We started with 135 players fighting for 45 slots. Then we threw in nine of Jeopardy!'s best for fun, whittling the field to 18. Now we're down to the six best - Brad Rutter, the Million Dollar Master; Pam Mueller, the lady of the bunch; Frank Spangenberg, the living legend; John Cuthbertson, the underdog; Chris Miller, the newbie; and Jerome Vered, the guy everyone likes. Two of these players will go on to next week's finals against the reining King of Quiz, Ken Jennings. At stake: $2,000,000 for the winner, $500,000 for the first runner-up, and $250,000 for the third-place finisher.

Today begins the first of two two-part total-point semifinals with these players.

FRANK SPANGENBERG Police lieutenant Douglaston, NY Won $75,199	PAM MUELLER Capitol Hill staffer/entering law student orig. from Chicago Won $82,201	JEROME VERED Writer Los Angeles Won $87,601

Jeopardy! categories: The Nixon Library, Movie: _____ in the _____, Med. Abbrev., Collectibles, Logos & Trademarks, In the "Gn"ow

Daily Double: $600 Logos & Trademarks. Pam ($5000 over Frank & Jerome's $2000 each) bets $3000. The clue: Gertrude the Kangaroo has long been the logo of this Simon & Schuster division. Pam's guess: "What are Pocket Books?" Correct for $8000.

End of Round:
Frank - $2800
Pam - $6600
Jerome - $5400

Double Jeopardy! categories: World History, Jacks in the Box, Nicknames of New York City, Novels, Airport Names, Alliterative Responses

Daily Double #1: $1200 Nicknames of New York Cities. Frank ($2800 to Pam's $6600 and Jerome's $4600) is in for $2000. Clue: the Nickel City. Frank's guess: "What is Buffalo?" Correct for $4800.

Daily Double #2: $1600 Airport Names. Jerome ($15,400 over Pam's $15,000 and Frank's $8800) goes $3000. Clue: Montreal's Dorval Airport is now named for this late prime minister, a Montreal native. Jerome's guess: "Who is Trudeau?" Correct for $18,400.

End of Round:
Frank - $6800
Pam - $14,200
Jerome - $19,600

Remember, this is a two-day affair. Scores from tomorrow will be added to today.

Final Jeopardy! Category: Familiar Phrases. Answer: this 5-word rule or maxim has been attributed to both H. Gordon Selfridge & John Wanamaker. Correct response: What is "The Customer is Always Right"?

Frank's question: What is "The Customer is Always Right"? (RIGHT) Wager: $6700. Final score: $13,500.
Pam's question: What is ? (WRONG) Wager: $4200. Final score: $10,000.
Jerome's question: What is The Customer is Always Right?" (RIGHT) Wager: $3500. Final score: $23,100.

$13,500	$10,000	$23,100

These are the scores going into tomorrow's match. Who has a one-way flight to the final showdown and who has a one-way flight home? Find out next time!