Contract specialist Maria Lauro from Pittsburgh, ER physician Joe Asaminew from Winnipeg, and returning champion Laura Faddah, a manager from Memphis with $11,200 in previous winnings, faced off in a Friday Jeopardy! match that saw fortunes rise and fall faster than a poorly-thrown frisbee. The categories, a typically eclectic mix of “Fountains” and “Hog Calling,” offered a playing field as level as it was bizarre.
Lauro initially commanded the board, displaying a knowledge of trivia as sharp as her job title suggests. Asaminew, despite a strong showing in Science, couldn’t quite match her early pace. Faddah, perhaps feeling the pressure of defending her title, struggled to find her footing, repeatedly falling behind Lauro.
Double Jeopardy! brought a slight shift in momentum. Asaminew, finding his rhythm, surged forward, only to stumble on a Daily Double wager that cost him dearly. Faddah, though also missing a Daily Double, managed to keep within striking distance of Lauro. Entering Final Jeopardy!, Lauro held a slim lead with $10,800, followed by Faddah at $10,400 and Asaminew at $9,000.
The Final Jeopardy! category, “Movies & the Law,” presented a clue about a legal statute potentially inspired by the 1931 film “Little Caesar.” All three contestants misfired, offering incorrect responses instead of “What is RICO Act?” However, it was Lauro’s substantial wager that proved her undoing, dropping her from first place to a distant third with a mere $799. Faddah’s more conservative bet allowed her to retain the lead, albeit with a reduced total of $5,800, bringing her two-day winnings to $17,000. Asaminew, also wagering cautiously, finished with $5,000.
Jeopardy! airs weekdays in syndication, check listings for your local start times.
