Josh Weikert, the politics professor who’s been making “Jeopardy!” his own personal classroom, continued his reign of dominance on Thursday night, securing his fifth consecutive victory. With a runaway performance that saw him enter Final Jeopardy! with a hefty $21,000, the outcome seemed all but certain. But as any seasoned “Jeopardy!” viewer knows, Final Jeopardy! can be a cruel mistress.
This time, the category was LANDMARKS, and the clue read: This landmark features a relief of Agrippa approving the design of an aqueduct as well as Pietro Bracci’s statue of Oceanus. It proved to be a stumper, not just for Josh, but for his competitors, Neha Narayan and David Weir, as well. None of them managed to conjure up the correct response: What is Trevi Fountain?
Despite missing Final Jeopardy!, Josh’s substantial lead meant his victory was never in doubt. He finished with a final score of $21,000, bringing his five-day total to a respectable $80,202. Neha, a research assistant, finished in second place with $5,599, while retired court administrator David Weir ended his “Jeopardy!” run with $799.
Throughout the game, Josh displayed the kind of strategic play and broad knowledge base that has become his trademark. He nailed a crucial Daily Double in the “GRAINS OF SALT” category, correctly identifying Gandhi. Neha, however, wasn’t so lucky, falling victim to a true Daily Double in “THE BAY AREA.”
Other notable moments included a visit to “AFTER THE WHITE HOUSE” in Double Jeopardy! and the reappearance of “The Good Earth,” a clue that seems to have taken up permanent residence on the “Jeopardy!” board. One Double Jeopardy! category remained largely untouched until the final moments, with a Daily Double lurking there until late in the game.
Jeopardy airs weekdays in Syndication. Check local listings.
