‘Jeopardy!’ Champion Matt Amodio is Now Third In Most Successive Wins

Martin Holmes September 16, 2021, 9:56 am

Matt Amodio isn’t letting all of the drama surrounding Jeopardy! distract from his performance as he now has the third most consecutive wins in the show’s history.

The Ph.D. student from New Haven, Connecticut cemented his 21st successive win on Wednesday’s episode, jumping ahead of former champion Julia Collins who he’d previously tied for third place in consecutive games won. His total winnings are now up to $740,001, which is enough for the third-biggest winner ever but still a ways off the millions won by Greatest of All Time competitors James Holzhauer and Ken Jennings.

“Tied with @JeopardyJulia … unbelievable. I would say #Jeopardy dreams do come true, but at this point I’m way beyond anything I dreamt!,” Amodio tweeted on Wednesday before going on to rack up another victory.

Tied with @JeopardyJulia… unbelievable. I would say #Jeopardy dreams do come true, but at this point I’m way beyond anything I dreamt! https://t.co/M1JUOftrwK

— Matt Amodio (@AmodioMatt) September 15, 2021

Amodio’s impressive performance has won over many fans throughout his time on the show, and the reaction to his latest accomplishment was met with high praise on social media.

“This guy is incredible. I don’t know why more people aren’t talking about him,” wrote one viewer on Twitter.

“Such a kind person representing the best Jeopardy! has to offer. You’re a delight night after night and you always astound me with your breadth of knowledge! Rooting for you,” another fan commented.

This guy is incredible. I don’t know why more people aren’t talking about him 🤷🏼‍♀️😃

— Carli Zielinski (@carlifarley) September 16, 2021

Such a kind person representing the best Jeopardy! has to offer. You’re a delight night after night and you always astound me with your breadth of knowledge! Rooting for you.

— Jeff Grogan (@changedworldman) September 15, 2021

It’s clear that Matt is simply unstoppable. #JEOPARDY

— Kirk L (@Little_Irishman) September 15, 2021

Matt might be the GOAT #Jeopardy

— Radical & Dangerous (@CortlandIU) September 15, 2021

Never not impressed by Matt’s play #jeopardy

— Nate Gajasa (@NRGajasa) September 15, 2021

Witnessing your fascinating run got me hooked on the show, and I’m not sure “Jeopardy!” will be the same after you’re done. I am enjoying it, though. Wish I knew how any individual is able to retain so much information, much less recall it so quickly on demand. Truly a talent.

— Joe Konz (@Konz2624) September 15, 2021

Congrats, Matt! Very impressive showing so far, and you’re in outstanding company and seem to be getting stronger with every game. Keep it going! PS: I had no idea about this FJ, btw. I kept trying to think of famous scientists with those letters and was totally stumped. Bravo!

— Marc Weissman (@mgweissman) September 15, 2021

When asked about the reaction during a Jeopardy! Q&A, Amodio said, “It’s been a bit much, both playing and seeing reactions to the games that are airing. People have been very nice. I didn’t know the internet could also be nice. People have been very nice, so I’ve appreciated that.”

However, the reigning champion was most excited about a tweet he received from the show’s most successful contestant of all time. “I got a tweet from Ken Jennings… I have not heard from him personally, but he acknowledged my existence on Twitter, and I melted into the ground as soon as I saw that. There’s nobody I respect [more] in the Jeopardy community, but probably the world, as Ken Jennings.”