Jeopardy contestants fail to remember Herman Cain

[TexasTowelie]

A couple years ago, Republican candidate Herman Cain was leading Mitt Romney in the polls. Now, judging by the failure of these Jeopardy contestants to successfully name him as the answer to a fairly obvious question, nobody even remembers him.

During the game show's Tuesday night airing, none of the contestants attempted to answer the clue, "This pizza magnate and 2012 presidential candidate was a math major at historically black Morehouse College."

Even Alex Trebek was a little taken aback when not a single contestant buzzed in. "How quickly you have forgotten Herman Cain," he said.

Most people would take this as a ding on Herman Cain, but I see this as an illustration of the ephemeral and superficial nature of modern political coverage. We obsess over the most granular ups and downs of politics (remember 9-9-9! or "DEEP DISH!" or "the water tastes the same!"?), but how much of what we obsess over will even be remembered a few years from now?

Source: http://theweek.com/article/index/260418/speedreads-jeopardy-contestants-fail-to-remember-herman-cain

[malaise]

1. I saw that live and we were in stiches

[tularetom]

2. My second favorite Jeopardy moment

My favorite? Gotta be this.

[malaise]

12. Isn't that everyone's favorite?

[Scuba]

13. This will always be my favorite.

[unblock]

3. modern political coverage obsesses over trivia; we remember it only if it fits a familiar narrative

facts and policies matter to real people, so if the media covered that, there would be much to remember.

instead, they focus on screams and sighs and sweaters and tank helmets, and we remember them only because they are repeated often enough and fit into a narrative that is told over and over. cain didn't really register, and his gaffes didn't fit a familiar narrative. he was largely forgettable and largely forgotten.

the closest they come to policy is to take an actual proposal and stick labels all over it and kick it around like a football. so much branding, and so little discussion of "what should our country do?"

[lpbk2713]

4. Some times it is difficult to recall something when put on the spot.

I know what you're saying.

It's easy enough to remember Clint Eastwood's chair but to remember
specific names when the clock is ticking is a different matter entirely.

[cthulu2016]

5. They then went on to forget about Dre. A sad spectacle all around.

[pinboy3niner]

6. Who here could forget...

...the old sci-fi movie poster updated by DUer GReedDiamond?

[CatWoman]

17. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[joshcryer]

7. Those contestants didn't buzz in for a lot of questions.

Only one clue in the last chosen category was seen! Never saw that before.

[madinmaryland]

8. I just asked that to my wife, and she went blank.

She did remember the name, but for those who don't spend a lot time with politics, he faded really quick.

[WinkyDink]

9. WTH remembers such a non-entity?? And WTH is "Deep Dish"?

[Enthusiast]

10. I must confess.

I couldn't remember his name either. I could picture his face but had completely forgotten his name. He was such a creep anyway.

[joshcryer]

14. Same here.

The Cain smiling video really stood out.

[Capt. Obvious]

11. I bet if the clue included, "and sexually harassed multiple employees and had multiple

affairs while still married" they might have guessed.

[Blue Owl]

15. Yup he's no longer twirling around in the nation's thoughts

n/t

[Gothmog]

16. GOP voters forgot who he was also

Cain was a joke as a candidate. The fact that he was leading the 2012 GOP race for a while is proof as to how weak that field was.

[3catwoman3]

18. I saw this and found it...

...quite hilarious.

[pinboy3niner]

19. Maybe they should have worked Uzbecky-becky-beckystanstan into the clue