Jeopardy! followers bought a style of who they will anticipate within the upcoming Invitational Event (JIT) when the contestants had been introduced on Monday, February 10. Nevertheless, they seen that lots of key gamers had been lacking from the lineup.
The 2025 JIT will function contestants reminiscent of former Masters Amy Schneider, who additionally appeared final yr, and Matt Amodio, in addition to Event of Champion winners Troy Meyer and Ben Chan, OG gamers who had been on with former host Alex Trebek like Seth Wilson, and up to date memorable gamers.
On Monday, present bosses Michael Davies and Sarah Whitcomb-Foss mentioned the contestants Inside Jeopardy! podcast. Within the video, under, additionally they talked about the contestants who had been supplied spots, however turned it down. These gamers embrace Mattea Roach, Cris Pannullo, Brad Rutter, who additionally turned down the invitation final season, Andrew He, and Julia Collins.
After the contestants had been introduced, Jeopardy! followers made their method over to Reddit to debate why sure gamers that had been anticipated to be on JIT Season 2 weren’t introduced.
A lot of them had been disillusioned that Pannullo wouldn’t be enjoying. “No Cris :(,” a fan commented.
“I’m unhappy Cris isn’t on it,” stated one other.
Others weren’t shocked that Rutter declined as soon as once more. “Good on Brad for declining. He’s a legend and shouldn’t should undergo all these hurdles to get on Masters. Plus, Brad’s received 4 main tournaments already. The one one he didn’t win was GOAT. So frankly, he has nothing left to show. If he participated within the JIT, and didn’t advance, it will solely injury his fame much more,” a Reddit person stated.
Shane Whitlock was a shock to followers, in addition to Doug Molitor. Molitor performed with Artwork Fleming, Trebek, and present host Ken Jennings.
“Most likely the largest shock to me, in my view, is Doug Molitor,” a Reddit person stated. “I’m assuming he bought on as a result of they wished somebody who additionally participated within the Artwork Fleming period to be on the present, subsequently he bought on, though it’s a good bonus that additionally was a ToCer within the Trebek period.”
Followers had been upset that Julia Collins, the second most-winning girl, won’t be on JIT this season, in addition to different large names.
“It is a actually strong lineup. there are lots of names right here who I’ve been desirous to see once more (Skyler, Jonathan, Ryan, Jaskaran, Juveria, Hannah, Roger) and in addition ones who I’m mega interested in how they’ll do (Doug, Rachael, Maya, Claire, Raymond). I knew about Mattea declining already, which I’m probably not too shocked about since they appeared fairly burnt out. I assume Andrew roughly felt the identical? Hopefully we see them each once more quickly. Bummer that Cris, Brad, and Julia declined although. I actually really feel like Brad could also be performed, however I feel Cris and Julia nonetheless have an opportunity at showing sooner or later,” one fan stated.
“Gutted on the lack of our Canadian famous person Mattea,” stated one other.
Eric Ahasic, a former participant and 2022 Event of Champions contestant, revealed why he won’t be on JIT. “Rely me in as one of many champs who needed to decline an invitation. As a lot as I’d have beloved to have competed – flying out to LA for per week of Jeopardy with a new child child isn’t precisely ‘father of the yr’ materials haha. He’s tremendous cute although so it’s completely been value it! Possibly subsequent yr??” he wrote.
One other notable title that was lacking from the lineup was Emma Arnold, the primary runner-up within the 2018 Teen Event. Reddit customers begged her to be on Season 2 of JIT since she couldn’t compete within the Excessive Faculty Reunion Event in 2023 and the Champions Wildcard/Second Likelihood Competitors in 2024 as a result of her attending college in the UK.
“I’d like to have Emma Arnold again for subsequent yr’s Invitational. Though she did effectively within the finals for the 2018 Teen Event, I guess she’ll do effectively within the 2026 Invitational as effectively,” a Jeopardy! person requested.
“Can Emma have the identical stage of competing in opposition to James Holzhauer or Victoria Groce, since a spot on the Masters and never TOC is at stake?” requested one other.
Fan-favorite Sam Buttrey can even not be returning since he introduced his retirement in October 2024.
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