Credit: ABC (Screenshot, Inside the Magic)Jeopardy! fans have weighed in on a new contestant and how she played the game this week.
For more than six decades, Jeopardy! has remained one of television’s most revered game shows, a mainstay of American pop culture since its debut in 1964. Created by legendary producer Merv Griffin, the series introduced a then-revolutionary format that flipped the typical quiz show on its head—answers are presented first, and contestants must respond with the corresponding questions. That distinctive approach helped Jeopardy! establish itself as a smart, fast-paced competition unlike anything else on TV.
Of course, much of the show’s lasting success can be credited to its longtime host, the late Alex Trebek. Taking over in 1984, Trebek became the heart of Jeopardy! for 36 years. His measured tone, intellectual rigor, and clear admiration for the contestants made him one of the most respected figures in television. During his tenure, the series reached its peak popularity, earning multiple Daytime Emmy Awards and producing thousands of episodes that remain staples of syndicated television.
Following Trebek’s passing in 2020, Jeopardy! underwent a highly publicized search for its next host. A range of guest presenters—among them Anderson Cooper, LeVar Burton, and other familiar faces—auditioned for the coveted role. Ultimately, the position was shared between record-breaking champion Ken Jennings and actress-neuroscientist Mayim Bialik. Jennings, a Jeopardy! icon, thanks to his historic 74-game winning streak, eventually became the permanent host of the syndicated show. Bialik hosted select primetime events and spin-offs until her departure in December 2023, when Jennings was confirmed as the sole host moving forward.
Beyond the main program, Jeopardy! has built an impressive slate of spinoffs that have extended its legacy. Celebrity Jeopardy! brings famous faces together for charity-driven contests, while Jeopardy! Masters offers a high-intensity tournament format featuring the show’s most elite players. Other offshoots, such as the High School Reunion Tournament and National College Championship, have spotlighted young competitors and helped introduce the franchise to new viewers.
This week, a new contestant came under the microscope for her game-playing methods. Katy Lentz, a University Brand Manager from Mauldin, South Carolina, opted to play Jeopardy! top-down, a state of play that sees the contestant go from the lowest dollar value to the highest in each category.
“Katy Lentz caught some heat online after she opted to use a throwback way of using the trivia contestant’s clue board while competing against fellow contestants Emmanuel Calivo and one-day champion Tom Devlin,” The Mirror U.S. reported. “At some point during the game, Katy […] kept going to the top of the board when she picked close, seemingly implementing Jeopardy!’s famous ‘top-down’ method.”
Over on Reddit, whatzite wrote:
Not saying this to be mean but Katy going to the top of the board whenever she had the chance like it’s 1983 is so odd to me, especially with both daily doubles still out there and a super strong player with a big lead.
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In response to the above, another Redditor wrote:
I’ll give some more latitude if it’s a wordplay category since it’s often way harder to get the pattern when you’re bouncing.
Clearly she wanted TV, which makes sense, but yeah, you gotta hunt for the DDs when you can, especially as a trailing player.
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A user on X showed support for the South Carolinian:
KATY LENTZ of Mauldin, South Carolina, you were amazing on “Jeopardy!” last night, although you didn’t win, you’re still a champion to me.
KATY LENTZ of Mauldin, South Carolina, you were amazing on "Jeopardy!" last night, although you didn't win, you're still a champion to me.
— David Pellot (@DavidPellot11) October 23, 2025
The contestant ended with $5,800 in winnings, while Tom Devlin went on to win and will return to the game show on October 23, 2025.
Jeopardy! and its sister series, Wheel of Fortune, evolved earlier this year. Sony Pictures Television, which produces both programs, confirmed that new in-season episodes will be available for streaming the day after their initial broadcast.
“Sony Pictures Television announced the multi-year, co-exclusive, national next-day streaming licensing deals on Tuesday,” Variety reported. “As part of the deal, Sony said this is the first time that in-season syndicated episodes of Jeopardy! and Wheel would be available on national streamers; library episodes of the shows will also be available.”
The announcement arrives as Sony remains involved in an ongoing legal battle with CBS over distribution rights for the franchises. Despite the dispute, the studio expressed optimism about the new direction, saying they were “thrilled” about the shift. “These deals will expand Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune’s reach to a new generation of viewers while ensuring that existing fans can enjoy their favorite shows with greater accessibility, deepening the fandom overall for these formidable franchises.”
Jeopardy! continues to air new episodes on local ABC affiliates, while past installments are available across various streaming platforms such as Pluto TV, Hulu, and Netflix, depending on licensing agreements. Primetime specials frequently premiere on ABC or through streaming outlets under the Disney-ABC Television umbrella.
After more than 9,000 episodes and over 40 Daytime Emmy Awards, Jeopardy! remains a cultural touchstone—a show that continues to challenge, entertain, and inspire. Its influence reaches far beyond television screens, shaping how audiences think about trivia, education, and entertainment itself.
What are your thoughts on Jeopardy! gameplay? Share your take with Inside the Magic in the comments below.