|
|
Post by jeopardyfan939 on Apr 7, 2022 10:54:34 GMT -5
With four months remaining in Season 38, I would like to take a little time to say how much better this season has played out compared to last season. However, this thread is to mention some possible changes and predictions for Season 39. What changes do you want to see on Jeopardy! next season? I can list my preferences, and feel free to post any changes you would
like to see for next season.
- Bring back the studio audience
- New title card (don't keep reusing the Season 37 title card, even though I like the fact that the globe intro was brought back)
- Refresh the music package, or at least have Bleeding Fingers Music compose a new version of the FJ! think music. In all honesty, it's time for the 10/13/08 Think! cue to go because it doesn't fit the new theme.
- New set. I think it's long overdue for an entirely-new set to be rolled out. The current set has been in use since Season 30, even with the modifications from last season.
- Resume holding the Teen Tournament (unless it's being replaced by the Second Chance Tournament)
- Name Ken Jennings the new permanent host for the daily syndicated series, and have Mayim Bialik do primetime spinoffs.
And one question comes to mind. At least in recent episodes, I haven't seen any video clues being presented by the Clue Crew. Is it possible TPTB is getting rid of the Clue Crew?
|
|
mechamind
VIP 
Wheel! Archivist!
Aspiring recappers just need a little spark.
Posts: 5,215 
|
Post by mechamind on Apr 7, 2022 12:58:27 GMT -5
Base the new intro Think! music on the 1992-97 version, just without the bongos. Even when I first heard it in late 2009, having watched only Wheel from the 2008-09 season, I always felt it should've been in F scale instead of C (and C instead of F for the 30 seconds in Final).
A minor detail: maybe give it a few different lengths so that the Think! begins immediately after zooming in on the A in JEOPARDY! like it did before.
However, the flashback clips in the title card can stay. Those were a nice addition.
|
|
wheelfan910
The production values Bellamie SHOULD strive for.
Posts: 572
|
Post by wheelfan910 on Apr 7, 2022 16:19:01 GMT -5
The clue crew were just on the show a couple weeks ago with a category about the Oscars. Additionally, they’ve given Jimmy and Sarah a bit more of an online presence by interviewing long-running champions on YouTube.
On top of THAT, Jimmy is also pulling double-duty as the stage manager for the show after John Lauderdale’s departure from the show. Needless to say they’re heavily involved with the show regardless of their on-screen presence.
|
|
|
|
Post by usedletterboard on Apr 7, 2022 17:29:33 GMT -5
Jimmy was hired as the stage manager this season, and Sarah's role similarly increased with her billing as an associate director and segment producer. The two still are represented as ambassadors of the show in their capacity as Clue Crew members for the online content, and it makes sense that their on-air duties as clue readers have been limited due to the pandemic and the travel restrictions associated with it. I don't think the Clue Crew will be going away anytime soon.
Realistically, the priority of the show is to reach a conclusion to the host situation, and any production modifications are secondary to that. Besides, I don't believe the season will be finished taping until next month, so it is quite early to speculate upcoming changes until all the episodes are fully in the can.
|
|
|
|
Post by sushibarset14 on Apr 7, 2022 18:44:41 GMT -5
Speaking of title card, I’m hoping the logo is a different color other than silver. Maybe black, or gold.
A new theme would be amazing, but, at the same time, Bleeding Fingers Music’s version was an update of the 2008 theme, so that’s a 50/50. They should definitely update the think music, probably in a different key, while using the piano and trumpet from 1997 + 2020’s GOAT tournament.
In addition, the ones above that you all mentioned. Mr. Davies wants to modernize the show, hopefully he takes it in the right direction.
|
|
|
|
Post by jeopardyfan939 on Apr 7, 2022 23:16:59 GMT -5
Speaking of title card, I’m hoping the logo is a different color other than silver. Maybe black, or gold. A new theme would be amazing, but, at the same time, Bleeding Fingers Music’s version was an update of the 2008 theme, so that’s a 50/50. They should definitely update the think music, probably in a different key, while using the piano and trumpet from 1997 + 2020’s GOAT tournament. In addition, the ones above that you all mentioned. Mr. Davies wants to modernize the show, hopefully he takes it in the right direction. 1) I agree that TPTB should have Bleeding Fingers Music update the Think! music at least, with a more cinematic sound to fit the new theme. As I stated before, the current Think! cue doesn't fit the new theme at all. 2) I am also wondering if he would also bring back other old Jeopardy! traditions (besides the globe logo) that were discarded when Harry Friedman became a producer and then promoted to executive producer (especially because Wheel brought back Changing Keys as its theme song); and I am talking about practices from the 80s and 90s that were ended from Season 14 onward (including but not limited to): - The set changing its background color from blue to red for the Double Jeopardy! and Final Jeopardy! rounds. It currently turns red during the 30-second thinking period in FJ! But I would like to see the older practice get revived, albeit with the set changing back to blue at the conclusion of each episode (like the early days of the sushi bar set being in use). - Dollar figures pop in at the start of the Double Jeopardy! round but with the current sound effect. - Swooshing sound at the top of the show, or at least use a similar sound effect. |
|
|
|
Post by 24994j on Apr 9, 2022 2:28:07 GMT -5
I don't anticipate many changes other than a new/updated title and a final, official host announcement, and probably some form of an audience. With recent set and theme tweaks, I doubt we'd get any major changes until the milestone 40th season, much like how seasons 25 and 30 saw new looks and/or sounds.
|
|
|
|
Post by jjc927 on Apr 9, 2022 15:21:24 GMT -5
Name Ken Jennings the permanent host, change up the set, and I'd love if Jeopardy took a note from Wheel and use a new version of the original theme like Wheel did this season with Changing Keys.
|
|
|
|
Post by jeopardyfan939 on Apr 10, 2022 14:05:17 GMT -5
I don't anticipate many changes other than a new/updated title and a final, official host announcement, and probably some form of an audience. With recent set and theme tweaks, I doubt we'd get any major changes until the milestone 40th season, much like how seasons 25 and 30 saw new looks and/or sounds. In Season 25, the music package refresh was the biggest change, followed by retiring the swooshing sound as well as the original dollar figure loading pattern and sound effect; during that season only, the dollar figures were already present on the game board following the introductions. The CES set debuted with during a celebrity match and the 2009 ToC but didn't get permanently put into use until the start of Season 26, only three years after the Ken Jennings set was tweaked for HD. And then we saw the practice of popping in the dollar figures on the Jeopardy! round board return in S26 but with a different loading pattern and sound effect (which sounded like a modified Windows 7 startup). The current set was introduced in Season 30; and then at start of Season 33, the sound effect for the dollar figures popping in was changed again. |
|
|
|
Post by usedletterboard on Apr 14, 2022 17:40:54 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by trevor807 on Apr 14, 2022 21:58:21 GMT -5
Really glad that became the case. Mike Richards was really putting that show's future in doubt.
Also, I know I'm kinda late, but the Season 38 title card does have a few differences from the previous season's version (smaller dots on the more realistic globe, text is a bit more golden-hued, bit more of an aura around the globe). Very minor, though.
|
|
|
|
Post by jeopardyfan939 on Apr 16, 2022 16:19:48 GMT -5
the Season 38 title card does have a few differences from the previous season's version (smaller dots on the more realistic globe, text is a bit more golden-hued, bit more of an aura around the globe). Very minor, though. Other than that, this season's title card is almost the same as last season. That's why one change I would like to see next season is an entirely new title card and go back to having a new one every season, like we have seen during the Harry Friedman era. |
|
|
|
Post by jeopardyfan939 on Jul 11, 2022 20:19:52 GMT -5
Just in: For Season 39, there will finally be audiences in the studio during taping sessions after having none for two seasons (including the last two taping sessions for Season 36 before everything shut down during the initial wave of COVID-19). The first taping session for next season will be August 2. www.jeopardy.com/tickets
|
|
|
|
Post by jeopardyfan939 on Aug 1, 2022 11:02:40 GMT -5
And another thing to point out in order to try and keep this thread alive: Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik are going to be the new permanent co-hosts for Jeopardy! moving forward starting with Season 39.
|
|
|
|
Post by jeopardyfan939 on Aug 2, 2022 1:09:18 GMT -5
I don't anticipate many changes other than a new/updated title and a final, official host announcement, and probably some form of an audience. With recent set and theme tweaks, I doubt we'd get any major changes until the milestone 40th season, much like how seasons 25 and 30 saw new looks and/or sounds. However, music/set changes haven't always exclusively happened during milestone seasons. - During Season 2, the set was revamped into the form it would maintain until 1991. Remember it had the 9-foot Jeopardy! logo in white, but then changed to gold during Season 3. - The grid set was introduced at the beginning of Season 8. - The bongo theme debuted in Season 9; basically it's the same as the 1984 theme but with a bongo track added. - Sushi bar set debuted on 11/11/1996, two months into Season 13. - Music package was refreshed by Steve Kaplan at the start of Season 14. - Main theme was updated again midway into Season 17, being put into use on 4/23/2001. - Ken Jennings set debuted on 11/25/2002, two months after the start of Season 19. - Jeopardy! begins broadcasting in HD starting in Season 23. Set undergoes modifications to accommodate the transition, but remains the same otherwise. - Chris Bell Music & Sound Design refreshes the music package during Season 25. We get our first glimpse at the CES set during the 2009 ToC. However... - CES set is officially introduced as the primary set at the start of Season 26. - Current set debuted in Season 30. |
|
|
|
Post by letschataboutpat on Aug 3, 2022 14:47:13 GMT -5
I was able to score tickets to yesterday's morning session, which ended up consisting of two shows due to some technical delays and game stopdowns. Not a lot of changes to report: - The set remains exactly the same as last season. The colors on some of the backdrop fixtures appeared more vibrant in person, but the difference may just be on account of my TV settings at home.
- All the music is the same as Season 38. I'm not sure if something is in the works for this season for new Final Jeopardy music to be dubbed in post production, but they played the usual version from S25 inside the studio.
- For the first time in many seasons, the graphics are completely unchanged from the previous year. I could only capture a glimpse of the opening graphics montage from the monitors on the judges table, but from what I saw, they appeared to be exactly the same as S38. Again, this is something that could be changed in post, but given the unchanged overall visual identity, I wouldn't be surprised if everything stayed the same.
- The one noticeable change is that Ken is now introduced as "the host of Jeopardy," as others had previously reported. He made a short introductory spiel but didn't spend more than a couple sentences acknowledging his new role as a permanent host. He's probably been around long enough for the producers to try to downplay the transition as much as possible, as they want to limit references to its drawn out nature. Funny enough, he tripped up the first sentence of his opening remarks when he was first introduced, which caused the whole intro to have to be reshot. The producers and the audience got a kick out of that.
- Jimmy McGuire is the stage manager, now in his second year. Now that audiences are back, he took up Johnny Gilbert's role as the warm up guy. Sarah Whitcomb Foss was the in-studio announcer, with Johnny's contestant introductions later dubbed in post. She also takes the slate announcement duties before the show, in addition to sitting at the judges table as one of the producers. The opening spiel and host introductions are recordings pre-taped by Johnny and played in the studio. Jimmy said he's stage managing Wheel in August, but didn't seem to imply any permanent role there or that he would be working on Wheel past this month. He also confirmed the permanent disbandment of the Clue Crew with no plans for its return, though he and Sarah are still involved with the show in different capacities.
- Ken doesn't really interact with the audience or take questions during breaks the same way Alex used to. He came down to the front of the stage after the first show's commercial break to thank the audience for coming and mentioned it was his first time in front of a Jeopardy audience since his Greatest of All Time appearance - and that nobody would have been happier to see guests return than Alex. I feel like he will open up to the crowd with time, but he doesn't seem comfortable enough to do it the same way that Alex did for so many years. He was often cracking jokes during the breaks, which the audience enjoyed.
The games taped yesterday, August 2, will air the week of September 12 for the season premiere week. Despite only two tape dates this week, regular shows taped instead of tournament episodes. The next two weeks will consist of three tape dates per week (amounting to 40 taped this month - 10 this week, 15 the next and 15 the following week). Ken was a total pro and honestly impressed me with how competent and efficient he was for somebody with limited experience in Hollywood. It's a really well oiled machine on the Jeopardy side. I was really bummed that I couldn't secure tickets for Wheel on this same trip, but maybe I will later in the season. I walked past Stage 11 on the way to my taping, but while the soundstage door was open to the rest of the lot, I couldn't catch a glimpse of the set due to the placement of the backdrops. EDIT: Forgot to add one more visual change now that audiences are back. The opening shot coming straight from the introductory graphics is a sweeping crane shot of the audience using the jib camera that ends up with the a view of the stage. It's hard to explain given my lack of technical expertise, but you will see it when the shows air in September. |
|
|
|
Post by sushibarset14 on Aug 3, 2022 15:16:34 GMT -5
Can’t say I’m surprised, but I’m surprised the graphics will remain the same. I think this is the first time since (the 90’s?) that show’s graphics will be the same.
|
|
|
|
Post by jeopardyfan939 on Aug 3, 2022 18:46:17 GMT -5
Can’t say I’m surprised, but I’m surprised the graphics will remain the same. I think this is the first time since (the 90’s?) that show’s graphics will be the same. This would be the first time since the '80s and '90s (save for the first two seasons) that the opening graphics remain the same. Prior to the sushi bar set being put into use, the opening graphics would change every few or so seasons. And it seems like we're going back to those days. I think there will definitely be new graphics for Season 40 along with a new set. |
|
|
|
Post by eaglebtc on Aug 3, 2022 18:49:10 GMT -5
I was able to score tickets to yesterday's morning session, which ended up consisting of two shows due to some technical delays and game stopdowns. Not a lot of changes to report: Oh hey there fellow taping attendee. Did you stick around for standby tickets to the afternoon taping like I did? :-D I'm the guy who was wearing the blue "Matt Amodio" T-shirt with a stylized rendering of Matt at his Jeopardy podium, buzzer in hand. Thanks to whoever posted this on reddit btw. That led me back here. I've seen the show live before, twice: once in 2012, and again in 2019 during Jason Zuffranieri's incredible run. Alex was charming as ever and took lots of questions from the audience. We will miss him dearly. During yesterday's taping, one fun thing that happened is that when Ken walked out on stage for the first time, everyone was cheering and hollering so loudly that he fumbled his introduction and stopped, muttering "Damn it!" and apologized for not being used to doing the intro in front of a room full of people. I shouted out: "WE LOVE YOU, KEN!" and everyone applauded. Ken went backstage and taped it again. He nailed it. Ken's rate of mistakes throughout the tape day was on par with Alex, if slightly higher. He re-recorded about 3-4 clues average per game. IIRC only 1 game ended with clues left on the board after DJ. The number of triple stumpers was also very low. All in all, a great day of Jeopardy for everyone involved. As an audience member you get to see little moments like Corina, the contestant coordinator, gently encouraging contestants during the game, checking their buzzers, reminding them to take out their hand sanitizer, helping them 'shake it off' when they aren't doing so well... or consoling one contestant who broke down right before FJ. Every contestant has nothing but awesome things to say about her, and it shows. As for the audience experience... Jimmy took a few questions throughout, but he was so busy as Stage Director that he was very distracted. There was some teenager in the audience with his family who asked a question like "why do we even need an audience?" I don't think he really understood the point of having a live audience in the room. It just sounds better, and brings tons of energy to the game that translates well to television. Ken seemed unsure about whether he could, or should, take questions throughout most of the taping, but there was a lot of dead time while they reviewed some plays. I think it was just a bit of nerves and uncertainty about how much time things would really take. He did finally step out front during Game #5 (Friday) and answered some questions from the audience. Everyone was excited to finally talk to him! I can confirm there is nothing changed in the set design or music from Season 38 to 39, including the podiums. They're still following most of the COVID protocols, though contestants do get assistance from make-up personnel if needed. They also plugged the "Inside Jeopardy" podcast with Sarah and Michael Davies. Excellent episode btw if you want to know what's in store for Jeopardy this coming season. |
|
|
|
Post by jeopardyfan939 on Aug 3, 2022 18:55:50 GMT -5
I was able to score tickets to yesterday's morning session, which ended up consisting of two shows due to some technical delays and game stopdowns. Not a lot of changes to report: - The set remains exactly the same as last season. The colors on some of the backdrop fixtures appeared more vibrant in person, but the difference may just be on account of my TV settings at home.
- All the music is the same as Season 38. I'm not sure if something is in the works for this season for new Final Jeopardy music to be dubbed in post production, but they played the usual version from S25 inside the studio.
- For the first time in many seasons, the graphics are completely unchanged from the previous year. I could only capture a glimpse of the opening graphics montage from the monitors on the judges table, but from what I saw, they appeared to be exactly the same as S38. Again, this is something that could be changed in post, but given the unchanged overall visual identity, I wouldn't be surprised if everything stayed the same.
- The one noticeable change is that Ken is now introduced as "the host of Jeopardy," as others had previously reported. He made a short introductory spiel but didn't spend more than a couple sentences acknowledging his new role as a permanent host. He's probably been around long enough for the producers to try to downplay the transition as much as possible, as they want to limit references to its drawn out nature. Funny enough, he tripped up the first sentence of his opening remarks when he was first introduced, which caused the whole intro to have to be reshot. The producers and the audience got a kick out of that.
- Jimmy McGuire is the stage manager, now in his second year. Now that audiences are back, he took up Johnny Gilbert's role as the warm up guy. Sarah Whitcomb Foss was the in-studio announcer, with Johnny's contestant introductions later dubbed in post. She also takes the slate announcement duties before the show, in addition to sitting at the judges table as one of the producers. The opening spiel and host introductions are recordings pre-taped by Johnny and played in the studio. Jimmy said he's stage managing Wheel in August, but didn't seem to imply any permanent role there or that he would be working on Wheel past this month. He also confirmed the permanent disbandment of the Clue Crew with no plans for its return, though he and Sarah are still involved with the show in different capacities.
- Ken doesn't really interact with the audience or take questions during breaks the same way Alex used to. He came down to the front of the stage after the first show's commercial break to thank the audience for coming and mentioned it was his first time in front of a Jeopardy audience since his Greatest of All Time appearance - and that nobody would have been happier to see guests return than Alex. I feel like he will open up to the crowd with time, but he doesn't seem comfortable enough to do it the same way that Alex did for so many years. He was often cracking jokes during the breaks, which the audience enjoyed.
The games taped yesterday, August 2, will air the week of September 12 for the season premiere week. Despite only two tape dates this week, regular shows taped instead of tournament episodes. The next two weeks will consist of three tape dates per week (amounting to 40 taped this month - 10 this week, 15 the next and 15 the following week). Ken was a total pro and honestly impressed me with how competent and efficient he was for somebody with limited experience in Hollywood. It's a really well oiled machine on the Jeopardy side. I was really bummed that I couldn't secure tickets for Wheel on this same trip, but maybe I will later in the season. I walked past Stage 11 on the way to my taping, but while the soundstage door was open to the rest of the lot, I couldn't catch a glimpse of the set due to the placement of the backdrops. EDIT: Forgot to add one more visual change now that audiences are back. The opening shot coming straight from the introductory graphics is a sweeping crane shot of the audience using the jib camera that ends up with the a view of the stage. It's hard to explain given my lack of technical expertise, but you will see it when the shows air in September. 1) My guess is they didn't space the lecterns closer together again like pre-COVID. That being said, I'm hoping Season 39 will be the last season with the current set, and that there is a new set in Season 40, if not later in Season 39 — perhaps debut a new set in November like they did with the sushi bar set and the Ken Jennings set in 1996 and 2002, respectively. 2) In all honesty, the S25 Think! music needs to go because it doesn't match the new theme. But the theme introduced this past season could very well be a placeholder; and Jeopardy! could have its music package refreshed in Season 40 (perhaps with a more modern arrangement of the pre-2008 themes and think cues). |
|
