Tournaments all over

I've grumped about Jeopardy running too many tournaments. Sure enough, this year's teen tilt saw a triple zero after Final Jeopardy and categories based on Carly Rae Jepsen lyrics, among other monstrosities. But at least the tournament wrapped up with a cute (if cocky) final answer from winner Leonard Cooper. He channeled Millionaire's John Carpenter and told the world he would win before the game was over. He was right.

Now it's on to the one Jeopardy stunt I can get enthusiastic about, the venerable tournament of champions. Looking over the list of contestants, I'd have to say the favorite is Jason Keller, a nine-time winner who seems to have the best all-round game. But as Joaquin Andujar said when he summed up baseball in one word: you never know.

At least the games will be competently played. These folks know what they're doing when they question the answers. We'll see who's left standing on February 26.