Jeopardy! teases return of Amy Schneider and ‘internet-breaking’ special episode
Jeopardy! bosses have teased a ‘secret’ US Election Day episode as the iconic Amy Schneider makes her return to the show.
Schneider made Jeopardy! history in December and January, becoming the first woman to win more than $1 million, taking the record for second-longest streak, and becoming the first trans woman to qualify for the Tournament of Champions.
The tournament, a special version of the smash quiz show where previous winners return to fight for even larger cash prizes, has been confirmed to air from 31 October, with regular series also confirmed to begin on 12 September.
However, eagle-eyed fans have noticed that on 8 November, the day of the US mid-term elections, neither a regular episode, nor a Tournament of Champions is set to air.
Fans think a ‘special episode’ featuring former winner Amy Schneider will air. (YouTube/Jeopardy!)
On the Inside Jeopardy! podcast, executive producer Mike Davies said: “I don’t wanna give too much away but we are planning something really tremendous.”
“We owe [Trebek] a fantastic episode of Jeopardy! on that day.
Co-host and producer Sarah Foss agreed: “And it will be airing on 8 November. So certainly we will also be paying tribute since it is the second anniversary of when we lost Alex Trebek.”
Alex Trebek hosted Jeopardy for 36 years, but passed away in 2020. Former contestant Ken Jennings, who holds the longest win-streak in the programme’s history, is set to host the new series, with Mayim Bialik hosting Celebrity Jeopardy! and other special tournaments.
Fans aren’t sure what this special episode will entail, but many are certain it involves Amy Schneider and fellow contestants Matt Amodia and Mattea Roach. All three have been confirmed to proceed directly to the semi-finals of the contest because of their incredible streaks.
One fan took to Reddit to air his theory: “Given that Davies suggested ‘breaking the internet’ with regards to their Election Day plans, I have to suspect that he’s thinking of running an exhibition match with Matt, Amy and Mattea between the quarter finals and semi finals, which could be fun!”
Jeopardy! champ Mattea Roach (Twitter/Jeopardy!)
Another agreed, saying: “I also remembered him using the phrase ‘break the internet’ in reference to a practice game between Amy, Matt, and Mattea.
“So that’s where my mind went when he used the same phrase. I’m hoping it’s the practice match!”
Matt Amodia and Mattea Roach won 38 games and 23 games respectively
Schneider won 40 consecutive games of Jeopardy! from November 2021 to January 2022 and earned $1.4 million in winnings. Since winning, she has begun carving out a career in media and activism, and in April gave an impromptu White House press briefing.
