FANS have been left buzzing over the “craziest Final Jeopardy EVER.”
Mattea Roach pulled off an “insane” comeback for her 23rd win Thursday in a way “breath-holding” fans had “never seen.”
Canadian tutor Mattea – whom fans have watched win 22 straight games – was heavily trailing during May 5th’s episode.
Missing a Daily Double early on, one fan wrote on Twitter: “Uh oh, Mattea doesn’t know the answer to a Daily Double. Today is clearly not her day.”
“This is the end of Mattea #Jeopardy,” wrote another.
Ken Jennings – hosting this week and who many viewers want to score the respected gig for good – watched as the 23-year-old with a massive $532K in earnings seemed to be struggling.
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Though holding the fifth most consecutive wins and fifth-most money earned during regular gameplay ever, Mattea entered the last round of Jeopardy! – the most consequential – firmly in second place.
She had just $13,000 while newcomer Sarah Snider – an Indiana teacher – was calmly commanding with $22,600 just slightly less than double Mattea.
“Alright,” Ken began with an audible sigh before the last commercial break. “Mattea and Sarah will be playing a very important Final Jeopardy.”
But Final Jeopardy proved the tutor was also well-schooled in film, leading to what dozens called the “biggest shocker in decades.”
Because center podium-placed contestant T.J. was in the red, he didn’t compete, and the show returned with just the two.
“A 22-game streak is on the line today” Ken noted on the tense scene in which it indeed looked like the credits were about to roll for Mattea.
The clue read: “A black & white newsreel in this film begins: In Xanadu did Kubla Khan a stately pleasure dome decree.”
Mattea answered first, even writing on her scorecard: “If this is it, thanks for the fun!”
But above her goodbye was the correct response, the classic film, Citizen Kane.
Mattea bet ALL but $1 (or $12,999), doubling her score and Sarah revealed she simply wrote “?” and lamented with a shrug: “I’ve never seen Citizen Kane!”
‘KANE’ YOU BELIEVE IT?
Fans simply could not believe the cinematic scene that lead to Mattea’s comeback in the last SECONDS and 23rd straight win, Sarah wagering and losing $5000 to Mattea’s now-$560K.
“Hooooooooooooooly crap,” one fan tweeted.
“Unbelievable final!” wrote a second as a third wrote, “HOLY HELL.”
A fourth wondered, “How do you make to adulthood and never see Citizen Kane!!!”
And a fifth on the epic ending: “Not gonna lie…my heart was racing, I was holding my breath and I just let out the biggest WOOT! WOOT!”
A sixth was equally stunned, writing: “Lady, I may be sending you a bill from my cardiologist!
“Honest, in 30+ years of #jeopardy watching, biggest shocker ever! I <3 you Champ! You are the queen and we are not worthy!”
A final fan wrote: “What? She did it again. Mattea – she sure knew Citizen Kane a 1941 film at age 23. … Down to the wire, she did it again!”
Although Sarah appeared “faster on the buzzer” tonight and “more confident” as fans noted earlier, the thrilling third act left the young star holding her face in shock – and the winner.
MATTEA’S MONEY MOVES
With SEVEN tattoos including two LEG tattoos, a septum piercing, wire-rimmed glasses and a love of classic rock, Mattea has made waves for her unconventionally “casual” and quirky gameplay style.
She often hand-waves around the buzzer and “chats” about her wagers, doing so with 91 percent accuracy rate, according to “Jeopardy!” daily scores.
Her family up north ‘sweetly’ hosts watch parties nightly which include custom candies of Mattea’s FACE.
The “super-champ” as Jeopardy! described – won her first game one month ago and exclaimed her “student loans are paid off!”
Since then, some of her games have been “runaways” especially this week, but tonight’s, as fans gushed, was nearly as cinematic as its Final Jeopardy clue that clinched it.
Mayim Bialik and Ken started filling in as temporary hosts after Alex Trebek’s tragic death in 2020 and an ensemble cast of guest hosts in Season 37.
Ken began with an average of 9.2 million views, surpassing Wheel of Fortune and Mayim, who subbed in soon after and averaged her viewers at a lower 5.7million.
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The other “super champs” this wild season who will reunite for the Tournament of Champions in November are Matt Amodio, Jonathan Fisher, and then 40-time champion Amy Schneider who recently visited the White House.
A full-time host will be chosen in July 2022, and Mattea will reprise her role on Friday, May 6th for game 24.
