How does it feel to be back on the Jeopardy! stage?
I love it. This is one of my favorite places in the world. I love standing right here [behind a podium]. Although I actually prefer standing right there [points to champion's podium to his right, laughs].
Did you ever expect to break records & make it into the Hall of Fame during your original run?
I had no idea. I thi--I didn't think I would win one game, I didn't want to embarrass myself, uh, it happened really fast, and when they told me, right before my last game, that I was No. 3, I-I had no idea. It was--yeah.
What are you most looking forward to about this experience?
Having fun, like, playing the game--everything around it, is kind of--is nerve-wracking--but actually playing the game is one of the most fun things I've ever done, so I just want to play again, and--and keep playing.
Has anyone recognized you from your previous appearance?
Yeah, for about four weeks I was famous. I signed an autograph, you know, I'd go on the airplane, people would applaud, and, and then, it was over. They forgot.
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How do you feel about advancing to the next round?
Uh, I feel great. Especially the first--the first game of the tournament, I don't have to sit and stew. Uh, uh, yeah, it was a close game, good players, and, uh, I-I can't believe I won by $2.
Was there a turning point for you?
Well, I--when I--when I played before, I came from behind almost all the time, and this game, somehow, I had--there were some categories I knew pretty well in the first round, and, uh, so I-I had a lead, which I'm not used to. So then, I kind of played it cool.
How did you prepare for the tournament?
I spent the last three weeks, like, basically in front of a fire hose of facts, and hoped that some of them would stick, and, uh, the, uh, the Roman equivalents, definitely, if I hadn't studied, I wouldn't have--wouldn't know some of those.
What advice do you have for future Tournament of Champions contestants?
Well, what--what I've told people I've played with is, no matter what happens at the beginning, you're still in the game. That, uh, the money's so much bigger at the end, that you lose something, you misinterpret a question like I did tonight, and there's plenty of time to come back.
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What does it mean to be a finalist in the Tournament of Champions?
Uh, it's great. [Laughs] Uh, all I wanted to do was get into this round. Uh, I get to come back for another round, and, uh, I'm thrilled. I'm gonna get to play some really good players who I got to see yesterday, and, uh, I hope that it'll be a good game. But, uh, yeah, I'm little stunned. [Laughs]
What do you think of the competition?
Uh, it's been great, and, uh, and it's just been fun to hang out with everybody for a couple days. Um, people are smart, funny, uh, and the games are good.
How has the tournament compared to your original run?
It's--yesterday actually felt like my first--the first day I was on. I was just as nervous, uh, and now it's starting to feel like it's all gravy again, and anything that happens is great.
Any messages for your friends and family?
I'd love to give a shout-out to, uh, my--my--the ki--the guys I grew up with. Uh, uh, Pete, Seth, Dave, Lee, uh, Josh, John. Uh, y'know, they've been with me all the time, though, they're going to be watching, uh... Hi, guys. |
