DAILY DIRT: Just how many geography categories do we need for Jeopardy!?

Obviously, Jeopardy! producers should be utilizing the “sports” category much more … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 401 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Ever wonder what the most-used categories on “Jeopardy!” might be?

Well, yes, there are people who keep track of such things and the answers are:

• 1. The Movies. (Always a popular category, but I’d limit the answers to only films from the 1960s moving forward … except for any movie starring Errol Flynn or dealing with baseball.)
• 2. American History. (Ummm … what is the difference between No. 2 and No. 3?)
• 3. U.S. History. (Ditto.)
• 4. State Capitals. (Not that difficult. It’s not like they change too often.)
• 5. World Geography. (Maps are cool.)
• 6. U.S. Geography. (Ditto.)
• 7. Geography. (OK, there’s a point when too much geography is no longer cool.)
• 8. World Capitals. (This one’s a little trickier than No. 4. Some of those underdeveloped nations seem to change capitals every other week, along with the country’s name.)
• 9. World History. (So much to cover, it’s kind of like combining a study of the NFL with the WFL, USFL and all of the goofy spring leagues popping up.)
• 10. Sports. (Seriously? Bring it on, bay-bee.)

And for those wondering, the most commonly used category in Final Jeopardy is “Word Origins.”

2. I think even the most dedicated TV watchers might be surprised which TV shows hold some of the following (and current) distinctions:

Longest-running sitcom, part I: “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia,” which has been around for 15 years, is guaranteed to be with us for at least 18 seasons, according to industry reports. Danny DeVito and friends are back for Season 16 starting Dec. 21 on FXX.

Longest-running sitcom, part II: If animation is included, it’s “The Simpsons,” hands down. Homer, Marge, Bart and the rest of the crew will be back for their 34th season Sept. 25 on Fox.

Longest-running dramatic series: NBC stalwart “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” begins its 24th season on Sept. 25.

Longest-running network news show: NBC’s “Meet The Press,” hosted by Chuck Todd, will mark its 75th year in November.

Longest-tenured network news host: That honor currently goes to Sean Hannity at Fox, who is now in his 25th consecutive year.

3. The five most disappointing MLB teams to date:

1. Chicago White Sox: I wonder if owner Jerry Reinsdorf has noticed how much better the Chisox have played under interim manager Miguel Cairo?

2. Boston: Fortunately, the Bosox always have plenty of checks to write in the offseason.

3. Los Angeles Angels: All that money spent, all of those losses.

4. San Francisco: Seriously, who didn’t see this coming? The Giants won the NL West in 2021 with mirrors. Those mirrors are now broken.

5. Texas: At some point, in some decade, the Rangers will realize you cannot win a division (or even finish .500) without some semblance of a pitching staff.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — I will still be shocked if Tony LaRussa returns as manager of the White Sox in 2023.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. He’ll take potent potables for $200