KEN Jennings has found himself in a tight spot on Wednesday's Jeopardy! episode.
Ed Coulson - who revealed he sent the host his clearly unopened new book - won out against Patrick Hume and Jeopardy!'s first-ever openly transgender contestant, Kate Freeman.
During his interview with Ken, 49, during the Champions Wildcard match, Ed dropped the bombshell that he released a book after his initial 2022 two-win run.
“No way!” Ken said. “Yeah,” Ed responded. “And we sent you a copy.”
Ken was seemingly caught off guard and hinted that he hadn't perused the book. He nervously replied: “Congratulations!”
Ken, who has authored several books, comically adjusted his collar and promised to "take a look", drawing laughter from the audience.
Read more on Jeopardy!
“Obviously I’ve read it, but remind us what your book is about?” Ken quipped.
Ed advertised: “It’s about the probably apocryphal meeting of the Chinese imperial navy with natives of Mexico in the 15th century. And there’s a mystery set inside.”
Ken, playing along, assured him: “I mean I read so many mystery novels,” about that admittedly niche topic: “But yours stood out. Congratulations!”
As the scores were neck and neck going into Final Jeopardy, with Ed at $14,600, Kate at $9,000, and Patrick (who hilariously said "no" to a "Be more specific") at $10,200.
Most read in Entertainment
The Final Jeopardy! clue under "FAMOUS NAMES" read: "Subject of a 2003 film, his 1947 obituary said he fathered at least 100 & died of a heart attack at 14, at a California ranch."
Both Ed and Patrick correctly answered "Seabiscuit," but Ed's additional $5,801 boosted him to victory, securing his spot in the semifinals with a total of $20,401.
Meanwhile, Kate made history in 2020 as Jeopardy!'s pioneering transgender contestant, preceding the iconic 40-time streak of Amy Schneider.
“I spent a lot of time learning about and reflecting on my gender identity in grad school, coming out as transgender and lesbian a few months before graduating,” she told Michigan news site MLive. “I’m proud to be out and I know representation is important.”
WILDLY LONG CHAMPIONS WILDCARD
Champions Wildcard features past players from Season 37 or Season 38 getting a second shot at glory.
As Season 40 faced retools due to Hollywood strikes, Jeopardy! has relied on placeholder programming, dividing fans who want new contestants (and new questions) back.
Jeopardy! enthusiasts have expressed mixed feelings about the prolonged tournament - which began in September - on social media.
One fan wrote on Instagram: "Can’t be the only one that thinks it’s ridiculous we are getting all these tournaments just to be followed by a Tournament of Champions."
Another commented: "Can we get back to regular Jeopardy now?" and a third questioned: "When do the regular games return?"
The tournament fatigue was evident, with one fan exclaiming, "The tournament is still going?!?"
A fourth wrote on X: “Enough of the Jeopardy Wild Card shows! I am done! Whoever thought this up should be fired. Zero excitement. #jeopardy."
A fifth wrote: “Agreed…but they had to do something to fill up the time with the writers/actors strike…Jusss saying…
A sixth argued: “It feels like they brought back every surviving contestant," adding it's been "going on forever."
TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS APPROACHES
Thankfully the wait is almost over, as the eagerly awaited 2023 Tournament of Champions Season will finally kick off on December 19.
After two precursor events, the actual Tournament of Champions will likely air in February, and be bigger than any year prior.
All of the three-time champions from Season 39 have received invitations to the annual tournament via their local news stations.
The lineup will now include the infamous Yogesh Raut, Jake DeArruda, and more in an unprecedented move (the tournament is usually for four-day-plus winners).
The $250,000 annual event for winners from the previous season will also feature notable super-champions such as Cris Pannullo (21 wins) and Ray Lalonde (13 wins).
Read More on The US Sun
Fan favorites Ben Chan, Hannah Wilson, and Celebrity Jeopardy! winner Ike Barinholtz is also set to compete.
Twenty-seven overall slots (four more going to the winners of the now-airing Season 37/Season 38 Wildcard) would make the Season 39 ToC the largest contestant field ever.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEZqqupl6YvK57xKernqqklravucSnq2hxaGV9d4SWaKGep6CWv6XFjKScp2Wamruvtc2gqmalkZ%2B8s3nLopxmo5Gpsm6y0Z6cppmeYrKledaipaxn