Evan Jones Emerges as New Jeopardy Champion in Season 41

Evan Jones, a software designer from Seattle, Washington, has made a notable debut on the popular trivia game show *Jeopardy!* by becoming the new champion in the 41st season. His first appearance on the show aired on December 2, 2024, where he competed against returning champion Susan Beachy, a news researcher from Queens, New York, and Mike Ross, a teacher from Kansas City, Missouri.

Jones, who auditioned for the show in February 2023, had to wait over 18 months for the call to appear, delayed partly due to the writers’ strike. Despite the long wait, Evan’s analytical and trivia skills proved to be decisive in his victory. He dominated the game, particularly in the Double Jeopardy round, where he ran an early anagram category and controlled the action throughout, ending with a significant lead of $21,800 before the Final Jeopardy segment.

The Final Jeopardy clue, categorized under “Poetic Characters,” stumped all three contestants. The clue read: “In an 1842 poem, it is said of this legendary character that his ‘quaint attire’ is much admired.” Despite incorrect guesses from all contestants, Evan’s substantial lead secured his win. He wagered $4,601 and still managed to take home $17,199, while Mike Ross and Susan Beachy finished with $10,100 and $3,000, respectively.

Evan Jones’s victory marks a significant start to his *Jeopardy!* journey, and he will return as the reigning champion in the next episode. His performance has garnered attention, especially given his background as a software designer and his long-standing fandom of the show.