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What is … incredible stuff?
Its about time some newer blood got the chance to buzz in.
If the teacher and college tournaments were previously granted a seed, why not the primetime players of Hollywood?
Especially if its ahot guy with a fancy job?
The semifinal match airs on March 7.
Im very, very happy to talk about it, Barinholtz says in the meantime.
Im telling strangers on the street.
I still cant believe this happened.
Id love to learn more about your relationship with the show.
I would be like,Damn, theyre smart.Weve always loved it.
Its the show Ive seen the most, really.
Ive seen thousands and thousands of episodes.
I loved Alex Trebek so much.
Its wonderful to see Ken Jennings coming in and redefining what it means to be a greatJeopardy!host.
Im in it for the long haul with that show.
When he offered it to me, I couldnt have been more excited.
Anyway, when Michael asked me if I wanted to do it, I responded, Yes, sir!
I watched all of these people.
I watched all of them win.
I was like, Cris Pannullo, man, great to meet you!
Juveria Zaheer, I love you!
People in theJeopardy!world are inherently kind, gentle, smart, and lovely.
It was such a thrill to be in that room with them.
I had watched his insane run and was blown away.
you’re free to tell by watching him that he seems like the kindest man in the world.
They didnt tell us who we were going up against until a few minutes before game time.
And then they read Rays name, and I was like,You know what?
Im just going to enjoy myself.
I have zero chance.
Im going to have some fun out there and try not to embarrass myself.
James Holzhauer has described his strategy as strategically aggressive.
Matt Amodio swears by the term cautious.
How would you define the Ike Barinholtz method?Im a little more in the Matt camp.
I dont quite trust my guesses enough.
I missed two in a category for five-syllable words.
You dont mind getting a ton wrong.
Now there are ramifications.
you oughta be sure.
What was going through your mind?I knew a couple of Roman poets.
I knew Virgil and Horace.
But for some reason, the first name that popped into my head was Ovid.
Im definitely someone whose strengths are more aligned with art, literature, movies, and media.
Have you ever seenEyes Wide Shut?
I was definitely sure Ray and Melissa were going to get it right.
So we have Stanley Kubrick to thank for your victory.We do.
My takeaway is watchEyes Wide Shut.
Ken joked that celebrities often think about Ovid.
Does Ovid consume your thoughts?Its in all of our text chains.
All were doing is quoting Ovid to each other.
Me and the bros kick back and talk about ancient erotic literature.
The celebs do think about Ovid!It was such a crazy moment.
The room dropped out from under me, and its a moment Ill never forget.
Shout out to@ikebarinholtzTruly incredible.
I didnt think there was any way he had Ovid written down.
Theres a lot of differing ideology when it comes to Daily Doubles.
Even though I didnt get the50/50question.
My friend Jonathan Levine, who directed50/50,texted me after the episode aired and was like, Really?
Its the only way to give myself some oxygen against Ray and Melissa.
So I went all in and Federico Fellini bailed me out.
One thing Ive always found interesting about contestants is the preparation they do for the buzzer.
I used to answer a question the second I knew it by reading it aloud.
It makes watching the show with me very enjoyable for my family.
I think Emma Stone should go onJeopardy!.Shes amazing and would do very well.
She should attempt to get into the Tournament of Champions, too.
I think celebrities are always a little afraid of looking dumb.
There might be some trepidation.
A friend of mine was like, Ike, how do you know that shit?
I dont know any of this stuff.
Oh God, back to your point, me and my friends are talking about Ovid again.
Its all coming back to Ovid.
Have you sufficiently proved them wrong?I hope so.
Some of my most beloved characters are Morgan onThe Mindy Projectand Jimmy inNeighbors.They were real dummies.
I think that was the bias.
