A JEOPARDY! newcomer now has bragging rights when he goes back to his college classes after dominating with a landslide win during tonight’s game.
Despite being just a college sophomore, Rishabh Wuppalapati is already hailed as “the smartest player” of season 41 – and his impressive gameplay has even left his opponents intimidated.
Returning two-day champion Eamonn Campbell, a lawyer from, Vermont went up against Rishabh – an Illinois native who is currently a sophomore studying mathematical economics at the University of Pennsylvania.
Rounding out the trio was Zoe Grobman, a therapist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
After introducing a high-tech board on Monday’s game, the new piece of equipment displayed tonight’s categories.
Under “It Stands to Treason,” Zoe found the first Daily Double and decided to bet it all.
However, she was wrong and dropped to zero, losing $2,400 on a true Daily Double.
Going into the first break, Eamonn maintained his lead with $4,600 while Rishabh was in second with $3,400 and Zoe in third at $600.
In the Double Jeopardy! round, Rishabh began to pull ahead as he found the second Daily Double.
Under the “EZ On The Map” category, host Ken Jennings read: “The southern portion of this inlet between Baja & mainland Mexico can reach a depth of 10,000 feet.”
“What is Sea of Cortez?” was the correct response, which Rishabh got – doubling his score to $10,000.
Zoe nabbed the third Daily Double, correctly guessing the “Agricultural History” clue and doubling her score to $6,700 – moving her up from third place.
Heading into Final Jeopardy!, Rishabh gained back the lead with $15,600 while Zoe came from behind with $11,100.
Returning winner Eamonn fell to third, having $9,800 going into the last question.
Tonight’s Final Jeopardy! was about to”Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speeches,” to which Ken read the clue: “He talked of a “new Attorney General” 4 times, the end of a “long dark night for America” & “a gentle Quaker mother.”
Rishabh and Zoe were both correct on with the answer of “Who is Nixon?”
Adding $6,601 to his prize pot, teenager Rishabh pulled off the win with $22,201.
Zoe ended the game in second with an impressive $19,601 while Eamonn chose to bet it all and got the final question wrong – dropping him to $0.
After the game, Zoe went online and expressed her thoughts about the experience on set.
“After watching everyone play the practice games I knew there were two players I really didn’t want to face: Eamonn and Rishabh.
“This was only further cemented during the first game when Rishabh was getting all the answers in the green room. So of course I faced both of them…” Zoe wrote.
INVISIBLE STRING
She then added a personal anecdote about her ties with her opponent: “Speaking of Rishabh, we obviously had never met before but it turned out that not only did we both go to the same High School in suburban Chicago, but we now both live a mile from each other in Philadelphia.
“An incredible coincidence that also sadly ensured that I don’t get the hometown glory in either place.”
Fans were supportive of Zoe’s performance while praising Rishabh’s big win.
Jeopardy! Set Secrets
Jeopardy! fans don’t see everything behind the scenes from watching on TV. These hidden set features make the show run smoothly:
- Each podium has a hidden riser so that all contestants appear to be the same height.
- After each clue is read, signal lights go off around the game board, indicating players can buzz in and respond.
- Buzz in too early, and you’re locked out for .25 seconds.
- The podiums have a small white light in the lower left corner, which tells Ken Jennings who goes next.
- Contrary to popular belief, the player with control doesn’t have a buzzer advantage on the next clue.
- To the game board’s left is a scoreboard so the players can see their opponents’ scores.
- All contestants must bring three outfits to the studio, but only the host and returning champion change for the next episode.
- There are wardrobe rules, including restrictions on busy patterns, solid white, purple (like the background), and logos.
- Five episodes are taped in a single day, and sometimes more.
- The categories, players (aside from the returning champion), and Final Jeopardy! for a tape day are all drawn randomly to ensure fairness.
- Female contestants are asked not to wear makeup, which is applied backstage, and don’t wear mascara because of sweat.
- Contestants fill out a questionnaire, and producers select five Q&A topics for the host.
- Host Ken isn’t allowed to interact with the contestants until after the game.
- Players can request to sit in a chair while competing without question.
“You played great Zoe! Congrats on an impressive showing and well-deserved silver,” one wrote.
“What an awesome game! Really loved all three contestants today. Eamonn was a strong champ, Zoe’s comeback was a delight, and Rishabh’s visible excitement was infectious. Great game for all of them,” another said.
A third noted that Rishabh is “an absolute genius, both with the clues and with his wagering strategy.”
Rishabh is no stranger to trivia, as he has a long resume competing in National Academic Quiz Tournaments.
He now is an intern with a pharmaceutical company and focuses on his studies at the University of Pennsylvania, where he will receive his Bachelor’s in Mathematical Economics in 2027.
