Final Jeopardy: Scientists (12-12-16)

The Final Jeopardy question (12/12/2016) in the category “Scientists” was:

In a 1694 Royal Society lecture, he suggested an astronomical cause for the biblical flood in Genesis.

6x champ Tim Aten is back to play his 7th game. Will he add to his $101,899 today as he goes up against these two players: Bridget McNulty, from Phoenixville, PA; and Amy Young, from Corvallis, OR.

Round 1 Categories: The Popes – Island Nations – Plan an Anagram – Basketball – Circle Time – Ben & Jerry’s Flavor Graveyard

Amy found the Jeopardy! round Daily Double in “Island Nations” under the $600 clue, with 7 clues left after it. She was in third place with $600, $1,000 less than Bridget in second place. She bet $800 of the $1,000 allowance and guessed The Philippines. That was WRONG.

Just like Greece, the Greek section of this Asian island nation in the Mediterranean has a Mount Olympus. show

WHAT IS CYPRUS?

Tim finished in the lead with $3,000. Bridget was second with $1,600 and Amy was last with $800.

Round 2 Categories: A Celebrity Christmas – Invasions – Tough Children’s Lit – Landmarks – The Law – Silent “H”

Amy found the first Daily Double in “Tough Children’s Lit” under the $1,200 clue on the 8th pick. She was in second place with $3,200 at this point, half of Bridget’s lead. Alex baited her to bet it all but Amy said she wanted to stay out of the red. She bet $3,000 and went with Peter Pumpkin Eater. That was consistent with the nursery rhyme theme of the first two clues but it was WRONG.

In an 1883 book the talking insect tells him, “Woe to boys who refuse to obey their parents and run away from home.” show

WHO IS PINOCCHIO?

Amy found the last Daily Double in “Landmarks” under the $1,200 clue with 10 clues left after it. In third place with $4,200, she had $2,200 less than Bridget’s lead. She bet $3,000 and, this time, she was RIGHT.

A place of prayer for Jewish people, it’s all that remains of the second Temple of Jerusalem. show

WHAT IS THE WAILING WALL?

Amy finished in the lead with $9,200. Bridget was next with $8,800 and Tim was in third place with $7,800.

NONE of the contestants got Final Jeopardy! right.

WHO IS EDMOND HALLEY?

Astronomer Edmond Halley, best known for the comet named for him, is believed to be the earliest proponent of the theory that the Great Flood in Genesis was caused by a comet. On his blog, Jason Colavito has transcribed the two papers Halley read before the Royal Society, the first on 12/12/1694 and some additions he later made on 12/19.

There is also a note from Halley explaining why he deposited the papers in the Royal Society’s Archives and didn’t publish them at the time. He didn’t want to risk ultra crepidam or the Censure of the Sacred Order. The former certainly sounds ominous but would not have been as bad as the latter.

Tim thought it was Isaac Newton. He lost his $2,200 bet, leaving him with $5,600.

Bridget came up with Galileo. She lost half her score and finished with $4,400.

Like Tim, Amy came up with Newton. She lost $5,500 and landed in third place with $3,700. So– another miracle win for Tim! Edmond Halley might have rolled over in his grave at today’s responses, but would most certainly approve of the alignment of Tim’s stars. He has a 7-day total of $107,499 now.

A triple stumper from each round:

CIRCLE TIME ($1000) This song is sung at the end of the annual County Music Hall of Fame ceremonies… “by and by, Lord, by and by”

TOUGH CHILDREN’S LIT ($2000) An Albee couple or the 2 lovable hippos in James Marshall stories like “The Tooth” & “The Tub”

2 years ago: Only ONE of the players got this FJ in “Poetry”

The narrator mistakes the presence of this creature for the wind & later calls it prophet. show

WHAT IS THE RAVEN?

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