Matt Amodio’s ‘Jeopardy!’ Winning Streak Comes to an End

Jeopardy Matt Amodio
Jeopardy Productions, Inc.

The “Amodio Rodeo” is officially over at Jeopardy! as long-running champ, Matt Amodio‘s winning streak came to an end during the October 11 episode.

Amodio’s 38-game streak was toppled by new competitor Jonathan Fisher, an actor originally from Coral Gables, Florida. The fiercely competitive match was a close call as Jessica Stephens, a statistical research specialist from Nashville, Tennessee lead the score for most of the game before coming in second place.

Fisher finished the game with $29,200, Stephens wasn’t far behind with $28,799, but Amodio trailed behind with his third-place score of $5,600. During the game, Fisher landed two Daily Doubles in the Double Jeopardy! category, putting him at a significant advantage heading into the Final Jeopardy! round.

Jeopardy Matt Amodio and Mayim Bialik

(Credit: Jeopardy Productions, Inc.)

Faced with the Final Jeopardy! category, “Countries of the World,” the clue was “Nazi Germany annexed this nation & divided it into regions of the Alps & the Danube; The Allies later divided it into 4 sectors.” The correct response was “What is Austria?”

Both Fisher and Stephens answered accurately, but Amodio did not, leading him to his downfall. “Everybody’s so smart and so competent that this could happen any game,” said Amodio of his loss. “And this time it did.” Despite the fact that his winning streak is over, Amodio isn’t going home a loser as the player collected a total of $1,518,601 throughout his run on the game show.

Amodio’s streak put him in the number two spot for all-time consecutive wins behind Ken Jennings (74 wins). His winnings also landed him the number three spot on the all-time non-tournament cash winnings list behind James Holzhauer ($2,462,216) and Jennings ($2,520,700).

“I always wanted to be a Jeopardy! champion and I accomplished that,” Amodio said. “l know going into every bar trivia game that I play that I’m going to come in with a little intimidation factor. But also, I just like the badge that it represents. As somebody who prioritizes knowledge and knowing things, this is really a good one to have following me everywhere.”

And rest assured, this isn’t the last time fans will see Amodio as the player will return for the next Tournament of Champions.

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  1. R

    RedPretzel

    It just didn't seem normal for him to not able to answer 3 questions in a row and gave wrong answers in such an awkward fashion.

    Left a questionable doubt????

    10 1

    1. C

      CyanPopcorn

      He tried to loose. It was obvious

      2

    2. R

      RedBone

      I agree-100%. Felt same way when James lost. Looking forward to seeing him again on the tournament.

  2. O

    OrangeCandy

    I believe he deliberately lost today. I wanted him to go on and see how far he could go.

    10 3

  3. G

    GoldPopsicle

    The fix was in? Last answer was way too easy. How did he not get it?

    9 2

  4. O

    OrangePumpkin

    It seemed Matt was having an off night. It happens though this one seemed a bit scripted. I felt the same way the night James Holshouser ended his run. James changed the way the game is played and Matt played it beautifully. It was fun watching Matt play and I will miss his brilliance, intelligence and charm. Matt was the first player to touch James in his command of the game and to me they are the two greatest Jeopardy contestants of all time. Matt I will miss your smile and wish you all the best wherever life takes you.

    7 1

  5. O

    OliveSnow

    He didn’t do a good job of “throwing” the night away. This was obviously a set up by himself or the show. He’s been to spot on the entire time to be so dense last night. Stupid and sad.

    6 1

  6. N

    Nat

    This is so sad,☹️ I was enjoying his game and watched everyday he was on. Seems like he had an off day and just could not shake it. Look forward to seeing him again on the Tournament of Champions.😊

    6 1

  7. O

    OliveSnow

    I watched the entire show. They set him up to get beat, and it was obvious, he also looked like he knew and wasn’t happy about it.

    5 1

    1. O

      OrangeAirBalloon

      Intriguing thought. How do you think that could happen ?

    2. P

      PurpleMustache

      I agree the hostes. Said ‘ this is the first time you,ve been changlegned,, he crumbled’ lt was Her fault,

  8. G

    GoldGlasses

    I think he lost on purpose. Appeared to be burned out.

    5 2

  9. R

    RedLobster

    sorry to see him go. am I the only one who thinks the new champion looks like a chubby John C. Riley?

    3

  10. O

    OrangeAirBalloon

    In mourning. I was really enjoying Matt on Jeopardy!

    2

  11. O

    OrangeLamp

    I’ll sorta join some others around the internet who believe Matt was off & may have thrown the game. 

    He Was off. Some have speculated he was tired after a day of taping games for the week… But I thought a Monday show was the start of a day’s tapings (?). He may have been wore down from the previous day’s 5 shows…and maybe the day (5 x shows) before that (?).

    I don’t believe he threw the game, but may have tossed in the towel on the Final Jeopardy question… Which even I knew the answer to. No criticism of the way things ended, maybe he just wanted to leave -sort of-on his own terms. Or he was just very off.

    ——-

    I was never a Matt fan- it seemed like he had a photographic memory type trick going on. Wheels seemed to be turning (at times) as data was retrieved and read back ..always in the form of a ‘what’s’ question, always in a monotone voice. Odd. Photographic memory (if that’s what it was) isn’t against the Jeopardy rules, but is something few are blessed with. It’s an unfair advantage-imho.. Not against the rules, but not fair play, to me. 

    If this Wasn’t happening - much respect and just points off for the annoying ‘what’s’

    question format:-) And there was some straightforward great Jeopardy play from Matt, so respect to him for that.

    1 1

  12. A

    Antonio Montealegre

    Will miss Matt but glad other contestants will now get the chance to win!

  13. G

    GoldPopsicle

    He was probably thinking about all the income taxes he would have to pay and ... enough was enough..........

    3

  14. O

    OrangeBasketball

    He was so annoying with his referring to people as inanimate objects, and refusing to say true daily double.

    3 15

    1. C

      CyanPumpkin

      Come on man! Jealous much?

      2

  15. O

    OrangeBottle

    I am SO glad he is gone!! He uses improper grammar. A person is not a ‘what’s’. With people questions, the phrase is ‘WHO is.’

    16

  16. J

    Jena

    I'll start watching again, starting tomorrow.

    6 26

  17. R

    RedSeahorse

    Jeopardy let him get away with too much ! Finally the other 2 contestants buzzer were turned on !! I’m just glad he’s gone ! Buh bye Matt !!

    25