Jeopardy! returned tonight with its second semifinal of Week 2 in the Winter 2025 Second Chance play. This highly anticipated episode featured three contestants competing for a spot in the finals.
The riveting gameplay ended with a nail-biting Final Jeopardy round, where quick thinking and strategy determined the winner. With each contestant showcasing their skills, the episode delivered excitement and surprises.
The night’s winner was Enzo Cunanan, a student from Orlando, Florida. Enzo secured victory with a stellar performance in the Double Jeopardy round and an accurate response in the Final Jeopardy. His quick adjustment to a tricky clue paid off, earning him a total of $19,400 and a place in the finals. The correct response to the Final Jeopardy question, What is Liechtenstein? clinched the win for him.
Jeopardy! has been a household favorite since its inception in 1964. Known for its unique answer-and-question format, it continues to challenge contestants and entertain audiences worldwide. Tonight’s episode upheld the show’s reputation for intellectual rigor and unpredictability, making it a memorable installment.
Jeopardy! episode highlights: January 7, 2025
Jeopardy round
The first round of Jeopardy! opened with six engaging categories, including World Cities and Check Out My Coin Collection. Josh Heit took an early lead by dominating the Hall of Famers category, scoring $5,200 by the end of the round.
Zoe Grobman followed with $3,800, while Enzo struggled early but managed to secure $400. Key moments included Josh’s precise answers and Enzo’s recovery from a missed Daily Double.
Double Jeopardy round
The Double Jeopardy round shifted the momentum. Enzo found the second Daily Double and leveraged it for a strong comeback. Although Zoe stumbled with a mispronunciation in Potent Quotables, she recovered enough to remain competitive.
By the end of the round, Enzo led with $15,600, followed by Josh at $9,600 and Zoe at $6,600. This set the stage for a high-stakes Final Jeopardy.
Final Jeopardy round
The Final Jeopardy category, Facts About Countries, featured a challenging clue about a microstate with a workforce larger than its population.
Zoe answered correctly with What is Liechtenstein? but her wager wasn’t enough to surpass Enzo, who also provided the correct response after a last-second adjustment. Josh, unfortunately, answered “What is Luxembourg?” and lost $3,601.
Contestant profiles
Enzo Cunanan: A student from Orlando, Florida, who graduated from Oxford and is studying at Cambridge. Enzo’s strong Double Jeopardy performance and strategic thinking in the final round secured his win.
Josh Heit: A government relations professional from Maryland. Known for his precision, Josh excelled in the first round but couldn’t maintain his momentum in Final Jeopardy.
Zoe Grobman: A therapist from Pennsylvania. Zoe recovered from setbacks in Double Jeopardy and displayed her knowledge in the final round, finishing with $12,001.
Insights into the show
Tonight’s Jeopardy! episode stood out for its competitive gameplay. Each contestant brought a distinct strategy, with Enzo’s bold risks in Double Jeopardy proving decisive. The Final Jeopardy round showcased the importance of both knowledge and quick thinking.
Contestants and the Second Chance Format
The Second Chance format allows deserving contestants like Enzo, Josh, and Zoe to return and prove their skills. Enzo’s prior strong performances positioned him as a favorite, and tonight he lived up to the expectations.
Jeopardy!’s format and appeal
Jeopardy! remains unmatched in its intellectual challenge and unique structure. The answer-and-question format continues to engage audiences, combining education with entertainment. Each episode is a testament to the show’s enduring legacy.
Game recap & tonight’s game stats (Tuesday, January 7, 2025)
Looking to find out who won Jeopardy! today? Here’s the breakdown of the episode by the numbers:
Jeopardy round:
- Categories: World Cities; Check Out My Coin Collection; Hall Of Famers; A Game Of Ruth Or Blair; Scrambled Egg Layers; Vowel, Consonant, Vowel
- Enzo missed the Daily Double early, falling behind, while Josh excelled in the Hall of Famers category.
Scores after 15 clues:
- Josh: $3,800
- Enzo: $800
- Zoe: $600
Statistics at the first break (15 clues):
- Josh: 6 correct, 0 incorrect
- Enzo: 4 correct, 2 incorrect
- Zoe: 2 correct, 1 incorrect
Interviews:
- Josh: Performed Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and got engaged in August.
- Zoe: Participated in a viral Talking Heads category.
- Enzo: Graduated from Oxford and is now studying at Cambridge.
Statistics after the Jeopardy round (30 clues):
- Josh: 9 correct, 0 incorrect
- Zoe: 8 correct, 1 incorrect
- Enzo: 7 correct, 3 incorrect
Scores after the Jeopardy round:
- Josh: $5,200
- Zoe: $3,800
- Enzo: $400
Double Jeopardy round:
- Categories: What Happened When; Potent Quotables; Opera Settings; The Father Of; That’s Showbiz; Brain “Rot”
- Enzo recovered with a solid run, picking up Daily Double 2, while Zoe’s mispronunciation of “amontillado” set her back temporarily.
Scores going into Final Jeopardy:
- Enzo: $15,600
- Josh: $9,600
- Zoe: $6,600
Statistics after Double Jeopardy:
- Enzo: 17 correct, 3 incorrect
- Josh: 17 correct, 1 incorrect
- Zoe: 16 correct, 2 incorrect
Final Jeopardy:
- Category: Facts About Countries
- Clue: "It has 40,000 people & a workforce of 42,000, more than half commuting from nearby, including Vorarlberg state in a neighbor country."
- Correct response: What is Liechtenstein?
Final scores:
- Zoe: $6,600 + $5,401 = $12,001 (Correct: Liechtenstein)
- Josh: $9,600 - $3,601 = $5,999 (Incorrect: Luxembourg)
- Enzo: $15,600 + $3,800 = $19,400 (Correct: Liechtenstein)
Enzo’s last-minute correction to the Final Jeopardy clue secured his victory and a place in the finals.
Tonight’s Jeopardy! episode delivered an intense competition that kept viewers on edge. Enzo Cunanan’s impressive gameplay earned him the win, securing his spot in the finals of the Second Chance play.
With each contestant showcasing their knowledge and determination, the episode highlighted the essence of Jeopardy!, a celebration of intellect and strategy. Fans eagerly await the upcoming finals, where Enzo will compete for the ultimate title.