Jeopardy! champion Matt Amodio becomes 3rd player to win more than $1 million
What is ... Jeopardy! history?
Jeopardy! champion Matt Amodio, a PhD student, continued his dominant run Friday by pulling off a feat only two other players have in the quiz show's history: winning more than $1 million during regular-season play.
After another big victory during his latest game, Amodio has now won a total of $1,004,001 during his 28-day run on the show. In the history of Jeopardy!, only two other players have won more than $1 million, not counting money earned in tournaments: James Holzhauer, who won $2,462,216 in 2019, and Ken Jennings, who won $2,520,700 in 2004. Brad Rutter has also won a total of $4,938,436 on Jeopardy!, making him the top-earning player ever, but this includes money from tournaments.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Amodio had already made plenty of history on Jeopardy! in recent weeks. Since August, he has been the third-highest earning player ever in regular-season play, and he's also ranked third in most consecutive games won behind only Holzhauer, who won 32 straight games, and Jennings, who won 74 straight games. His historic run comes amid a tumultuous time for the show, which has still yet to announce a permanent daily host after executive producer Mike Richards resigned from that position amid controversy over a resurfaced podcast. Mayim Bialik has since stepped behind the lectern. Still, Amodio told The Washington Post, "Frankly, the last thing I'm thinking about when I'm in the middle of a game is who's hosting."
Amodio has a chance to make history again soon, as he's just five wins away from passing Holzhauer's famous 32-day winning streak and becoming the second-highest ranked player ever in consecutive games won behind Jennings. And if he keeps the winning streak going through November, the show may find itself with not one, but two Jeopardy! legends on stage at one time, as Jennings himself is set to start guest hosting later this year.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
'Elevating Earth Day into a national holiday is not radical — it's practical'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
UAW scores historic win in South at VW plant
Speed Read Volkswagen workers in Tennessee have voted to join the United Auto Workers union
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 22, 2024
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - dystopian laughs, WNBA salaries, and more
By The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published