‘Jeopardy!’: Yogesh Raut Dishes on How James Holzhauer Reacted After ‘Masters’ Defeat
Jeopardy!‘s 2024 Tournament of Champions winner Yogesh Raut has been opening up about his time on the show, including his villain image and doing battle with James Holzhauer.
In an interview with The U.S. Sun, Raut said his victory in the most recent TOC “feels good,” noting, “I didn’t come in with any kind of expectation. I played many practice games. I knew it was a game based on both skill and luck. When I succeeded, it was a combination of skill and other people’s bad luck.”
Raut almost repeated his TOC success when he competed in the second season of Jeopardy! Masters, where he finished as runner-up to Victoria Groce. During the tournament, he bested some of the game show’s greatest-ever players, including Jeopardy! icon Holzhauer.
Despite having dominated the first edition of Masters in 2023, Holzhauer found himself on the backfoot against Raut and Groce. “After the first game, [James] cocooned a little bit. I got the sense he was not thrilled with himself and his performance, but that’s how Jeopardy! works,” Raut explained.
Raut, who was originally a 3-game champion in Season 39, will have a chance to win Masters next year when he returns alongside Groce and Holzhauer. He also said he is open to the idea of joining Groce and Holzhauer as a Chaser on ABC’s game show The Chase.
“Sure, if someone gives me the opportunity to make money off the skills I’ve spent my whole life developing, then yes, I’d be receptive to that,” he told the outlet.
Jeopardy, Inc!
Raut also addressed the criticism he received while on the show and blamed Jeopardy! producers for not handling the situation better. The blogger, podcaster, and freelance writer faced backlash from some fans for his button-mashing buzzer technique and braggadocious anecdotes.
“I dont think I put much pot into it. If people find it funny, that’s their business; if people find it entertaining, it’s a TV show, and that’s fine,” Raut said when asked about his buzzer style. “Maybe if I changed it, I would have done worse. I find it hard to believe I would have done better.”
He added, “I don’t know that I have any obligation to harm my own play because people find the way I treat an inanimate object objectionable. When people demonize a human being because they claim to have sympathy for an inanimate object, it’s a little weird.”
Disney / Eric McCandless
While Raut took the criticism in his stride, he said he felt the producers could have done a better job of taking care of him, as they did with fellow champion Mattea Roach.
“In one of their interviews, Mattea responded to criticism of their on-stage behavior by saying that producers are always there and always have the option of stopping tape and asking people to not act a certain way if they think it’s improper or causes a distraction,” Raut explained.
“And that did not happen at any point in my run. Clearly, producers did not feel that way because they did not interfere,” he continued.
Raut also noted that the producers “dictated” his stories for the anecdote portion of the episodes, the majority of which asked about his past quizzing accomplishments.
“The big narrative being pushed about me is that I lacked personality and a sense of humor,” he said. “They did lean – in terms of the anecdotes – they essentially dictated what my anecdotes were. I know I got a lot of blowback, but I didn’t choose what any of those topics were.”
“I dont think [Jeopardy!] thought those would get as negative a reaction as they did,” Raut concluded.
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Comments are closed on this story.
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N
If the Chase comes back, which I hope it does, they should not make him a chaser, he is a mean spirited, egomanic person and would not do the show any good, if they did make him a chaser I am sure the show would go down in ratings and it would then be cancelled. I wish ABC would make a decision on The Chaser and let us know, I really miss the show.
27 3
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R
Unequivocally, Raut is the most annoying, conceited player in the history of all game shows. For Jeopardy to continue to include him makes one wonder where the show places its values. For young people especially who are otherwise inspired by the show, including him is an egregious mistake. We get enough of that in politics; we certainly do not expect it from a blowhard contestant who thinks he is a trivia god with a horrendously mean attitude. I will NEVER watch another episode of Jeopardy that includes him in any way! And, should he become any part of The Chase, an equally great family program, that will be the end of my watching it all together. Values, integrity, and humility absolutely matter on the show and within the contestants. Stop the bleeding he has already caused by never including him again! A lifelong viewer!
31 10
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R
I am in complete agreement with Jarthur, Nat and Billybib! They have succinctly summed up the major flaws and conceit of Mr. Raut. He is not pleasant to watch, nor is he a good example of sportsmanship.
20 5
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D
I love to watch The Chaser. Please, Please don't mess it up by putting that egotistical, no-personality Yogesh Raut on there. You will absolutely ruin the show for me when he is the one up playing the contestants. He can do no wrong. He blames everything wrong in his life on someone or something else. He is very hard to watch. I would not watch on the nights he was the Chaser. No way. He is so unlikeable. Don't ruin the show for me, and I’m sure many many other people.
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R
Unfortunately likeable contestants don't always win through. Mr Raut is a little conceited but to be honest I would prefer him over Troy and I don't know why. James has not done as well as I thought he might having been a standout competitor previously and even he has some personality issues. Victoria and Amy are my real favourites and both seem open and genuine.
17 5
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R
Never liked him. Extremely self-centered and egotistical. Notice when he claps for a competitor’s Daily Double success it is always half hearted and lame. And what’s with the constant jamming of the buzzer. He isn’t fast enough on the buzzer. Why make it so annoying for viewers I hope Troy or Ben trample him in the current TOC. Something about him is just not right. It?’s like being an FBI profiler when watching him. Something is big-time wrong. And sometimes Ken favors him slightly.
16 4
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R
I despise yogesh raut. He should be barred from Jeopardy
19 7
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R
I like the guy.
18 8
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G
And like a typical narcissist he did not take responsibility but blamed Jeopardy for not defending him. They may have directed the topics but it was up to him to share about it with more humility.
10 1
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R
I find that The Chase is a very unfair game. Most of the contestants have no chance of winning! They shouldn’t have to walk away with zero dollars!
9 3
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R
What a douche
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R
Im not sure why people dis Yogesh. He fkn rocks!
6 4
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R
Right on
2 2
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G
When Amy and Mattea was competing with yogesh. They both were like we going to get him. But late they lost miserably. Felt bad. Congratulations Victoria.. You are the best.
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G
I like Yogesh. He has a very dry personality. I get that and it doesn’t bother me at all. James though is the one who thinks he is the top dog. Was glad to see Victoria take first place! Hopefully, Mattea can get in the top 3 next time!
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B
I watched and tapped and didn't see anything wrong.
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R
I love yogesh
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