In a thrilling week of competition on Jeopardy!, two new champions emerged, showcasing both skill and strategy in tight games that kept viewers on the edge of their seats. The excitement peaked on Friday, April 18, 2025, when Steve Hoying, a newcomer, faced off against seasoned players Rachel Gray and Liam Starnes, leading to a nail-biting finale.
The episode began with Hoying, who had a one-day total of $29,403 after defeating reigning champion Andrew Hayes. As the game commenced, it quickly became evident that the competition would be fierce. Rachel Gray took an early lead, amassing $6,200 by the end of the first round, while Liam Starnes and Hoying trailed behind with $4,400 and $4,200, respectively.
Hoying's breakthrough came when he answered a Daily Double correctly, responding with “Who was Newton?” to the clue, which doubled his earnings to $3,600. However, the game was not without its challenges; he stumbled on a question regarding a popular Japanese mayo brand introduced in the 1920s, incorrectly guessing “What is Daruma?” instead of the correct answer, “Kewpie,” costing him $600.
As the game progressed into the Double Jeopardy! round, Liam Starnes surged ahead, answering six questions correctly in succession and locating the first Daily Double of the round. He correctly identified the artist of a public sculpture in Grand Rapids, Michigan, answering “Who is (Alexander) Calder?” and wagering $6,000, bringing his total to $17,600. Rachel Gray, not to be outdone, landed the second Daily Double and correctly answered a question about Demi Moore's memoir, increasing her total to $7,800.
When the dust settled at the end of Double Jeopardy!, Liam led with $19,600, followed by Rachel with $16,200 and Hoying with $13,800. The Final Jeopardy! question sealed the fate of the contestants, with Liam ultimately claiming victory over both Rachel and Steve. Fans took to social media to express their enthusiasm for the game, praising the contestants' performances and the thrilling nature of the episode.
Just a few days later, on Monday, April 21, 2025, the excitement continued as Liam Starnes returned as a champion, facing off against Bob Callen and Maja Vlajnic. The atmosphere was charged as host Ken Jennings greeted the contestants, remarking on Starnes's remarkable journey, noting that he was born during Jennings' initial run on Jeopardy! two decades ago.
The competition kicked off with a challenging clue about 'The Beef State,' which left all contestants stumped. Starnes found himself in third place after incorrectly answering a Daily Double, wagering only $5 on a clue about Aaron Paul. This misstep dropped his total to $3,195, while Vlajnic took the lead with $5,800.
However, Starnes rebounded in the Double Jeopardy! round, finding the first Daily Double once again. This time, he made a bold move, wagering all of his money, $3,395, on a question about Biafra's capitulation in 1970. His correct response, “What is Nigeria?” propelled him into the lead with $6,790.
As the game progressed, Bob Callen also found a Daily Double, wagering $1,200 and correctly answering a question about Virginia Woolf’s literary opinions, which brought his total to $12,400. Starnes and Vlajnic continued to battle fiercely, with Starnes moving into second place with $12,790 by the end of the round.
The Final Jeopardy! category was “The Western Hemisphere,” presenting a clue about a country with two capitals and 37 official languages. Both Starnes and Vlajnic answered correctly with “What is Bolivia?” Starnes wagered $7,611, edging out Vlajnic by just $101, finishing with a total of $20,401.
Bob Callen, who had been in the lead earlier, faltered in the final round, incorrectly answering “Brazil” and dropping to $4,819 after wagering $10,381. Starnes’s victory marked his second consecutive win, bringing his overall total to $52,802.
Fans on social media celebrated the intensity of the games, with many expressing their hopes for Starnes to make it to the Tournament of Champions. “This was a really good game all around. Hope Liam makes the Tournament of Champions; he’s a very smart dude,” one viewer commented.
As Starnes prepares to return for his next game on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, the excitement surrounding Jeopardy! continues to grow, with audiences eagerly anticipating how this thrilling competition will unfold in the coming weeks.
