Des Moines a "Jeopardy!" hit, but one answer stumps all

Fri December 04 2009
Posted Dec 3, 2009
15,383

Des Moines, IA Here's an argument for reading The Des Moines Register: An answer about the newspaper was worth $2,000 on "Jeopardy!" on Thursday. The three contestants knew the other four questions in the Double Jeopardy category, "Life in Des Moines," but couldn't come up with the correct question of "What is The Des Moines Register?" for "Des Moinesians keep current with this newspaper, founded in a log cabin in 1849." The category's $800 answer: "A bar, opened in 2005, that re- creates an old-time tavern atmosphere is named for this Miller beer" (Question: "What is High Life?") led contestants downtown to High Life Lounge. Bar patrons enjoyed some free beer and let out cheers when Des Moines and their favorite watering hole were mentioned on Thursday's show, High Life co-owner Jeff Bruning said. The show's Web site says the game's "Clue Crew" is always on the road, looking for clue ideas, but Bruning doesn't believe the crew visited his bar - undercover or otherwise. "It was totally out of the blue, as far as I know," he said. Bruning said he thought the answer about his bar was pretty easy, but he wasn't complaining. "We work really hard to put ourselves out there and make sure everyone knows about us," he said. "It's nice when we get some recognition for it." The show aired at 3:30 p.m. in Des Moines on WHO-TV (Channel 13). So, Des Moinesians, here's what the folks watching "Jeopardy!" learned about in the other three answers: Des Moines for $400: "You can't miss this building, finished in 1886 and regilded in 1927, 1965 and 1998." Question: "What is the (Iowa) State Capitol?" Des Moines for $1,200: "Let's visit Wallace House, home to a family that produced 2 secys. of this; maybe there'll be Vilsack House someday." Question: "What is agriculture?" Des Moines for $1,600: "The annual Pridefest is more festive since the April 2009 decision that allowed this in Iowa." Question: "What is gay marriage?"