Jeopardy! contestant shares rare emotional moment about heartbreaking loss with Ken Jennings before

May 2024 · 4 minute read

JEOPARDY! contestant Molly Karol has shared her heartbreaking loss with host Ken Jennings, who was left nearly speechless before her come-from-behind victory.

Tuesday's episode was part of the game show's new Second Chance Tournament and it gave viewers someone to root for.

Tonight, the Austin, Texas CPA faced Erica Weiner-Amachi - a Philadephia-based teacher - and Tracey Pitzel - a Washington-based accountant.

The three players may seem like familiar faces because they are - they've competed before and scored a rare opportunity.

Starting yesterday, 18 power players that nearly, but didn’t, win during their first Jeopardy! games last year were invited back for the two-week redemption tournament - airing instead of the regular show.

The contenders were chosen because the show felt they, especially, deserved a second chance, and tonight Molly's story about her time since her first appearance stood out.

Read more on Jeopardy!

Molly, who lost by $1 in her Season 38 game, was asked by Ken, 48, during the Q&A portion what it was like to be invited back.

"Well this past year has been challenging for me," she said.

"My mother passed away in February. So getting 'The Call' [to return] after working through the past few months was really a breath of fresh air."

Ken was taken aback by her strength and said: "Well that's fantastic," he emotionally said - keeping his voice steady.

Most read in Entertainment

"I'm glad you had something to look forward to. Sorry for your loss."

SHOCK FINISH

All three players had something to prove and were fiercely going at the buzzer all game, making it clear they were not taking their 'Second Chance' for granted.

Returning player Erica got a Daily Double early on and laughed with giddy game show glory when she got it correct.

"Erica gets a Daily Double and couldn't stop laughing in joy!" one YouTuber wrote.

Tonight's Final Jeopardy read: "Clones of an original one of these grow outside the math faculty at Cambridge University & in the President’s garden at M.I.T."

Molly was in second place with $11,400, Erica $12,800 and Tracey $6,600 - it was neck and neck (and neck) - the correct response was "What is apple tree?."

None of the three got it, but with a smaller wager than Tracey (who boldly wagered $11K), Molly emerged victorious.

With $9,599 total, she took a huge breath and looked so proud to have proved herself, she will advance in the once-in-lifetime tournament.

'SO WELL-DESERVED'

One Reddit user celebrated: "I was glad that Molly won, as heard in her interview, it was a rough year for her. Condolences.

"But at least winning this game is something good that she can look forward to. And that is something to be grateful for!"

Another wrote in an excitable thread: "Fun game with all 3 in it at the end!"

As a third wrote: "I think all three showed they deserved a place on that stage."

Others noted Final Jeopardy seemed "extremely tough" but were so happy to see the worthy winner's comeback.

"Congratulations Molly, Great game by all contestants. Very smart wager by Molly in Final Jeopardy."

FOOL THEM ONCE...

Jeopardy!'s never-before-done Second Chance competition started yesterday on October 17th - Jessica Stephens won and will also be advancing.

Each week will spotlight three semifinal games and a two-day finale.

The victor of each week’s tournament bracket will then score the two remaining slots in the Tournament of Champions which airs directly afterward.

There, they can beat super-champs like Amy Schenider, Matt Amodio, Mattea Roach and Ryan Long - or the legends they lost to - in the following two-week prestigious playoffs, which are worth $250K, starting Oct. 31st.

When both conclude, regular episodes and reigning ace Cris Pannullo will return in a month.

Other contestants fans will see soon include fan-favorite Sadie Goldberger - whose shock loss to Megan Wachpress on June 20th came down to a controversial ruling from the judges.

Hundreds felt Sadie was "robbed" as she would have won had the show ruled in her favor during Final Jeopardy.

The show has stood by that her otherwise correct Final Jeopardy response of "Harriet Tubman" was "incomplete" with but an "n" missing - hundreds were left upset calling it the season's "most painful loss".

Both tournaments will be hosted by Ken and will air at the usual time of 8 p.m. on ABC.

Read More on The US Sun

Read More on The US Sun

Ken will step aside from the iconic game show in January so that co-host Mayim Bialik - now handling Celebrity Jeopardy! - can take the reins.

Over the summer, he and actress Mayim were officially announced as the permanent replacements for the late, great Alex Trebek.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEZqqupl6YvK57xKernqqklravucSnq2huZGyBc4SWaKGep6CWv6XFjKScp2Wamruvtc2gqmarlZi8r7CMnJ%2BappOaeq67y6WwZq%2BZo7umvoyhnJqqpJe%2Fpq3KoqWgZw%3D%3D