I Lost on Jeopardy
Encyclopedia
"I Lost On Jeopardy" is a song by "Weird Al" Yankovic
from his second album, "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D
. The song is a parody of "Jeopardy
" by The Greg Kihn Band
, and its refrain "Our love's in jeopardy". The parody's lyrics center on the then-former game show
Jeopardy!
, hosted by Art Fleming
; a syndicated revival, with Alex Trebek
, began three months after the single's release.
The song became the fourth music video
released by Yankovic, and featured a number of cameo appearances including Kihn, Fleming, Yankovic's mentor Dr. Demento
, original Jeopardy! announcer Don Pardo
, and Yankovic's parents.
The song has been referenced several times on the game show itself, including once as a category on the current Alex Trebek
-hosted version, and later when Yankovic appeared on Rock & Roll Jeopardy!
. The song was played over the closing credits on the second episode of Rock & Roll Jeopardy!
on which Yankovic appeared.
The song has appeared on several compilation albums, including Greatest Hits (1988), Wacky Favorites (1993), and Al in the Box
(1994).
(The promo 7" single only contains "I Lost On Jeopardy")
, shot on May 24 and 25, 1984 and directed by Francis Delia, takes place on a reproduction of the 1964-1975 Jeopardy!
set.
In his game, Yankovic plays against a plumber
("Mr. Leroy Finkelstein from Brooklyn, New York"), and an architect
("Mr. Millard Snofgen from Carbondale
, Illinois
"), "both with a Ph.D." The board contains a series of befuddling and nearly-impossible clues from these categories: "T.V. Themes", "Nuclear Physics", "World Geography", "Food", "Potpourri", and "Famous Accordion Players" (Yankovic himself plays the accordion). Though the other contestants manage to get the questions right, Yankovic misses every clue, finishing with a score of -$6,750 and proceeding to give up.
Don Pardo
proceeds to tell Yankovic of what he didn't win: consolation prizes (a 20-volume set of the Encyclopedia
International, a case of Turtle Wax
, and a year's supply of Rice-a-Roni
) or "a lousy copy" of the home game. Furthermore, Yankovic is told that he has made himself look like a jerk in front of millions of people, and has brought shame and disgrace to his family name for generations to come as a result of his disastrous showing while his score continues to plummet and his podium begins to break down.
Pardo then tells Yankovic that he will not come back tomorrow and that he is a "complete loser" as the camera cuts to the board, now replaced with cards saying "complete loser." Art Fleming
"raspberries"
Yankovic as security officers come to kick him out from the studio. Embarrassed but undaunted, Yankovic hopes his luck will change "next weekend on The Price Is Right
," and then is literally thrown out from the studio into a convertible – driven by Greg Kihn
himself.
"Weird Al" Yankovic
Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...
from his second album, "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D
"Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D
"Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D is the second studio album by American signer-songwriter "Weird Al" Yankovic, released on February 28, 1984, by Rock 'n Roll Records. The album was one of many produced by former The McCoys guitarist Rick Derringer...
. The song is a parody of "Jeopardy
Jeopardy (song)
"Jeopardy" is a hit song released in 1983 by The Greg Kihn Band on their album Kihnspiracy. It is the band's first and only Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, reaching #2 in March 1983 and also hitting #1 on the dance charts the following month. Composition/Chord Structure:The song...
" by The Greg Kihn Band
The Greg Kihn Band
The Greg Kihn Band is an American band that was started by frontman Greg Kihn and bassist Steve Wright. Their most successful singles include "The Breakup Song " and "Jeopardy" .-History:...
, and its refrain "Our love's in jeopardy". The parody's lyrics center on the then-former game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
Jeopardy!
Jeopardy!
Griffin's first conception of the game used a board comprising ten categories with ten clues each, but after finding that this board could not be shown on camera easily, he reduced it to two rounds of thirty clues each, with five clues in each of six categories...
, hosted by Art Fleming
Art Fleming
Art Fleming was an American television host, most notably the original host of the TV game show Jeopardy!.-Early life:...
; a syndicated revival, with Alex Trebek
Alex Trebek
George Alexander "Alex" Trebek is a Canadian American game show host who has been the host of the game show Jeopardy! since 1984, and prior to that, he hosted game shows such as Pitfall and High Rollers. He has appeared in numerous television series, usually as himself...
, began three months after the single's release.
The song became the fourth music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
released by Yankovic, and featured a number of cameo appearances including Kihn, Fleming, Yankovic's mentor Dr. Demento
Dr. Demento
Barret Eugene Hansen , better known as Dr. Demento, is a radio broadcaster and record collector specializing in novelty songs, comedy, and strange or unusual recordings dating from the early days of phonograph records to the present....
, original Jeopardy! announcer Don Pardo
Don Pardo
Dominick George "Don" Pardo is an American radio and television announcer. He is best known as the voice of the long-running late night sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live....
, and Yankovic's parents.
The song has been referenced several times on the game show itself, including once as a category on the current Alex Trebek
Alex Trebek
George Alexander "Alex" Trebek is a Canadian American game show host who has been the host of the game show Jeopardy! since 1984, and prior to that, he hosted game shows such as Pitfall and High Rollers. He has appeared in numerous television series, usually as himself...
-hosted version, and later when Yankovic appeared on Rock & Roll Jeopardy!
Rock & Roll Jeopardy!
Rock & Roll Jeopardy! is a variant of the quiz show Jeopardy! which centered entirely around popular music. The series was hosted by Jeff Probst and ran on VH1 from August 8, 1998 to May 12, 2001. Loretta Fox was the show's announcer for the first two seasons...
. The song was played over the closing credits on the second episode of Rock & Roll Jeopardy!
Rock & Roll Jeopardy!
Rock & Roll Jeopardy! is a variant of the quiz show Jeopardy! which centered entirely around popular music. The series was hosted by Jeff Probst and ran on VH1 from August 8, 1998 to May 12, 2001. Loretta Fox was the show's announcer for the first two seasons...
on which Yankovic appeared.
The song has appeared on several compilation albums, including Greatest Hits (1988), Wacky Favorites (1993), and Al in the Box
Permanent Record: Al in the Box
Permanent Record: Al in the Box is a four disc compilation boxed set of songs by "Weird Al" Yankovic. It features his favorite songs from his first eight studio albums, plus alternate versions of "My Bologna", "Happy Birthday", "UHF", and the previously unavailable new single, "Headline News"...
(1994).
7" single
- "I Lost On Jeopardy" – 3:26
- "I'll Be Mellow When I'm Dead" – 3:37
(The promo 7" single only contains "I Lost On Jeopardy")
12" promo single
- "I Lost On Jeopardy" – 5:31 (Extended Mix).
- "Mr. Popeil" – 4:40
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
, shot on May 24 and 25, 1984 and directed by Francis Delia, takes place on a reproduction of the 1964-1975 Jeopardy!
Jeopardy!
Griffin's first conception of the game used a board comprising ten categories with ten clues each, but after finding that this board could not be shown on camera easily, he reduced it to two rounds of thirty clues each, with five clues in each of six categories...
set.
In his game, Yankovic plays against a plumber
Plumber
A plumber is a tradesperson who specializes in installing and maintaining systems used for potable water, sewage, and drainage in plumbing systems. The term dates from ancient times, and is related to the Latin word for lead, "plumbum." A person engaged in fixing metaphorical "leaks" may also be...
("Mr. Leroy Finkelstein from Brooklyn, New York"), and an architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
("Mr. Millard Snofgen from Carbondale
Carbondale, Illinois
Carbondale is a city in Jackson County, in the state of Illinois, within the Southern Illinois region. It is located at the junction of Illinois Route 13 and U.S. Route 51, southeast of St. Louis, Missouri, on the northern edge of the Shawnee National Forest...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
"), "both with a Ph.D." The board contains a series of befuddling and nearly-impossible clues from these categories: "T.V. Themes", "Nuclear Physics", "World Geography", "Food", "Potpourri", and "Famous Accordion Players" (Yankovic himself plays the accordion). Though the other contestants manage to get the questions right, Yankovic misses every clue, finishing with a score of -$6,750 and proceeding to give up.
Don Pardo
Don Pardo
Dominick George "Don" Pardo is an American radio and television announcer. He is best known as the voice of the long-running late night sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live....
proceeds to tell Yankovic of what he didn't win: consolation prizes (a 20-volume set of the Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia
An encyclopedia is a type of reference work, a compendium holding a summary of information from either all branches of knowledge or a particular branch of knowledge....
International, a case of Turtle Wax
Turtle Wax
Turtle Wax is a manufacturer of automotive appearance products. The company was founded by Benjamin Hirsch in 1941 and is currently headquartered in Willowbrook, Illinois...
, and a year's supply of Rice-a-Roni
Rice-A-Roni
Rice-A-Roni is a product of PepsiCo's subsidiary, the Quaker Oats Company. It is a boxed food mix that consists of rice, vermicelli pasta, and seasonings. To prepare, the rice and pasta are browned in butter, then water and seasonings are added and simmered until absorbed.-History:In 1895,...
) or "a lousy copy" of the home game. Furthermore, Yankovic is told that he has made himself look like a jerk in front of millions of people, and has brought shame and disgrace to his family name for generations to come as a result of his disastrous showing while his score continues to plummet and his podium begins to break down.
Pardo then tells Yankovic that he will not come back tomorrow and that he is a "complete loser" as the camera cuts to the board, now replaced with cards saying "complete loser." Art Fleming
Art Fleming
Art Fleming was an American television host, most notably the original host of the TV game show Jeopardy!.-Early life:...
"raspberries"
Blowing a raspberry
Blowing a raspberry or strawberry or making a Bronx cheer is to make a noise signifying derision, real or feigned. It is made by placing the tongue between the lips and blowing, making a sound redolent of flatulence. In the terminology of phonetics, this sound can be described as an unvoiced...
Yankovic as security officers come to kick him out from the studio. Embarrassed but undaunted, Yankovic hopes his luck will change "next weekend on The Price Is Right
The Price Is Right
The Price Is Right is a television game show franchise originally produced by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman, and created by Bob Stewart, and is currently produced and owned by FremantleMedia. The franchise centers on television game shows, but also includes merchandise such as video games, printed...
," and then is literally thrown out from the studio into a convertible – driven by Greg Kihn
Greg Kihn
Greg Kihn is an American rock musician, radio personality and novelist.-Music:Kihn is the front man for The Greg Kihn Band, which released several singles and albums that made the charts in the early 1980s...
himself.
Chart positions
| Chart (1984) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
81 |
See also
- List of singles by "Weird Al" Yankovic
- List of songs by "Weird Al" Yankovic