Transcript 05/24/2011 Peirce Johnston

[BBTranscriptTeam]

Peirce Johnston
Cincinnati, OH
Resident physician
His wife Melissa is "excited" in the audience
He is the only testosterone in the household as they have two daughters and a cat.


Topic Tree (pre-randomized):
10 Cultural Groups
9 Kids Today
8 Movie Collaborators
7 Southern Schools
6 Trilogies
5 Hall of Famers
4 Going Nuts
3 Early America
2 Kick it
1 Appliance Makers


Topic Tree: (Randomized)
5 Hall of Famers
9 Kids Today
8 Movie Collaborators
1 Appliance Makers
6 Trilogies
2 Kick it
3 Early America
4 Going Nuts
7 Southern Schools
10 Cultural Groups



Question 1 - Level 10 Cultural Groups
Before settling in Louisiana, "Cajuns" were known as "Acadians," a term referring to a region located where?
A. Nova Scotia B. Michigan
C. Iceland D. Cuba

Answer and value

A. Nova Scotia
Value: $15K
Bank: $15K

Question 2 - Level 7 Southern Schools
True to its name, the University of South Alabama is located in what Alabama city?
A. Birmingham B. Montgomery
C. Mobile D. Tuscaloosa

Spoiler

Peirce figured that Mobile is the southernmost of them

Answer and value

C. Mobile
Value: $10K
Bank: $25K

Question 3 - Level 4 Going Nuts
Which of these hard, edible treats grow on two varieties of trees classified as bitter and sweet?
A. Pecans B. Cashews
C. Almonds D. Pistachios

ATA

A-23% B-9% C-52% D-16%

Answer and value

C. Almonds
Value: $2K
Bank: $27000

Question 4 - Level 3 Early America
Which of these explorers is believed to have reached North America almost 500 years before Christopher Columbus?
A. Henry Hudson B. Leif Eriksson
C. Vasco da Gama D. Ponce de Leon

Spoiler

Peirce said he knew it was a Viking

Answer and value

B. Leif Eriksson
Value: $100
Bank: $27100

Question 5 - Level 2 Kick it
"The Boot" is the name of a popular website featuring inside information for fans of what music genre?
A. Country B. Pop
C. Metal D. Rap

Answer and value

A. Country
Value: $7K
Bank: $34100

Question 6 - Level 6 Trilogies
In the popular "Millennium" trilogy, which of the following does not complete the title of a novel that begins with "The Girl..."?
A. Who Played with Fire B. With the Dragon Tattoo
C. Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest D. Who Spoke to the Dead

Spoiler

Peirce had not read the books, but remembered B from the movie version. He thought A and C were in the trilogy too. He paused to decide how confident he was, then went for it (D).

Answer and value

D. Who Spoke to the Dead
Value: $1000
Bank: $35100

Commercial break

Peirce was an English professor for ten years, then changed his profession. This was because he married and had kids. He wanted to make enough money to raise his kids.


Question 7 - Level 1 Appliance Makers
In 1946, the John Oster Manufacturing Company introduced the Osterizer, a popular brand of what?
A. Dishwasher B. Blender
C. Toaster D. Refrigerator

JTQ 1

Peirce's decision to JTQ was immediate on-air

Answer and value

B. Blender
Value: $25,000 jumped
Bank: $35100

Question 8 - Level 8 Movie Collaborators
Which of these movies starring Robert De Niro was not directed by Martin Scorsese?
A. The Untouchables B. Cape Fear
C. Casino D. Raging Bull

Answer and value

A. The Untouchables
Value: $500
Bank: $35600

Question 9- Level 9 Kids Today
A NY judge made headlines in 2010 by ruling that a 4-year-old could be sued for negligence in a case involving what?
A. A lost dog B. A lemonade stand
C. A broken lamp D. A bicycle accident

JTQ 2

Peirce was leaning "bicycle accident"

Answer and value

D. A bicycle accident
Value: $5000 jumped
Bank: $35600

Question 10 - Level 5 Hall of Famers
In 2006, inventor Frank Zamboni was inducted into what sports's World Hall of Fame?
A. Volleyball B. Figure skating
C. Archery D. Badminton

Spoiler

Peirce said he knew the Zamboni is the machine that cleans the ice.

Answer and value

B. Figure skating
Value: $3000
Bank: $38600

Commercial break, including promo for NYC contestant auditions.


They showed Peirce's wife who said she was "disrobing." She explained that she wore extra layers after being warned that the studio is cold, but she is finding it warm inside and was taking off some of those layers.


Question 11 - Level $100,000
The famous opening to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony consists of three quick G notes followed by a long what?
A. A flat B. D flat
C. G flat D. E flat

Spoiler

Peirce said he knows music but nothing about writing music. Peirce indicated that he had no idea so he would walk with the $38600 bank he has accumulated

Answer and value

D. E flat
Bank: $38600 (walk)

[Bob78164]

Question 11 - Level $100,000
The famous opening to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony consists of three quick G notes followed by a long what?
A. A flat B. D flat
C. G flat D. E flat

Spoiler

Peirce said he knows music but nothing about writing music. Peirce indicated that he had no idea so he would walk with the $38600 bank he has accumulated

Answer and value

D. E flat
Bank: $38600 (walk)

Hmm. I took a correct guess at this one based just on the sound. I was certain it was much more than a half step lower and much less than nearly a full octave, so that makes it a 50-50 guess. --Bob

[earendel]

Peirce Johnston
Cincinnati, OH
Resident physician
His wife Melissa is "excited" in the audience
He is the only testosterone in the household as they have two daughters and a cat.

Question 2 - Level 7 Southern Schools
True to its name, the University of South Alabama is located in what Alabama city?
A. Birmingham B. Montgomery
C. Mobile D. Tuscaloosa

Spoiler

Peirce figured that Mobile is the southernmost of them

Answer and value

C. Mobile
Value: $10K
Bank: $25K

Good for him in figuring this out. It's not likely to be in Birmingham since the University of Alabama already has a school there, as in Tuscaloosa.

Peirce was an English professor for ten years, then changed his profession. This was because he married and had kids. He wanted to make enough money to raise his kids.

Yeah, but what abouit the costs of medical school?

Question 8 - Level 8 Movie Collaborators
Which of these movies starring Robert De Niro was not directed by Martin Scorsese?
A. The Untouchables B. Cape Fear
C. Casino D. Raging Bull

Answer and value

A. The Untouchables
Value: $500
Bank: $35600

I'd JTQ on this one.

Question 11 - Level $100,000
The famous opening to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony consists of three quick G notes followed by a long what?
A. A flat B. D flat
C. G flat D. E flat

Spoiler

Peirce said he knows music but nothing about writing music. Peirce indicated that he had no idea so he would walk with the $38600 bank he has accumulated

Answer and value

D. E flat
Bank: $38600 (walk)

I can hear the music (although I couldn't tell you what key it was in) and know very little about music theory. But the difference between the three notes (G, according to the question) and the fourth note isn't that large and is lower. That eliminates A flat. It's more than a half-step, so it's not G flat. That's as far as I can narrow it down so it's time to JTQ again.

[CarShark]

I'm surprised that there hasn't been more negative reaction to Peirce not going for it. $13K risked for $61K seems like something to go for. He seemed to really be psyched out by the question. He didn't really seem to try.

[Snaxx]

I'm surprised that there hasn't been more negative reaction to Peirce not going for it. $13K risked for $61K seems like something to go for. He seemed to really be psyched out by the question. He didn't really seem to try.

Maybe it was because he did show more good/impressive than bad/unimpressive game play. And he did reach Classic Millionaire, something a small minority of contestants do. Maybe the 13K meant something important in his or his family's finances.

The quick JTQ on Osterizer was a surprise for me, and might back your observation that he did not seem to try when his first impression was no-idea.

[MarleysGh0st]

I'm surprised that there hasn't been more negative reaction to Peirce not going for it. $13K risked for $61K seems like something to go for. He seemed to really be psyched out by the question. He didn't really seem to try.

Well, as far as there not being more reaction, there were only two comments about anything in the thread before yours. Ontopicosity seems to be going out of style.

Although I hadn't posted a reply, my first reaction to this was that this was the first question I can recall that relied on musical pitch. As someone without formal musical training, I was pretty much clueless on that one. I could hum/sing the notes (Da Da Da Dummmmm) but I don't think TPTB would accept the "Dummmmm" for an answer. Maybe I could try to cross-reference the sound with the "Do Re Me" scale, with the understanding that a flat note has to be between the full notes on either side? ("Do" is a C note, right?) The effort might have been entertaining, at least.

But back to your question, yes, the odds were very good in this question, even for a complete guess. Since Peirce is a physician, I would hope he's in a better financial situation to take such a risk than many other contestant types, like students and the unemployed.

[peacock2121]

I'm surprised that there hasn't been more negative reaction to Peirce not going for it. $13K risked for $61K seems like something to go for. He seemed to really be psyched out by the question. He didn't really seem to try.

Does anyone care enough these days to have a negative reaction?

[plasticene]

Although I hadn't posted a reply, my first reaction to this was that this was the first question I can recall that relied on musical pitch. As someone without formal musical training, I was pretty much clueless on that one. I could hum/sing the notes (Da Da Da Dummmmm) but I don't think TPTB would accept the "Dummmmm" for an answer. Maybe I could try to cross-reference the sound with the "Do Re Me" scale, with the understanding that a flat note has to be between the full notes on either side? ("Do" is a C note, right?) The effort might have been entertaining, at least.

You have the right idea. "Do" is just the first note of whatever scale, so if you're talking about a C scale, then yes, C is "Do". Here's how you might work out the answer with just some basic musical knowledge:

First try "Re". Sing Do-Re-Do, Re-Re-Re-Do. That's obviously not it. Try "Mi". Sing Do-Re-Mi-Do, Mi-Mi-Mi-Do. Bingo! You've found the correct interval. Now just think about going two notes down from G on just about any scale, and it's got to be something involving E, so E flat is the answer.

If you have just a bit more musical knowledge, like what note each piano key corresponds to, then you don't need multiple choice. You can see that there are four half-steps between C and E (that's Mi when C is Do) on the piano. Count down four half steps from G and you get E flat.

Now an exercise: The first seven notes of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik alternate between G and a lower note. What is that note?

[SportsFan68]

Question 2 - Level 7 Southern Schools
True to its name, the University of South Alabama is located in what Alabama city?
A. Birmingham B. Montgomery
C. Mobile D. Tuscaloosa

Spoiler

Peirce figured that Mobile is the southernmost of them

Answer and value

C. Mobile
Value: $10K
Bank: $25K

I had no idea and don't think the audience is any help. JTQ.


Question 3 - Level 4 Going Nuts
Which of these hard, edible treats grow on two varieties of trees classified as bitter and sweet?
A. Pecans B. Cashews
C. Almonds D. Pistachios

ATA

A-23% B-9% C-52% D-16%

Answer and value

C. Almonds
Value: $2K
Bank: $27000

"Bitter almonds" is in my memory banks somewhere.

Question 6 - Level 6 Trilogies
In the popular "Millennium" trilogy, which of the following does not complete the title of a novel that begins with "The Girl..."?
A. Who Played with Fire B. With the Dragon Tattoo
C. Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest D. Who Spoke to the Dead

Spoiler

Peirce had not read the books, but remembered B from the movie version. He thought A and C were in the trilogy too. He paused to decide how confident he was, then went for it (D).

Answer and value

D. Who Spoke to the Dead
Value: $1000
Bank: $35100

ATA. I'm in the same shape on these that I was for the first three Harry Potters. When I start reading them, I know I won't be able to stop.

Question 7 - Level 1 Appliance Makers
In 1946, the John Oster Manufacturing Company introduced the Osterizer, a popular brand of what?
A. Dishwasher B. Blender
C. Toaster D. Refrigerator

JTQ 1

Peirce's decision to JTQ was immediate on-air

Answer and value

B. Blender
Value: $25,000 jumped
Bank: $35100

For a long time, Osterizer was almost like Kleenex as a generic name.

Question 8 - Level 8 Movie Collaborators
Which of these movies starring Robert De Niro was not directed by Martin Scorsese?
A. The Untouchables B. Cape Fear
C. Casino D. Raging Bull

Answer and value

A. The Untouchables
Value: $500
Bank: $35600

JTQ 2.

Question 9- Level 9 Kids Today
A NY judge made headlines in 2010 by ruling that a 4-year-old could be sued for negligence in a case involving what?
A. A lost dog B. A lemonade stand
C. A broken lamp D. A bicycle accident

JTQ 2

Peirce was leaning "bicycle accident"

Answer and value

D. A bicycle accident
Value: $5000 jumped
Bank: $35600

I'm outta there, darn it, cuz I know the next one. Oh well.

Question 10 - Level 5 Hall of Famers
In 2006, inventor Frank Zamboni was inducted into what sports's World Hall of Fame?
A. Volleyball B. Figure skating
C. Archery D. Badminton

Spoiler

Peirce said he knew the Zamboni is the machine that cleans the ice.

Answer and value

B. Figure skating
Value: $3000
Bank: $38600

[Estonut]

Question 9- Level 9 Kids Today
A NY judge made headlines in 2010 by ruling that a 4-year-old could be sued for negligence in a case involving what?
A. A lost dog B. A lemonade stand
C. A broken lamp D. A bicycle accident

JTQ 2

Peirce was leaning "bicycle accident"

Answer and value

D. A bicycle accident
Value: $5000 jumped
Bank: $35600

I'm outta there, darn it, cuz I know the next one. Oh well.

Just as even a blind dog finds a bone every once in a while, one of the JuchNewsNetwork posts was about this case.

[MarleysGh0st]

Question 9- Level 9 Kids Today
A NY judge made headlines in 2010 by ruling that a 4-year-old could be sued for negligence in a case involving what?
A. A lost dog B. A lemonade stand
C. A broken lamp D. A bicycle accident

JTQ 2

Peirce was leaning "bicycle accident"

Answer and value

D. A bicycle accident
Value: $5000 jumped
Bank: $35600

I'm outta there, darn it, cuz I know the next one. Oh well.

Just as even a blind dog finds a bone every once in a while, one of the JuchNewsNetwork posts was about this case.

That news story happened very late in the taping season and I don't know how much attention it got in the national news. Too bad Peirce didn't follow the JuchNewsNetwork.