JEOPARDY! contestant Isaac Hirsch has scored a stellar fourth win and some surprising encouragement from Ken Jennings in front of the other players. Isaac faced Stephanie Lewis from Washington, D.C.
, and Karan Menon from Edison, New Jersey, on Monday night. After three strong showings, the sharp-dressed Burbank, California champ was back for more. In the Jeopardy! round, Isaac got 18 correct responses (including a $2200 Daily Double) and only one incorrect.
This stat tied him for a season-long record with Drew Basile. Ken, 50, shared Isaac's achievement directly afterward, instead of in the next episode as he did with Drew, which fans weren't expecting. "18 correct responses for Isaac in the first round," Ken said to open the second round.
"That's tied for a season-high!" The host amended, "But let's find out what happens in Double Jeopardy." Going into Double Jeopardy!, Isaac boasted $11,800, Karan (who won the Geographic Spelling Bee) had $2,400, and Stephanie (who shared that she accidentally ate a glowstick) trailed at $200. From there, Isaac pulled further ahead, snatching the remaining Daily Doubles, one for $5000 with the correct response of "Bullet Train," putting him on the fast track to a runaway.
By Final Jeopardy! he had an uncatchable $27,400, Karan had $7,200 and Stephanie $5,000. The "Opera" clue was, "The melody of a traditional piece for the Koto called “Echigo-jishi” is used in Act 1 of this opera." Everyone correctly guessed "Madam Butterfly," with Isaa.
