JEOPARDY! executives have hinted a new champion is already on a multi-day, if not multi-week, winning streak with filming Season 39 underway.
The game show even called the next power player “similar to Amy Schneider.”
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Season 38 of Jeopardy! wrapped on July 31st and the show is airing reruns until September 12th.
When the treasured trivia show returns, alum Ken Jennings, 48, will be splitting his hosting duties permanently with actress Mayim Bialik, 46.
Since the show tapes two months in advance (and five episodes in a day, mind you) filming is already underway – Ken is currently at the Alex Trebek stage making episodes that will air until January.
But when Season 39 begins, it may not be long until another star is born.
‘SOMETHING SIMILAR TO AMY’
On Episode 4 of the show’s official podcast Inside Jeopardy on Monday, producer and former “Clue Crew” member Sarah Whitcomb Foss and guest-slash-beloved alum Buzzy Cohen talked shop.
Those on the inside already know how the new season is going – and apparently, it’s going well.
Sarah said: “I can tell you, It’s only been a few weeks into season 39 but it’s off to a fantastic start.”
She had brought up how the Tournament of Champions will air starting October 31st until early November – the regularly airing show taking a ‘commercial break’ at that time.
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Buzzy buzzed in: “You would think after the Tournament [of Champions], ‘Oh there’s going to be this letdown.’
“But that is not the way that Jeopardy! has been rolling lately.
“And it’s just gonna help us skyrocket to the next level of Season 39.”
Sarah then cryptically added: “Amy Schneider was midway through her fantastic run when the Professor’s tournament aired [and interrupted regular episodes] so, we’ll see.
“It could be something similar in Season 39.”
Buzzy then replied: “Hmm…” and Sarah concluded “Okay,” both agreeing to move on from “teases.”
WHAT IS: THE ‘TOC?’
Two months into next season the special competition hosted by Ken will air instead of regular episodes.
The 21 players who won the most games last season will be back going brain-to-brain for a grand prize of $250K.
Byes to the semi-finals were given to champ Amy, who won 40 games starting last January, contestant Matt Amodio, who won 38 games when Season 38 began in September 2021, and Canadian tutor Mattea Roach , who won 23 games in May.
These three players will proceed to the semi-final round, and won’t play in the quarter-final rounds – but will have an unaired “practice” game.
The finals will be formatted in that the winner will be the first to reach three victories.
In addition to Amy, Matt, and Mattea, the other contestants and their wins are Ryan Long (16 wins), Jonathan Fisher (11 wins), Brian Chang (7), Courtney Shah (7), Eric Ahasic (6), Zach Newkirk (6), Megan Wachspress (6), Andrew He (5), Tyler Rhode (5), Jackie Kelly (4) John Focht (4), Margaret Shelton (4), Maureen O’Neil (4), and Christine Whelchel (4).
The final two spots are reserved for the show’s first-ever Second Chance Tournament Winners which includes Sadie Golberger of the infamous “Harriet Tubman” signature snub.
Ken will be hosting that as well – and the ToC airing one month later.
SHOW SCHEDULE EXPLAINED
On Episode 4 of their detail-dishing podcast, producer Sarah explained the scheduling of the special tournament
“Many of you got out your calendars and saw the Tournament of Champions was debuting on October 31st and there may be no way to avoid an interruption since Election Day is September 8th.”
“We assure you that no one will miss a minute of the competition.
“We’re going to conclude the quarter-finals on November 7th.
“Then, we’re going to feature special programming on November 8th.
“Then on the 9th, you’ll have the first of our three semi-final games.
“Don’t worry we have a plan, no matter when it ends – game three four five, six, or seven it will say on your [TV] listings [what is] necessary so don’t worry we’re not gonna let you know the outcome of that.
One Redditor wondered: “Maybe ‘Special programming’ = Matt/Amy/Mattea practice match?”
Sarah continued: “Finally, we’re gonna roll right into regular programming and pick up where our returning champion left off on whatever day of the week that happens to be.”
“We could see [this] champ return on a Thursday, a Friday, whenever it concludes.”
The tournament has taken place since 1964, spanning back to the Art Fleming era, who hosted for 20 years before Alex Trebek’s treasured tenure starting in 1984.
But this year’s is such high stakes because so many of the players are now on the show’s leaderboard of record holders alongside Ken himself.
Mayim will also host Celebrity Jeopardy! and the regularly airing show as much as she can starting in January given her other sitcom commitments.
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