Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 29, 2025 · Entertainment

'I'm Crying': Jeopardy! Fans Mourn Summer Hiatus with No New Episodes Until September

Jeopardy! is on a break for the summer and there will not be new episodes until September

Jeopardy! Fans Rejoice (and Mourn): The Beloved Game Show Takes a Summer Break

The suspenseful conclusion of Jeopardy!'s 41st series has left fans on the edge of their seats, and now it's time for a summer break that will leave everyone craving more. As of Monday, reruns have taken over the airwaves, but don't worry, the wait won't be too long! Get ready to relive the Tournament of Champions (TOC) and Second Chance/Champions Wildcard (JIT) episodes until September 8, when season 42 kicks off.

The Thrilling Finale: Scott Riccardi Falls Short

The program has returned to airing reruns ¿ as is typical during the summer

Last week's heart-stopping finale saw 16-game champion Scott Riccardi lose to Jonathan Hugendubler by a mere $1. The drama unfolded as Scott entered Final Jeopardy with a commanding lead of $10,000 over his opponent. However, the tables turned when Ken Jennings read out the clue: "According to one obituary, in 1935 he owned 13 magazines, eight radio stations, two movie companies, and $56 million in real estate." The correct answer was none other than William Randolph Hearst, but Scott's mind went haywire, guessing "Who is Howard Hughes?" Ouch!

The Real Story Behind the Final Jeopardy Blunder

Scott took to Reddit to spill the beans about his mental mishap. In a candid thread, he confessed that his brain "unfortunately went straight to Howard Hughes mostly due to overestimating the importance of the movie companies part of the clue." Scott admitted that he was woefully unprepared for the Hearst question and had made a mental note before the show to consider other possibilities, but it was too late. He also revealed that his prep work was hindered by a confusing array of Williams in publishing – including William Randolph Hearst, William Lloyd Garrison, and William F. Buckley.

Scott Riccardi (pictured) lost to Jonathan Hugendubler in the gripping season 41 finale

The Countdown Begins: Reruns Galore!

While some fans are eagerly devouring the reruns, others are choosing to abstain until season 42 premieres on September 8. Ken Jennings' Instagram announcement set off a firestorm of reactions, with some embracing the summer schedule and others declaring they'd rather wait for new episodes.

"No thanks, I'll come back in September for the new season," one fan quipped. "I don't watch reruns. Have a nice summer." Another chimed in: "Good reason to take a break!" Meanwhile, a third commenter took a more dramatic approach: "BRB crying. But enjoy the summer!"

Scott lost on this clue. The answer being William Randolph Hearst

The Season 42 Countdown

Don't worry, Jeopardy! enthusiasts; the wait won't be too long. Here's what you can expect:

  • Reruns of TOC and JIT episodes will air until September 4.
  • The final game of season 41 will air on September 5.
  • Jeopardy!'s 42nd series kicks off on September 8.

Stay tuned for more thrilling episodes, suspenseful finales, and mind-bending clues. It's going to be a wild ride when the new season begins!

Source: TheScholarlyNote.com