Jeopardy! Timeline (syndicated version)/Season 15

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Season 15 (1998-1999)

This image is supposed to be the Audio Daily Double Logo

Starting with this season, the first Jeopardy Online logo was used at the end of the show.

Season Changes

• The opening sequence changed: we see the same flyover of the Sony Pictures Studios complex, and a yellow glow appears when the Jeopardy! logo zooms out, with colorful designs behind it on a dark purple background. Then, the Jeopardy! logo wipes away to reveal the 1996-2002 set.
• Later in this season, the letters of the Jeopardy! logo with some Jeopardy! set visible appears one by one and some yellow and blue spotlights was added to the title card.
• At the beginning of this season, Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune go on the internet, launching Jeopardy! Online and Wheel of Fortune Online.
• The copyright notice had a Global Entertainment Productions byline during the middle portion of the season.
• This is the last full season where Johnny said "Jeopardy! was created by Merv Griffin" since it was first used on the November 4, 1996 episode.
• This is also the last full season where the audience applauded coming out of the second commercial break into the Double Jeopardy! round.
• This is also the last season to have the same Sony Pictures Studios in the intro which has been used since Season 13 and to have the sliding doors changing from pink to purple in the Double Jeopardy! round.
• This is the last full season where Johnny said "Today's second and third place contestants will receive…" after the host signs off.
• This is the first full season where the Double Jeopardy! clue values were already shown on the board coming out of the second commercial break.
• The Daily Double clues were still in a red background on early episodes of this season. On later episodes, they changed it back to the blue background. On top of that, the Daily Double logo makes a diagonal animating appearance, and then, it flips around to reveal the clue. After that, it dissolves in reverse. This will last all the way until the end of Season 22. On Video Daily Doubles, after the clue was read or presented by someone, it now has a page curl transition rather than just fading to the player who selected it.
• This season is both the last season to have the 1990-1998 KingWorld "Spotlights" logo, and the first season to have the 1998-2006 KingWorld "Star Shooter" logo. The 1998-2006 KingWorld "Star Shooter" logo remained in use until three months into Season 23. The Jeopardy! Online music originally carried over into the KingWorld "Spotlights" logo, until the "Star Shooter" logo debuted.
• During this season, the logo for Game Show Network changed to letter tiles popping up, with a ball and hand with mixed up letters appear. The plug has a different voiceover, and was changed to "Buzz your cable company and get in the game!".
• On early episodes of this season, the show didn't have the first Jeopardy! Online logo.
• On later episodes of this season, the first Jeopardy! Online logo is set on a purple background. We see two spinning globes as the word "play" appears onscreen. Then, we see the dark purple Jeopardy! logo with a mint outline and the word "ONLINE" below. This logo continues to be used until Season 16. Then, the URL "www.jeopardy.com" is seen below, with a blue spinning globe behind it. A techno version of "Think!" is heard, followed by the last four notes.
• Until early 1999, the music continues into the 1990-1998 KingWorld "Spotlights" logo, and the last four notes of "Think!" can be heard.
• In early 1999, the music for the Jeopardy! Online logo ends when the logo does, and the KingWorld music returns.
• In mid-1999, the 1990-1998 KingWorld "Spotlights" logo is changed to the 1998-2006 KingWorld "Star Shooter" logo, which shows a computerized gold and brown sky background complete with a thunderclap.
• The KingWorld logo completely changed its color from white to blue.
• The closed captioning sponsor is broadcast right after the last commercial break, right before the Final Jeopardy! round.
• The Priceline.com sponsor is announced by Johnny Gilbert, right before the Double Jeopardy! round.
• Starting with this season, the Staples logo appears in the credits as it's official office superstore and continues to be used until early Season 18.

September 1998

• September 7, 1998: Season 15 premieres.
• September 10, 1998: David Bagley retires with $56,900, having lost his fifth game.
• September 22, 1998: Lance Johnson retires undefeated with $51,301, and a new Chevy Tahoe.

October 1998

• October 5, 1998: Carolyn White retires with $38,800 despite losing her fifth game.
• October 14, 1998: Melizza Zygmunt retires with $23,599 despite losing her fifth game.
• October 30, 1998: Juliet Wiley retires with $30,749 despite losing her fifth game.

November 1998

• November 2, 1998: The text Daily Double appeared in white and silver with a yellow outline on a blue background.
• November 6, 1998: Celebrity Jeopardy! Sports Night features Reggie White, Martina Navratilova, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar competing.
• November 9-20, 1998: Theses episodes were taped at the Wang Center for Performing Arts in Boston, Massachusetts. For these shows, the contestants were already standing at their podiums.
  • November 9-13, 1998: Boston Week is held.
  • November 16-20, 1998: The Teen Reunion Tournament is held. Dana Venator finished in fourth place and $7,500. Eric Newhouse won the tournament and $50,000. David Javerbaum received $15,000 and Chris Capozzola received $10,000.

December 1998

• December 4, 1998: Andrew Maly retires undefeated with $44,100 and a new Chevy Tahoe.
• December 21, 1998: James Arey retires undefeated with $42,802 and a new Chevy Tahoe.

January 1999

• January 13, 1999: In the category "Johnny Gilbert Does Shakespeare"; announcer Johnny Gilbert appears for the first time in a category, which consisted of him performing quotes from Shakespeare.
• January 18, 1999: In the category "Readings from Homer Simpson"; all of the readings from the works of the classic poet Homer were delivered by The Simpsons character Homer Simpson (voice of Dan Castellaneta).

February 1999

• February 5, 1999: Celebrity Jeopardy! Leading Men Night features Thomas Gibson, Stephen Collins, and David James Elliott competing.
• February 8-19, 1999: The Tournament of Champions aired. Dave Abbott won the tournament and $100,000. J.J. Todor received $20,600 for exceeding his minimum and Juliet Wiley received $10,000.

March 1999

• February 22-March 5, 1999: The Teen Tournament aired. Melissa Sexstone won the tournament and $25,000. Trish Ranney received $17,600 for exceeding her minimum and Elizabeth Nyman received $10,000.
• March 22, 1999: Celebrity Jeopardy! Sports Anchors Night features Bob Costas, Robin Roberts, and Keith Olbermann competing.
• March 29, 1999: Celebrity Jeopardy! Sitcom Stars Night features Wallace Langham, Kathy Kinney, and Dave Foley competing.

April 1999

• April 5, 1999: Celebrity Jeopardy! TV Personalities Night features Scott Hamilton, Jodi Applegate, and Greg Germann competing.
• April 12, 1999: Celebrity Jeopardy! Correspondents Night features Al Franken, Star Jones, and Jeff Greenfield competing.
• April 20, 1999: Helen Petroff retires undefeated with $43,000, and two new Chevy Camaros.

May 1999

• May 3-14, 1999: The College Championship was held in the Rosemont Theatre in Rosemont, Illinois. Carolyn Cracraft won the tournament, $25,000, a Volvo C70 convertible and a trophy. Katie King received $15,000 and Josh Levy received $12,295 for exceeding his minimum.
• May 14, 1999 - June 11, 1999: 1990-1998 KingWorld Spotlights Logo appears for the final time.
• May 17-21, 1999: Celebrity Jeopardy! aired.
  • Karl Wuhrer, Gil Bellows, and Alyssa Milano compete on Monday.
  • Holly Robinson-Peete, Shannon Sharpe, and Catherine Bell compete on Tuesday.
  • Michael McKean, Carmyn Manheim, and Richard Kind compete on Wednesday.
  • Mike Farrell, Wendie Malick, and Steve Harris compete on Thursday.
  • Garry Marshall, Jane Seymour, and Graham Nash compete on Friday.
• May 25, 1999: Michael Rooney retires undefeated with $50,201, and two new Chevy Camaros.

June 1999

• June 14, 1999: Jeopardy's Online Logo is absent and 1998-2006 KingWorld Star Shooter logo appears.
• June 25, 1999: Terry Currin retires undefeated with $40,598 and a new Chevy Tahoe.
• June 28-July 2, 1999: Armed Forces Week is held. During this week, Johnny's opening spiel was: "From the Sony Pictures Studios, it's Armed Forces Week on Jeopardy!"
  • Michael Greer, Jennifer Junnilla, and Jeff Krause compete on Monday.
  • Bill Welman, Karen Smith, and Charles Hurst compete on Tuesday.
  • Steve Dranchak, Alex Meza, and Thomas Citrano competed on Wednesday.
  • Wayne Byron, Beth Sanfillipo, and Ben Connable compete on Thursday.
  • Michael Arnold, Stacie Jacobson, and Myles Caggins compete on Friday.

July 1999

• July 23, 1999: Season 15 ends.
• July 26-September 3, 1999: Summer reruns air.