Association D. American Liver Foundation

Spoiler

"I'm gonna go out on a limb here" (several people in audience laugh)
"I've got a feeling it's B, the American Heart Association, final answer" (applause starts)
Mere said not to applaud until we're sure

Answer and value

B. American Heart Association
Value: $15K
Bank: $20K

"The arms are moving, the legs aren't far behind" Mere referring to Jeremy's promise to dance


Question 4 - Level 10 Quick Success
What wildly successful reality show was created in under five minutes after a husband challenged his wife to come up with a show idea?
A. Survivor B. The Bachelor
C. The Amazing Race D. Big Brother

JTQ 1

After jumping, Jeremy said his hunch was Survivor

Answer and value

C. The Amazing Race
Value: $1K jumped
Bank: $20K

Question 5 - Level 5 Also Known As
What sweet treat is sometimes referred to as a "BFO," standing for "Big Fat Oreo"?
A. Marzipan B. Elephant Ear
C. Snickerdoodle D. Whoopie Pie

Answer and value

D. Whoopie Pie
Value: $100
Bank: $20100

Question 6 - Level 9 Microphone Throne
In 2011, Kanye West teamed up with what rap artist to release the album "Watch the Throne"?
A. Snoop Dogg B. Jay-Z
C. Eminem D. Lil Wayne

Spoiler

Jeremy said Hmmm, (pause), I'm going to go with B, Jay-Z, final answer, and got a little more early applause

Answer and value

B. Jay-Z
Value: $25K!
Bank: $45100

Commercial break

Mere said during the break Jeremy injured her hand (replay shown of a high-five and Mere reacted in pain)
Mere said she hoped Jeremy made a good amount of money because her lawyer is expensive
Mere reminded Jeremy of his promise to "bust a move" and had him repeat it

Question 7 - Level 2 At the Zoo
Which of these animals are on display in the Outback section of the San Diego Zoo?
A. Pandas B. Elephants
C. Koalas D. Polar Bears

(Mere repeats "Outback section")

Spoiler

Jeremy said he would go with C, Koalas since they are from Australia and the Outback

Answer and value

C. Koalas
Value: $10K
Bank: $55100

Question 8 - Level 8 Size Matters
Which of the following U.S. states has a southern border nearly seven times the length of its northern border?
A. Colorado B. North Dakota
C. New Mexico D. Idaho

Spoiler

Jeremy "Colorado and New Mexico are pretty much square"
Jeremy tried to make a shape of Idaho and said Idaho "kind of goes like this"
Jeremy went with Idaho

Answer and value

D. Idaho
Value: $500
Bank: $55600

Question 9- Level 4 Fashionable Years
What has Tim Gunn called his favorite decade of fashion, with its "hippiedom and Carnaby Street and Twiggy and the mini"?
A. 1920s B. 1940s
C. 1960s D. 1980s

Spoiler

Jeremy mentioned "Twiggy, hippiedom" not the 20s or 40s, before answering 60s

Answer and value

C. 1960s
Value: $5K
Bank: $60600

Commercial break

Mere said Jeremy is warming up his dance feet because we are one question away from round 2
Jeremy cautioned "Just because I was a dancer doesn't mean I was a good dancer" ... Just lowering the expectation bar
Mere said that is fine with her.

Question 10 - Level 3 Stop That - known to be worth $7000
A legal order telling someone to immediately discontinue an action is known as a "cease and" what?
A. Insist B. Resist
C. Consist D. Desist

Spoiler

Jeremy: D, Desist, final answer, let's dance!

Answer and value

D. Desist (Jeremy does a dance)
Value: $7000
Bank: $67600

Question 11 - $100K
In his autobiography, what media magnate claims he was the USS Enterprise's radar operator when it tracked John Glenn's space capsule in 1962?
A. Hugh Hefner B. Rupert Murdoch
C. Larry Flynt D. Ted Turner

JTQ 2

Jeremy: "You know what? I want to keep playing. I've no idea about this (and) would just be taking a crap-shoot.
Let's see what $250,000 has, let's jump this. Can we do that?"
Mere says of course we can.

Answer

C. Larry Flynt
I would have been way off, so I'm glad I jumped, I had no idea. Larry Flynt, huh?

Mere asked if Jeremy wants to see the $250K question
Jeremy agreed and said that's what we're here for, right
Mere said we're gonna look at it but not right now, after this...

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Formerly-Club-Millionaire question
What 1971 song was inspired by the tragic plane crash of Richie Valens, Buddy Holly, and "The Big Bopper"?
A. Me and Bobby McGee B. American Pie
C. Have You Ever Seen the Rain D. Wild World

Formerly-Club-Millionare answer

B. American Pie

Mere reminded Jeremy that he still has ATA. Jeremy called the audience "beautiful people" and applauded, getting applause back.
They show his family who give him a thumbs-up

Question 12 - $250K
In October 2008, the Chicago-based Internet company Groupon sold its first discount deal, a two-for-one offer on what?
A. Teeth cleanings B. Pizza
C. Yoga classes D. Movie tickets

Spoiler

"I feel like the fact that it's from Chicago is going to be relevant, this being up here because why else would it be up here?"
(pause)
"Part of me wants to walk"
Mere "Don't forget you do have a lifeline"
Jeremy said "Yeah I know, I just don't know it's necessarily one of those things that's gonna help
Mere: Well it can't hurt
("ohs" and shouts from the audience)
Mere reminded them he is under pressure
Jeremy I just mean it is esoteric ok, ok ... I'm just saying it's kind of an esoteric question, either you happened to read this little tidbit somewhere or work for Groupon which would be awesome, anybody? Or not.
Mere: Never leave a lifeline on the table, that's all I'm saying
(pause)
Jeremy: You know what?
(pause)
Jeremy: Let's go B pizza
Mere: Final?
J: Final.
Mere: Awww, you should have asked the audience. I'm so sorry. No, you didn't need them, it's pizza!

Answer

B. Pizza
Jeremy went back to hug his parents and sister.
Mere asked and Jeremy confirmed that he guessed it was deep-dish pizza and why else would they say Chicago?

Mere asked if everyone is OK, Jeremy said just a series of minor heart attacks, and Mere asked to confirm that we do not need any paramedics. (Transcriber first wrote 'cardiologists' because of the earlier question in this stack)

Mere joked the $250K would cover her lawyer fees.

Question 13 - $500K
In the famous painting "Washington Crossing the Delaware," what future U.S. President is depicted holding the flag?
A. John Quincy Adams B. Thomas Jefferson
C. James Monroe D. James Madison

pre-ATA

"My buddy Dave is a history teacher, and he would never let me (hard to hear) this if I get it wrong"
And I have a guess. Let's ask the audience.

ATA Result

A. John Quincy Adams-28% B. Thomas Jefferson-38%
C. James Monroe-17% D. James Madison-17%

post-ATA

Jeremy "I was thinking Madison, and I don't know why" and goes over that if he gets it wrong he drops to $25K, gets it right $500K, but $250K is a lot to risk on half-a-hunch
Mere asks how Jeremy will feel, obviously happy if he gets it right, but is he OK if he goes down to $25K?
Jeremy "probably not" (some laughs from audience)
Jeremy said it's been great, it's been awesome, you guys (audience) have been awesome. Jeremy decided to walk, Mere confirmed final? and Jeremy did.

Answer

Jeremy asked if he was right. Mere said he was not right.

C. James Monroe

Time's up sounds and they end while Mere complemented the great Job Jeremy did and Jeremy goes back to join his family.

WALK: $250,000

[SportsFan68]

Jeremy was great! Way fun to watch.

[SportsFan68]

Question 4 - Level 10 Quick Success
What wildly successful reality show was created in under five minutes after a husband challenged his wife to come up with a show idea?
A. Survivor B. The Bachelor
C. The Amazing Race D. Big Brother

JTQ 1

After jumping, Jeremy said his hunch was Survivor

Answer and value

C. The Amazing Race
Value: $1K jumped
Bank: $20K

ATA and go with it unless they say Survivor.

Question 6 - Level 9 Microphone Throne
In 2011, Kanye West teamed up with what rap artist to release the album "Watch the Throne"?
A. Snoop Dogg B. Jay-Z
C. Eminem D. Lil Wayne

Spoiler

Jeremy said Hmmm, (pause), I'm going to go with B, Jay-Z, final answer, and got a little more early applause

Answer and value

B. Jay-Z
Value: $25K!
Bank: $45100

JTQ 1

Question 11 - $100K
In his autobiography, what media magnate claims he was the USS Enterprise's radar operator when it tracked John Glenn's space capsule in 1962?
A. Hugh Hefner B. Rupert Murdoch
C. Larry Flynt D. Ted Turner

JTQ 2

Jeremy: "You know what? I want to keep playing. I've no idea about this (and) would just be taking a crap-shoot.
Let's see what $250,000 has, let's jump this. Can we do that?"
Mere says of course we can.

Answer

C. Larry Flynt
I would have been way off, so I'm glad I jumped, I had no idea. Larry Flynt, huh?

JTQ 2

Question 12 - $250K
In October 2008, the Chicago-based Internet company Groupon sold its first discount deal, a two-for-one offer on what?
A. Teeth cleanings B. Pizza
C. Yoga classes D. Movie tickets

Spoiler

"I feel like the fact that it's from Chicago is going to be relevant, this being up here because why else would it be up here?"
(pause)
"Part of me wants to walk"
Mere "Don't forget you do have a lifeline"
Jeremy said "Yeah I know, I just don't know it's necessarily one of those things that's gonna help
Mere: Well it can't hurt
("ohs" and shouts from the audience)
Mere reminded them he is under pressure
Jeremy I just mean it is esoteric ok, ok ... I'm just saying it's kind of an esoteric question, either you happened to read this little tidbit somewhere or work for Groupon which would be awesome, anybody? Or not.
Mere: Never leave a lifeline on the table, that's all I'm saying
(pause)
Jeremy: You know what?
(pause)
Jeremy: Let's go B pizza
Mere: Final?
J: Final.
Mere: Awww, you should have asked the audience. I'm so sorry. No, you didn't need them, it's pizza!

Answer

B. Pizza

Wow! I'm outta there.

Question 13 - $500K
In the famous painting "Washington Crossing the Delaware," what future U.S. President is depicted holding the flag?
A. John Quincy Adams B. Thomas Jefferson
C. James Monroe D. James Madison

pre-ATA

"My buddy Dave is a history teacher, and he would never let me (hard to hear) this if I get it wrong"
And I have a guess. Let's ask the audience.

ATA Result

A. John Quincy Adams-28% B. Thomas Jefferson-38%
C. James Monroe-17% D. James Madison-17%

post-ATA

Jeremy "I was thinking Madison, and I don't know why" and goes over that if he gets it wrong he drops to $25K, gets it right $500K, but $250K is a lot to risk on half-a-hunch
Mere asks how Jeremy will feel, obviously happy if he gets it right, but is he OK if he goes down to $25K?
Jeremy "probably not" (some laughs from audience)
Jeremy said it's been great, it's been awesome, you guys (audience) have been awesome. Jeremy decided to walk, Mere confirmed final? and Jeremy did.

Answer

Jeremy asked if he was right. Mere said he was not right.

C. James Monroe

Time's up sounds and they end while Mere complemented the great Job Jeremy did and Jeremy goes back to join his family.

WALK: $250,000

I googled this while he was debating, and I starting yelling, "Don't say Madison! Don't say Madison!"

Whew!

[chad1m]

Here's the final parts of his march toward a million:

[TheConfessor]

Question 8 - Level 8 Size Matters
Which of the following U.S. states has a southern border nearly seven times the length of its northern border?
A. Colorado B. North Dakota
C. New Mexico D. Idaho

It was pretty easy to see what they wanted in this case, but as a general rule, the terms "northern border" and "southern border" are vague and ambiguous. It seems to me that any place where you could walk due north and cross into a different state or country must be part of the northern border. When viewed that way, Idaho's northern border is actually much longer than its southern border. To most folks around here, the "northern border" of Texas is generally thought of as the Red River between Texas and Oklahoma, even though this is not the northernmost part of the northern border. And the long stretch of West Texas where one can walk due north into New Mexico is also a northern border.

Idaho is kind of like New York State. What is the northern border of New York? Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and the St. Lawrence River? Or just that flat part close to Montreal?

[themanwho]

Thanks to Snaxx for covering and to Chad for the video. This would have been a fun one to follow along with. I hope that KSFY hasn't totally messed up their airdate schedule.

[Snaxx]

Thanks to Snaxx for covering and to Chad for the video. This would have been a fun one to follow along with. I hope that KSFY hasn't totally messed up their airdate schedule.

And I'll add my thanks to Chad for covering Jeremy (with the video)

[Snaxx]

Ballsy move by Jeremy on the 250K and a good payoff ratio even on a 1/4 guess. I immediately thought of the Chicago/deep-dish connection but doubted they would put such a connection at 250K and thought it was more likely a distractor at that level, especially given other questions with logical reasoning (e.g. pamiam's 100K) that did not work out. Once he hinted that connection out loud, any ATA value was gone. It sounded like he ruled out ATA before he spoke up.

[earendel]

Jeremy Blais
Matunuck, RI
Pharmacist and lifeguard
Mere mentioned he has saved 50 people over the last few years

That's impressive.

Mere said Jeremy used to be a dancer too; Jeremy said he did that in high school at bar mitzvahs and weddings. He promised to "bust a move" for Mere if he reached the Classic level.

Enough already! This schtick is overused.

Question 6 - Level 9 Microphone Throne
In 2011, Kanye West teamed up with what rap artist to release the album "Watch the Throne"?
A. Snoop Dogg B. Jay-Z
C. Eminem D. Lil Wayne

Spoiler

Jeremy said Hmmm, (pause), I'm going to go with B, Jay-Z, final answer, and got a little more early applause

Answer and value

B. Jay-Z
Value: $25K!
Bank: $45100

Time to ATA.

Question 9- Level 4 Fashionable Years
What has Tim Gunn called his favorite decade of fashion, with its "hippiedom and Carnaby Street and Twiggy and the mini"?
A. 1920s B. 1940s
C. 1960s D. 1980s

Spoiler

Jeremy mentioned "Twiggy, hippiedom" not the 20s or 40s, before answering 60s

Answer and value

C. 1960s
Value: $5K
Bank: $60600

Coincidentally there was a question on J! for which "Tim Gunn" was the correct response.

Question 11 - $100K
In his autobiography, what media magnate claims he was the USS Enterprise's radar operator when it tracked John Glenn's space capsule in 1962?
A. Hugh Hefner B. Rupert Murdoch
C. Larry Flynt D. Ted Turner

JTQ 2

Jeremy: "You know what? I want to keep playing. I've no idea about this (and) would just be taking a crap-shoot. Let's see what $250,000 has, let's jump this. Can we do that?"
Mere says of course we can.

Answer

C. Larry Flynt
I would have been way off, so I'm glad I jumped, I had no idea. Larry Flynt, huh?

E - George Takei (or maybe Walter Koenig)
I'd JTQ on this one, having no idea.

Question 12 - $250K
In October 2008, the Chicago-based Internet company Groupon sold its first discount deal, a two-for-one offer on what?
A. Teeth cleanings B. Pizza
C. Yoga classes D. Movie tickets

Spoiler

"I feel like the fact that it's from Chicago is going to be relevant, this being up here because why else would it be up here?"
(pause)
"Part of me wants to walk"
Mere "Don't forget you do have a lifeline"
Jeremy said "Yeah I know, I just don't know it's necessarily one of those things that's gonna help
Mere: Well it can't hurt
("ohs" and shouts from the audience)
Mere reminded them he is under pressure
Jeremy I just mean it is esoteric ok, ok ... I'm just saying it's kind of an esoteric question, either you happened to read this little tidbit somewhere or work for Groupon which would be awesome, anybody? Or not.
Mere: Never leave a lifeline on the table, that's all I'm saying
(pause)
Jeremy: You know what?
(pause)
Jeremy: Let's go B pizza
Mere: Final?
J: Final.
Mere: Awww, you should have asked the audience. I'm so sorry. No, you didn't need them, it's pizza!

Answer

B. Pizza
Jeremy went back to hug his parents and sister.
Mere asked and Jeremy confirmed that he guessed it was deep-dish pizza and why else would they say Chicago?

Good reasoning and a gutsy move - just because it seems like the logical answer doesn't mean that it is, at this level at least.

Question 13 - $500K
In the famous painting "Washington Crossing the Delaware," what future U.S. President is depicted holding the flag?
A. John Quincy Adams B. Thomas Jefferson
C. James Monroe D. James Madison

pre-ATA

"My buddy Dave is a history teacher, and he would never let me (hard to hear) this if I get it wrong"
And I have a guess. Let's ask the audience.

ATA Result

A. John Quincy Adams-28% B. Thomas Jefferson-38%
C. James Monroe-17% D. James Madison-17%

post-ATA

Jeremy "I was thinking Madison, and I don't know why" and goes over that if he gets it wrong he drops to $25K, gets it right $500K, but $250K is a lot to risk on half-a-hunch
Mere asks how Jeremy will feel, obviously happy if he gets it right, but is he OK if he goes down to $25K?
Jeremy "probably not" (some laughs from audience)
Jeremy said it's been great, it's been awesome, you guys (audience) have been awesome. Jeremy decided to walk, Mere confirmed final? and Jeremy did.

Answer

Jeremy asked if he was right. Mere said he was not right.

C. James Monroe

I'm not surprised the audience didn't know this - this qualifies as what Jeremy called "esoteric" (from the previous question). My hunch was the correct answer, but in his shoes I'd have walked away also with no lifelines.

[Weyoun]

Great contestant. Would have known Monroe, but not the Groupon question.

[Weyoun]

As a side comment, it's frustrating that the show is now such that the hardest question (and it's a hard one) in the first ten is about reality program. This seems all too typical.

[CarShark]

I saw the video spoiler on Facebook, so this week was the first time I've tuned in in a while. Glad I did.

Could not believe that pizza was right for the $250K Groupon question. Seemed WAY too obvious. I immediately discounted it and the movie tickets. So between the teeth cleanings and yoga lessons, I went with the yoga lessons because as a Groupon member, that's about all I get is 65% off lessons to a studio 35 miles from my house. That's what I've associated the company with. I think that it was on the homepage frequently when I checked it daily.

I have to say, what drove me away from the show (this time) was just how ridiculous the questions were getting at the high level to scare contestants away or trick them into talking themselves into an answer. The Larry Flynt question was a little out there, but the $250K and $500K questions were pretty fair to me.

[MarleysGh0st]

Here's a column entry about Jeremy's appearance.

http://630wpro.com/Article.asp?id=2392811&spid=37719

Bishop Hendricken and URI graduate Jeremy Blais, 25 sat in the hot seat this week on the popular quiz show.

So, I guess the reporter didn't actually watch the show to notice that the Hot Seat isn't there any more.

http://630wpro.com/Article.asp?id=2392860&spid=40092

This second link starts with the same story, then has a link to the audio of a nice radio interview that's about 7 1/2 minutes long. They get to talking about the pressure and the interviewer does say at one point, "well, you're in the Hot Seat," and Jeremy confirms her misperception, instead of correcting it.

Okay, the Hot Seat has become metaphorical instead of real, now. But it's because it's so iconic that I hate that they got rid of it on the show!

[TheConfessor]

Here's a column entry about Jeremy's appearance.

http://630wpro.com/Article.asp?id=2392811&spid=37719

Bishop Hendricken and URI graduate Jeremy Blais, 25 sat in the hot seat this week on the popular quiz show.

So, I guess the reporter didn't actually watch the show to notice that the Hot Seat isn't there any more.

http://630wpro.com/Article.asp?id=2392860&spid=40092

This second link starts with the same story, then has a link to the audio of a nice radio interview that's about 7 1/2 minutes long. They get to talking about the pressure and the interviewer does say at one point, "well, you're in the Hot Seat," and Jeremy confirms her misperception, instead of correcting it.

Okay, the Hot Seat has become metaphorical instead of real, now. But it's because it's so iconic that I hate that they got rid of it on the show!

But it's so much easier to go high-five your friends and family after each question when there's no hot seat. When I was on the show, they made everyone who knew the contestant sit directly behind the hot seat. They said if I ever dared to turn and look in their general direction, I would be disqualified.

[MarleysGh0st]

The second item in this column mentions Jeremy's appearance and gives us a couple more biographical details we didn't hear on the show.

http://www.golocalprov.com/lifestyle/se ... nton-more/