Who is James Holzhauer?
Outspoken “Jeopardy!” legend James Holzhauer, 39, who had a famous 32-game winning streak in 2019, has struck again.
In the season premiere of “Jeopardy! Masters,” which involves past champions returning to the show, Holzhauer stole the show.
He was given the question prompt, “The last name of botanist Leonhard gave us this word for a type of flower & a shade of reddish purple.”
Holzhauer replied with the correct answer, “fuchsia.”
“What is F – U – C,” he said, adding in a long pause before smiling and continuing with, “H – S – I – A.”
Holzhauer then smirked and said, “Gotta be careful with that fourth letter.”
The crowd laughed, and his fellow contestants Yogesh Raut and Amy Schneider smiled.
Fans on social media wrote on Instagram, “I laughed [at] that one I can’t stop [laughing at] what James said. Haha!!!”
Another viewer added, “Tonight’s show was hilarious.”
Although he won over the audience, Holzhauer did not win the show – he came in second place.
Holzhauer, a professional sports gambler, is the third-highest-earning American game show contestant.
During his record game winning streak, he won $2,464,216, which made him the second-highest winner in the show’s regular play winnings (meaning no- tournament). He’s second only to to the show’s now-host, Ken Jennings (who won $2,520,700 in 2004 before he became the host).
Holzhauer also made the audience laugh when he was introduced to the audience.
Host Ken Jennings explained that Holzhauer was the final contestant announced – and said that he called himself the “final boss.”
“What do you mean by that?” Jennings asked.
“I’m the main event,” Holzhauer replied, which made Jennings chortle. There seemed to be no bad blood, even though Holzhauer has mocked Jennings in the past.
“We’ve got five openers, and then it’s you,” Jennings said.
“You’ve beaten the Goombas. Now it’s time to beat Bowser,” Holzhauer said, referencing Mario characters.
The tournament premiered on May 1 and the finale is on May 22.
“Jeopardy! Masters” airs at 8 p.m. (ABC) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.