JEOPARDY!'s latest big winner, Grant DeYoung, faced defeat on Tuesday night after racking up four wins, $81,203 total, and countless fans. The Arizona grocery clerk caused his own downfall on an overly cautious Daily Double move, viewers lamented, and otherwise would have won. With a concerning 11 misses in his emotional previous win, Grant returned burnt but not bitten, facing Chris D'Amico and Sam Spar.
After the Jeopardy! round, he narrowly led with $3,800 (and an early Daily Double), Chris was right behind at $3,400, and Sam had $600. In Double Jeopardy!, the apparently married champ fans have been buzzing about all week found both remaining Daily Doubles. He dropped $4,000 on the second one with an admirable guess on the "Leche League" clue.
Then, things got dicey on the last Daily Double at the tail end of the game under an $800 (or nearly top-row) clue. Grant had $9800, and Chris had $11400, as Ken Jennings warned, "It's late in the match, and you're trailing, Grant." Despite the chance to put the game away with a bigger wager, Grant only bet $3000.
While he was correct with "Orphenous," his lead didn't last, and he and Chris battled out the remaining seven top-row clues. Chris regained the lead on the last clue before Final Jeopardy (frustrating ruling on that "Little League" clue aside) by just $200. Going into a suddenly crucial final round, Chris had $12,600, Grant had $12,400, and Sam $3,400.
The clue about "The Movies" was, "Louise & Lisa Burns, twins featured in.
