Jeopardy! Contestants Stumble Over 'Tough' Final Clue That Even Stumps Ken Jennings
On the January 16 episode of Jeopardy! , the Final Jeopardy! round became a highlight of the night for all the wrong reasons, as all three contestants and even host Ken Jennings were baffled by a challenging clue. Competing in the Champions Wildcard, Joey DeSena, Mehal Shah, and Eamonn Campbell were vying for the final slot in the Tournament of Champions. The category? "Tree." The clue? A puzzler: "Order Arecales, this tree gets its name from Roman times, a leaf from one was placed in a victor’s hands after a contest was won."
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The contestants, who had been neck and neck throughout the episode, all offered the same incorrect response: "Laurel." However, the correct answer was "Palm." Viewers at home and the contestants themselves were left stunned, with Joey later revealing on Reddit that Jennings admitted after the show that he didn’t know the answer either. “I can't tell you how much better that made me feel,” Joey shared, reflecting the camaraderie and humanity often seen behind the scenes of the iconic trivia show.
The responses from the audience ranged from empathy to frustration. One viewer remarked on Reddit, “That Final was rough. I had 'laurel' too. The connection to 'palm' was way too subtle.” Another, with a scientific perspective, critiqued the clue's accuracy, noting, “Palm trees aren’t technically trees, which just makes the question more confusing.”
Despite the stumble, Joey managed to secure a victory, wagering $24,000 to take the lead. Eamonn, who risked everything, ended up with $0, while Mehal finished with $19,600. Joey also shared a lighthearted moment from the episode, admitting he misunderstood the ballet-themed category, “The Jeté Set,” until several clues in.
Episodes like this remind us why Jeopardy! remains such a beloved show—its ability to challenge even the brightest minds, including its own host. It’s a testament to how trivia can unite fans and contestants in shared moments of triumph, defeat, and the occasional baffling question.
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