recaps

Season 36

Today’s Final Jeopardy – Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Published Modified

Current Champion

Nikolas Polsinelli, career statistics:
44 correct, 6 incorrect
2/2 on rebound attempts (on 5 rebound opportunities)
35.96% in first on buzzer (41/114)
4/5 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $10,600)
1/2 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $17,500

To win:
3 games: 64.111%
4: 41.102%
5: 26.351%
6: 16.894%
7: 10.831%
Avg. streak: 3.786 games.
(Click Here for Methodology)

Upcoming Encore Presentations

October 3-4: S42 E175 (May 8, 2026)
October 10-11: S42 E176 (May 11, 2026)
(Source: Bell Fibe TV program guide)

All Time Winnings

All Time Jeopardy! Winnings, Regular Play Only:

1. Ken Jennings $2,520,700
2. James Holzhauer $2,462,216
3. Matt Amodio $1,518,601
4. Amy Schneider $1,382,800
5. Jamie Ding $882,605
6. Cris Pannullo $748,286
7. Mattea Roach $560,983
8. Jason Zuffranieri $532,496
9. Scott Riccardi $455,000
10. David Madden $430,400
11. Julia Collins $428,100
12. Matt Jackson $411,612
13. Austin Rogers $411,000
14. Ray Lalonde $386,400
15. Harrison Whitaker $373,999
16. Adriana Harmeyer $349,600
17. Caleb Groen $346,968
18. Adam Remsen $306,415
19. Ryan Long $299,400
20. Arthur Chu $297,200

All Time Jeopardy! Winnings, Including Tournaments (and Consolation Prizes):

1. Brad Rutter $4,968,436
2. Ken Jennings $4,372,700
3. James Holzhauer $3,614,216
4. Matt Amodio $1,964,601
5. Amy Schneider $1,864,800
6. Yogesh Raut $1,598,403
7. Victoria Groce $1,023,801
8. Mattea Roach $897,983
9. Jamie Ding $885,605
10. David Madden $785,733
11. Cris Pannullo $754,286
12. Roger Craig $706,200
13. Andrew He $684,365
14. Larissa Kelly $671,930
15. Matt Jackson $623,612
16. Jason Zuffranieri $549,496
17. Paolo Pasco $548,717
18. Scott Riccardi $533,000
19. Jerome Vered $499,102
20. Julia Collins $495,767
21. Austin Rogers $493,000
22. Juveria Zaheer $491,000
23. Ben Ingram $449,201
24. Adriana Harmeyer $446,600
25. Buzzy Cohen $441,603

Here’s today’s Final Jeopardy (in the category Classic Movies) for Tuesday, January 21, 2020 (Season 36, Episode 97):

This 1939 film was loosely based on Senator Burton Wheeler, victim of a sham investigation for looking into the Justice Dept.

(correct response beneath the contestants)

Today’s contestants:

Samantha Slama, a high school English teacher from Los Angeles, California

Samantha Slama on Jeopardy!

Steve Schiraldi, a data analyst from Arlington, Virginia

Steve Schiraldi on Jeopardy!

Dennis Coffey, a bartender from Old Orchard, Maine (2-day total: $39,202)

Dennis Coffey on Jeopardy!

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Correct response: What is Mr. Smith Goes to Washington?

More information about Final Jeopardy:

According to the National Film Preservation Board, the classic 1939 Frank Capra film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington was based upon a Lewis R. Foster short story “The Gentleman from Montana”, which, in turn, was based on the early career of Montana Senator Burton K. Wheeler, who gained the ire of the Warren G. Harding administration as a freshman Senator for daring to investigate the corruption in that administration, most notably in the Justice Department, where many bootleggers had bribed Attorney General Harry M. Daugherty to gain either immunity from prosecution or release of their liquor.

Another minor point: This is the second episode in a row where Final Jeopardy! requires significant writing. Do you think that “What is Mr. Smith Goes to Washington?” is too long for Final Jeopardy? Leave a comment!

Since Alex Trebek’s diagnosis of stage 4 pancreatic cancer, many community members have been raising money. The Jeopardy! Fan Online Store is as well! All proceeds from any “Keep The Faith And We’ll Win” shirt sold will be donated to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. To date, over $440 has been raised.)

In order to redesign our merchandise area to serve you better in 2026, all merchandise sales have been temporarily taken offline. Look for a return in late 2026! All previous orders will still be supported.

Looking to find out who won Jeopardy! today? Tonight’s results are below!

Scores going into Final:
Steve $10,000
Dennis $7,200
Samantha $6,000

Tonight’s results:
Samantha $6,000 + $5,400 = $11,400
Dennis $7,200 + $4,801 = $12,001 (3-day total: $51,203)
Steve $10,000 – $4,401 = $5,599 (What is Gone With the Wind?)

Dennis Coffey, today's Jeopardy! winner (for the January 21, 2020 game.)

Scores after the Jeopardy! Round:
Dennis $4,000
Steve $2,400
Samantha $2,000

Opening break taken after: 15 clues

Daily Double locations:
1) GRAVESITE OFFERINGS $600 (13th pick)
Dennis 1600 -1000 (Steve 2200 Samantha 1000)
2) A CAPITAL CITY IDEA $2000 (10th pick)
Dennis 4400 +2500 (Steve 6800 Samantha 4800)
3) THE USG $1600 (23rd pick)
Dennis 9700 -2500 (Steve 8000 Samantha 7200)
Overall Daily Double Efficiency for this game: -32

Unplayed clues:
J! round: GRAVESITE OFFERINGS $200; I MISSED THE START OF THAT NURSERY RHYME $200
DJ! round: BOOKS & AUTHORS $1200 & $1600; USG $400; IN SOVIET RUSSIA $400
Total $ Left On Board: $4,000
Number of clues left unrevealed this season: 176 (1.81 per episode average), 1 Daily Double

Game Stats:
Dennis $10,200 Coryat
Samantha $6,000 Coryat
Steve $10,000 Coryat
Combined Coryat Score: $26,200

Dennis Coffey, to win:
4 games: 38.040%
5: 14.471%
6: 5.505%
7: 2.094%
8: 0.797%
Avg. streak: 3.614 games.


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