“Jeopardy!” super-champion Adriana Harmeyer’s impressive 15-game winning streak ended on June 19, 2024. Harmeyer, an archivist from Purdue University, was defeated by former “Survivor” contestant Drew Basile in a dramatic episode that left fans and viewers buzzing.
Harmeyer, who had amassed $351,600 over her 15-game run, faced Basile and Tekla Sauter in what many expected to be her 16th consecutive win. The stakes were high, as a victory would have placed her among the top 10 longest-winning streaks in “Jeopardy!” history.
The game started with Harmeyer in her usual form, leading with $8,100 after the first round, followed by Basile with $5,600 and Sauter with $3,200. However, the turning point came during the “Double Jeopardy!” round when Basile found the second Daily Double and fearlessly wagered $10,000. His correct answer catapulted him to the lead, a move that host Ken Jennings described as a “game-changer.”
As the game progressed, Basile maintained his lead, going into “Final Jeopardy!” with an uncatchable $23,600, while Sauter and Harmeyer trailed with $10,600 and $9,300, respectively. The “Final Jeopardy!” category was “BRANDS,” and the clue asked for the name of a 1978 men’s cologne featured in the company’s iconic logo. Harmeyer, who answered “Axe,” and Sauter, who answered correctly with “Polo,” were no match for Basile’s strategic play.
Basile, confident in his victory, used his final response to make a joke, writing “What is Jeopardy?” His lighthearted answer drew laughter from the audience, and Jennings humorously commented on the idea of a cologne named “Jeopardy!” Basile’s final total was $23,482 after a minimal wager.
The end of the episode featured an awkward interaction between Harmeyer and Basile. She initially hesitated but eventually shook his hand. Harmeyer, visibly disappointed, took a deep breath as Jennings praised her remarkable run, which secured her the 11th-longest winning streak in “Jeopardy!” history. Jennings assured fans that Harmeyer would be seen again in the Tournament of Champions.
Fan reactions were mixed on social media. Some praised Basile’s aggressive gameplay, noting his strategic risk-taking likely honed from his “Survivor” experience. One fan wrote, “I knew Drew was previously on ‘Survivor,’ so I had a gut feeling he’d be willing to play more aggressively than normal.” Others were less impressed with Basile’s joking final response, seeing it as gloating. “I found it gloating in a way,” a fan commented, suggesting that contestants should always play the game to their full extent.
Despite the defeat, Harmeyer’s fans celebrated her impressive run and expressed hope for her success in the upcoming Tournament of Champions. As one fan put it, “Godspeed to you, Adriana. You were a joy to watch, your games were competitive, and you knew your stuff.”