Sam Nguyen achieved his dream of competing on Jeopardy! on Wednesday night time (December 11) after he’d beforehand blown his probability of showing on one other iconic recreation present.
The tax accountant from Hyattsville, Maryland, featured on the newest episode of Jeopardy!, the place he defined to host Ken Jennings how he nearly appeared on Wheel of Fortune six years in the past. Nevertheless, he made a “grave mistake” throughout his audition, costing him his spot.
“I’m advised earlier than approaching Jeopardy!, you additionally tried out for Wheel of Fortune?” Jennings requested Nguyen throughout the contestant interviews on Wednesday’s present.
“That’s proper,” Nguyen replied. “About six years in the past, I used to be making an attempt out for Wheel of Fortune. However sadly, I made the grave mistake of claiming that I’m really extra of a Jeopardy! fan. And in a room stuffed with Wheel of Fortune fans… it didn’t go over nicely.”
Nguyen went on to say he “saved” himself, and “one of many contestant coordinators requested if I had ever been on Jeopardy? I mentioned, ‘No, however after I get on Wheel of Fortune, I’ll go on Jeopardy! subsequent.’ As my pal says, joke concerning the job you need.”
Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune are shot in neighboring studios in Culver Metropolis, California, and normally air back-to-back on syndicated networks throughout the US. Whereas they’re sometimes thought of companion reveals, the rivalry between the 2 fanbases could be intense.
Whereas it’s uncommon for a similar particular person to look on each recreation reveals, it has occurred at the very least a few occasions. Andy Kravis competed in Jeopardy!‘s 2002 Teen Event at 13 years outdated earlier than showing on Wheel of Fortune Faculty Week in 2008. He gained $5,000 on Jeopardy! and $50,550 on Wheel. Curiously, Kravis additionally gained $1,000 on Who Needs to Be a Millionaire in 2011.
Equally, Cody Lawrence accomplished the trifecta, having appeared on Who Needs to Be a Millionaire in 2018 (successful $20,000), Jeopardy! in 2020, and Wheel in 2022 (successful $56,700). He additionally returned for the Jeopardy! Second Probability match in 2023, strolling away with $2,000 as a semi-finalist.
As well as, Cory Anotado, the person behind BuzzerBlog, competed on Wheel in 2005 earlier than making it onto Jeopardy! in 2022.
Sadly for Nguyen, his Jeopardy! dream got here to a fast finish as he misplaced out to reigning champion Invoice McKinney on Wednesday’s recreation. Nonetheless, perhaps someday he’ll get his probability at redemption on Wheel.
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