On March 18, 2025, Jeopardy! captivated viewers with another exciting episode as contestants Alex DeFrank, David DeBacker, and Lily St. Laurent competed for the coveted title. The stakes were high as Alex, already a two-day champion, aimed to secure a third win and continue his impressive streak.
The Final Jeopardy round, a highlight of the show, featured a tricky question from the category "Classic TV Shows." The clue read, "Posted over the door of this show’s setting was a notice reading, 'Maximum room capacity 75 persons.'" Fans were left wondering who would guess correctly as tensions rose.
The game opened with a strong showing from David DeBacker, an architectural designer from Ypsilanti, Michigan, who jumped ahead with a substantial lead in the Jeopardy round. David started swiftly, scoring big early on, with seven correct answers that brought him to $5,000. Meanwhile, Alex, an inventory specialist from Brooklyn, New York, trailed with $2,000, while Lily, a student assistant from Bakersfield, California, found herself in a tough spot at -$1,000.
As the game progressed into the Double Jeopardy round, where the competition heats up, David landed a $5,000 Daily Double and continued to maintain his lead. However, Alex wasn't far behind, leveraging a $6,000 gain on another Daily Double that shifted the momentum in his favor. By the end of the Double Jeopardy, Alex amassed a whopping $25,200, compared to David's $15,600, and Lily's $2,200.
Despite the excitement leading up to the Final Jeopardy, the last question proved to be a Triple Stumper, catching all contestants off guard. They all guessed incorrectly, leaving them to face the consequences of their wagers. Alex wagered $6,001 and ended with $19,199. David, on the other hand, lost $11,111 after also incorrectly answering “MASH,” dropping him to $4,489. Lily wagered $2,198 and landed at a mere $2 after not being able to guess the right answer.
The correct answer to the clue was “What is Cheers?” a reference to the iconic sitcom that aired from 1982 to 1993, known for its setting where the sign stated a maximum capacity of 75 persons. It was surprising that not one contestant could point this out, raising questions about how the clue stumped them entirely.
In the end, Alex retained his title as the champion with a remarkable three-day total of $75,600. David and Lily’s performances, while commendable, were not enough to upset Alex's strong showing, as both competitors fell behind due to their missteps in the Final Jeopardy. Viewers were treated to an engaging display of quick thinking and trivia prowess, solidifying Jeopardy! as a staple of American television.
With its innovative format and engaging nature, Jeopardy! continues to captivate audiences, and episodes like this only add to its rich legacy. As the end credits rolled, fans were left pondering what might come next, eager for the next episode featuring the challengers in an ongoing battle of wits.
