"what is...HAR?"

Houston's real estate association gets shout out on Jeopardy! for pioneering, socially conscious switch

HAR was mentioned on Jeopardy! this week.

Jeopardy!/Facebook

A longtime local real estate group recently received a national shout on on a favorite game show. The Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) was the subject on a Jeopardy! question, er, answer on Tuesday, October 11.

In the familiar Daily Double segment, contestant Cris Pannullo — was the reigning champion at the time — fielded this answer in the “Where In The House?” category: “In 2020 the socially conscious Houston Assoc. of Realtors dropped this two-word term for where the head of the house sleeps.”

Deftly ensuring his answer was in form of a question, Pannullo replied, "What is master bedroom?”

Cue the applause, as Pannullo, who wagered $4,800 and thus doubled to $9,600, went on to win his eighth consecutive game and score total winnings of $275,502. Watch Pannullo nail his Double here.

Jeopardy game show Houston HAR Cris Pannullo Cris Pannullo nailed the HAR answer/question. Screen capture via NBCUniversal

As anyone who's perused listings or visited a home knows, HAR was instrumental in leading the shift from the term “master,” as many feel the moniker, which first appeared in the 1926 Sears catalog, feel it evokes Plantation/slavery-era history (denoting master's quarters).

Hence, the move to primary. As Jeopardy! points out, two years ago, HAR voted to drop “master” from its Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and move to “primary bedroom” and “primary bath” on listings. (Members can use the word “master” in photo descriptions and marketing materials, per HAR).

It was a bit of a sea change, as real estate firms and MLS lists across the U.S. followed suit. (Watch any real estate show now, and "primary bedroom" is the norm.)

“Shifting from the word ‘master’ to ‘primary’ was one of the smallest actions we have taken, but it had one of the largest responses,” said HAR chair Jennifer Wauhob in press materials. “Two years ago, our MLS Advisory Group and Board of Directors believed the change was consistent with the current market environment and that still holds true today. We want the home buying and selling process to be inclusive for all.”

Kudos and memo to Mr. Pannullo: Should you be interested in Houston real estate, here's what that day's winnings will buy here.

Movie Review

Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg deliver comedy with depth in A Real Pain

Photo courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg in A Real Pain.

Comedy film duos have a long history, from Laurel and Hardy in the 1920s and ‘30s to Tina Fey and Amy Poehler in movies like Baby Mama. But the majority of duos have either been friends or work partners, relationships that can be close, but not as close as family. The new film A Real Pain aims for the comedy that a great duo can bring, but hits deeper because the two lead characters are related to each other.

Benji (Kieran Culkin) and David (Jesse Eisenberg) are first cousins who decide to take a trip to Poland to visit the childhood home of their grandmother, who has recently passed. Their personalities could not be more different, with David buttoned-down and reserved and Benji extremely social, if a little wild. This contrast is on display from the moment they leave on their trip, affecting almost every aspect of their journey.

The two meet up with a diverse tour group in Poland, including guide James (Will Sharpe), recently divorced Marcia (Jennifer Grey), married couple Mark (Daniel Oreskes) and Diane (Liza Sadovy), and Eloge (Kurt Egyiawan), an African man who has converted to Judaism. As the group visits various historical sites, David confronts contrasting feelings about Benji, who goes from charming to abrasive seemingly at the drop of a hat.

Written and directed by Eisenberg, the film is about both the family we have and the history of those who came before us. With Benji and David being Jewish and their grandmother having escaped from the Nazis in World War II, the themes hit harder than they might in other situations. Eisenberg takes care to honor his Jewish ancestors both in the way he has Benji and David talk about their grandmother and the places they visit.

But even though emotions are heightened due to the significance of the trip, the film is far from a dour affair. Benji keeps things interesting at almost all times with a series of impulsive decisions, many that are entertaining for both the tour group and the audience watching the film. He is one of those film characters that is great to watch on screen, but would likely be too much to handle if you were confronted with him in real life.

The relationship between Benji and David is a complicated one; the two obviously have love for each other, but they rarely see eye-to-eye on the best way to approach certain situations. This tension keeps the film grounded, and Eisenberg does a great job at showing the push-and-pull the two cousins have with each other. The little moments, especially when Benji and David go their separate ways, say a lot as the characters try to reconcile where each is at in their respective lives.

Eisenberg has always been an understated performer, so this role is almost perfect for him. Culkin, fresh off his Emmy-winning role in HBO’s Succession, is an ideal foil for Eisenberg, as he has a manic energy that he can control or not control at will. It’s also nice to see Grey in action again, as she brings just the right touch to her supporting role.

The drama in A Real Pain comes from the life experiences of its two main characters, which are on full display despite the story only doling out details in small doses. The film is subtle yet powerful, a testament to Eisenberg’s filmmaking ability and the actors never trying to make too much of their scenes.

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A Real Pain opens in theaters on November 15.

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