Final Jeopardy: Asian Nations (1-13-14)

The Final Jeopardy question (1/13/2014), in the category “Asian Nations” was:

Since 1991, it’s the only former Communist nation to restore its monarchy, which it still has.

New champ Michelle DeGrothy won $13,700 in Friday’s game. Today she tries for a second win against these two players: Matthew Linnabary, from Wichita, KS; and Miriam Musco, from Freeville, NY.

Michelle found the Jeopardy! round Daily Double in “What Are You Afraid Of?” under the $1,000 clue. She had a big lead with $8,600, $8,800 ahead of Miriam and Matthew, who were both in the hole for $200. She bet $600 and came up with “fear of Mexican music stars.” That got a big laugh but it was still WRONG.

Selenophobia. show

WHAT IS FEAR OF THE MOON?

Michelle finished in the lead with $7,800. Miriam and Matthew were both in the hole for $800 apiece.

Matthew found the first Daily Double in “From Page to Stage” under the $1,200 clue. He was in third place with $400, $7,400 behind Michelle’s lead. He bet $1,000 and he was RIGHT.

Gosh darn it! Douglass Wallop’s “The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant” hit a home run as this musical. show

WHAT IS “DAMN YANKEES”?

Matthew found the last Daily Double in “Religious Matters” under the $1,600 clue. In third place with $2,600, he had $4,000 less than Michelle’s lead. He bet $1,000 and he was RIGHT.

In 1536, this French reformer moved to Geneva, which became the center for his form of Protestantism. show

WHO IS JOHN CALVIN?

Michelle finished in the lead with $12,200. Matthew was next with $4,400 and Miriam was in third place with $4,000.

NONE of the contestants got Final Jeopardy! right.

WHAT IS CAMBODIA?

“On September 24, 1993, Cambodia promulgated a new constitution and the monarchy was restored, after an absence of 21 years, following general elections organized and supervised by the United Nations. King Norodom Sihanouk returned to the throne he had abdicated in 1955 in order to enter politics.” (Cambodia’s monarchy, 10 years on)

King Norodom Sihanouk abdicated his throne on October 7, 2004 due to ill health. (He died on October 15, 2012.) The Cambodian Throne Council appointed his oldest son, current King Norodom Sihanouk, to succeed him on October 14, 2004.

Miriam wrote down Vietnam, still Communist. She lost $3,900 and finished with $100.

Matthew thought it was South Korea which has had its first female president since last year. He lost $3,601 and finished with $799.

Michelle wrote down Lithuania, a European nation which also has a female president. She didn’t bet anything so she won the game with $12,200. Her 2-day total is $25,900.

So Michelle, it seems, is quite the comedienne when she doesn’t know the answer. Well, she obviously could afford to be in this game. Still, we thought at least one person might have taken a lucky guess. Sad indeed!