In a lively episode of Jeopardy! aired on June 25, host Ken Jennings kicked off the night with a cheeky joke that resonated with fans and contestants alike. The humor stemmed from a joke Jennings made about a clue he answered during his own time as a contestant nearly 20 years ago.
Returning champion Micah Fritz from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, had a one-day total of $14,200 and faced competitors Kiley Campbell from Salt Lake City, Utah, and Greg Harris from Washington, D.C. The episode’s excitement was heightened as Jennings acknowledged that Fritz was the eighth champion in eight games, drawing attention to an unusual streak of one-day champions that occurred throughout June.
Fritz started the game with a misstep when he incorrectly buzzed in on the first clue, believing the answer to be “What is a hoe?” instead of the correct “What is a weeder?” The laughter in the studio continued as Jennings playfully remarked, “It seems like ‘What is a hoe?’ is never correct out here,” referencing a similar moment from his own previous game, where he was humorously rebuffed by then-host Alex Trebek.
Kiley Campbell advanced in the game by finding the first Daily Double and correctly identifying Madagascar as a microcontinent, boosting her score significantly. As the rounds progressed, Greg Harris also made a comeback by correctly answering a clue about fermentation.
In the final segment, the stakes became higher for Fritz, who led with $15,800 going into Final Jeopardy. However, only one contestant, Campbell, managed to answer correctly, identifying the clue related to the character Eliza Doolittle from the musical My Fair Lady. Campbell’s correct wager propelled her to victory with a total score of $24,201, while Fritz ended the game with $10,800 and Harris concluded with a score of $0.
This episode highlights the thrilling ups and downs that are a hallmark of Jeopardy!, showcasing the wit of host Ken Jennings and the intense competition among contestants. As fans look forward to Thursday’s episode, Campbell will return as the new champion, promising more excitement ahead for the beloved quiz show.