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[The following post contains MAJOR spoilers for the Wednesday, April 23, episode of Jeopardy!]
In a recent episode of Jeopardy!, viewers expressed disappointment over the Final Jeopardy question, suggesting that its phrasing may have negatively impacted one contestant’s performance. Liam Starnes, the reigning champion, was aiming for his fourth consecutive win to secure a spot in the forthcoming Tournament of Champions.
Starnes, a 20-year-old from Barrington, Illinois, competed against Abigail Arnold from Waltham, Massachusetts, and Eric Cordova from Chicago, Illinois. Heading into this episode, Starnes had accumulated a total of $72,202 over his previous three games. Notably, he was born in the same year that current host Ken Jennings first appeared on Jeopardy!, prompting Jennings to reflect on the passage of time.
Arnold, an academic administrator, showcased impressive skills in the initial round, answering eight out of 15 questions correctly before the first commercial break. This performance put her in a strong position with $6,000, while Starnes trailed with $1,400 and Cordova struggled with a score of $0 after remaining in the negative for most of the round.
During the contestant interviews, Cordova reminisced about attending a Bears game as a child, sharing a memorable encounter with Bernie Mac, who was operating a beer booth at the time. Arnold revealed a unique tradition: when a friendship celebrates 13 years, she hosts a bat mitzvah. Meanwhile, Starnes, not surprisingly, mentioned his previous success as a High School Quiz Bowl National Champion.
Arnold later encountered the first Daily Double of the game and wagered her full amount of $7,800. However, she hesitated in her response to the clue regarding what is broadcast by a television network, answering “What is a program?” The correct response was “transmission,” resulting in her initial loss of all funds and dropping her back to $0.
As a result, Starnes took the lead with $2,200, and by the end of the first round, he had moved ahead with $4,200, while Cordova had $1,200 and Arnold found herself in third place with $400.
The tone shifted in Double Jeopardy when Arnold quickly regained the lead by correctly answering the first three clues. Starnes then uncovered the first Daily Double of the round and gambled to catch up. Answering correctly about the European city that hosted the 1952 Summer Olympics, he raised his score to $9,200.
Arnold continued to pose a challenge, but Starnes reclaimed the lead, eventually finding the last Daily Double of the match. He wagered $4,000, answering the clue about Henry David Thoreau accurately and building his total to $18,000.
By the end of the Double Jeopardy round, Starnes led with $18,800, while Arnold trailed closely with $14,000. Unfortunately, Cordova ended the round with $0, making him ineligible for the Final Jeopardy.
In the Final Jeopardy round, which was themed around “20th Century History,” the clue read: “A 1919 Punch cartoon titled ‘The Gap In The Bridge’ showed Uncle Sam sleeping on the missing keystone of this.” Arnold guessed “What is the London Bridge?” for a wager of $4,801, bringing her final total to $9,199. Starnes answered incorrectly with “What is the Golden Gate Bridge?” wagering $9,201 and finishing with $9,599. The correct answer was the League of Nations.
Starnes reacted with shock, placing his hands on his head upon realizing his victory. This latest win brought his total earnings to $81,801, and he will return on April 24 to compete for a fifth game against new challengers.
Reactions on social media reflected a mix of sympathy for Arnold and admiration for her gameplay. Many viewers believed she had performed exceptionally well and lamented her Final Jeopardy misstep and wager choices that could have altered the outcome. Fans pointed out that her strong performance merited consideration for a second chance in future competitions.
Comments included critiques of the Final Jeopardy question, with users arguing that the wording could have been clearer to better convey its intent. Suggestions for revisions to improve understanding highlighted ongoing discussions about the challenges contestants face during these high-stakes moments.
Overall, this episode underscored both the intensity of competition and the unpredictability of the game, leaving viewers engaged and eager to see what comes next.
Source
www.tvinsider.com