A JEOPARDY! contestant's quest for redemption took a heart-wrenching turn on Tuesday's episode, leaving her on the verge of tears.
Determined college senior Sophia Weng nearly won the Second Chance match in a major comeback, but her hopes crumbled over a Final Jeopardy misread.
In the Season 39 Second Chance contest, contestants from the previous season who fell short in their initial attempt get another shot at glory.
Sophia, a social studies major at Harvard, faced Michael Cavaliere, a consultant from New York City, and Sharon Bishop, a high school Spanish teacher from Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
After the Jeopardy! round, Michael, boosted by a Daily Double, led with $10,000, Sharon held $3,400, and Sophia trailed at $2,400.
In Double Jeopardy!, Sophia donned her game face, quickly finding a Daily Double, surging to $3,800 with a radiant smile. Michael snagged the last one shortly after.
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Entering Final Jeopardy, Michael maintained a big but not insurmountable lead at $28,800, while Sophia held $14,600, and Sharon had $5,800.
The clue under “Landmarks” read: “During Pope John Paul II’s 1987 visit to Los Angeles, pranksters covered up this letter in a local landmark.”
Sharon correctly responded with “L,” adding $1,000 to her score.
Ken Jennings quipped: “You will not take the L for that one,” explaining the temporary change to "‘Holywood for that day only."
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Sophia then revealed her response next - "The Hollywood Sign." Her smile faded as she slowly realized her misinterpretation.
'NO!'
Ken clarified: “You got the right landmark but didn’t tell us the letter, I’m afraid.”
Sophia exclaimed: ‘No!’ gasping in disbelief but attempting to stay composed.
She had wagered almost all of her earnings, $14,201, leaving her with just $399.
Ken added, reiterating the specific letter was needed: “Pranksters covered up this letter.”
Sophia's optimism turned to regret as she shifted around her podium and clasped her hands together.
Michael, with an incorrect response of “O” and a $500 wager, clinched victory with $28,300.
'SO SAD'
Viewers flooded internet forums expressing sympathy for Sophia, recognizing she could have won with a correct response.
One user wrote on Reddit: "OMG nooooo Sophia. :/ That was so sad; she could have won.
Another fan wrote: "Brutal watching her reaction. Ouch."
A third viewer agreed: "Brutal is a good word for it, both because she immediately realized her mistake and also because she reacted to it so poorly. I've never seen a contestant react to losing like that before.
A fourth wrote: "I feel for Sophia. She could have won had she read FJ correctly.
"As an aside, changing "Hollywood" to "holywood" for the Pope is... pretty hilarious.
A fifth fan wrote: "That was almost too painful for me to watch!
A sixth penned: "Oh wow, that ending for Sophia was rough. At first, I thought she should have been given credit, but she didn't specify which letter it was, so I can't say it was the wrong ruling. Still tough.
An additional fan lamented: "Watching someone squirm in despair on TV is uncomfortable."
FOOL THEM ONCE
In late December, the Season 39 Second Chance competition, designed as a redemption round for non-winners from last season, kicked off.
This four-week showdown, stretching until mid-January, sees four winners emerge.
Each claims $35,000 and a coveted spot in a Season 39 Wildcard Competition (for brief winners from last season).
This following competition holds two golden tickets to February's Tournament of Champions.
Despite some fans expressing tournament fatigue as the momentous 40th season won't see regular episodes until April, Season 39 Second Chance also marked a return to the norm.
The tournament was supposed to kick off Season 40 before the Writers Guild of America strikes - and it features the return of all new material.
Standout sensation Juveria Zaheer won group one, and Xanni Brown won week two.
So only two slots remain before the Wildcard tournament begins- then the long-awaited ToC takes flight.
The ToC sees the likes of Hannah Wilson, Ben Chan, and Cris Pannullo return in February.
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The winner of the ToC nabs $250,000 and joins a short list that includes Amy Schneider and James Holzhauer.
The winner also gets invited to the next Jeopardy Masters, so fortune and perhaps even TV fame are on the board.
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