[The following post contains MAJOR spoilers for the Monday, April 28, episode of Jeopardy!]
Liam Starnes has already certified for an upcoming Event of Champions, racked up over $123,000, and brought the Jeopardy! world by storm. Going for his seventh recreation and win, the undergraduate scholar needed to be on his recreation.
The reigning champion, from Barrington, Illinois, confronted off in opposition to Steve Icsman, from Sandusky, Ohio, and Erin Morin, from Aldie, Virginia, on Monday, April 28.
Starnes dominated the primary half of the sport, appropriately fixing eight out of the 15 questions earlier than the primary business break. He had $5,000 already at that time. Morin, a digital pre-press specialist, had $2,200, and Icsman, a retired instructor, was within the negatives with -$200 after answering two questions fallacious.
Through the interviews, Jeopardy! followers realized one other fascinating reality about Starnes. He may inform individuals what day of the week they had been born in the event that they gave him their birthday when he was 4 years outdated. He shared that he nonetheless has that expertise.
“That appears fairly on model for you,” host Ken Jennings mentioned. Morin listened to hen requires an undergraduate literature venture. Icsman is a part of a really massive household, with over 50 cousins.
Morin discovered the Each day Double and tied Starnes for the lead. The clue in “Quotable Fictional Characters” learn, “‘Simply suppose pretty fantastic ideas… and so they carry you up within the air’, explains this everlasting youth.” She answered, “Who’s Peter Pan?” She went as much as $5,200, tying Starnes.
Nonetheless, by the top of the spherical, Starnes maintained the lead. He had $6,400. Morin was solely behind by $800 with $5,600. Icsman was lastly on the board with $600.
In Double Jeopardy, Starnes discovered each of the DDs. The reigning champion elevated his whole on the primary one. He made it a real Each day Double in “American Rivers and Lakes.” “This river that flows by means of a valley of the identical title is the principle tributary of the Potomac,” was the clue. Starnes doubled as much as $19,200 when he answered, “What’s Shenandoah?”
He discovered the second DD two questions later. In “Science and Nature,” the clue was “This difficult, dark-colored volcanic rock is the most typical sort discovered within the Earth’s crust.” Starnes answered, “What’s obsidian?” which was incorrect. The fitting reply was “What’s basalt?” This dropped him $3,000, making his whole $20,800 versus $5,600 for Morin.
By the top of the spherical, Starnes had an enormous lead with $25,400. Morin was in second with $14,800. Icsman lastly stuffed his financial institution with $5,400.
The Closing Jeopardy query modified every little thing when Starnes answered incorrectly. The query was within the class “Modern Authors.” It learn, “In the beginning of his writing profession, his spouse advised him, if it didn’t work out, at 6’4″, he might be a reacher in a grocery store.” Icsman answered incorrectly with “Who’s Percival Everett?” After wagering all of his cash, he ended with $0. Starnes additionally answered incorrectly with “Who’s Jack Grisham?” He wagered $4,201, ending with $21,199. This nonetheless gave him the lead, however it all got here right down to Morin. She appropriately answered, “Who’s Lee Little one?” She wagered all of her cash, doubling as much as $29,600. This made her the evening’s winner, defeating Starnes.
Followers reacted to Starnes’ surprising loss. “Wow, I wasn’t anticipating Liam’s streak to finish so quickly, particularly after that ending. However congrats to Erin on changing into new champion,” a Reddit person mentioned.
“I’m unwell over Liam’s Jeopardy loss,” mentioned one other.
“Very unhappy to see Liam go, however wow what a formidable exhibiting from Erin!” mentioned one other.
“Liam’s run was PERFECT in size. By no means been a fan of these extraordinarily lengthy runs the place somebody’s the subsequent KJ. Liam did an superior job 💕,” wrote one fan.
“My goodness Liam is so spectacular! A six-day streak is at all times spectacular, however a six-day streak whereas nonetheless an undergrad is otherworldly. Can’t wait to see him within the ToC ❤️,” one final fan commented.