James Corson, a nuclear engineer, proved his mental fission is just as powerful as his knowledge of atomic reactions. In a Tuesday showdown on Jeopardy!, he dominated the competition, securing a runaway victory and adding another $42,000 to his coffers.
Corson faced returning champion Harvey Silikovitz, whose previous day’s karaoke swagger seemed to have faded, and Emily Johnson, a teacher who, despite a late-game surge, couldn’t quite catch up. Corson started strong, seizing control of the board early on and never relinquishing his lead. A savvy Daily Double wager in “Forever Stamps” about Earth Day propelled him further ahead, leaving his opponents scrambling to keep pace.
While Johnson made a valiant effort in Double Jeopardy!, a cautious wager on a Daily Double concerning “ajar” and “raja” cost her the chance to truly challenge Corson. Silikovitz, sadly, never found his rhythm, trailing throughout the game and ultimately finishing in third place.
The Final Jeopardy! category, “Explorers,” offered a relatively straightforward clue about Thomas Manning’s 1811 encounter with the Dalai Lama. All three contestants correctly identified the Tibetan spiritual leader, but it was Corson’s hefty wager that solidified his impressive win.
While both Johnson and Silikovitz deserve credit for their Final Jeopardy! accuracy, this game belonged to Corson. His strategic play, combined with his broad knowledge base, cemented his status as a Jeopardy! force to be reckoned with.
Jeopardy! airs weekdays in syndication. Check your local listings.
