Date of first appearance:
February 1989
Total winnings:
$193,100 and a plethora of parting gifts: an autographed copy of Treasure Island, an “I Survived the Fourth Podium” T-shirt, and a case of red wine vinegar, just to name a few.
Records held/Stats:
Teen Tournament champion and ToC semifinalist, '89.
Semifinalist, SJ! '90.
(Only had to wait 12 years for a rematch with Verini, too...)
Teen Reunion Tournament champion, '98.
Runner-up, M$M '02.
Had the honor and pleasure of playing straight man to Bob Verini, Eugene Finerman, Dave Javerbaum, Bob Harris, and numerous other players far funnier than myself.
Do you have a nickname associated with your performance?
“Powerhouse.” The kind of parting gift you can't put a value on, I suppose. Thanks for that. I mean, it's clever and probably makes for a nice tattoo and all, but really. “Well Alex, my interests are translating David Foster Wallace into English, station wagons, a nice Australian Shiraz, and hunting down Vash the Stampede in cold blood before I die. Can I have BEFORE & AFTER for $1000, please?”
Favorite anecdote associated with being on the show:
There are many, but probably the strangest involves someone who was apparently a very devoted fan screaming my name across a crowded concert hall for several minutes until I finally made my way across to see whether he wasn't related or something. Not having a pen on him, he would not be placated until I had at least used his cigarette to burn a sizable hole in his T-shirt, which he'd probably just dropped about $25 on. (I'm sure there's a lesson buried in there somewhere.)
Did being on Jeopardy! have any affect on your life?
I can see! Seriously. When we did the Reunion in Boston in '98, one of the other players in the tournament [Dana Venator, '87] said she was going to put her winnings toward laser surgery for her eyes. As I was fast approaching Coke-bottle territory too, eventually I looked into it myself and now I can buy and lose countless pairs of regular sunglasses just like anyone else.
Did you do anything crazy with your winnings?
Crazy? I know no “crazy.” Although, needing to make a grant conference in South Florida last summer, I opted to pass up the convenient three-hour flight in favor of a two-week drive (in the immediate wake of Hurricane Jeanne, no less--fortunately, she got there before I did). But that isn't crazy; that's taking the scenic route. Besides, it was the most fun I've had in my car in years, and a valuable learning experience too. I learned many, many things. Such as the fact that I'm never going to Tennessee again without at least a V6.
Is there anything else you would like viewers to know about you?
A bit of friendly advice: if you ever play poker with Eddie Timanus, leave your wallet at home. Trust me on that one. |
2005 Ultimate Tournament of Champions Nifty Nine (players with byes into Round 2) member: $25,000.
2002 Million Dollar Masters Tournament 1st runner-up (semifinalist by wildcard): $100,000.
1998 Teen Reunion Tournament winner: $50,000.
1990 Super Jeopardy! semifinalist: $10,000.
1989 Tournament of Champions semifinalist: $5,000.
1989 Teen Tournament winner: $28,100. |
