In an intense Jeopardy! episode that aired on Wednesday, May 29, a new champion was crowned after a fiercely contested match. The game featured Adriana Harmeyer, an archivist from West Lafayette, Indiana; Abby Mann, a digital scholarship librarian from Normal, Illinois; and Brian O’Shea, a gifted specialist and teacher from Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
A Balance of Skills in the Early Rounds
The initial rounds showcased tight competition. Mann led with $4,800, followed closely by O’Shea at $4,600, and Harmeyer at $3,800. Viewers were on the edge of their seats as each contestant demonstrated their prowess.
Turning Point with Daily Doubles
The momentum shifted dramatically during the Double Jeopardy round. Harmeyer found the first Daily Double and increased her total by $4,000. However, ‘s second Daily Double proved costly, as he lost $6,000 due to a tricky clue under the category “White House Weddings.” The clue read: The 1st ceremony was in 1812 when Lucy Payne Washington, this first lady’s sister, married Supreme Court Justice Thomas Todd.
O’Shea confidently yet incorrectly answered Martha Washington
, missing the correct answer Dolley Madison.
Viewer Reactions
Many viewers took to social media to express their thoughts on O’Shea’s gameplay. On Reddit, one viewer commented: Oh Brian that was so tough to watch. Answered ‘Breaking Bad’ when they were looking for ‘Walter White.’ Answered ‘Buzz Aldrin’ when the answer was ‘Apollo 12.’ And then in the big DD…tough game for him.
Another added: I felt bad for Brian–including the name of the bride (Lucy Payne Washington) in the clue was some brutal negbait…you had to ignore it and re-focus on the year, 1812.
Final Jeopardy Showdown
The stakes remained high going into Final Jeopardy with Harmeyer at $16,200 and Mann at $12,400. Both contestants answered the final clue correctly but it was Harmeyer’s wager of $10,000 that secured her victory with $26,200.
A New Champion
Despite the challenging Jeopardy! experience for O’Shea, Adriana Harmeyer emerged as a new champion much to the thrill of viewers. Hosting duties by Ken Jennings added an extra layer of excitement with his knowledgeable presence enhancing the episode’s appeal.
What did you think of Wednesday’s episode? Did you fall for the Washington clue? Let us know in the comments section below.
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