Thursday’s Jeopardy! Champions Wildcard game saw a tense battle of wits among three returning contestants vying for a spot in the second-chance tournament. Eamonn Campbell, the lawyer from Vermont, faced off against Mehal Shah, the software engineer from Seattle, and Joey DeSena, the development engineer from Raleigh.
The first round unfolded with a mix of astute plays and near misses, covering topics ranging from dams to ten-letter vocabulary words and the history of beef. Joey took an early lead with a correct response to the first Daily Double, boosting his score significantly. By the first commercial break, Mehal had pulled ahead slightly.
The Double Jeopardy! round introduced new challenges, testing the players’ knowledge of short stories, common bands, U.S. travel destinations, ballet, math, and the nuances of “more” or “less.” Mehal strategically found and capitalized on the second Daily Double, significantly increasing her total. Joey, however, was not to be outdone, making a substantial wager on the third Daily Double and jumping back into a commanding position.
Entering Final Jeopardy!, Joey held a considerable lead, while Eamonn, despite some strong moments, trailed behind. The final category, “Trees,” presented a botanical challenge that ultimately stumped all three contestants. With the clue referencing Roman traditions and victorious contests, the correct answer, “palm,” proved elusive. All three incorrectly guessed “laurel.”
Joey and Mehal wisely wagered zero, securing their current standings. Eamonn, hoping for a last-minute turnaround, bet everything, resulting in a final score of zero. Joey DeSena emerged victorious, carrying his $24,000 winnings into the Champions Wildcard.
Jeopardy! airs weekdays in syndication. Check your local listings.
