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[The following post contains MAJOR spoilers for the Tuesday, April 22, episode of Jeopardy!]
Liam Starnes made his return to Jeopardy! for a third game, showcasing an impressive two-day total of $52,802. The undergraduate student hailing from Barrington, Illinois, is on the cusp of potentially qualifying for an upcoming Tournament of Champions if his success continues.
On April 22, Starnes competed against Kyle Dunn from New York City and Sara Grady from Nashville, Tennessee. His strong performance in the first round allowed him to quickly secure the lead.
Host Ken Jennings opened the show by recalling his conversation with Starnes after the previous episode, where Starnes expressed his excitement about continuing his journey on the show: “Of course, this is amazing!” he said.
Starnes got off to a great start, choosing high-value questions first. He also discovered the initial Daily Double of the episode early in the round. Starting with $5,800, he wagered $3,000 on the clue, “Most of the $100 million in loot stolen from this Belgian city’s diamond center in 2003 is still missing.” He correctly identified the answer as “What is Antwerp?”, bringing his total to $8,800.
By the end of the first round, Starnes had answered 11 questions, achieving 10 correct responses but making one error. He finished with $9,200, while Grady had -$600 and Dunn was at -$800.
In the interview segment, Dunn shared that the earnings from Jeopardy! would help him settle debts with his therapist, a significant detail about his financial past. Grady highlighted her role as an instructional coach and her love for cats, mentioning how her pet has lived on three continents. Starnes declared himself a sports aficionado, boasting attendance at 17 major sporting events, which likely contributed to his adeptness in relevant categories.
As the round concluded, Starnes increased his score to $11,600, while Grady managed to progress to $3,000, leaving Dunn still behind at -$1,200.
In Double Jeopardy, Dunn found his footing, correctly answering a Daily Double for a complete wager of his $2,000. The clue read, “Pity these big mammals for which a bay near Key Largo is named; in summer 2023, water temps there hit 101.1 degrees.” His correct response, “What are manatees?” propelled him to $4,000 and secured a second-place position.
Starnes later encountered the final Daily Double of the game. With an impressive $18,400, he wagered $2,000 on the clue, “The title of his 2024 memoir Sonny Boy refers to his mother’s childhood nickname for him, not his character in Dog Day Afternoon.” Unable to answer correctly, Starnes guessed “Who is Kevin Hart?” The correct answer was Al Pacino, as Jennings humorously noted the comparison between the two actors.
Ultimately losing $2,000, Starnes still led with a total of $16,400. He maintained dominance throughout the remainder of the round, finishing with $24,400, while Dunn ended with $9,200 and Grady at $3,000. With such a considerable lead, it was clear that Starnes was well-placed to secure victory unless an extraordinary wager changed the outcome.
The Final Jeopardy category was “Images of 2024,” with the clue stating, “Item in common to a January 1889 self-portrait & several of those attending the 2024 Republican National Convention.” Grady responded with “What is an ear bandage?” earning an additional $1,500 for a total of $4,500. Dunn opted not to answer, wagering everything and therefore finishing with $0. Although Starnes guessed “What is an elephant?”, he wagered $5,000 and concluded with $19,400.
This outcome crowned Starnes as the episode’s champion once again, marking him as a three-time winner. He now has a three-day total of $72,202 and is just one win away from qualifying for the Tournament of Champions, set to face two new opponents on April 23.
Discussion on platforms like Reddit highlighted Starnes’ remarkable gameplay, with one user dubbing him “baby shark” following previous fan comparisons to a “young Sheldon Cooper.” Enthusiastic observers noted his outstanding performance, commending his solid sports and general knowledge that has positioned him as a formidable contender.
Source
www.tvinsider.com