Remember those quaint times way back in August, when Jeopardy! champion Matt Amodio was just a glimmer in the show’s eye—an up-and-comer on a hot streak crowned “the most annoying Jeopardy! contestant ever”? For a fandom eager to criticize the guy’s every move, Jeopardy! Nation sure did seem sad to see Amodio go the way of all great champions last night. Guess all those song lyrics are true: you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.
38 games and $1,518,601 later, the Reign of Matt Amodio has ended. On last night’s thrilling episode of Jeopardy!, Amodio came in third, while actor Jonathan Fisher won the game with $29,200. Amodio can now boast the second-longest winning streak in Jeopardy! history, as well as the third largest pot of prize money.
After the episode aired, Amodio tweeted, “Congrats to today’s two brilliant challengers for making it an exciting game of #Jeopardy today! Let’s celebrate a match well played by Jonathan and Jessica!” In a news release, he went on to say, “I always wanted to be a Jeopardy! champion, and I accomplished that. I know going into every bar trivia game that I play that I’m going to come in with a little intimidation factor.”
Amodio fans, rest assured: you won’t have your champ to kick around on the weekly program anymore, but no doubt he’ll stay in the Jeopardy! orbit for special programming, like The Tournament of Champions. We rounded up some of the best fan reactions to last night’s shocking game, from gentle ribbing of Fisher to fond farewells for Amodio.
Matt Amodio should become the new Jeopardy! host whenever he loses. He’s been the only stable and comforting thing about the show since Alex Trebek
— Sam Ebersold (@samanthalee816) October 8, 2021
CONGRATULATIONS to @AmodioMatt, who has earned a 1st-page spot in the #Jeopardy! history books; a 1st-name basis with the show’s fans; a *lot* of money; and everlasting respect from me and, I’m sure, every one of the 78 contestants he faced on what is now the Alex Trebek Stage.
— Samit Sarkar (@SamitSarkar) October 12, 2021
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