After three rounds of hardened familial combat, it's a pretty even battle going into the triple round with the Cooleys up, 100-72.

Triple Round: a food people whip (4). Lavelle fires with potatoes for #2. Perry whips cream for #1. Mary Lou whips her eggs. Dennis rounds it out with cake, and the challengers win it, 357-100.

Mary Lou is up first at the Fast Money, as Jeff is off in seclusion. She scores in "your occupation if you were living in biblical times" (a carpenter) and "a place where people wait in line in cars" (drive-thru), giving her 105. Jeff can't get the job done, as the family gets $715.

So far, Melissa has been quick skillful... or twice lucky.. Today's the day she proves that her wins were no fluke. She starts with $200 '60s Pop Quiz, and again she chooses the category with the Daily Double. The $800 audio clue is worth $1000, and it pertains the singer of "Warmer than the Warmest Sunshine". "Who is Petula Clark?" Right for $1200. Last clue remains hidden as she's in the lead with $4200, although Dominic is close behind with $3400. Kim with a grand starts Double Jeopardy!...

... with $400 "Z" Boys. After Melissa proves that there is indeed an audience for NBC's "The Office", Dominic finds the first Daily Double under $1600 Asia. He can break toady... and he won't. It's only worth $2000, and it pertains to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Ra's al Khaymah, Ash Shariqah, Umm Al Qaywayn, and Al Fujayrah. "What are the United Arab Emirates?" Right on for $8200. He's near enough to be great for $1600 The Great & Near-Great, the next Daily Double. He bets $1400 on the victor at Calatafimi and Milazzo. "Who is Garibaldi?" He's right to end the round at $12,800 to the champ's $!0,600. Kim, meanwhile, is trailing with $7000

Final Jeopardy! in "Academy Award Nominations": he was nominated for Best Actor 5 times in the 1950s, the most for any man in one decade. Correct response: Who was Marlon Brando?

All three are wrong, but Dominic at least had a sizeable amount left in the offing... well, comparable to nothing for Kim and $5 for Melissa. Dominic returns tomorrow with $2800, while Melissa leaves with $43,706.

Second half belongs to three J's. Janet Smith (of the famous Smith family reunion) wins ski equipment and a $6000 pool table playing Double Prices. Janice Groh wins a desk, but blows a trip to Buenos Aires playing Hi-Lo, when she finds out that the Mylanta in the Lo-row is actually six bucks and change, higher than the lowest-priced-in-the-Hi-row Aspercreme. Janelle Thornock wins lamps, but can't convert into a PT Cruiser playing Line'em Up. So who would win at the Wheel? Janelle... She takes $1000 extra into the Showcase against Beth.

And speaking of which, here it is. Mother Nature inspects 33 and finds a fridge/freezer, a CD jukebox, and a Ford Escape. Top winner Beth keeps the package and tags it at $24,400. Meanwhile, for Janelle, it's a trip to the Train Depot, where a shaved-ice cart, a day bed with mattress, and two motorcycles are delivered. Janelle bids $16,500. Actual price: $18,701. Actual price of Beth's Showcase: in the 38's. Janelle wins this one with $20,398.

Other winners:
Ryan Helmer: HDTV; elliptical trainer, sauna, & dinette winning One Wrong Price
Tyrone Mitchell: dishwasher; tool kit, bread machine, knife sharpener & $250 playing Punch-a-Bunch

STATS: 3/6, $58,274, one pledge to buy a ring she wanted, one pledge to pay debt, and one pledge to pay the taxes on a car won.

Katie wants a man's man. The guys want a trip to Mexico. Here are Katie's words: Katie, valedictorian, funny, pants. Eight hours... go.

Luke is feeling a beach vibe in the writing room, but it sounds like a redux of "Pinball Wizard". Valedictorian is a hard word to rhyme, yeah. Meanwhile, Matt has a good runthrough, but isn't sure what key it's in. Ryan's notes on Luke: not sure on the rap breakdown on his song. I say.. hell, it's different.

Time to switch! Ryan likes the backing of Matt's music, and it helps that his voice is very wide. Meanwhile, Matt doesn't want any poppiness. He just wants straight funk. Nothing more. Ryan's notes on Matt's: he needs to work on words, although he is a good lyricist.

Let's hit the Avalon for the performances. Katie is tucked away wtih Ryan in seclusion. Every high school valedictorian's dream, no doubt. Matt's first with "Take You Away". Very... okay, I swore I wouldn't use this word when writing this show... Very Idol-ish. "Matt, you're awesome!" And he's still wearing his man pants.

Next up, Luke with "The Valedictorian". Very funky. Very very funky. This could be close. What does Katie think? "Definitely feelin' it. It was very different from Matt's." So far, he's my favorite.

Moment of truth... Katie's going to Mexico... with Matt?! Come on, Luke rapped and everything!

Eggland's Best Jackpot Round, and we're dealing with a same name. Shambi earns a Free Spin on a T. Cody runs out on vowels and consonants as he reads THE HUMAN & NASCAR RACE for $4800.

Time for the Mystery Round, and we still have $10,000... and a trip to whomever can get this Prize Puzzle, a Phrase. You know what that means. Cody is on a decent little run here, solving FLIGHT ATTENDANTS PREPARE FOR LANDING. He's got $9350... and a trip to Mexico! If you've got Spin ID CA 05435, you've got 24 to escape to Mexico!

Tossup time again. Shambi gets LUXEMBOURG for $3000. Next round: things. After from regular play, Pat spins out $1600 for a consonant. Shambi solves THE COLORS OF THE RAINBOW for $6350, $9350 total. Carol has $8500, but the big winner is Cody with $19,650!

Bonus time with a Phrase. After the usual 6 and FCD A...

T _ E  _ L _ _ E S
A R E  _ F F

Looks like THE GLOVES ARE OFF...  and he runs out of time... Shame, too. He could've won $25,000.