Ken Jennings gets short with Jeopardy! contestant and snaps ‘that’s not correct’ as Grant DeYoung notches big third win
JEOPARDY! champ Grant DeYoung nabbed a big third win on Friday with $67,202 total after Ken Jennings got a bit snippy with his challenger.
Grant faced Nick Coombs in a tense two-person Final Jeopardy round, while poor Rachel Shelton was removed with a $0 score.
Jeopardy!Grant was just $400 shy of a runaway and faced only Nick in Final Jeopardy[/caption]
Jeopardy!Grant aced it as ‘Mystic River’ while Nick gave an answer that may not be a book[/caption]
Jeopardy!Ken Jennings bluntly ruled, ‘That’s not correct, Nick,’ in a harsh tone[/caption]
After an all-out runaway last episode, the grocery clerk from Prescott, Arizona, was back for more.
In the Jeopardy! round, Grant came out swinging with $8,000 and the first Daily Double, while Nick had $3,600, and Rachel $3,800.
In Double Jeopardy!, Nick briefly snatched the lead, and Rachel faced a brutal stumble.
She went all-in with $7,000 on a true Daily Double, missing it and knocking her out of contention as Ken lamented, “That was tough.”
Grant regained the lead and correctly answered the last Daily Double but played it safe with a $5000 wager.
This meant he was just shy of a runaway going into Final Jeopardy with $19,800, while Nick had $10,400, and Rachel had to leave the stage.
The decisive clue under “Book and Movie Title References” read, “The title of this 2001 book, also a 2003 film, formed a partial border between Boston, Chelsea, Medford, & Everett.”
Nick revealed that he had written, “What is: The Turnpike?”
A quick Google search would show that there is seemingly no well-known book by that title.
Former 74-time champ Ken seemed aware of as much when ruling.
The host bluntly told him, “That’s not correct, Nick.”
Nick lowered his head and didn’t look at the host as his score plummeted to $999.
Grant was correct with “Mystic River,” adding $1,001 to win with $20,801 for a towering three-day total.
‘KILLING IT!’
Fans took to social media, impressed by Grant’s ongoing streak as he seems comfortable on stage and isn’t showing signs of slowing down.
“This Grant guy on Jeopardy is killing it omg,” one X user wrote.
“I’m wishing him a long run,” wrote another.
A third Redditor hoped Grant could “be the one to get over the hump” as there’s been a string of four three-day champs in a row.
“Will Grant break the ‘3 game curse’ on Monday?” asked another.
“I am constantly amazed at people in ordinary jobs who have this kind of knowledge. He played brilliantly,” wrote one more.
SITTING CHAMPION
Grant has been going strong since defeated three-day champ Will Newton on Wednesday.
He’s gone three-for-three on Final Jeopardy, a strength that has proved clunch for champs like Ray LaLonde.
Speaking of super-champs, Grant often says “What’s” when selecting clues, a page from Matt Amodio’s book.
The latest winner also doesn’t lack personality.
Tonight, during his interview segment, he broke the fourth wall to tell kids to watch Jeopardy! obsessively so they can get their own bedroom TVs.
However, fans can’t help but clamor about how Grant is competing sitting in a chair instead of standing.
During his games, Grant sits in a black swivel chair with silver armrests and full back support, adjusted to the same height as his standing opponents.
“Is Grant in a chair?” one X user snarked earlier.
“Looks as if we have another tall one, and his name is Grant he was sitting in a chair tonight….” another speculated.
“Why do some contestants sit on chairs and others stand? Just curious, no complaints,” another Redditor asked.
Grant responded on Reddit, sharing that he has “back arthritis,” and producers gave him a chair so he could play at his best.
“They give it if you ask,” he wrote.
“I have some back arthritis that makes standing still for that long very difficult.
“I wouldn’t expect everyone who sits for Jeopardy! to disclose their reason for needing one, but I don’t mind saying mine.”
Jeopardy!The ongoing champ told curious minds why he opted to sit for his games[/caption]
Jeopardy!He explained on Reddit, ‘I have some back arthritis that makes standing still for that long very difficult[/caption]
ABCGrant explained his medical issue on Reddit, making his money moves even more impressive[/caption]
Jeopardy!The internet was clamoring about Grant being in a chair, as contestants usually stand[/caption]
‘SITTING IS ABSOLUTELY AN OPTION’
While contestants rarely sit on the game show, fans may recall 2024 Tournament of Champions finalist Troy Meyer sitting for his games.
While players don’t owe anyone an explanation, Jeopardy! bosses spoke about letting contestants sit in 2023.
“Please know that any contestant is given the opportunity to have a chair at any point.”
“We would never make people stand, and you’ll see in the coming weeks that we had a contestant who did choose to sit,” the higher-ups explained.
Referring to Troy, they said, “After their performance, they felt like that may be a better opportunity for them.
“We are not saying no you have to stand and play, we want you to play at your very best.
Sitting down is absolutely an option.”
‘HIT AND RAN’
Grant instantly captured fan attention with a whirlwind Q&A story about a car accident during his first game.
He revealed was struck by a car at the very moment he learned he’d made it onto the iconic quiz show.
Grant shared that at the right when he got the text about the big news – a car hit him on the road.
“I got off work and got in the car and pulled my phone out and it was sinking in.
“I’m on the verge of tears there, staring down at it, and I got hit and ran.”
Ken was taken aback and his eyes widened, “’A car hit you while you were getting the text?!”
Grant said he was so excited by the news that he didn’t even notice the crash.
“Yes,” he replied, adding, “And I didn’t even notice because I was so, you know, engrossed in getting the text.”
“I had people coming up to me after [saying], ‘Are you aware you just got your car hit?’ and I was like ‘No’ holding my phone and staring at the message.”
Ken then asked whether he was doing okay.
“The car needs some work but I’m certainly fine, thank you,” Grant replied.
“Grant can buy himself a new car!” one X user rejoiced at the time.
“Grant has already won Best in Show for that superb hair,” quipped another.
A third wrote, “Well, even after taxes, even third place #Jeopardy money will help cover any expenses Grant has on that car.”
Clearly, he’s A-okay as he’s gone on to put up three big victories and perhaps counting.
Grant will face two new challengers on Thursday to see if he can win his fourth game, which would all but qualify him for the next ToC.
Jeopardy! airs at 7 pm ET on ABC – check your local listings.
ABCGrant earlier stunned Ken Jennings by revealing he got into a car crash when Jeopardy! texted him[/caption]
Jeopardy!The champ assured, ‘The car needs some work but I’m certainly fine’[/caption]
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