‘Jeopardy!’ Champ Yogesh Raut Hits Back At Allegations He’s a ‘Bad Sport’
Jeopardy! contestant Yogesh Raut might have broken the recent three-day curse, but he couldn’t make it four in a row on Monday (January 16) night as he was dethroned from his spot on the winner’s podium.
Things started well for the Springfield, Illinois native as he took a firm lead over his opponents Jimmy Davoren and Katie Palumbo after landing the first Daily Double. Raut continued his Daily Double success moments later, giving him a total of $22,600. Everything looked set for a fourth consecutive win.
However, Palumbo proved a tough competitor as she fought her way back into the game. After finding a Daily Double of her own, she wagered $8,000 and gained a slight lead over Raut.
Heading into Final Jeopardy, Palumbo stood at $25,600, while Raut trailed slightly behind with $23,800. Nobody answered the final clue correctly, but Palumbo’s smaller wager was enough to secure her the win with $23,100.
As the studio audience cheered Palumbo’s victory, some viewers at home felt like Raut wasn’t gracious in defeat. “Did you notice the roar of joy from the audience when Katie was announced the winner? Did you notice that Yogesh did not applaud?” tweeted one fan.
“I noticed and was embarrassed for both men. Show some sportsmanship!” added another viewer.
I noticed and was embarrassed for both men. Show some sportsmanship! pic.twitter.com/IPAI7qlppQ
— Nancy Knutsen (@nknu) January 17, 2023
Raut, who works as a freelance writer and podcaster, responded to the claims of bad sportsmanship in a Facebook post that was shared on the Jeopardy! Reddit forum.
“Let’s talk here about the criticism of my ‘sportsmanship,'” he wrote. “At the end of my first episode, I can very audibly be heard saying ‘Good game’ to the player at the podium next to me. I would have said the same thing to the other player, except the J! set makes it impossible to communicate with the person two podiums over from you.”
Raut went on to say he did the same after his second game, congratulating the player next to him on a good game. “Once again, the only thing preventing me from saying the same thing to the woman two podiums down is that the set is built to make it nearly impossible to communicate in that situation.”
Palumbo, who won Monday’s game, was positioned two podiums down from Raut.
In a follow-up post on Monday night, Raut wrote, “A lot of people had a lot of Opinions on how I should have conducted myself on the J! stage. There is precisely one “take” I feel accountable to, and it goes like this: Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana.” (which translates as: “Perform your duty but do not have any expectation of the fruits.”)
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P
He was very arrogant, to say the least. My wife and I jumped for joy when he lost..
23 3
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G
So did I...like most others, happy he is gone- arrogant, know it all, talked about how great he is ( via various victories he bragged about). Rare there is a contestant I dont like- this is the rare one
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O
This was the first time I was waiting for the sitting champion to lose the game, I'm sure I'm not alone, as Y Raut, always talks about himself, know it all style in interviews,. It's the first time I have seen a contestant like him, Now, his winning streak is over, which gives him NO chance for the Championship!
20 1
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P
Nevermind not clapping, he was visibly... angry. Or upset, or something. He DEFINITELY felt some kind of way about the loss, and was not discrete about it. His whole demeanor changed and he looked livid.
19 1
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G
I didn't even notice.
Is he supposed to jump for joy after losing?
I wish the extreme judgement of people would stop.
Everyone tries so SO hard to find anything they can shame or blame anyone for.
It's ridiculous.
23 5
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R
Precisely! People need to get a life!
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C
Congratulations, Katie!!
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G
I thought it was just me who didn’t like him. Lol Glad to see other Jeopardy fans share the same sentiment.
I also noticed how he was visibly LIVID when he lost. Glad he is gone. Definitely wanted Katie to win that game.
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R
Not every Jeopardy fan feels the need to scrutinize every nuance of the game. To those that do I say "get a life!". Jeopardy is just a game show. The best game show ever! But just a game show. There have been many contestants I didn't care for and I'm not particularly fond of Myam Bialic (I know I totally mispelled that and I am sorry) but I don't feel the need to whine about it on social media.
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B
I can not tolerate Miyam Bialic either. In fact when she hosts I don't watch as I'm sure many others don't either. Ken Jennings should be made the permanent host of Jeopardy. He has the wit, the sophistication, and class that Alex had.
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O
I am sick of Ken Jennings know it all attitude. I've noticed if he makes a mistake nothing is said about it BUT Mayim makes one heaven forbid. She is critiqued for everything for a mistake even Alex made from time to time, to what she wears. I like her and so what if she makes a mistake, it is corrected asap. Those of you who do this critique her get a life.
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B
Glad he’s gone. No personality wasn’t raised to compliment a woman.
12 5
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R
Like he said (if you read the article), she wasn't in range for him to say anything to her.
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G
Very arrogant. Glad he’s gone.
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S
As someone who participates on a radio trivia show on a regular basis I see nothing wrong with his conduct.Having said that I am on a 14 game winning streak.My strategy for playing my opponents is to welcome them,give them an advantage if I can,make them comfortable and then go in and absolutely destroy them. Personally I'd rather see more honesty on j.
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O
Didn't like him from the first time he was introduced he was arrogant and thought he was going to be the next Ken Jennings glad he lost
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P
I thought that he would go on much further. Without a doubt, his buzzer technique of pressing too hard was a reason why he couldn't answer first. Also, by holding the buzzer so high up, he lost time . He totally blew it.
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O
This guy looked crazy as he was pounding his buzzer with his opposite hand seconds before the clue was even announced. His demeanor all during the show was like demon like. If he could kill with his eyes, there would have been alive, especially after he lost. Scary dude.
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O
We cheered when he lost!
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L
There is a word for my generation "Spoiled sport" His expression said it all.
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G
I missed the end of the show on Monday but I'm pleased he lost. He had bad energy and I didn't enjoy watching when he was on. I couldn't root for him.
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L
Just relax and enjoy the game, stop being so critical.
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B
I think the adage “walk a mile in my shoes” applies here. No one really knows what is happening in the final few seconds. Good luck to anyone who makes it onto the show.
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G
I would much prefer to watch paint dry than spend five minutes with him over a beer. ‘Nuf said.
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R
I thought he had a terrible air about him. Didn’t look like he was enjoying his time on air. Glad he did not continue on.
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