WoF Retro Recap: November 29, 2011

EPISODE #5512: ALPINE ADVENTURES

$1K Tossup: THING

H _ _ H
_ L T I _ _ D E

After a one-sec. delay, Ben’s got the answer at HIGH ALTITUDE. Now playing…

Ben Teitelbaum: journalism graduate student at Columbia University who originally tried to play pro basketball from Pasadena

Lorimar Riemedio: business administration student who graduated in Jan. 2012 and has also been singing karaoke so much that she frequently gets something called the “Mike Elbow” from Vallejo, CA

Vanessa Kimbrough: opera singer (her favorite opera is “Tosca”) married w/ three kids and 10 grandchildren from Chattanooga

$2K Tossup: EVENT

_ _ C T O R Y
_ _ R A D _

No time for a VICTORY PARADE now, as Ben triples up.

FEATURED AA (sponsored by “Hugo”): French Alps worth $7,500
Tues./Thurs. Gift Tag: Sierra Trading Post

Jackpot Round: FICTIONAL CHARACTERS

He’s off and running w/ a $2,500 D, three N’s for another $1,500 and the green 1/2 KIA, three A’s, and an E, followed by three R’s for $1,350 extra, two T’s for $900 more, an O and two I’s. Board, Vanna…

_ I N _
A R T _ _ R / A N D
_ I R / _ A N _ E _ O T

…he solves KING ARTHUR AND SIR LANCELOT for $5,250 (could’ve gone for the L’s) — PR.

UNCLAIMED JACKPOT: $8,900

Mystery Round: SAME LETTER

First, Lorimar says N for instant negative. Second, Vanessa puts up a $600 R, but LOSES A TURN. Third, Ben strikes out w/ T while on the trip wedge. Lorimar next picks up the 1/2 KIA from the same spot w/ two S’s, buys two E’s, but then loses the remaining $750 and her plate to the MDW’s right-side BANKRUPT. After Vanessa BANKRUPTS next to the WC to hand over $600, Ben FPs four A’s, puts up the SL of four P’s for $2,400, and buys an I…

P _ R P _ E
P A I S _ E _
P A _ A _ A S

…before saying a CRITICAL DUD of D — no way, man. -__- Lorimar then solves PURPLE PAISLEY PAJAMAS for the house minimum.

DUDS: N (Lorimar), T, D (both by Ben) 
SOLE LaT: Vanessa
BANKRUPTS: 2 (women)

Lorimar: $1K/Vanessa: ZERO/Ben: $8,250 + 1/2 KIA

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PP Round: PEOPLE

On Vanessa’s next chance to get on the board, she first calls up a $1K pair of T’s, an H for the Sierra Trading Post gift tag, three E’s and five A’s, two N’s for $1,200, but then the sole dud vowel of O. Ben secondly inserts a $300 S but no more w/ Y. Lorimar thirdly finds a $350 G and a $500 M, buys the leftover vowels in pairs (two I’s and two U’s), and picks up both the WC and the same 1/2 KIA w/ L and two R’s respectively, then…

A M A _ I N G
_ I R E / _ A N _ E R S
A T / T H E / L U A U

…she wins another $1,350 plus a trip to where she can see some AMAZING FIRE DANCERS AT THE LUAU — the Kahala Hotel & Resort in HAWAII worth $7,225.

DUDS: O (Vanessa), Y (Ben)

Lorimar: $9,575 cash & HI + WC/Vanessa: STILL ZIP/Ben: $8,250

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$3K Tossup: IN THE KITCHEN

W _ _ _ L E
_ _ _ _

Vanessa finally gets her share of money w/ WAFFLE IRON.

Round 4: RHYME TIME

Two $500 N’s get her started, but a T call ends her turn. After a $900 R by Ben…

_ N _ _ / _ _ / _ / _ _ _
_ N / _ / R _ _

…the leftover consonants will be worth $1,900 apiece. After three G’s later pop up…

S N _ G / _ S / _ / _ _ G
_ N / _ / R _ G

…Vanessa solves SNUG AS A BUG IN A RUG for $6,700 and the comeback win by $125.

SOLE DUD BEFORE SPEED-UP: T (Vanessa)
DUDS AFTER BELL: L (Vanessa), M (Ben), D (Lorimar), P (Ben)

FINAL SCORES
Lorimar: $9,575 cash & HI/Vanessa: $9,700/Ben: $8,250

GT: $27,525
BANKRUPT TRASH (excluding plate): $1,350

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$100K Bonus Round

Vanessa takes out the P envelope.

Category: PLACE
For starters…

_ _ L _ L _ _ E
_ _ R _

PKGA fills in something completely…

_ _ L _ L _ _ E
P A R K

…the entire second word, and she can’t solve WILDLIFE PARK for $30K. Not very well played.

MY EP. RATING: 3