‘Jeopardy!’ Champ Reveals Sweet Family Link to Show & Biggest Fear

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Jeopardy! contestants have enough fear and pressure going into the game normally, but being part of  Jeopardy! legacy, with a family member who has competed on the show before you, adds even more pressure.

Kim Klanoki, from Sacramento, California, defeated Ron Clarke during her first game, with a total of $28,401. The pattern designer talked to ABC10 News and shared that Jeopardy! is special in her family because her grandmother was on the original version with Art Fleming. It is not clear if she won or not.  Her mom took off from school to watch the episode back in the day, and now, her mother will see her compete as well.

“I was really nervous about going on TV, especially something that’s national broadcasting, and that’s syndicated, and repeated for a long time,” she told the outlet. “I just didn’t want to go viral over something that was a really bad guess. I’d be in a compilation of people coming up with the worst answer. There were definitely some I got wrong, but hopefully nothing that’s going to go viral.”

For her second game on October 15, Kalnoki played against Richard Koo, from Forest Hills, New York, and Eileen Goodwin, from Boston, Massachusetts. Can she win again and make her grandmother proud? Warning: Spoilers for the Thursday, October 15, episode of Jeopardy! ahead!

At the end of the first round, Kalnoki was in the lead with $4,000. This came after she correctly answered the Daily Double.

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Koo, a middle school math teacher, was not far behind with $3,400. Goodwin, a research scientist, had $2,800.

In Double Jeopardy, things took a turn when Goodwin found both Daily Doubles and took complete control. By the end of the round, she was in the lead with $11,600. Koo had $4,200. Kalnoki was in third place with $3,200.

The category for Final Jeopardy was “Welcome to Philadelphia.” The clue read, “Eager to get started, he was the first non-Pennsylvanian to arrive at the Constitutional Convention.” None of the game show contestants correctly answered James Madison.

Kalnoki’s response was “Who is Hancock?” She wagered $1,001, giving her $2,199. Koo answered, “Who was Jefferson?” He wagered $2,300, leaving him with $1,900.

Goodwin also wrote down John Hancock. She wagered $3,199, bringing her final total $8,401. Goodwin became the new champion and will return for her second game on Friday.

Jeopardy!, weekdays, check local listings, stream next day on Hulu and Peacock