Comments on: 86. Squares #11 Revisited

By: Orange

Orange — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:28:18 +0000

Pat, winners also receive the anumeric watch— Eric LeVasseur won eight grand on the show and was also sporting the anumeric watch at the ACPT. The short form letter that accompanied the “gents watch” alluded to my “winner” status…though I had won naught but a watch. (And a free trip to L.A.)

By: Kos

Kos — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:53:30 +0000

It seems that the baseline shared by the contestants is that they are all good solvers. But winning requires skills beyond solving, and some luck. We poker are used to that reality. That’s the beauty of Jeopardy, where buzz-in skills and wagering strategies are key. Perhaps the spoiler rules of the MG Crosswords are seen as unfair to those who lose. Sour grapes probably, no big deal.

By: Patrick Merrell

Patrick Merrell — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:28:31 +0000

I suppose good solvers tend to see the spoiler aspect as potentially unfair, where luck can win out over skill, while many viewers like it for the reasons you mention. I’ve heard the show’s staff is quite pleased with the spoiler angle.

By: Kos

Kos — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:52:11 +0000

Funny strip! I’m in the minority here. As a spectator, I love the spoiler setup in Merv’s TV show. They make a boring game interesting. Great games have spoilers; Sudden Death in tennis or Final Jeopardy. And brilliant Merv has the last laugh. We’re still talking about his show. In advertising we cherish our cliches, there’s no such thing as bad publicity. Great site, Patrick!

By: Jon88

Jon88 — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:10:42 +0000

As I noted to the Cruciverb-L group, SQUIRT GUN has the same number of letters as SMELL A RAT, which makes the near-theme even more ridiculous.