Jonathan Hugendubler took down 16-game champion Scott Riccardi through the Jeopardy! Season 42 finale. Six weeks later, he’s nonetheless shocked.
The adjunct music professor talked with Towson College, the place he teaches, about his win and the way he ready to get on the sport present. “The entire expertise was fairly surreal,” Hugendubler advised the outlet. “For those who watch the present or the Instagram clip, you may see my shock once I realized I gained.”
Hugendubler beat Riccardi throughout Last Jeopardy when he wagered $1 over Riccardi’s complete. Riccardi obtained the clue fallacious, leading to a loss and a brand new champion.
He turned a Jeopardy! fan in faculty and started making use of to the present in 2014. Hugendubler utilized for the sport present 10 instances earlier than really making it on.
Earlier than watching him on Monday’s episode, learn how he ready for the sport present. In line with Towson, the champion practiced for 20 hours per week. He did this through the use of flashcards and watching previous episodes of Jeopardy!.
Since he had time in between his first and second appearances, Hugendubler additionally brushed up on his buzzer expertise and studied film and TV trivia, since they’re weak classes for him. “I memorized details about so many actuality reveals I’ll by no means really watch,” he stated.
One in every of his colleagues at Towson College is aware of all too effectively how he needed to put together for Jeopardy!, since she was on the sport present herself. “I do know firsthand the problem of cramming for trivia that will by no means even come up on the present,” Melissa Perreault, provost and government vp for educational affairs, stated. “Throughout my very own Jeopardy! run, I spent per week turning into an ‘skilled’ on opera and now can’t recall a single aria.”
She wished him one of the best of luck earlier than his subsequent recreation. “Better of luck to Jonathan as he takes on season 42— we’re all cheering you on right here at TU! Might all of your information and fast instincts serve you effectively on the Jeopardy! stage.”
For those who miss tonight’s recreation, make sure to catch it on Hulu and Peacock, beginning tomorrow, as the sport present begins streaming.
Jeopardy!, Season 42 Premiere, September 8, test native listings