Who won Jeopardy! tonight? November 25, 2024, Monday
Tonight on Jeopardy!, three contestants got into a passionate battle in a game full of unexpected turns and strategic play. The defending champion, Adam Hersh, went up against Carolyn Gramling and Kevin Laskowski in a challenge of brains. With each player bringing their own special skills to the board, the competition was tough, but only one could win.
Kevin Laskowski claimed victory with a strong lead, finishing with $15,200 despite an incorrect Final Jeopardy response. While Adam was the only contestant to answer Final Jeopardy correctly, his total of $14,300 wasn't enough to surpass Kevin's commanding score. Carolyn struggled to keep pace, ending with just $300 after wagering in the final round.
With its unique format that tests contestants' knowledge in a wide range of topics, Jeopardy! is a big deal in pop culture. Every night, people watch the show because it has a mix of smart arguments, strategic moves, and exciting moments.
Jeopardy!: Recap of tonight's episode
Jeopardy round
The Jeopardy round set the tone for the evening with categories like "Words With Diacritical Marks," "Time for a Cocktail?," and "Polynesian Cultures." Adam Hersh, the returning champion, demonstrated early dominance, successfully buzzing in on the first 11 clues. His accuracy helped him build a solid lead, finishing the round with $5,800.
Kevin Laskowski found the first Daily Double but played cautiously, adding only $2,000 to his total and ending the round with $2,800. Carolyn Gramling, while showcasing moments of promise, struggled to gain momentum and finished with $1,200. By the end of this round, Adam appeared poised to retain his title.
Double Jeopardy round
The stakes intensified in the Double Jeopardy round, with challenging categories such as "Rap, Schools Old & New," "Making a Good Impressionist," and "Animal Quotes." This round proved pivotal, as it highlighted the importance of strategic wagering and quick thinking.
Kevin seized the opportunity presented by the Daily Double, betting $3,000 and answering correctly, which propelled him into a commanding position. Meanwhile, Adam also encountered a Daily Double but faltered with an incorrect response, losing $3,000.
This mistake significantly hindered his ability to catch up with Kevin, who ended the round with a runaway score of $20,200. Carolyn’s performance improved slightly, finishing with $5,600, but it was evident that the gap between her and her competitors was widening.
Final Jeopardy round
The Final Jeopardy round brought a literary twist with the category "19th Century Novels." The clue referenced Jules Verne’s classic Around the World in Eighty Days. Adam was the only contestant to provide the correct response, adding $7,100 to his total and finishing with $14,300.
Kevin, despite answering incorrectly, had built a large enough lead to secure the win with $15,200. Carolyn’s wager of $5,300 left her with just $300, reflecting her difficulties throughout the game. The final round of Jeopardy! solidified Kevin as the new champion and underscored the impact of strong Double Jeopardy gameplay.
The contestants
Kevin Laskowski, an Episcopal priest from Falls Church, Virginia, displayed strategic prowess throughout the game. His calculated risk during the Double Jeopardy round paid off, enabling him to secure a runaway victory before Final Jeopardy.
Adam Hersh, an attorney from Brooklyn, New York, had a strong start but faltered with an incorrect wager on the Daily Double. His correct Final Jeopardy response showcased his literary knowledge, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Kevin's lead.
Carolyn Gramling, a science writer from Washington, D.C., brought fascinating anecdotes to the contestant interviews, including her experience collecting sea floor samples. However, she struggled to keep up with her opponents during both the Jeopardy and Double Jeopardy rounds.
What made tonight’s episode special?
Jeopardy! highlighted how crucial strategic wagering can be. Kevin's bold $3,000 wager on a Daily Double gave him the edge, while Adam’s misstep in his wager left him unable to close the gap. The game underscored the importance of balancing knowledge with strategy to secure a win.
Jeopardy! episode statistics for Monday, November 25, 2024
Jeopardy round
- Categories: Words With Diacritical Marks, Here’s My Writing Sample, I’m On A U.S. Stamp, Time For A Cocktail?, Character “The” Epithet, Polynesian Cultures.
Scores after 15 clues:
- Adam Hersh: $4,400 (7 correct, 0 incorrect).
- Kevin Laskowski: $2,000 (3 correct, 0 incorrect).
- Carolyn Gramling: $400 (1 correct, 0 incorrect).
Final scores for the round:
- Adam: $5,800 (13 correct, 2 incorrect).
- Kevin: $2,800 (6 correct, 2 incorrect).
- Carolyn: $1,200 (5 correct, 1 incorrect).
Double Jeopardy round
- Categories: The Modern Hobbyist, Rap, Schools Old & New, Bod-“E”, Animal Quotes, First Encounters, Making A Good Impressionist.
- Daily Doubles:
- Kevin wagered $3,000 and answered correctly, boosting his score significantly.
- Adam wagered $3,000 but answered incorrectly, losing a crucial opportunity to catch up.
Final scores for the round:
- Kevin: $20,200 (18 correct, 2 incorrect).
- Adam: $7,200 (19 correct, 4 incorrect).
- Carolyn: $5,600 (11 correct, 2 incorrect).
Final Jeopardy round:
- Category: 19th Century Novels.
Clue: The mention of a new railway section between Rothal & Allahabad in India leads to an argument & then a bet in this novel.
Correct Response: What is Around the World in Eighty Days?
Final scores:
- Kevin: $20,200 - $5,000 = $15,200 (incorrect response, new champion).
- Adam: $7,200 + $7,100 = $14,300 (correct response).
- Carolyn: $5,600 - $5,300 = $300 (incorrect response).
Key Statistics
- Total Clues Played: All clues played with 0 unplayed this episode.
- Daily Doubles Impact:
- Kevin’s correct Daily Double wager contributed significantly to his runaway lead.
- Adam’s incorrect wager created a gap that he couldn't overcome, despite a correct Final Jeopardy response.
Notable Performances:
- Adam answered 19 questions correctly across the game but struggled with missed opportunities in key moments.
- Kevin’s strong performance in Double Jeopardy secured his victory.
Tonight's Jeopardy! game highlighted how exciting competition can be and how important it is to plan your moves. Kevin Laskowski's victory showed how well he could make choices and take advantage of chances. Fans of the show can look forward to more exciting matches and interesting trivia challenges as season 41 goes on.
