I have my doubts about the Daily Doubles. They can easily be programmed to come up whenever they want. With the style James employed (And Emma copied), the DD's have a LOT to say about who wins.
That said, my suggestion about 'rigging' was more to imply: They made it VERY hard for him to break the record by recruiting not one, but TWO exceptional players. Still, James would likely have won if he'd had better luck with the DD's.
I've always dreamed about being on the show, but have never tried. I fear that I'd look like a fool in the TV lights.
Maybe you can answer a question my wife and I have: What is the deal with the timing of pushing the button? Are you not allowed to buzz in while Alex is still reading the question? How do you know WHEN you can push? Is there a visual aid of some kind?
Are you not allowed to buzz in while Alex is still reading the question?
Correct
How do you know WHEN you can push?
There is something on the board that lights up (not visible to the viewers)
Is there a visual aid of some kind?
Yes
https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/behind-scenes/how-does-jeopardy-buzzer-work
Well, if you’re there long enough, eventually someone (or two) is going to show up who’s better than you. Just the Law of Averages.
I’m also pretty sure the DDS are fixed before the game starts, They’re almost always in the bottom half of the board (with a few exceptions). All 3 players know that. That’s why James always went there first.
-——Maybe you can answer a question my wife and I have: What is the deal with the timing of pushing the button? Are you not allowed to buzz in while Alex is still reading the question? How do you know WHEN you can push? Is there a visual aid of some kind?-——
There’s a light that goes all around the game board. the contestants and studio audience can see it, but the TV audience can’t. That light goes on when Alex is finished reading, and that light is a signal to the contestants that the buzzers are activated.
Your timing has to be very good. You need to mentally read the question faster than Alex does; think of the response; then wait to see the light and press your thumb/finger. If you’re too early, you’re frozen out for a quarter of a second, which is an eternity, and more than enough time for the other two contestants to buzz in. You can really look bad if you continually press the button early.