Barinholtz advances on ‘Jeopardy!’
Who is Ike Barinholtz? This actor and screenwriter is a former “Celebrity Jeopardy!” champion who just made it to the semifinals of the syndicated game show’s Tournament of Champions.
“The Mindy Project” star and writer, who won “Celebrity Jeopardy!” last year, prevailed in Monday’s episode against scenic artist Ray Lalonde and professor Melissa Klapper, whom he previously described as “legends” and “real players” on the non-celebrity version of the program.
The actor, also known for roles in “Blockers” and “Late Night,” won $28,601 and the ability to advance in the tournament. He played a perfect first round, earning
$4,800, but struggled in the second round, getting only seven of the 10 clues correct. He and his fellow contestants made it to the Final Jeopardy! round with five-figure earnings. Klapper led with $21,400, Barinholtz followed with $14,800 and Lalonde trailed with $13,800.
But the actor wagered more than his competition — $13,801 — bringing his total score to $28,601 and notching the victory.
Barinholtz, 47, will compete in his semifinal episode Thursday, a spokesperson for “Jeopardy!” confirmed Tuesday.
Speaking to host Ken Jennings before his win, Barinholtz said that people didn’t seem to realize how smart he was.
“People were giving me a lot of well wishes and a lot of them were tinged with the tone of, ‘I thought you were dumb?!’ ” Barinholtz joked. “I am, full disclosure, but it was wonderful ... People were surprised, but I was happy that they were saying nice things.”
Women’s Prize for Fiction names nominees: Novels that give voice to the often unheard stories of migrants around the world are among the nominees for the 2024 Women’s Prize for Fiction. The 16-book longlist announced Tuesday includes works by writers from Barbados, Ghana, Australia, Britain, Ireland, South Korea and the United States.
Novelist Monica Ali, who is chairing the panel of judges, said the works range from science fiction — Barbadian writer Karen Lord’s “The Blue, Beautiful World” — to historical fiction, coming-of-age stories, “intimate domestic dramas” and epic sagas.
Maya Binyam’s “Hangman” and Isabella Hammad’s “Enter Ghost” deal with emigrants’ return to their homelands. Peace Adzo Medie’s “Nightbloom” confronts racism and the immigrant experience. Aube Rey Lescure’s “River East, River West” depicts West to East immigration.
The most published authors are Ireland’s Anne Enright, nominated for her seventh novel, “The Wren, The Wren,” and Australia’s Kate Grenville, who makes the list with her eighth, “Restless Dolly Maunder.” One of the debut novelists, British author Chetna Maroo, was a finalist for the 2023 Booker Prize with “Western Lane.”
Six finalists for the fiction prize will be announced April 24.
March 6 birthdays: Dancer Carmen de Lavallade is 93. Guitarist David Gilmour is 78. Singer Kiki Dee is 77. Director Rob Reiner is 77. Actor Tom Arnold is 65. Actor D.L. Hughley is 61. Actor Connie Britton is 57. Actor Moira Kelly is 56. Rapper Bubba Sparxxx is 47. Rapper Tyler, the Creator is 33. Actor Millicent Simmonds is 21.