KEN Jennings was forced to reassure two players as their competitor Rowan Ward scored a stunning win in Wednesday's match.
The game show is now airing its special Second Chance competition instead of regular episodes.
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Writer Rowan from Chicago, Illinois went up against Do Park, a sportswriter from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Nikkee Porcaro, an educational consultant from Maryland.
The three players may seem like familiar faces because they are - they've competed before and scored a rare opportunity.
Starting last Monday, 18 power players who nearly won during their firstJeopardy!games last year were invited back for the two-week redemption games - which have never been done before.
The contenders were chosen because the show felt they, especially, deserved a second chance - but tonight, Rowan stole the show.
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'YOU BOTH PUT UP A BRAVE FIGHT'
In just the first round alone, the blue-haired barnstormer led with $9,400 to Do's $2,000 and Nikkee's $0.
Even host Ken, 48, was shocked at Rowan's success and assured the others: "We'll get you some cash, don’t worry."
However that was not the case - Rowan continued to fly through the episode and correctly got clue after clue.
They then wagered everything on a Daily Double worth $10.8K - a powerhouse move no one was expecting.
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"That’s not something we always see" Ken had to note about Rowan.
Entering Final Jeopardy, the category was "Charity" which Ken called "interesting."
Rowan - who originally lost to Matt Amodio - was all smiles with $26,800.
It was a runaway game, with Nikkee getting $7,200 and Do earning $6,800.
Ken had to say once more that this was a smackdown like no other, insisting: "You and Nikkee put up a brave fight against Rowan who was on a tear."
'JEEZ!'
The final Jeopardy read: "A Catholic charity called Caritas Rome is the beneficiary of money collected from here, over the years averaging about $3,500 daily."
Only Rowan was correct with "What is: The Trevi Fountain", pouring on $10,000 to an already wildly strong performance, with $36,800 total.
They cheered as the rivals clapped and will now advance to the finalsin the once-in-lifetime competition withSadie Goldberger and Jack Weller.
One fan applauded on Twitter: "Rowan is tearing it up sheesh!"
"Wowwwwwwww killing it" wrote another.
A Redditor posted: "Rowan is so clutch. Huge upset potential in any match they end up in."
And a fourth: "Rowan is a really strong player, jeez. I think if they make it to the Tournament of Champions they will be a contender."
This week's three winners Jack, Sadie - of the "Harriet Tubman" signature snub - and Rowan will play in the two-game finals on Thursday and Friday.
One of them (the first slot went toJessica Stephenslast week) will score the last remaining slot in theTournament of Championswhich airs directly afterward.
THE SUN IS TOLD 'THEY CAN BEAT ANYBODY'
Two Jeopardy! figuresexclusivelytold The U.S. Sun before the special comeback contest aired that they predicted Rowan as one of the two Second Chance winners.
One insider told The U.S. Sun: “The way that Rowan plays I feel that they can beat anybody.”
“Rowan played Matt Amodio really tough in the final game of Season 37 and led up to the first round.”
“But just in terms of quizzing ability and command of the signaling device, I feel that Rowan could more than hold their own with anyone in the Tournament of Champions field."
In 2021, Rowan faced Matt Amodio and led in the first round, they had 22 correct clues and 3 incorrect giving the eventual 38-time winner a run for his money.
Rowan immersed themselves in the Zoom trivia world since that match and both insiders said they are a force to be reckoned with.
SECOND TIME'S THE CHARM
Jeopardy!'sbrand new seasonpremiered onSeptember 12th.
Regular episodes andreigning ace Cris Pannullowill return in a month after both this competition and the Tournament of Champions conclude.
The 21 contestants in the following Tournament of Champions starting October 31st include Amy Schneider (40 wins) Mattea Roach (23 wins), Matt Amodio (38 wins),Ryan Long(16 wins)Jackie Kelly(4)Christine Whelchel (4)and other legends.
Both specials will be hosted by Ken and will air at the usual time of 7 p.m.
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Ken will step aside from the iconic game show in January so that co-hostMayim Bialik- now handlingCelebrity Jeopardy!- can take the reins.
Over the summer, he and actressMayimwere officially announced as the permanent replacements for thelate, great Alex Trebek.
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