‘Jeopardy!’ Fans Are Convinced Scott Riccardi Lost on Purpose
Was Scott Riccardi done with Jeopardy!? Fans seem to think he threw the last game of the season when he got the final question wrong. Many of them said it was easy and were shocked that he missed it.
On Friday, July 25, Scott Riccardi, from Somerville, New Jersey, played in his 16th game. He went against Jonathan Hugendubler, from Baltimore, Maryland, and Charlotte Cooper, from San Francisco, California. Riccardi tried to move up the Leaderboard of Legends with $455,000 in regular gameplay. He made it into the top 10 for all-time winnings in regular play, landing in spot number eight, and even tied for 10th place for consecutive games won.
Scott Riccardi, an engineer, was in the lead for the whole game, but Final Jeopardy cost him his 17th win. He had $23,600 by the end of Double Jeopardy. Hugendubler had $14,000. Cooper was in third with $7,800.
The category for Final Jeopardy was “20th Century Names.” The clue read, “According to one obituary, in 1935 he owned 13 magazines, 8 radio stations, 2 movie companies, and $56 million in real estate.” The answer was “Who is William Randolph Hearst?” Riccardi’s answer was Howard Hughes.
Cooper wagered $7,800, bringing her total to $15,600. Hugendubler also answered correctly. “Oh, this just got interesting. He is correct as well,” host Ken Jennings said. He wagered $9,601, putting him $1 over Riccardi, but the champion didn’t reveal his answer yet. Even if he got it right and wagered $0, he would have lost. When Riccardi’s answer was revealed, the crowd groaned. He wagered $5,000, making his final total $18,600. Hugendubler won and stood in shock.
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After his loss, fans thought he threw the game because they considered the final clue to be easy. On TV Insider’s recap, one Jeopardy! fan said, “I have a hard time believing that Riccardi didn’t know Final Jeopardy. Even I knew it, for heaven’s sake. Maybe he just didn’t want to come back for the next season.”
“Exactly. I said he wasn’t going to get the final answer correct on purpose,” another replied.
“I thought the same thing…that after a two month wait if he had won, he decided to lose instead,” replied a fan.
“I think that he did it deliberately. Howard Hughes was alive long after the date in the question. It was a respectable answer that didn’t seem that obvious to most people. My thought is that he was happy with what he had accomplished, and there was no need to wait through for another season. He had established his reputation, ability, and eligibility, and now someone else will have a chance,” a TV Insider reader wrote.
“Super disappointed he lost. Not getting both or 1 of the daily doubles did him in!” commented a fan.
“He lost on purpose. There is no way you can convince me otherwise,” said another.
“I suspect the same thing. He will be back, thank goodness & will probably be featured on the Masters as well,” replied one fan.
“Scott conveniently lost on the last show of Season 41…after 16 games. We won’t see him again until January 2026…6 months from now,” one fan pointed out. Riccardi qualified for the Tournament of Champions, which should air in Winter 2026.
“Very easy final jeopardy question. Most everybody knows HH died in the 70’s . We all remember the movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Open up an investigation. The game is fixed,” a Jeopardy! fan said.
Do you think Scott Riccardi threw the game? Let us know in the comments.
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Comments are closed on this story.
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It’s discouraging that so many intelligent people’s default setting is “conspiracy theory.” The question didn’t say the person died in 1935, it said those facts about him were true in 1935. Hughes had a strong Hollywood connection, so it was a reasonable answer. It’s ludicrous to think someone living out his dream with so much success would just shrug and say, “OK, I’ve had enough.”
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Exactly. In fact Hearst died in 1951.
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The irony/conundrum for me is,that the first word out of my mouth as I finished reading the clue was ‘Hearst’ (and I am NO Jeopardy champion/expert, by any means). But, the next words - as I rethought about it and second-guessed myself, - out of my mouth were, it MIGHT be Howard Hughes, though. See the problem I have? I have a very difficult time believing he would throw it at that point…just can’t buy it.
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You said, "I am NO Jeopardy champion/expert, by any means)." And I am unanimous in that.
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Yep. Just how I thought about the answer too. First thought Hearst and then Hughes, primarily because of the movie studios in the clue.
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I think that some Jeopardy fans need to get a life.
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And a brain.
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Everyone said the same about when Ken himself lost. Many people had said they too knew the correct answer. As did I. But even you got used to the lights, cameras, audience, I’m sure after 70+ games it is routine but people goof up. Doesn’t mean Ken got sick of Jeopardy as it doesn’t mean Scott didn’t want to be idle during the summer hiatus.
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I totally agree with you that people goof up
Scott's face said it all
He was shocked that he was wrong and his face was almost white
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I think there were a couple possible answers to final Jeopardy, and Scott chose the wrong one. I truly doubt that anyone making that much money would intentionally throw the game, and that includes Ken. Scott always wore a superior look as he buzzed and answered. Hard to walk away when you think you're the best.
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You don’t know what Scott thinks.
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I think players do lose on purpose. Even I knee the answer, and he’s certainly smarter than me. I also think Ken Jennings lost on purpose years ago. I looked up what question stumped him, and NO WAY would he have even considered FedEx as the answer if he weren’t losing on purpose.
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Lot of people are smarter than you if you think he lost on purpose.
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Conspiracy theories, anyone? Lol. As I heard the question, in my mind I thought it is either Hearst or Hughes. I am definitely not a genius. Leave the poor guy alone. I watch for the joy of it, and did enjoy his run.
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The clue didn't say the person died in 1935. Hearst, the correct answer, died in the early 50s.
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I never knew Hearst owned 2 movie studios, but I knew Hughes owned RKO and a ton of real estate so Howie was my pick. It's obvious Scott did not know as a lot of people didn't
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Can't blame him if he did lose on purpose. But if it were me, I would have bet the whole shebang and hoped it was a question that I didn't know or it would have been a big pay day.
What is H&R Block? Did Ken lose on purpose? I even knew the answer on that one.
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There is no such thing as an easy question. The only way it's easy is if you know the answer. I remember the question Ken Jennings lost toʻ because I figured out the answer
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He said his one and only goal was to win the final game so he could be champion throughout the summer. Therefore he didn't lose on purpose.
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I think you have to be an idiot to think he lost on purpose
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It just might be that case if one did not think he did it on purpose. He's up there with Holzhauer. Hughes was too young for what was mentioned in that clue; surely Scott knew that.
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"Do I want another $30k? Nawww!" What amazes me is how many stupid people watch a show with so many smart people.
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Amazine how many stupid people too watch the show- must be for seeing even this as a conspiracy theory. The look of shock on his face was real, no reason at all to play that hard and then ... quit?" Slow news week? No. But people are surely getting more and more stupid in this country.
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So what.... Ken Jennings lost his final game on purpose too!
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if a contestant decides to end his run by answering incorrectly, that is no way “fixed”
it is his right to do so so!
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Yes, I do believe! I am looking forward to seeing him in the Tournament of Champions ♥️
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I sometimes wonder up until they lose in this game if the human mind just gives up the fight questions after questions the pressure the hot lights the audience the demands to keep going being away from home the lousey ass hotel food it's got to get to you and taping schedules back to back 👺 it's no easy feat Scotty your mind just gave out bud
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People commonly know answers that don’t come to them right away. What’s the fuss?
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If he wanted to lose on purpose, why was he ahead entering final Jeopardy? Why would he even try in the first two rounds?
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Looks to me as if he was not out to dampen his own competitive spirit. This is all speculation unless or until he decides to tell all what he did.
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I thought the same thing. Waiting two months is like starting all over again.
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Why would he throw the game when each time he won he earned lots of money. Sometimes the easiest questions could be an intelligent person's downfall!
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It just might be the case that he has a job to keep & an outside life to live. He will get his chances again at the TOC & probably the Masters also.
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No he didn't lose on purpose, look at his face. He was pissed off. Couldn't believe he lost. I was glad to see him go, something about him got on my nerves.
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Some people thought JeopardyJames missed on purpose. Sometimes the extremely smart people miss a pretty simple question.
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Impressive knowledge and time on show,but a few of those wins against "cannon fodder" contestants! Yes kids they do have some players who really had a good test but lack real trivia knowledge!
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Hughes made a TON of money at that time (1930s) and yes he died after Hearst but the death date doesn't matter in this case because Hearst himself died in 1951. So it wouldn't have mattered if Hughes was alive long after Hearst had died because he was also making money at that time with movies. The only tell here is more on the magazines owned, everything else could feasibly apply to Hughes as well.
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He lost on purpose. Sad to see him leave. He was the perfect contestant.
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my partner competed twice. it's grueling. once one has earned enough for a few wants, relax and have fun. rest up for next tournament. let someone else have a chance.
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It's hard to believe Scott didn't know Hearst was the answer. But I also can't see why he'd want to stop. He was one of the nicer and more personable champions and he was fun to watch.
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I’m not that smart, but Howard Hughes was my guess.
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It’s possible he threw it. But who remembers Ken Jennings last game? It was also an easy response but he missed it. I thought that Ken was probably ready to get on with his “real life”. Who can blame them?
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He didn't lose on purpose. Too much to gain.
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Yes he threw the game. I was shocked as even I new the andwer
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Have long suspected the show is scripted, more entertainment than informative.
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I'm not bad at Jeopardy! (for a TV watcher), and my first thought was Hughes. He did well and got lucky in a few of his wins. I think people just look for conspiracies. Peace.
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I thought Huges as well for a few seconds but realized that he was too young for what was mentioned in the clue. As good as Scott is at history, this likely dawned on him as well. He was ready to move on, IMO.
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If someone wants to bow out of a competition, how else would they do it? He is well poised now for the TOC & probably also the Masters. Would love to see him obliterate Yogesh Raut!
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Scott absolutely lost on purpose!! Zero doubt in my mind!
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Yes
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He simply very did not get the right answer. Folks accept the fact as real.
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He totally lost on purpose. Jenni gs probably caused it.
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Jenni gs?
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I don't believe he lost on purpose
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Not likely, noting how good he was at history. He probably got to where he wanted to be & was fine with getting back to his job & his life.
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Absolutely on purpose! Told my husband right away.
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So what if he did...
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Maybe even I knew the answer. I was tired of seeing him win . He was more like a computer knowing a lot of stuff. Took the fun out of the game
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He didn't want to wait till next season to collect his earnings.
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Sorry, I missed the episode....
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He lost because he gave the wrong answer. He often guessed wrongly when he didn't know the answer.
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His wrong guesses were few & far between. Most of them were right.
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It was an easy question, but why wait till the end to finally give a wrong answer. All he had to do was be slow on the buzzer.
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There is no buzzer competition on FJ. All get their thirty seconds.
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That's what I said from the get-go.
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He played strategically not buzzing in when he didn't know the answer and apdo not buzzing in to jeopardize a big lead before final. I don't know if he purposefully lost, why wd anyone? BUT. that thought popped into my head as well.
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I can think of numerous reasons someoe would do what Scott likely did, a job to keep, a life to live. It's grueling to spend a twelve-hour shift taping five episodes & having to change clothes in between each taping to make it look as if each next game is on a different day.
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I was thinking he might have thrown it because he didn’t have the same energy he usually had. I’m weirdly pleased others thought so too. I hope I’m wrong and I hope everything is well at home.
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No. Why would I? There was no benefit to him throwing the game. If he continued to win he would have made more money.
I was surprised that he didn't know the answer because I did.
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I knew that answer Tough to say if Scott threw away the game
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Absolutely he lost on purpose
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I think he definitely lost on purpose, after all he gets to come back in January. He does have a life to get back to!
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I was shocked, stunned, ect. First shocked at how easy fj ? Was; then even more shocked he missed it. Yea, probably said “enough, want my life back”
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Yes, I believe he threw it. Hearst was so obvious. I also James Holhauser threw his. He was continually moving about, like he wanted out of there. His stance was off.
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Yes I think he threw the game.He is too intelligent to miss that question ! I think he had some goals he wanted to reach and when he reached them on Game 16 that was enough for him. He is just a regular person no airs or saying how smart he is .He went about his games in a professional manner. I hope he comes back soon !
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Good summation, IMO. He will be on the TOC & will doubtless be invited to play at the Masters.
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He definitely lost on purpose. All of his previous answers about people never included the individual’s first name. He answered Howard Hughes.
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Coastal Jersey girl
I can't imagine him not knowing such an easy answer. I knew it immediately and I'm not a trivia star. If he did intentionally throw the game, I'm very disappointed.
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I'm sure he knew the answer. For whatever his reason he did not wish to continue. I will look forward to seeing him in the Masters.
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I mean I'm am idiot and even I thought Hearst...
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I didn't since I only knew him as the head of Cosmopolitan Productions which he founded for his mistress actress Marion Davies. I found out in the EW article he was also head of International Film Service which was an animation studio during the silent days. I knew Howard Hughes as first founding his production company during the '30s and '40s (when he made the infamous The Outlaw), then taking over RKO in 1948 and running it to the ground by the late '50s. So I definitely don't think Scott Riccardi lost on purpose.
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I may be wrong but I think contestants don't receive winnings until they lose and their run ends. Maybe that came into play?
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YES
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I believe Jennings missed a relatively easy question as well to end his streak.
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Considering these comparisons, is it possible it's all prearranged and they know when they will be done? Not saying the game is fixed but do think the contestants may see sample questions in preparation for their appearances.
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People have been sued for slander for lesser accusations. Publishing such a lie is pitiful
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He threw it . It was way too easy everybody knows Hughes didn’t die in 1935
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How retarded are you? Do you think he hates money?
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He did it on purpose. Even I knew the answer.
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I believe he gave up by losing purposefully!
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I believe you should give up purposely not breeding.
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Lost on purpose for sure.
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I agree - lost on purpose. I also thought that of James Househouer because it was a poor bet. He was never one to be a shy better!
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I recall JH started with smaller bets the week before, prompting me to suspect he was told to stop with the big bets. I think he would have lasted only lord knows how long if it were not for that.
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He absolutely blew it on purpose. It was shocking and very disappointing!
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He did it on purpose. Come on, he was tired.
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I immediately thought that he threw that game. Even I knew the answer to that question and I'm not smart.
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I think it's definitely possible. In fact, earlier in the tournament there was one game where he appeared to intentionally stop ringing in for about a dozen clues, though by the final he couldn't avoid winning.
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I said to my husband, "I think he lost on purpose."
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And he called you a dumb fuck, right?
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Yes, I think he lost on purpose. He had accomplished what he set out to do. He is very much a gentleman. He had his own reasons and it’s really no one else’s business. There is no conspiracy here. It was a personal decision
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I'm glad that guy is out. It became really boring. I moved to Family Feud.
I'm watching again
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Yes, I think he had to have known the last clue!!! He was done.
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Yes! I thought he threw the game! A high school level question at best!
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Absolutely he lost on purpose. He was smart enough to know when to leave!
His run was impressive but I am not a fan of his demeanor.
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There is absolutely no way Scott lost on purpose. He has proven to be the utmost competitor. And what in the world do you find wrong with his demeanor?? He showed nothing but class and dignified behavior throughout his 16-show run.
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Agree! I think Scott was one of the most likable as well as smart contestants! He was truly a pleasure to watch!
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