In a surprising turn of events on Monday’s episode of Jeopardy!, two-day champion Marko Saric’s impressive run ended after an incorrect answer in the Final Jeopardy! round. The crucial clue read, ‘Best known for a novel, she wrote at least 6 full-length plays & collaborated with Moms Mabley on a 1931 Broadway revue.’ Saric, under pressure to maintain his winning streak, wrote down ‘Plath’ as his answer, referencing renowned poet Sylvia Plath. However, the correct answer was Zora Neale Hurston, an acclaimed author and playwright who collaborated on a Broadway revue with Moms Mabley in 1931.
Saric’s incorrect response drew immediate mockery from viewers, who took to social media to express their amusement and bewilderment. Many pointed out that Plath was born in 1932, making it impossible for her to have collaborated on a Broadway revue in 1931. Additionally, Plath was primarily known as a poet and novelist, not a playwright.
In a candid response on Reddit, Saric acknowledged the mistake and explained his thought process. He stated that he was initially drawn to the clue’s mention of a novel and quickly jumped to Plath, but upon further consideration, he realized that the other details in the clue did not align with Plath’s profile.
Despite the incorrect answer, Saric’s two-day winning streak earned him a respectable $26,600. He will now face two new challengers on Tuesday’s episode, as he attempts to turn his big win into a longer streak. Jeopardy! airs at 7 p.m. ET on ABC, and viewers can check their local listings for more information.
