Victoria Groce beats out James Holzhauer in Jeopardy! Masters finals (2024)

Today, 10:00By Carsen Holaday

Watch Victoria Groce win Jeopardy! Masters

Today, 09:31By Carsen Holaday

Why Victoria Groce is called 'The Queen'

Victoria Groce has been rightfully named, "The Queen," due to her domination in the competitivequizcommunity.

Groce has competed individually and in a team across three continents.

Groce was a Chaser on season 3 ofThe Chasein 2023.

When introducing her on The Chase, the show's host,Sara Haines,introduced the Georgia native in a royal manner.

Haines said: "This is the smartest quizzer on the globe and she has no intention of giving up her title, or her crown. Fear her Majesty!"

Today, 09:00By Carsen Holaday

How Victoria Groce prepared

During the 2024Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament,Groce took home the grand prize of $100,000and a spot in Jeopardy! Masters Tournament.

Speaking on how she'sprepped for her win, Groce said: "The biggest thing I’ve been doing is a huge number of word puzzles because that was the thing I struggled with most was the word play categories.

"I go to a coffee shop pretty much every day and spend an hour, an hour-and-a-half doing crosswords and word puzzles like anagrams, because that’s the sort of thing that they ask and I’m not as good at, so I’m trying to improve as much as I can over the limited time that I have."

Today, 08:31By Carsen Holaday

What to know about Victoria Groce

Jeopardy! Masters' new champion Victoria Groce is a quiz expert hailing fromGeorgia.

Before Groce's involvement onThe Chase, she made a notable appearance in 2005 when she starred onJeopardy!

During her time on the show, she was able to knock down David Madden's 19-day streak.

In 2021, Groce was named World Quizzer of the Year. She additionally played on the winning team for the 2021-2022 Quizzing World Cup.

QUEEN V Everything we know about quiz expert Victoria Groce

Today, 08:00By Carsen Holaday

Jeopardy! dropped from ABC schedule

Alongside suffering from lowering ratings, Jeopardy! is facing a new problem.

The show has beendropped from ABC's fall schedule, despite having a strong slot last year.

CelebrityJeopardy! is missing from this year's fall programming, and has been replaced by The Golden Bachelorette.

In the Wednesdays at 8/7c slot previously filled by Celebrity Jeopardy!,Joan Vassoswill be finding love on the realitytelevisionshow.

"Wow, no game shows at all on the fall schedule. That’s kind of sad," one person wrote on a forum dedicated to the Jeopardy! franchise.

"I hopeSpring2025 would be a good choice along with the return of Jeopardy Masters (if there will be a third one), CelebrityWheel of Fortune(it's already getting renewed), andThe Chase(I hope it'll still be renewed after not being aired for the first time since July 2023)," predicated a second.

Today, 07:31By Katie Francis

Fans share concern for the show

This season's low viewings for Masters have left fans concerned for the show.

Many fans theorized that viewers were becomingtired of several tournamentsbeing aired, and begged producers to go back to basics.

"This year Masters is after a season full of tournaments so people are tired of it a bit. Not counting that 4 of the 6 were in last year's Masters," one person said.

"It’s clear there’s heavy tournament fatigue based on the near-daily posts on social media and Reddit. I’d bet that’s the culprit," agreed a second.

"Tournament fatigue as well as fatigue of seeing the same contestants over and over," added a third.

"It's not new and novel like it was last year," a final commenter lamented.

Today, 07:02By Katie Francis

Masters ratings drop, part three

Fans continued to weigh in on the Jeopardy! Masters ratings online.

"Caveats: Friday is the lowest-rated weeknight, a lot of people didn't know it was on, up against sports, poor scheduling, people are watching onHulu, etc. Just reporting the numbers, interpret them as you will," they shared with other fans onReddit.

"I don't know what's considered good in TV anymore, but with ratings like that. It doesn't look like we are going to get Masters three," one person said in response.

"The big question is whether it’s profitable for ABC and its affiliates," speculated anothersocial mediauser.

Today, 06:33By Katie Francis

Masters ratings drop, part two

However, compared to 2023 ratings, viewership has fallen in huge numbers.

One episode even took such a hit that it became the series low for ratings.

One fan scoured theWikipedia pagefor the game show, whichfeaturesformer champions battling against each other.

"Episode four: 3.73 million viewers vs. 5.2 million in 2023 (-28%, a series low in viewership).

"Episode five: 4.36 million vs. 5.8 million in 2023 (-25%).

Today, 06:00By Katie Francis

Masters ratings drop, part one

Jeopardy! Masters has suffered a major ratings slump in the latest hit to the show.

This year'sJeopardy!Masters round began on May 1, with the finals airing last night.

IN JEOPARDY? Jeopardy! Masters ratings drop by over 1 million viewers as fans demand change

Today, 05:31By Darian Lusk

Fans loved Amy's comeback

Fans cracked up in the comments section, loving that the quiz star was so quick to shake it off and hoping she can bounce back.

"You are amazing, Amy!" one fan replied.

"I felt really bad for you. You've won so many games, so you are still a champion to me. Keep on, keepin' on!" wrote another.

"I would put Victoria in the Ken, Brad, James level," remarked a third on her opponents in the special.

"Oh my. You and @mattearoach are my favorite players. We all miss the mark sometimes. You'll be back in fine form next time," wrote a fourth.

"Even the greats have bad days but not many can be as good-humored. Here's to hoping that you will bounce back," wrote a fifth.

"You gave the winning laugh last night with the Queen Bee anecdote, and the other night mentioning you've had to come up with 200+ anecdotes," wrote a fifth.

Today, 05:01By Darian Lusk

Amy Schneider reflects on Masters performance, part two

Amy, 44, took to X with thoughts about her worst showing inJeopardy!history.

In the third-to-last installment of Masters, the famous contestant didn't just lose her match but bombed out in the deep negatives.

She posted in response, "Listen, I cannot recommend ending a game of Jeopardy in the red. It feels awful!

"But if you insist on doing it anyway, I would strongly encourage you to win, say, 40 or 50 games of Jeopardy first?

"Maybe throw in a ToC win if you can? That really helps take the edge off."

Amy was referencing her accolades on thegame show, which include the second-longest streak ever, winning the 2022 Tournament of Champions, and $1,682,800 in all-time earnings - nothing to sneeze at.

Today, 04:33By Darian Lusk

Amy Schneider reflects on Masters performance, part one

Jeopardy! star Amy Schneider has followed up on her crash-and-burn performance on Jeopardy! Masters with an instant classic social media post.

On Friday'sMasterssemifinal,Amy finished with a staggering -3000and was removed from the stage for the final clue.

SCHNEID REMARK Amy Schneider has iconic clapback about ‘awful game’ in Jeopardy! Masters

Today, 04:01By Juliane Pettorossi

Why Amy Schneider sat down

After Amy's time in theJeopardy! Masterstournament came to an end on Monday night, she opened up about her final game.

After Monday's airing, viewers immediately took to X, formerly Twitter, to questionwhy Amy had been sittingin a chair while competing.

She addressed why she was seen sitting down for the episode, saying the game show had a chair for her because she had experienced some dizziness.

"It's a fact that I wasn't feeling well on the day we taped the semifinals; they had a chair out for me because I was experiencing some dizziness and wasn't sure I could stand for a whole episode," she revealed in an X thread.

Amy thought her indisposition impacted her performance, and said that by not being at her peak, she didn't stand a chance against her competitors.

Today, 03:33By Juliane Pettorossi

Jeopardy! clarified show rules, part three

Sarah went on to read a statement from Grant about having back arthritis, which makes it difficult for him to stand for lengthy periods.

"So there you have it!” the producer said.

Grant had previously explained onRedditthat he "didn't mind" disclosing his reason for needing a chair while competing.

After one critic asked Grant how he was able to sustain his job at the grocery store, Grant joked that Jeopardy! hadn't figured out how to have contestants in continuous motion.

He also joked about his height after one person questioned if his 6'4" physique was the reason why he chose to sit down.

"Indirectly, you're not wrong, I'm too tall for my own good!" he wrote back on Reddit.

Today, 03:01By Juliane Pettorossi

Jeopardy! clarified show rules, part two

Grantwas seen in a swivel chair with armrests and full back support, which was also adjusted to be the same height as his standing opponents.

"Do we know why Grant is sitting? I think we had one contestant who was very tall. Is that the case with Grant as well?" one person tweeted.

The official Jeopardy!Xaccount replied, "The option to sit is available to all of our players!"

Similarly, producer Sarah Whitcomb Fossaddressed the situationafter fans had questioned the rare act of seeing a contestant sit down.

“Fans have been noticing that Grant is sitting in a chair during his games," she explained, adding, "This is something that we always offer to contestants."

"We don’t ask why; it’s not our business," she continued. “If you want a chair, we’ll give it to you."

Today, 02:33By Juliane Pettorossi

Jeopardy! clarified show rules, part one

Jeopardy! clarified the show's rules for sitting down after contestant Amy Schneider used a chair during the Masters semifinals.

OneJeopardy!viewer recently questioned why contestantGrant DeYoungwas sitting down while competing for his fourth win on Monday.

TAKE A SEAT Jeopardy! team doubles down on show sitting rules after Amy Schneider opens up

Today, 02:00By Darian Lusk

'All hail Mattea Roach'

In the caption, Yogesh explained he shared the photos to commemorate Mattea's elimination before the semi-finals.

He wrote, "All hail Mattea Roach!! Wonderful person, excellent quizzer... wrist-flick queen, and deserving J! Masters game winner.

"Aside from the $50,000 appearance fee, the biggest reason I agreed to come to Jeopardy! Masters was to meet the two 'masters' I wasn't already acquainted with, Matt and Mattea.

"(When I told this to Matt, he responded, characteristically, 'I'm so sorry for disappointing you.')

"I enjoyed getting to know them, as well as Matt's lovely girlfriend and Mattea's lovely brother.

"It was an extra bonus that I got to hang out with Sam Buttrey and Andrew He (who J! brought in to provide color commentary for the playoffs) in the bargain."

Today, 01:33By Darian Lusk

Behind-the-scenes photos revealed, part four

The fourth photo Yogesh shared may have been the best of all, as it included 2023 MastersSam Buttrey and Andrew He.

The dynamic duo, along with Yogesh and Mattea, posed outside a hotel bar.

Mattea was joined by their younger brother, whom fans have also never seen on-air and who is their roommate in Toronto, Canada.

Mattea's brother takes after them in the fashion category as he donned a chic button-down shirt and a mustache.

Today, 01:00By Darian Lusk

Behind-the-scenes photos revealed, part three

In the second snap, Victoria swept in, rocking one of her regal long dresses backstage at theJeopardy!studio surrounded by Emmys.

In the third photo, everyone but James posed outside a hotel with their suitcases, having either arrived or wrapped the tournament.

Today, 00:33By Darian Lusk

Behind-the-scenes photos revealed, part two

The first snap featured all six champions at a Los Angeles restaurant, having just enjoyed some brain food.

Matt, 39, had his arm around his girlfriend, whom he now lives with in New York City.

Fans have never seen Matt's girlfriend before as thegame shownever cut to her in the audience during the special.

Meanwhile, James,Amy Schneider, andMattearocked casual looks, and the only player missing was Victoria.

Today, 00:00By Darian Lusk

Behind-the-scenes photos revealed, part one

Jeopardy! Masters runner-up Yogesh Raut recently treated fans to some winning off-set photos of all the 2024 Masters, including their never-before-seen plus-ones.

Yogeshshared the candid snaps on his public Facebook page before becoming one of theMasters finalists.

Ahead of the finale, Yogesh took a moment to reflect on his bonding time with his fellow Masters.

CLUE CREW Jeopardy! Masters pose for group photos with their never-before-seen loved ones

Today, 23:32By Carsen Holaday

Watch Victoria Groce win the finals

Today, 23:01By Phillip McDonald

Finals recap, part three

The first round of the first game featured the categories Way Back In '23, Second letter "Y", Farm Fun, A Dominating Performance, Utopian Literature, and The World Revolves Around Jason Kelce.

The last category featured popular retired Philadelphia Eagle Jason Kelce, brother of current Super Bowl champ Travis Kelce, reading off the clues.

Victoria got off to an early lead but James worked his way back into the game, eventually tying the score with $1,400 before betting big and losing it all in the Daily Double.

Jame briefly regained the lead after a couple of incorrect responses by Victoria.

Yogesh gave the crowd a laugh after he responded "Salt and Pepa" to a Jason Kelce read clue about the 1987 hit single Push It by the 80s hip-hip group of the same name.

Ken Jennings, 49, replied, "They might have pronounced it 'Salt-N-Pepa,'" emphasizing the "N" conjunction.

Today, 22:30By Phillip McDonald

Finals recap, part two

Tonight, Victoria thwarted James' chance of a repeat Masters win with a final total score of $55,400 after two close-fought games.

The Jeopardy! champ was awarded $500,000, the coveted Trebek Trophy, and $100,000 for the charity Partners in Health for her tournament victory.

Fans celebrated Victoria's win on X, with one fan excitedly tweeting, "JAMES HOLZHAUER REIGN OF TERROR OFFICIALLY OVER BRING IN THE CROWN FOR VICTORIA (I love James)."

Like the semifinals, the finale wiped the standings clean for a level playing field.

Victoria, Yogesh, and James competed in a two-game total-point affair with the winner being determined by the highest combined score of both matches.

Today, 22:02By Phillip McDonald

Finals recap, part one

Jeopardy! champ Victoria Groce has beaten James Holzhauer in a shock Masters defeat as fans rave that the self-proclaimed Final Boss of Jeopardy's reign of terror is over.

Victoria,Yogesh Raut, and returning champJames were the final three players in the second Masters tournament.

'QUEEN' Jeopardy! Masters champ crowned as fans celebrate game show legend's rare defeat