Jeopardy's Second-Greatest Canadian
April 26, 2022 6:22 AM Subscribe
Mattea Roach has paid off her student loans at just 23 years old, thanks to winning 15 games on Jeopardy!, the fourth double-digit win streak in the current season. She has qualified for the Tournament of Champions in November, where she will compete with Amy Schneider, Matt Amodio, and a bunch of other people who have got to be thinking Oh come on! at this point.
It's been a wild year for jeopardy, something about the pandemic has given rise to a new era of players. Think they need to make the clues harder!
Need to get rid of the goddamn wordplay clues is what they need to do grumble grumble offmylawnyoudamnkids
posted by Etrigan at 7:08 AM on April 26, 2022 [8 favorites]
Need to get rid of the goddamn wordplay clues is what they need to do grumble grumble offmylawnyoudamnkids
posted by Etrigan at 7:08 AM on April 26, 2022 [8 favorites]
She likely paid off her student loans with her first episode or two, because even if she got no scholarship money, her tuition at U of T was probably about $6000 a year. Even with living expenses on top of that, Canadian students don't typically end up in the hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt that US students might.
posted by jacquilynne at 7:15 AM on April 26, 2022 [10 favorites]
posted by jacquilynne at 7:15 AM on April 26, 2022 [10 favorites]
I like her a lot, and hope she gets to see Kraftwerk with her dad this summer.
But, in general and not wishing her or any other super champ ill, I'm a little over the dominating performances. Before Mattea started her run, we did at least get a few weeks of reasonable turnover in champions.
As a viewer, it's not that fun to see two new contestants fed to the trivia wood chipper every week night for months on end. Every now and then, a super champ is a novelty, but for the last couple years, it's become the norm. Not sure it's a solvable problem without totally changing the format of the show though.
posted by the primroses were over at 7:24 AM on April 26, 2022 [9 favorites]
But, in general and not wishing her or any other super champ ill, I'm a little over the dominating performances. Before Mattea started her run, we did at least get a few weeks of reasonable turnover in champions.
As a viewer, it's not that fun to see two new contestants fed to the trivia wood chipper every week night for months on end. Every now and then, a super champ is a novelty, but for the last couple years, it's become the norm. Not sure it's a solvable problem without totally changing the format of the show though.
posted by the primroses were over at 7:24 AM on April 26, 2022 [9 favorites]
I was curious about the iridescent earrings she wears, and found out that she got them from I Still Love You NYC. Hers are the zodiac/scorpio ones, and apparently she forgot to change them on the second day and has continued to wear them as good luck charms.
posted by indexy at 7:27 AM on April 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by indexy at 7:27 AM on April 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
Supplemental to jacquilynne's comment: up until the early 90s, Ontario tuitions were hugely subsidized by tax payers and generally ranged from $500 or so for community college, up to not much over $1000 for university. In the early 80s, my part-time minimum wage summer job more than covered my tuition. Rent control was pretty strictly enforced, so even in Toronto I could find my own place for $250/mth. You young people are living a nightmare in so many ways and can rightfully tell us baby boomers to fuck off.
posted by brachiopod at 7:44 AM on April 26, 2022 [14 favorites]
posted by brachiopod at 7:44 AM on April 26, 2022 [14 favorites]
She reminds me a lot of a friend's "look" from the late 1980s, and so every time I see her on our TV I think it's my old friend!
She's a delightful winner so far, never mean or condescending, so I am happy to see her doing so well.
We have discussed how dominant the players are this season -- but none of them are dicks, so maybe it's just a "professionalization" or evolution of the game. I miss the days when my kids saying that I could be on the show wasn't a farce -- but Amy and Mattea would eat me for lunch.
posted by wenestvedt at 7:59 AM on April 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
She's a delightful winner so far, never mean or condescending, so I am happy to see her doing so well.
We have discussed how dominant the players are this season -- but none of them are dicks, so maybe it's just a "professionalization" or evolution of the game. I miss the days when my kids saying that I could be on the show wasn't a farce -- but Amy and Mattea would eat me for lunch.
posted by wenestvedt at 7:59 AM on April 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
Interesting to see here how many people seem to like her as she appears to be quite polarizing in other spaces on the internet.
We struggle with her in our house. Obviously a smart woman, which we respect, but this is our baggage: her personality is very similar to someone who treated us very poorly in the recent past. We're having trouble staying invested in watching the more we see her. Nightly Jeopardy is basically sacrosanct for us but man... we are really struggling with her.
I miss Amy Schneider.
posted by nayantara at 8:02 AM on April 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
We struggle with her in our house. Obviously a smart woman, which we respect, but this is our baggage: her personality is very similar to someone who treated us very poorly in the recent past. We're having trouble staying invested in watching the more we see her. Nightly Jeopardy is basically sacrosanct for us but man... we are really struggling with her.
I miss Amy Schneider.
posted by nayantara at 8:02 AM on April 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
She is an amazing player - and only 23 years old! I enjoy periodic super/ultra-champs - for non-sports people like me, this is what I imagine sports fans feel when watching Michael Jordan or other super-athletes.
As for her quirks - yes, some people find them irritating (not me!), but J! contestants are not robots - they are people, and some people have quirks.
posted by davidmsc at 8:49 AM on April 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
As for her quirks - yes, some people find them irritating (not me!), but J! contestants are not robots - they are people, and some people have quirks.
posted by davidmsc at 8:49 AM on April 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
But, in general and not wishing her or any other super champ ill, I'm a little over the dominating performances.
Yeah, I just want some close matches. I don't care when a champ goes on a super long streak (except for that smarmy Matt guy. He can fuck off into the sun), but I just want close matches. Most of Amy's matches were pretty much done half way through the Jeopardy round which is great for her, but boring for me.
posted by NoMich at 8:51 AM on April 26, 2022
Yeah, I just want some close matches. I don't care when a champ goes on a super long streak (except for that smarmy Matt guy. He can fuck off into the sun), but I just want close matches. Most of Amy's matches were pretty much done half way through the Jeopardy round which is great for her, but boring for me.
posted by NoMich at 8:51 AM on April 26, 2022
We freakin' love her.
posted by chococat at 9:24 AM on April 26, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by chococat at 9:24 AM on April 26, 2022 [2 favorites]
I love Mattea and honestly I have been a big fan of all the super champs. Last night, though, I discussed with my partner in life and in watching Jeopardy! the dramatic arc of a super champion. Once the champ has established a long tenure, the only possible development, aside from broken records, is their loss. At some point, the shoe has to drop, and that’s what you’re watching for.
posted by chrchr at 9:35 AM on April 26, 2022
posted by chrchr at 9:35 AM on April 26, 2022
Yeah, I just want some close matches.
I agree with this. When it becomes apparent 2 minutes into Double Jeopardy that the game is a runaway it just becomes less interesting to watch. I had Amodio burnout and Schneider burnout too, and I was too young to see Jennings' epic run. My boyfriend remembers Jennings' run though and says that there were a lot of closer games back then which made his run very enjoyable to witness.
The only exception for me is that I actually really enjoyed James Holzhauer's reign, and I'm not sure why. Some combination of personality, his rapport with Alex, and his skillful betting was very compelling, even though sometimes it was clear by the end of the initial Jeopardy round that it was all over for the other two.
posted by nayantara at 10:01 AM on April 26, 2022
I agree with this. When it becomes apparent 2 minutes into Double Jeopardy that the game is a runaway it just becomes less interesting to watch. I had Amodio burnout and Schneider burnout too, and I was too young to see Jennings' epic run. My boyfriend remembers Jennings' run though and says that there were a lot of closer games back then which made his run very enjoyable to witness.
The only exception for me is that I actually really enjoyed James Holzhauer's reign, and I'm not sure why. Some combination of personality, his rapport with Alex, and his skillful betting was very compelling, even though sometimes it was clear by the end of the initial Jeopardy round that it was all over for the other two.
posted by nayantara at 10:01 AM on April 26, 2022
Mattea is just so damned bubbly, nerdy, and delightful to watch. And the way she crushes the competition in such a friendly manner is so fun.
posted by Thorzdad at 10:37 AM on April 26, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by Thorzdad at 10:37 AM on April 26, 2022 [4 favorites]
except for that smarmy Matt guy. He can fuck off into the sun
Good grief. Seriously - is it really that hard to at least TRY being civil in a public forum, particularly about something/someone that is not political and/or life-or-death?
posted by davidmsc at 11:17 AM on April 26, 2022 [6 favorites]
Good grief. Seriously - is it really that hard to at least TRY being civil in a public forum, particularly about something/someone that is not political and/or life-or-death?
posted by davidmsc at 11:17 AM on April 26, 2022 [6 favorites]
I recognized the name and realized she's a former high school and university debater.
She thanked her debate coach on one episode - an interview with him here.
She was/is a coach of the Canadian national high school debate team. I'm sure she has done lots to spread her knowledge and passions to younger folks.
Very cool!
posted by lookoutbelow at 11:45 AM on April 26, 2022 [8 favorites]
She thanked her debate coach on one episode - an interview with him here.
She was/is a coach of the Canadian national high school debate team. I'm sure she has done lots to spread her knowledge and passions to younger folks.
Very cool!
posted by lookoutbelow at 11:45 AM on April 26, 2022 [8 favorites]
a lot of topics posted to MeFi lately which, taken in sum, could not be more cautionary re: the price of celebrity
I'm casually aware of Mattea after a CBC evening news feature, I guess her off-putting quirks weren't on full display? Whoever you are and wherever you are competing: YOU CAN DO IT
posted by elkevelvet at 1:55 PM on April 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
I'm casually aware of Mattea after a CBC evening news feature, I guess her off-putting quirks weren't on full display? Whoever you are and wherever you are competing: YOU CAN DO IT
posted by elkevelvet at 1:55 PM on April 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
Pft, it takes them about four months after your episodes air to send your check so she will pay off her student loans but the past tense is a bit ambitious.
I like her, her vaguely '80s style, and her quirks. She's a great player. I just keep getting frustrated by her betting. So many conservative bets. You're smart as hell, bet on yourself Matea!
Ever since Holzhauer made his run the game has shifted. Being a professional gambler he realized that the daily doubles are almost never at the top of the board and are powerful pieces on the board. So now you see a lot more players hunting for the daily double in the bottom half of the board and making big bets that puts the game out of reach for anyone else. I think that's why we're seeing so many more of these longer streaks.
posted by VTX at 3:11 PM on April 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
I like her, her vaguely '80s style, and her quirks. She's a great player. I just keep getting frustrated by her betting. So many conservative bets. You're smart as hell, bet on yourself Matea!
Ever since Holzhauer made his run the game has shifted. Being a professional gambler he realized that the daily doubles are almost never at the top of the board and are powerful pieces on the board. So now you see a lot more players hunting for the daily double in the bottom half of the board and making big bets that puts the game out of reach for anyone else. I think that's why we're seeing so many more of these longer streaks.
posted by VTX at 3:11 PM on April 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
can rightfully tell us baby boomers to fuck off.
No thanks.
Anyways, Jeopardy... long(er) may it continue.
posted by cinchona at 3:56 PM on April 26, 2022
No thanks.
Anyways, Jeopardy... long(er) may it continue.
posted by cinchona at 3:56 PM on April 26, 2022
Well, I like her. Her personality is very engaging. I'm old enough to be her grandfather, but she appeals to me. And yes, I know she is lesbian. Funny fact for people: in the 1970s my tuition for university in Canada was $500 a year.
posted by baegucb at 3:59 PM on April 26, 2022
posted by baegucb at 3:59 PM on April 26, 2022
In the five years of my degree, my tuition went from $1,200/year to $5,000/year. Thanks, mid-'90s.
posted by joannemerriam at 5:29 PM on April 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by joannemerriam at 5:29 PM on April 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
We got at least one exciting game this week. More excited for Mattea after her close call with Sarah! (I have also never seen Citizen Kane, thems the breaks)
posted by the primroses were over at 4:07 PM on May 6, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by the primroses were over at 4:07 PM on May 6, 2022 [2 favorites]
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