James Holzhauer
CR: Jeopardy Productions, Inc.
I am a long-time faithful watcher of Jeopardy and I look forward to the Tournament of Champions each year if only to see my beloved Buzzy again. (Incidentally, my #1 pick to replace Alex when the terrible day arrives)
This year there’s a new reason to anticipate great things. A new mega champ returns to the studio for his first go at the tournament title.
James Holzhauer will play again in next month’s tourney… his first time back at the buzzer since that long winning-streak ended in June.
The woman who ended it, Emma Boettcher, will also play in the tournament. Ken Jennings, the only competitor to ever win more games than Holzhauer, is not in this one.
Here’s the schedule:
Monday, November 4
Gilbert Collins, a university administrator from Princeton, N.J.
Anneke Garcia, an instructional design consultant from Salt Lake City, Utah
Kyle Jones, a music teacher from Aurora, Colo.
Tuesday, November 5
Dhruv Gaur, a student at Brown University from Gainesville, Ga.
Rachel Lindgren, an astronomy interpreter from Bend, Ore.
Rob Worman, an engagement manager from Edina, Minn.
Wednesday, November 6
Alan Dunn, a software development manager from Johns Creek, Ga.
James Holzhauer, a professional sports gambler from Las Vegas, Nev.
Lindsey Shultz, a physician and healthcare analyst from Pittsburgh, Pa.
Thursday, November 7
Eric R. Backes, an attorney and government relations professional from Oviedo, Fla.
Emma Boettcher, a user experience librarian from Chicago, Ill.
Josh Hill, a network engineer from North Little Rock, Ark.
Friday, November 8
Francois Barcomb, an 11th grade physics teacher from New Paltz, N.Y.
Ryan Fenster, a graduate student from Seatac, Wash.
Steven Grade, a sports industry consultant from Atlanta, Ga.
In Week 2 of the tournament, the semifinals air Monday, Nov. 11 – Wednesday, Nov. 13 and the two-day finals air Thursday, Nov. 14 and Friday, Nov. 15. The winner will claim the $250,000 grand prize while the second-place finisher earns $100,000, and third place takes home $50,000.