One reason Jeopardy! has consistently remained exciting to me for over a decade is the fact you never know what is going to happen when the show hits the TV schedule. Great contestants like James Holzhauer go on lengthy streaks. Sometimes competitors can come from behind and pull a big move in final Jeopardy! Sometimes champs win with just $1 to their names, amongst other unforgettable moments. It’s exciting, but I never saw my hometown being the clue catalyst that ended Jamie Ding’s streak.
Jamie Ding was already one of the biggest Jeopardy! winners of all time when new episodes began airing this week. He was 31 games into his winning streak, and some had already wondered if he might go much further and break Ken Jennings’ record, when contestant Greg Shahade came in, guns blazing. The newcomer landed some doozies during his runaway episode. I found the whole thing entrancing. He absolutely destroyed the reigning Jeopardy! champion from start to finish, but my favorite moment was a reference to the state of Indiana.
