Two new challengers faced off against returning champion Bill McKinney on Wednesday: Sam Nguyen, a tax accountant from Hyattsville, Maryland; Molly LeBlanc, an administrative assistant from New Orleans, Louisiana; and Bill, a VP of restaurants & bars originally from Boston, Massachusetts, entering the game with a two-day total of $28,000. Would they break Bill’s streak or would he continue his reign of trivia dominance?
The first round unfolded across categories like “Political Oopsies,” “On the Ropes,” and “TV Show Taglines.” Bill, displaying his usual knack for Daily Doubles, jumped to an early lead. By the first commercial break, he held $2,600, Sam trailed with $1,000, and Molly found herself in the red at -$200. Going into Double Jeopardy!, Bill maintained a comfortable lead with $5,400, followed by Molly at $3,600 and Sam at $1,200.
Double Jeopardy! saw Bill continue his domination. He uncovered all three Daily Doubles, strategically wagering to maximize his advantage. The categories, which included “Historic Objects,” “U.S. Place Names,” and “”X”-Rated Music,” seemed tailor-made for Bill’s broad knowledge base. While a slight stumble on the “Asian Americans” Daily Double cost him a bit, he entered Final Jeopardy! with a commanding $14,800. Sam and Molly lagged behind at $3,200 and $2,000, respectively.
Final Jeopardy! posed a science-themed challenge. The clue referenced a scientist whose papers, according to Nobelprize.org, “are stored in lead boxes,” a “legacy that is literally untouchable.” All three contestants correctly identified Marie Curie, the pioneering researcher known for her work on radioactivity. Bill added $4,000 to his score, securing his third victory with a total of $18,800 and bringing his three-day winnings to $46,800.
Jeopardy! airs weekdays in syndication. Check your local listings.
