antimarkovnikov

Hey Ken! I'd first like to thank you for turning me from an occasional viewer of Jeopardy! into the obsessive fan I've been for the past decade. I've got a few questions for you...

• In the Battle of the Decades this year, you're competing on equal footing with everyone else (i.e. no instant byes to the finals) for the first time since your original run 10 years ago. In January's taping for this week's shows, how did that fact affect your attitude going into it and the pressure you faced, with the possibility of getting knocked out in the first round?

• In the past you used to write and edit academic questions for NAQT and staff at some of their national championship tournaments. Is this something you still do (or plan to do), or is that more or less behind you ever since you've progressed to greater things?

• Your appearance as a guest panelist on Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! was pretty awesome; was that a one-time deal, or do you think there's a possibility NPR will ask you to come on again?

• Any plans for the 10th anniversary of Zerg Day?

Thanks!

Hello Julia! Many congrats on your winning streak, you were a great pleasure to watch.

• (The obligatory Jeopardy!-related question) Have you figured out any plans to prepare for the upcoming TOC? (Wagering theory, general studying, etc.)

• I heard that you started high school at New Trier in Winnetka, IL before transferring out east. What prompted the switch, and what benefits would you say it provided you?

• What is your favorite restaurant in the Chicago area?

Thanks!

Too bad Ken explicitly chose not to take that option...