What’s Worth Watching: The G-A-M-E Is O-N

The Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals (Thursday, May 28, 8/7c, ESPN)

Some may consider this the Nerd Olympics, but watching the young champion spellers (ages 9 to 15) sweat it out in the final round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee is always thrilling TV. If you’re a dedicated spectator, you can tune in earlier (10 am/9c) for the semifinal round from Washington, D.C., and then return for the finals, featuring SportsCenter‘s Chris McKendry as host and commentator, Kaylee Hartung as field reporter, and former Spelling Bee finalist Paul Loeffler as word analyst. A “Play-Along” option is available on ESPN3 and WatchESPN, which gives viewers a multiple-choice advantage to pick the proper spelling. (The kids aren’t so lucky.) No better way to improve one’s vocabulary, while rooting on tomorrow’s Jeopardy! champs today.