‘Jeopardy!’ Fans ‘Dazzled’ by Drew Goins’ ToC Performance After Taking Lisa Ann Walter’s Spot
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for the February 3 game of Jeopardy!]
Drew Goins wasn’t supposed to be part of the 2025 Tournament of Champions on Jeopardy!, but when Lisa Ann Walter couldn’t make scheduling work, he came in as the alternate. (He didn’t immediately qualify for a spot after Champions Wildcard.) And his performance in the February 3 episode impressed viewers.
The journalist from Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, faced off against Lucas Partridge, a high school counselor from Las Vegas, Nevada, and Amar Kakirde, a policy analyst from Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey. He led at every break and headed into Final Jeopardy! with a runaway game.
Goins headed into Double Jeopardy! leading 5,400 with both his opponents at 3,800. He then found both Daily Doubles and got them both correct. In Anagrammed Nuclear Physics, he correctly guessed that “Process of increasing the proportion of U-235 compared to U-238: NINTH CREME” was “enrichment,” and in Subtitles of Books, he knew that “The subtitle of “Frankenstein” was “The Modern” this, no mythtake” was “Prometheus.” He had 31,200 heading into the final round, to Partridge’s 7,400 and Kakirde’s 6,600.
He and Kakirde both correctly answered the Final Jeopardy! clue in Places of Disaster (“In 1883 an old sailor didn’t know what its name meant but believed the natives “named it from the sound”) with “Krakatoa,” but Goins easily advanced to the semifinals with a total of 32,008.
After, fans praised Goins’ performance on the Reddit thread. “So happy for Drew,” one person wrote, calling it “an amazing performance — was dazzled by his responses to physics anagrams and word categories. Who else cheered when he landed back to back DDs?” (Those back-to-back DDs, when he was already in the lead, contributed to his runaway game.)
Another viewer is already thinking he could win the Tournament. “Jeez Drew is so good. My pick is either him or Isaac to win the whole thing, their stats are pretty comparable. It’s gonna be a great semifinals, anything can happen,” the person wrote.
And another pointed out that Goins wasn’t part of the initial lineup. “Shoutout to Drew Goins, who impressively stepped in for Lisa Ann Walter in the Jeopardy Tournament of Champions quarterfinals after her scheduling conflict,” the fan wrote. “It’s great to see him making the most of the opportunity!”
Another fan posted, “I bet Lisa Ann is so proud of Drew. I love tournament-level play like this!”
Walter had originally secure a spot in the Tournament of Champions after winning Celebrity Jeopardy!. After Goins was brought in as the alternate, he shared on Instagram a look at an exchange between Walter and his brother Zach Goins. Zach shared with her that Drew was called in due to her scheduling conflict and The Parent Trap was their favorite movie when they were growing up. “I love it! Please tell him good luck – now he has to win!” Walter wrote in response.
What did you think of Drew Goins’ performance in this episode? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Comments are closed on this story.
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R
He's smart, engaging, and funny, and has a sunny disposition! AND he's humble and appreciative. Loved the gratitude he showed for not only making it to the TOC as a substitute, but his heartfelt shoutouts to Lisa Ann Walter -- verbally & in writing!
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A
Couldn’t have said it better myself, but you left out his best quality — his amazing hair!
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G
In writing is "verbally".
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O
Was so happy to see him back and what an impressive win. Love his happy disposition and I’m rooting for him to take the title. Go Champ!😊🫶🏼👍🏼👏
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G
Absolutely love Drew
Every Jeapardy Grandmother fan is rooting for him
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B
Drew was exceptional and so personable. I hope this is can be a Launching pad for him for future successes
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C
Grandma here and lover of Hawaii and would love to see Drew win our 2025 Jeopardy Tournament of Champions .
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C
I'd like to see him host a few episodes!
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G
Drew is just awesome!
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O
I think if hosts jeopardy the ratings would go through the roof
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G
The best idea ever expressed on this board !!!!
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B
Impressive win by Drew Goins!
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G
He’s so amazing! I was thrilled when he won. Looking forward to another opportunity to see him play jeopardy.
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O
His best game yet
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O
I was happy to see him back. He was awesome! He seems like such a nice person and appreciative of everything. I would love to see him win the tournament!
Best of luck !!
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R
Without a doubt one of the most lovable (and smart to boot) contestants ever. Is there a happier looking guy anywhere? And so genuinely supportive of his competition. We could watch him weekly!
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G
I'm very happy for this young man. He is very personable and has shown his appreciation for being thought of to fill in for the celebrity. Wishing him a lot of luck! Because of his journalism background and popularity, it would be wise of ABC to offer him a newscasting position.
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R
Awesome. He is very smart, fun, and personable. He 'd make a great host for a game show. So enthusiastic. He is a total Good Sport. Cheering for his fellow players. Genuinely happy when they answer correctly on D D'Souza. Drew is someone Alex would have loved and had a great time chatting with. Go Drew!!!!
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O
he makes the show , winning or loosing .way to go Drew
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J
smart cookie
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O
His abilities with the anagrams stunned me! He is really smart in a lot of subjects. I love Lisa Ann Walter in Abbott Elementary and their connection is so cute.
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P
Perhaps a future jeopardy host?
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G
YES YES YES YES
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R
He is such a likable person and is humble and gracious in his wins!
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O
Drew did a fantastic job last night. Wishing him the very best in the rest of the Tournament
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P
I love him. My son and I were watching last night and my son said he is great and I said yes there is something about him. You can’t help but like him.
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P
I was surprised to see him in ToC, then heard why ! sorry for Lisa but so happy for Drew ! He is fun to watch ! Keep it goin Drew ! 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼
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B
Wow, he is smart. So happy for him.
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R
Love Love Love Drew Goins! He is undeniably handsome, so polite and lightening quick! I see a superstar emerging in Drew!
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C
I love that Drew got to comeback, I hope he wins it all. He is such a good player and his smile you can’t help but smile when he does.
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C
I was amazed at his great and varied knowledge. Well done Drew
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B
He was so easy on the eyes that I became lost in his performance. Lol
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R
Very fun to watch Drew....he is intelligent, good looking and humble......
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R
I'm a fan! says this octogenarian!
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G
I love the kid. He’s very smart, funny, kind and is just an all around great guy.
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O
Great contestant - so intelligent, funny and cheerful. So glad he won.
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G
Drew is a super contestant - charming, smart and fun. Wonderful smile. A real plus for the show. He had a witty sense of humour.
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B
I think Drew will take it!
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O
He is great -smart and great personality
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P
I couldn’t be happier for him ! He is amazing ! Keep it goin Drew !!
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O
He should NOT have been able to play on the tournament of champions because he already lost!! The gal that let him have her place was on the CELEBRITY JEOPARDY, big difference between the two!!! Jeopardy wants him to be on and cuz he checks the boxes of DEI. Not to mention it’s so amazing how the ones “they” want to win most always get two of three daily doubles, this show is rigged!!! He shouldn’t not have been allowed to return period
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