It all came down to the final wager. Jeopardy! fans were shocked by a high-scoring game that led to a shocking end result.
Frank Merchlewitz, from Robbinsdale, Minnesota, entered his second game on October 19, with a total of $14,350. On Monday, the senior digital producer played against Anthony Cantor, from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and Aster Wise, from Annadale, Virginia. Warning: Spoilers for the Monday, October 19, episode of Jeopardy! ahead!
By the end of the first round, Merchlewitz had the lead with $9,600. Cantor, a television and podcast producer, had $6,000. Wise, a music teacher, was in third place with $3,200. These results came after a successful Daily Double.
In Double Jeopardy, Merchlewitz and Cantor both found the Daily Doubles. Merchlewitz bet all on the final one, putting him on top going into the last round.
At the end of the Double Jeopardy round, Merchlewitz had $34,400. Cantor was in second place with $27,200. Wise was trailing with $6,000.
Since first and second place were so close, all it took was a wrong answer and a bigger wager from Merchlewitz to lose the game. The Final Jeopardy category was “Movie Promotions.”
The clue read, “In 2001, 20th Century Fox used a Coast Guard helicopter to ‘rescue’ a prop before a homecoming at this company’s Chicago HQ.” Only one of the contestants had the correct response.
Wise responded with “What is a car?” She was incorrect and wagered $5,000, leaving her with $1,000. Cantor had the correct response of “What is Wilson?” He wagered $10,000, making his final total $37,200. Wilson was the volleyball prop from the 2000 movie Cast Away.
Merchlewitz wrote, “What is McDonald’s?” He was wrong and dropped down to $14,399 after wagering $20,000. Cantor was the new champion and will return on Tuesday for his second game.
Cantor is known for producing 2022’s Never Seen Again, 2025’s The Hidden Holocaust Papers: Survival. Exile. Return.,and 2026’s Jack Carr Investigates: Carlos the Jackal, according to IMDb.
Fans reacted to the game on Reddit. “That was such an insane session,” one said.
“Now that’s the kind of game I’ve been wanting,” another commented.
“Frank was awesome!” a third added.
“Wow… I think we will see Frank back, and I think Anthony could be the first five-game winner this season,” one last fan said.
Did you know the final clue? Let us know in the comments.
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