Who won Jeopardy! tonight? September 23, 2024, Monday

The latest episode of Jeopardy! aired on Monday, September 23, 2024. The three contestants were Jen Feldman, David Erb, and Dana Schwartz. The stakes were high, especially for Jen, who had a two-day total of $27,850. David, however, quickly emerged as the lead runner with his sharp responses.

In today’s Jeopardy! game, David Erb took the lead and maintained a strong position throughout the match. Despite facing tough competition from Jen and Dana, David’s excellent performance during Double Jeopardy gave him a clear advantage.

Ultimately, David ended the episode as the new champion. He secured his spot for the next episode with a one-day total of $17,655.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers.

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Today’s Jeopardy! episode: A glimpse of the show

The September 23 episode of Jeopardy! opened with a mix of categories, including Stringing You Along, Key or Peele, and Magazines' First Covers. Jen Feldman initially led after 15 clues, but David Erb soon overtook her by doubling his score on a Daily Double. By the end of the Jeopardy round, David held the lead with $5,000, followed closely by Jen and Dana, both tied at $4,400.

David's gaming during Double Jeopardy confirmed his supremacy. David secured a runaway game by picking up Daily Doubles for $5,000 and $8,000, compiling a season-high score of $30,000 by the end of the round. While competitive, Jen and Dana could not close the difference; instead, each entered Final Jeopardy with $8,800 and $6,400, respectively.

The final clue was:

"19th-Century Americans - Among those who attended his 1864 funeral were Ralph Waldo Emerson, Bronson Alcott & Franklin Pierce"

Correct response:

Who is Nathaniel Hawthorne?

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Contestants of the episode

David Erb, a puzzle designer from Seattle, showcased a strong command of the board. His ability to secure both Daily Doubles and answer 22 questions correctly proved to be the deciding factor in his victory.

Dana Schwartz, a writer from Los Angeles, gave a commendable performance with six correct answers in the first round. Jen Feldman, the reigning two-day champion, showed her skills by correctly answering 12 questions but struggled to match David’s momentum in Double Jeopardy.

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The Final Round

Under 19th Century Americans, the Final Jeopardy category was the clue linked to Nathaniel Hawthorne's 1864 funeral, attended by eminent people, including Franklin Pierce and Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Sadly, none of the contenders answered right. Jen guessed Henry David Thoreau, while Dana chose Frederick Douglass. David, too, stumbled with an incorrect response but maintained his lead with his sizable $30,000 pre-Final Jeopardy total.

David’s strategic gameplay paid off despite the Triple Stumper, leaving him with $17,655 after his wager. Jen, the closest competitor, ended with $4,799, while Dana finished with $1,400.

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Episode insights: A competitive match

David Erb’s performance on September 23 stood out for its precision and timing. David established an insurmountable lead by securing two Daily Doubles and answering 22 questions correctly.

Despite her best efforts, Jen Feldman, a formidable two-day champion, could not maintain her winning streak. The competitive nature of this episode exemplifies why Jeopardy! remains popular among viewers who enjoy high-stakes trivia competitions.

Jeopardy! Round Statistics:

• David: 8 correct, 1 incorrect
• Dana: 6 correct, 1 incorrect
• Jen: 9 correct, 0 incorrect

Scores After Jeopardy Round:

• David: $5,000
• Dana: $4,400
• Jen: $4,400

Statistics after Double Jeopardy:

• David 22 correct 2 incorrect
• Jen 12 correct 0 incorrect
• Dana 11 correct 4 incorrect

Scores before Final Jeopardy!:

• David: $30,000
• Jen: $8,800
• Dana: $6,400

Final Jeopardy! results:

• Dana: $6,400 – $5,000 = $1,400 (Answer: Frederick Douglass)
• Jen: $8,800 – $4,001 = $4,799 (Answer: Thoreau)
• David: $30,000 – $12,345 = $17,655 (Answer: He Adams; note: added "Hi Ben")

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Detailed look at contestants

Each contestant brought unique strengths to the game. Though quieter in terms of correct answers, Dana Schwartz had an intriguing background as a writer of historical romances.

Jeopardy 23rd September 2024 episode (Image via Jeopardy!)

David’s experience as a puzzle designer likely aided his sharp analytical thinking, allowing him to excel in categories like "8-Letter Words" and "Former Capitals." As seen in previous episodes, Jen's knowledge base was impressive, but David's calculated strategy overwhelmed her in this match.

David will return for the next episode with his great performance, and it will be interesting to see if he can prolong his winning run. As usual, Jeopardy! presented an engaging episode bursting with knowledge, excitement, and intense competition.