‘Jeopardy!’ Releases Unseen Footage Of What Happened After Matt Amodio Lost (VIDEO)

Martin Holmes
26 Comments
Mayim Bialik and Matt Amodio on Jeopardy!
Jeopardy Productions, Inc.

One of the greatest runs in Jeopardy! history came to an end on Monday when Matt Amodio was finally bested, bringing to an end the second-longest winning streak the show has ever seen.

Following Monday’s episode, the official Jeopardy! Twitter account released unseen footage of the moments following Amodio’s shock defeat. “Everybody take a deep breath,” said current host Mayim Bialik as the show’s new champion, Jonathan Fisher, buried his head in his podium. “My water’s empty,” said Fisher as he tried to compose himself.

“Congratulations, that was quite a game,” Bialik told Fisher, who finished the game with $29,200. Amodio, who ended up in third place behind contestant Jessica Stephens with just $5,600, also heaped praise on his usurper. “Well deserved, excellent,” said the Ph.D. student from New Haven, Connecticut. “It’s been really a pleasure to watch all of this unfold,” concluded Bialik.

Amodio had racked up 38 consecutive wins and $1,519,601 in total earnings during his time on the show. His streak put him in the number two spot for all-time successive wins behind Ken Jennings (74 wins), while his winnings landed him the number three spot in the show’s highest earners behind James Holzhauer ($2,462,216) and Jennings ($2,520,700).

“Just to see myself on the stage at all was an honor, and everything that’s happened since, I just can’t fathom,” Amodio said in a tribute video shared by the Jeopardy! Twitter account. He also took to his own Twitter page to congratulate his opponents, writing, “Congrats to today’s two brilliant challengers for making it an exciting game of #Jeopardy today! Let’s celebrate a match well played by Jonathan and Jessica!”

Greatest of all Time contestant and soon-to-be stand-in host Jennings also praised Amodio, tweeting, “What a run!” Amodio has previously said how Jennings is his Jeopardy! idol. Not only that, but Better Call Saul actor Michael McKean also stopped by to comment, simply writing, “Amazing.”

“You have no idea how special you make me feel by commenting, thank you so much for taking the time!” Amodio responded to McKean’s comment.

Viewers, too, paid tribute to Amodio’s impressive run. Check out some of the reactions below.

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  1. O

    OrangePumpkin

    It was obvious Matt chose to leave. But we shouldn’t be irritated about it. Instead, celebrate a star who has answered the question “How much more do I really need?” A million should finance his PHD really well, and then there are those Champion Tournaments. I don’t think we’ve seen the last of him. I hope not!

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      CyanTree

      You do realize that Matt will be paying close to 50% of his winnings in taxes.

      Still....a handsome take home pay and jump start to his life after Jeopardy.

  2. R

    RedPalmtree

    I liked Matt’s personality & character most of anyone who has played the game. 

    So humble with a loving-honest smile. 

    For me he holds first place in that. 🏆

    We love you Matt. 

    Congratulations and may God continue to bless you and the rest of us !! 🙏🏼

    17 2

  3. M

    Mulebarn

    It was clear, to me at least, that in the last few shows he was getting tired and making lots of mistakes. 38 games is quite a run and when you consider 5 games a day, even with the break in filming, is quite grueling.

    Overall, it has been quite an experience watching. Congratulations, Matt!

    8

  4. C

    CyanAirBalloon

    I appreciate his humble attitude unlike someone named James

    8 1

    1. R

      RedFlask

      Ah, it is okay to like them both. 🙂

      1

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      CyanTree

      I think Jame's cocky attitude is more due to childhood insecurites being overcompensated as an adult. He was probably very shy as a kid and felt envious of more confident peers growing up.

  5. G

    GoldLeaf

    Anyone who says he lost on purpose is a fool. Give credit to the Winner. But regardless. This was 1st time in a show that Matt DID NOT get one daily double. And real fan knows thats his game plan. He searches for DD and has is wagers accordingly. Matt was a GREAT champion. Ton of fun to witness as a fan.

    7 1

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      CyanTree

      I believe it's foolish to discount that he may have thrown the game. Given Matt's incredible recall ability of even the more arcane of answers and those he gave in his final game can certainly give rise to that possibility.

  6. G

    GreenBee

    Never in one of his games did his opponents ring in faster than him as much as this game. Never was one never mind both players even close to his score late in the game. He mailed it in. No doubt about it. And for sure he knew Poland did not touch the Alps. As smart as he is. He threw the game no doubt about it.

    3 1

  7. C

    CyanCherries

    I think you have something there. Sometimes I wonder if James Holzhauer didn't plan on losing when he did. You'd have to think it's a grind to go through the pressure of trying to win day after day.

    1

  8. R

    RedTurtle

    You people are pants-on-head insane if you think he lost on purpose

    5 4

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      CyanBottle

      Who cares, he’s finally gone 👏👏👏

  9. C

    CyanLamp

    I agree!

    2 1

  10. G

    GreenSushi

    I thought he looked very tired and in answering a couple of questions, almost sounded like he had a cold. He was amazing in any case.

  11. G

    GreenBee

    I couldn't agree more. Never in one of his games did his opponents ring in faster than him as much as this game. Never was one never mind both players even close to his score late in the game. He mailed it in. No doubt about it. And for sure he knew Poland did not touch the Alps. As smart as he is. He threw the game no doubt about it.

  12. O

    OrangePumpkin

    You definitely have to be out there to think he would lose on purpose. He would never give up an average of 40k a show while also being the closest person to chase kens record. Thats just not realistic at all. Who cares about the final jeopardy he was losing before then to both players. Their is so much luck in one game of jeopardy and his opponents were fast so it easily happens. He could have lost a long time ago, but he has been lucky. I mean you have to be really dumb to realistically think he lost on purpose in terms of understanding the show as well, and definitely not all there mentally in terms of sanity. I hate conspiracy theories with no basis. Just like they said james lost on purpose when winning almost 80k per show lol. No one would do that. And the people that think jeopardy had something to do with it are even more insane lol.

    2 2

  13. R

    RedHat

    I agree! His heart wasn’t in it! I felt he was trying to lose so he could just relax and go home!

    1 1

  14. C

    CyanBottle

    Just pathetic, he can’t act at all !

    1 1

  15. O

    OliveBoomerang

    Matt tanked that show anyone who watched him more than once knows a) he's not that slow on the buzzer b) he never made that many wrong answers and c) he was never that dressed up before. Anyone, nice run for likable guy. And was a dignified loser!!

    5 5

  16. R

    RedSeahorse

    Even his losing way was pathetic !

    1 4

  17. R

    RedSeahorse

    Who cares anymore, he’s gone 👏👏👏, let’s move on !!!

    1 16

  18. R

    RedSeahorse

    He lost on purpose ! Whether he was just tired of it or had a plan to get to 1.5 million, and be done, he planned this out. It’s just sad that all those other contestants never even had a chance, were their buzzers even turned on ? Now all of a sudden there were on Monday . Come on ! I’m just glad he’s gone ! Now we can get back to the way jeopardy is meant to be, competitive! How about him looking down to his left before he answered every clue. Answers pop up or something !! Buh bye Matt - good riddance !!!!!!! Now he’s gone, so we don’t wanna here anything more about him !!

    9 56

    1. R

      RedQuill

      I assume you never saw a taping of Jeopardy. To the side (where contestants often look over to) is a large screen with the current clue. No conspiracy theory there.

      6

      1. C

        CyanBottle

        No that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about how he looked down on his own podium, before he answered every clue

        1

    2. C

      CyanCherries

      Say, YOU try getting up there and grinding out correct answers game after game (is it true they tape 5 episodes at a time?) week after week. Not to forget all the travel, hotel rooms, etc.

      He had a spectacular run! Don't be so pissy missy!

      1 1