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Jeopardy! episode on Monday, January 13, 2025, was an exhilarating start to the Champions Wildcard quarterfinals. The contestants, a blend of Second Chance winners and recent champions, showcased exceptional knowledge and strategic gameplay.
By the episode's end, history lecturer Will Yancey from Banquete, Texas, emerged victorious with a total score of $13,800, securing his spot as a semifinalist.
In the final round of Jeopardy!, Will won by answering the question about Historic Currency. Henry VII made the first pound coin, which was called a sovereign.
Besides Will, Paul Clauson, a tax analyst from Michigan, also got the answers right, but the former got the higher score, which put him ahead. Jen Feldman, a high school teacher from Brooklyn, missed the clue and came in third place, but she has a good chance of getting in as a wildcard.
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Jeopardy!, known for its unique quiz format and intellectually engaging challenges, remains a favorite for trivia enthusiasts. This episode exemplified the show's tradition of blending knowledge with strategy.
Jeopardy! episode highlights: January 13, 2025
Jeopardy! round
The first round featured six categories: 2015: 10 Years Ago, Latinas, Other Uses Of Texting Abbreviations, TV This Century, Science, and That Phrase Is Money. Paul Clauson initially took the lead but stumbled on a True Daily Double, dropping to $0.
Jen Feldman displayed steady gameplay, leading at the first break with $1,800, followed by Will at $1,400. Paul rebounded after the break to regain control with a score of $4,600, surpassing Jen and Will.
Statistics after the Jeopardy! round:
- Paul: 16 correct, 2 incorrect, $4,600
- Jen: 5 correct, 0 incorrect, $2,800
- Will: 6 correct, 1 incorrect, $2,600
Double Jeopardy round
The Double Jeopardy round introduced categories like Are You Surreal?, Anatomical Song Titles, and MacArthur Fellows. Paul faced another setback, losing on a True Daily Double.
Jen took a bold risk with a $3,000 wager on her Daily Double but gave an incorrect response, losing her lead. Will displayed consistent knowledge, ending just $400 behind Jen.
Statistics after Double Jeopardy:
- Jen: 12 correct, 1 incorrect, $10,200
- Will: 14 correct, 2 incorrect, $9,800
- Paul: 26 correct, 7 incorrect, $4,000
Final Jeopardy round
Under the category Historic Currency, the clue asked about the first-pound coin minted by Henry VII. Will and Paul correctly answered "sovereign," while Jen's incorrect response cost her $2,000. Will's calculated wager secured his semifinalist position with $13,800.
Final scores:
- Will: $13,800 (Winner, semifinalist)
- Jen: $8,200 (Tenterhooks for a wildcard spot)
- Paul: $8,000 (Wildcard contender)
Contestant profiles
Will Yancey: Will, a history lecturer with a knack for precise gameplay, relied on a calm and focused strategy that paid off. His accuracy and well-timed wagers secured his semifinal spot.
Jen Feldman: Jen, a high school teacher, played consistently and led through important moments. Even though she missed Final Jeopardy!, she is still a strong wildcard candidate.
Paul Clauson: Paul, a tax analyst, has been good at controlling the buzzer, but some mistakes hurt his overall score. The right answer he gave on Final Jeopardy could help him get a wildcard spot.
Other insights about the show
Jeopardy! continues to engage audiences with its combination of knowledge and strategy. The Champions Wildcard tournament rekindles enthusiasm through its competitive nature.
This format highlights contestants who barely missed the Tournament of Champions, rewarding consistency and resilience. The incorporation of Second Chance winners introduces an additional dimension of intrigue, rendering this tournament a focal point of season 41.
Game recap and stats: January 13, 2025
Jeopardy! round
Categories:
- 2015: 10 Years Ago
- Latinas
- Other Uses Of Texting Abbreviations
- TV This Century
- Science
- That Phrase Is Money
Gameplay highlights:
- Paul started strong but lost momentum with a missed True Daily Double, bringing his score to $0 before the first break.
- Jen led the game at the break with $1,800, followed by Will with $1,400 and Paul at $0.
Statistics at First Break (15 Clues):
- Jen: 2 correct, 0 incorrect
- Will: 4 correct, 1 incorrect
- Paul: 6 correct, 2 incorrect
Post-break highlights:
- Paul regained his lead by answering 10 of the next 15 clues correctly.
Statistics after Jeopardy! round:
- Paul: 16 correct, 2 incorrect
- Jen: 5 correct, 0 incorrect
- Will: 6 correct, 1 incorrect
Scores after the Jeopardy round:
- Paul: $4,600
- Jen: $2,800
- Will: $2,600
Double Jeopardy round
Categories:
- Are You Surreal?
- Anatomical Song Titles
- People Of The Book
- MacArthur Fellows
- There In The World Is That
- Ends In “UE”
Gameplay highlights:
- Paul missed another True Daily Double due to adding an “S” to a title, making the response incorrect.
- Jen found Daily Double 3 (DD3) but lost $3,000 on an incorrect response, leaving her with a narrow $400 lead over Will going into Final Jeopardy!
Statistics after the Double Jeopardy round:
- Jen: 12 correct, 1 incorrect.
- Will: 14 correct, 2 incorrect.
- Paul: 26 correct, 7 incorrect.
- Total Number of Unplayed clues this season: 26 (0 unplayed today)
Scores going into Final Jeopardy:
- Jen: $10,200.
- Will: $9,800.
- Paul: $4,000.
Final Jeopardy round
Final Category and Clue:
- Not explicitly mentioned, but the correct response was "sovereign."
Responses and results:
- Paul and Will answered correctly, "What is sovereign?"
- Jen answered incorrectly, "What is a Tudor Crown? Hi Loma!"
Final scores:
- Paul: $4,000 + $4,000 = $8,000.
- Will: $9,800 + $4,000 = $13,800 (declared Semi-Finalist).
- Jen: $10,200 - $2,000 = $8,200 (likely contender for a wildcard spot).
Notable moments
Interviews:
- Jen shared a fun anecdote about colleagues and students dressing as her.
- Paul reflected on his previous loss and its emotional impact.
- Will recounted receiving offers of Percy Jackson books as Christmas gifts.
Key takeaways:
- Will advanced to the semifinals as the automatic winner.
- Jen and Paul remain in contention for wildcard spots with decent scores.
The first episode of the Champions Wildcard tournament on Monday's Jeopardy! was very exciting. Will Yancey's win showed how important it is to stick to a plan and bet correctly. Jen Feldman and Paul Clauson are still very much in the running for wildcard spots, which will keep the week exciting.
As season 41 goes on, the tournament will show off the best of Jeopardy! by evaluating their expertise, strategy, and competitive spirit.
