MATTEA Roach has accused host Ken Jennings of trying to get her to wager more of her winnings as the champ has been fairly conservative on the show.
All this came after Ken playfully pointed out Mattea’s strategy, calling her out in a Daily Double on Friday’s episode.
After the 23-year-old, who at the time had an $18,000 lead over her closest competitor, landed the open-ended wager question under the category “Firsts”, Ken noted: “You’ve vocally regretted small wagers in the past. What will you do right now?”
With a smile, Mattea replied: ” I’m going to continue not learning from my mistakes, and wager $2,000, just to be safe.”
Of course, she nailed the clue, even shaking her head in slight disappointment.
But later on Twitter, she poked fun at the lost moment, sharing a GIF of the character D.W. from the children’s animated television series Arthur, looking at a note on a door and replying: “That Sign Can’t Stop Me Because I Can’t Read.”
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The quote is said to be used online to “express persistency in the face of better judgement.”
Mattea added the tweet caption: “Me when Ken tried to goad me into wagering more money on a Daily Double in yesterday’s episode.”
MATTEA VS. KEN
But fans sided largely with Ken, with one even pointing out how much money she’s missing out on.
“Won’t help now, since Jeopardy! shows were taped months ago, but for future champions tournaments, when you have the chance to bet, bet big, esp. if there’s little risk,” one person stated in a thread.
“It may make a difference some day. Trust yourself. You’ve already demonstrated your knowledge/ reaction skills.
“You’ve now won ~$320K in 14 matches, ~$22.9K/ match. By comparison, Amy Schneider won $687.4K in 17 matches, avg. of $40.4K.”
Still, some praised her approach:
“Your math skills have gotten you this far. Forget Ken Jennings,” one person advised.
MATTEA VALUABLE PLAYER
Mattea’s 14th straight win on April 22nd tied her for eighth-most consecutive Jeopardy! victories ever.
Also on that legacy list of luminaries are Amy Schneider, James Holzhauer and Ken himself.
The all-time Jeopardy! champ has a friendly relationship with Mattea, and seems to enjoy interacting with her.
Ken began Mattea’s 10th game by noting that she is Canadian, before listing other people, places, and things from the country.
“Mounties, moose, maple syrup, ketchup chips … northern lights, Niagra Falls, Celine Dion, Norm Macdonald… [the late] Alex Trebek” he vamped before the game had even started.
One noted: “What was with Jennings extended Canada themed #Jeopardy intro?”
Some called it “goofy,” others “distracting” but Ken seemed to simply be celebrating all things Canada and perhaps – Mattea.
KEEPING UP WITH KEN
The famed alum known for his winning streak of 74 games in 2004, the longest ever, seems to be a fan.
Often when Mattea gets a question right, Ken – who perhaps sees himself in the rising champ simply replies, “good.”
When Mattea shared an off-set celebration from LA’s In-N-Out Burger on Twitter, Ken replied and wrote:”If this is the In-n-Out on Venice, I’ve been going here after @Jeopardy off and on for 18 years. Solid choice.”
Mattea will attempt her historic 15th win Monday and as Jeopardy! pointed out, she is now a ‘super-champ’ with a 93% clue response accuracy rating and an 88% Daily Double accuracy rating.
