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Host
Alex Trebek
Announcer
Johnny Gilbert
Broadcast
Jeopardy! Ultimate Tournament of Champions
February 9~May 25, 2005
Packager
Sony Pictures Television

The Jeopardy! Ultimate Tournament of Champions was a special 15-week single-elimination tournament that aired during the 21st season of the syndicated game show Jeopardy! that began airing on February 9, 2005 and concluded on May 25, 2005, covering 76 shows in total. The tournament involved 145 contestants, all of whom were winners of past tournaments or past five-time champions, and was designed to produce two contestants who would face off in a three-game, cumulative-score final against legendary Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings, who had won the most money in Jeopardy! regular play history and who (entering the tournament) had set a new all-time television game show winnings record with US$2,522,700. Those three contestants would then play in a three-game final for the largest cash prize the show has ever offered: an unprecedented grand prize of US$2,000,000.

Schedule[]

Round Airdate Finale
1 February 9, 2005 April 12, 2005
2 April 13, 2005 May 6, 2005
3 May 9, 2005 May 16, 2005
4 May 17, 2005 May 20, 2005
5 May 23, 2005 May 25, 2005

Winnings[]

Round # Second Runner-up First Runner-up Winner (minimum guarantees)
Round 1 $5,000 $15,000
Round 2 $10,000 $20,000
Quarterfinals $15,000 $30,000
Semifinals $20,000 (minimum guarantees) $30,000 (minimum guarantees) $50,000
Finals $250,000 $500,000 $2,000,000

Tournament format[]

145 contestants participated in the Ultimate Tournament of Champions; they consisted of five-time champions and winners of the Tournament of Champions, College Championship, and Teen Tournament from the show's first 21 seasons. Contestants that did not win the above tournaments were invited in order of money won on the program until a full field was filled, with Bill Dickenson last invited with $48,401. Players who competed before the show doubled its prize amounts had their winnings adjusted as appropriate.

Contestants who won more than five games and $48,401 in regular play ($96,802 inflated) or an annual tournament that did not compete in the event included disqualified 1986 five-time champion Barbara Lowe, 1988 Teen Tournament winner Michael Block, 1990 Tournament of Champions finalist Larry McKnight, 1993 ToC and Million Dollar Masters semifinalist Leslie Shannon (née Miller), 1996 Teen Tournament winner Amanda Goad, and all living Seniors Tournament winners. Two otherwise-qualified contestants had died before the tournament's inception, inaugural 1985 ToC winner Jerry Frankel, 1992 ToC semifinalist Richard Kaplan, and all the Senior Tournament winners.

This was the only tournament that was played for cash from start to finish; winners of each round kept the money earned (with minimum guarantees).

Note: Totals given are from regular play, five games unless noted. Tournament winnings are used instead of the player initially appeared in a tournament. Undefeated champions from Seasons 14–19 won cars. From Seasons 14–17, undefeated champions had their choice of one or two Chevrolet cars. Seasons 18–19 undefeated champions won Jaguars.

College Champions won Dodge cars from 1993 until 1994, Volvo cars from 1995 until 2003.

Jeopardy! went to a straight cash format in 2003 and eliminated automobile prizes for Season 20.

Contestant with bye to Final Round[]

As the most successful contestant in Jeopardy! regular-season history, Ken Jennings received a bye to the three-game championship.

Name Season(s) Regular Total
Winnings
Notes Previous All-Time Total Winnings UToC Finish
& Winnings
Ken Jennings 20, 21
(June 2–July 23, September 6-17, October 4-15, October 25-November 9, November 24-30, 2004)
$2,520,700
(74 wins)
Biggest Money winner of Season 21. $2,522,700 Finalist
$500,000

Contestants with bye to Round 2[]

Members of the "Nifty Nine" were selected based on records set in their Jeopardy! careers. Only Rutter and Spangenberg advanced beyond their initial round (they all received an extra $15,000 at the end of their games).

Name Season(s) Regular Total
Winnings
Notes Previous All-Time Total Winnings UToC Finish
& Winnings
Robin Carroll 16
(March 13–17, 2000)
$64,100
plus Chevrolet Tahoe
2000 Tournament of Champions winner.
2001 International Tournament winner.
S224,100 Round 2
$25,000
Chuck Forrest 2
(September 30–October 4, 1985)
$72,800 Biggest Money winner of Season 2.
1986 Tournament of Champions winner.
$202,800 Round 2
$25,000
Eric Newhouse 5
(February 9, 15-17, 1989)
$28,100 1989 Teen Tournament winner.
1998 Teen Reunion Tournament winner.
2002 Million Dollar Masters Second runner-up.
$193,100 Round 2
$25,000
Brad Rutter 17
(October 30–November 3, 2000)
$55,102
plus 2 Chevrolet Camaros
2001 Tournament of Champions winner.
2002 Million Dollar Masters winner.
$1,155,102 Winner
$2,115,000
Sean Ryan 20
(October 8–16, 2003)
$123,797
(6 wins)
First 6-day champion. $130,797 Round 2
$25,000
Frank Spangenberg 6
(January 9–15, 1990)
$102,597 Biggest Money winner of Season 6.
10th Anniversary Tournament winner.
$164,397 Semifinalist
$105,199
Bob Verini 3
(June 18–24, 1987)
$46,802 1987 Tournament of Champions winner.
1990 Super Jeopardy! First runner-up.
2002 Million Dollar Masters Second runner-up.
$246,802 Round 2
$25,000
Tom Walsh 20
(January 5–14, 2004)
$184,900
(7 wins)
First 7-day champion.
Biggest Money winner of Season 20.
2004 Tournament of Champions First runner-up.
$236,900 Round 2
$25,000
Brian Weikle 19
(April 10–16, 2003)
$149,200
plus Jaguar X-Type
Biggest Money winner of Season 19.
2003 Tournament of Champions First runner-up.
$205,801 Round 2
$25,000

Contestants who started in Round 1[]

135 of the 145 contestants involved in the tournament started in the first round.

Name Season(s) Regular Total
Winnings
Notes Previous All-Time Total winnings UToC Finish
& Winnings
Dave Abbott 14
(June 16–22, 1998)
$68,599
plus Chevrolet Suburban
1999 Tournament of Champions winner. $168,599 Round 1
$5,000
Jack Archey 16
(December 29, 1999–January 4, 2000)
$51,302
plus Chevrolet Corvette
2000 Tournament of Champions Quarterfinalist $53,802 Round 1
$5,000
Michael Arnone 17
(January 9–15, 2001)
$54,599
plus Chevrolet Suburban
2001 Tournament of Champions quaterfinalist $57,099 Round 1
$5,000
Alan Bailey 17
(July 12–18, 2001)
$61,501
plus Chevrolet Suburban
2003 Tournament of Champions semifinalist $71,501 Round 1
$5,000
Craig Barker 13
(May 16, 20, 22-23, 1997)
$25,000
plus Volvo GLT
1997 College Championship winner. $27,500 Round 1
$5,000
Jeremy Bate 16
(February 4, 21-24, 2000)
$55,000
plus 2 Chevrolet Camaros
2000 Tournament of Champions 1st runner-up. $70,000 Round 1
$5,000
Billy Baxter 8
(May 8, 11, 14-15, 1992)
$26,200 1992 College Championship winner. $27,200 Round 1
$5,000
John Beck 19
(June 13–19, 2003)
$117,099
plus Jaguar X-Type
Last five-time retired champion before the "sky's the limit" rule. $122,099 Round 2
$29,000
Steve Berman 6
(October 24–30, 1989)
$48,800 1990 Tournament of Champions 2nd-runner up. $56,300 Round 2
$30,801
Bob Blake 6
(September 6–12, 1989)
$82,501 1990 Tournament of Champions winner.
First player to earn over $75,000 in regular games.
Eighth-highest regular games winner of the pre-doubled era.
Biggest overall winner from 1990-2001 (excluding Super Jeopardy!)
$192,501 Round 1
$5,000
Bruce Borchardt 11
(March 27-31, 1995)
$54,099 $59,099 Round 2
$29,201
Mark Born 7
(June 17-21, 1991)
$82,899 Biggest Money winner of Season 7.
Seventh-highest regular games winner of the pre-doubled era.
$87,899 Round 1
$5,000
Paul Boymel 1
(January 18-25, 1985)
$56,200 Biggest Money winner of Season 1. $61,200 Round 1
$5,000
Kurt Bray 10
(January 3–7, 1994)
$51,100 $56,100 Round 1
$5,000
Michael Braun 21
(January 26, February 3, 7-8, 2005)
$75,000 2005 Teen Tournament winner. $75,000 Round 1
$5,000
Tad Carithers 16
(July 14–20, 2000)
$60,400
plus Chevrolet Corvette
2001 Tournament of Champions 1st runner-up. $75,400 Round 2
$41,300
Steve Chernicoff 10, 11
(July 7-8, September 5-7, 1994)
$83,902 Sixth-highest regular games winner of the pre-doubled era. $88,902 Quarterfinalist
$57,802
Larry Cloud 17
(April 12–18, 2001)
$66,100
plus 2 Chevrolet Camaros
$71,100 Round 1
$5,000
Michelle Clum 17
(September 13–19, 2000)
$50,200
plus Chevrolet Corvette
$52,700 Round 1
$5,000
India Cooper 7, 8
(May 1, December 16–20, 1991)
$68,400 $98,400 Round 2
$26,000
Carolyn Cracraft 15
(May 3, 11, 13-14, 1999)
$25,000
plus Volvo C70 convertible
1999 College Championship winner. $30,000 Round 1
$5,000
Tom Cubbage 5
(May 8, 17-19, 1989)
$26,600 1989 inaugural College Championship winner.
1989 Tournament of Champions winner.
Only player to win both the College Championship and ToC.
$131,600 Round 1
$5,000
Bernie Cullen 13
(September 2–6, 1996)
$63,102 Won $1 million on "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?". $64,102 Round 1
$5,000
John Cuthbertson 10
(September 14-20, 1993)
$82,400 Biggest Money winner of Season 10.
Ninth-highest regular games winner of the pre-doubled era.
$87,400 Semifinalist
$97,900
Michael Daunt 12
(November 30-December 6, 1995)
$64,198 1996 Tournament of Champions 2nd runner-up.
1997 International Tournament winner.
$107,398 Quarterfinalist
$62,602
Mark Dawson 18
(September 14–20, 2001)
$52,599
plus Chevrolet Corvette
2003 Tournament of Champions winner. $302,599 Round 2
$31,250
Michael Day 1
(April 9-15, 1985)
$53,500 $54,500 Round 1
$5,000
Josh DenHartog 13
(February 3, 12, 13, 14, 1997)
$25,000 1997-A Teen Tournament winner. $27,500 Round 1
$5,000
Bill Dickenson 12
(January 16–22, 1996)
$48,401 $53,401 Round 1
$5,000
Lan Djang 17
(June 20–26, 2001)
$51,100
plus 2 Chevrolet Camaros
$56,100 Quarterfinalist
$63,100
Dennis Donohue 9
(December 2-8, 1992)
$64,298 $69,298 Round 1
$5,000
Michael Dupée 12
(April 9–15, 1996)
$66,401 1996 Tournament of Champions winner. $166,401 Round 2
$32,500
Mark Eckard 17
(June 8–14, 2001)
$69,600
plus Chevrolet Suburban
$74,600 Round 2
$35,600
Barbara-Anne Eddy 4
(February 1–5, 1988)
$52,000 $53,000 Round 1
$5,000
Frank Epstein 8
(February 5-11, 1992)
$73,400 $74,400 Round 1
$5,000
Amy Fine 10
(March 11-17 1994)
$72,803 Top regular games winner among women players during the pre-doubled era. $73,803 Round 1
$5,000
Eugene Finerman 3
(June 1-5, 1987)
$57,902
Vacuum cleaner
14 bags of chocolate chips
1987 Tournament of Champions 2nd runner-up. $79,502 Round 2
$25,600
Bob Fleenor 17
(March 28–April 3, 2001)
$55,700
plus 2 Chevrolet Camaros
$58,200 Round 1
$5,000
Kermin Fleming 21
(November 10, 19-23, 2004)
$100,000
plus Volkswagen New Beetle
2004 College Championship winner. $100,000 Round 1
$5,000
Leslie Frates 7
(February 1–7, 1991)
$56,099 10th Anniversary Tournament 2nd runner-up.
1998 Battle of the Bay Area Brains 2nd runner-up.
$93,599 Round 1
$5,000
Michael Galvin 3
(February 17, 25-27, 1987)
$25,000 1987 inaugural Teen Tournament winner. $30,000 Round 1
$5,000
Andrew Garen 17
(September 20–26, 2000)
$56,100
plus 2 Chevrolet Camaros
$58,600 Round 1
$5,000
John Genova 1
(November 7-13, 1984)
$50,595 Earliest 5-time champion in the UToC $51,595 Round 1
$5,000
Chacko George 16
(November 2, 9, 11-12, 1999)
$25,000
plus Chevrolet Cavalier
1999-B Teen Tournament winner.
Last Teen Tournament winner to participate in the ToC.
$30,000 Round 1
$5,000
Scott Gillispie 7
(May 10, 15-17, 1991)
$27,400 1991 College Championship winner. $32,400 Round 2
$25,000
Graham Gilmer 17
(May 4-7, 10-11, 2001)
$50,000
plus Chevrolet Tracker
2001 Teen Tournament winner. $50,000 Round 1
$5,000
Sandra Gore 4
(December 8-14, 1987)
$53,507 1988 Tournament of Champions 2nd runner-up.
First female to become a finalist in the ToC.
$71,507 Round 1
$5,000
Leah Greenwald 4
(January 11–15, 1988)
$58,802 $64,802 Round 2
$56,800
Jeananne Grewe 10
(December 20-24, 1993)
$62,801 $67,801 Round 1
$5,000
Jonathan Groff 11
(March 14-20, 1995)
$60,500 $65,500 Round 2
$34,001
Paul Gutowski 13
(January 10–16, 1997)
$51,301 $53,802 Round 2
$32,802
Kyle Hale 19
(November 15, 19, 21-22, 2002)
$51,300
plus Volvo S60 Turbo
2002 College Championship winner. $56,300 Round 2
$25,000
Tom Halpern 7
(March 22-28, 1991)
$63,602 $64,602 Round 1
$5,000
Bob Harris 14
(October 31, November 24-27, 1997)
$58,000
plus 2 Chevrolet Camaros
1998 ToC 2nd runner-up.

Author of "Prisoner of Trebekistan: A Decade in Jeopardy!"

$93,000 Round 2
$34,400
Pat Healy 14
(March 31–April 6, 1998)
$66,604
plus 2 Chevrolet Camaros
$71,604 Round 1
$5,000
Roy Holliday 4
(September 21-25, 1987)
$57,200 $67,200 Round 1
$5,000
Bernard Holloway 18
(February 6, 11, 14-15, 2002)
$50,000
plus Mitsubishi Eclipse GS convertible
2002 Teen Tournament winner. $50,000 Round 1
$5,000
Ryan Holznagel 11
(November 3-4, 28–30, 1994)
$49,413
(4 wins)
1995 Tournament of Champions winner.
First-ever male 4-time champion to become a ToC winner.
$154,413 Round 2
$25,000
Andrew Hutchings 14
(May 7, 12, 14-15, 1998)
$25,000
plus Volvo S70 GLT sedan
1998 College Championship winner. $27,500 Round 1
$5,000
Bruce Ikawa 7
(November 30-December 6, 1990)
$80,699 Tenth-highest regular games winner of the pre-doubled era. $81,699 Round 1
$5,000
Sahir Islam 14
(November 5, 10, 13-14, 1997)
$26,300 1997-B Teen Tournament winner. $31,300 Round 1
$5,000
Lance Johnson 15
(September 16–22, 1998)
$51,301
$56,301 Round 1
$5,000
Phoebe Juel 9
(May 6, 12-14, 1993)
$28,000
plus Dodge Shadow
candied yams
electric razor
1993 College Championship winner.
First female to win the College Championship.
$33,000 Round 1
$5,000
Vinita Kailasanath 18
(November 7, 14, 19-20, 2001)
$50,000
plus Volvo V40
2001 College Championship winner. $60,000 Round 2
$25,000
Dan Katz 6
(June 26-July 2, 1990)
$48,803 $49,803 Round 1
$5,000
Kevin Keach 17
(June 27–July 3, 2001)
$50,703
plus Chevrolet Tahoe
$53,203 Round 1
$5,000
John Kelly 8
(June 1992)
$84,701 Fifth-highest regular games winner of the pre-doubled era. $85,701 Round 1
$5,000
Rick Knutsen 17
(March 6–12, 2001)
$57,300
plus 2 Chevrolet Camaros
2001 Tournament of Champions 2nd runner-up. $67,300 Round 2
$33,201
Doug Lach 16
(July 6–12, 2000)
$85,400
plus Chevrolet Corvette
Biggest Money winner of Season 16.
Fourth-highest regular games winner of the pre-doubled era.
$87,900 Round 1
$5,000
Erik Larsen 6
(February 21-27, 1990)
$54,400 $59,400 Round 1
$5,000
Lee Lassiter 16
(January 25–31, 2000)
$54,599
plus Chevrolet Tahoe
$57,099 Round 1
$5,000
John LeDonne 7
(December 7-13, 1990)
$55,200 $56,200 Round 1
$5,000
Al Lin 9
(June 10-16, 1993)
$58,903 $59,903 Round 1
$5,000
Mark Lowenthal 4
(May 4-6, 23-24, 1988)
$49,901 1988 Tournament of Champions winner. $154,901 Round 1
$5,000
Ben Lyon 11
(May 5, 8, 11-12, 1995)
$25,000
plus Volvo 850 GLT
1995 College Championship winner $26,000 Round 1
$5,000
April McManus 8
(February 28, March 4-6, 1992)
$25,000 1992 Teen Tournament winner.
First female to win the Teen Tournament.
$30,000 Quarterfinalist
$57,801
Dan Melia 13, 14
(July 18, September 1-4, 1997)
$75,600
plus Chevrolet Corvette
Biggest Money winner of Season 14.
1998 Tournament of Champions winner.
$175,600 Quarterfinalist
$72,201
Chris Miller 20
(April 1–8, 2004)
$123,597 $135,597 Semifinalist
$93,844
Brian Moore 10
(September 7–13, 1993)
$62,002 $67,002 Quarterfinalist
$72,200
Matt Morris 10
(February 16, 22, 24-25, 1994)
$29,601 1994 Teen Tournament winner. $30,601 Round 1
$5,000
Pam Mueller 17
(November 10, 14, 20-21, 2000)
$50,000
plus Volvo S60
2000-B College Championship winner. $55,000 Semifinalist
$102,201
Bruce Naegeli 4
(July 14-20, 1988)
$64,200 Biggest Money winner of Season 4.
1988 Tournament of Champions 1st runner-up.
$87,999 Round 2
$31,600
Steve Newman 8
(September 4-10, 1991)
$75,502 $76,502 Round 2
$48,700
Tom Nichols 10, 11
(January 31-February 4, October 10, 1994)
$57,680 Initially lost 5th game on February 4, 1994; invited back on October 10, 1994 because of "clue discrepancy". $58,680 Round 1
$5,000
Trevor Norris 18
(November 5–6, 21-23, 2001)
$54,604
plus Chevrolet Tahoe
Last 5-time champion before the clues values were doubled. $64,604 Round 1
$5,000
Tom Nosek 9
(November 3-6, 23, 1992)
$65,640 1993 Tournament of Champions winner.
10th Anniversary Tournament 1st runner-up.
$179,240 Round 1
$5,000
Leszek Pawlowicz 8
(October 10–16, 1991)
$75,400 1992 Tournament of Champions winner. $175,400 Round 1
$5,000
Arthur Phillips 13
(June 10–16, 1997)
$63,003 $65,503 Round 2
$25,000
Bill Pitassy 11
(October 24–28, 1994)
$72,702 $77,702 Round 1
$5,000
Brad Plovan 12
(December 11–15, 1995)
$61,402 $62,402 Round 1
$5,000
Steven Popper 4
(March 28-April 1, 1988)
$55,600 $60,600 Round 1
$5,000
Catherine Ramen 14
(September 5–11, 1997)
$61,000
plus Chevrolet Corvette
$66,000 Round 2
$44,000
Michael Rankins 4
(June 3-9, 1988)
$52,098 1998 Battle of the Bay Area Brains winner. $69,798 Round 2
$41,601
Jeff Richmond 5
(December 23-29, 1988)
$58,302 Only player in the tournament to play in 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-player Final Jeopardy! rounds, $69,302 Round 2
$33,300
Lara Robillard 14
(May 26–June 1, 1998)
$59,500
plus Chevrolet Tahoe
$62,000 Round 2
$25,000
Steve Robin 7
(November 20-26, 1990)
$51,901 1991 Tournament of Champions 1st runner-up. $64,501 Round 1
$5,000
Michael Rooney 15
(April 28-30, May 24-25, 1999)
$50,201
plus 2 Chevrolet Camaros
$55,201 Quarterfinalist
$70,201
Jay Rosenberg 2
(September 13-19, 1985)
$49,600 $54,600 Round 1
$5,000
John Ryan 3
(March 12-18, 1987)
$61,800 Biggest Money winner of Season 3. $66,800 Round 1
$5,000
David Sampugnaro 12
(April 1–5, 1996)
$72,101 $73,101 Round 1
$5,000
Ed Schiffer 9
(July 5–9, 1993)
$65,903 Biggest Money winner of Season 9. $70,903 Round 2
$27,400
Russ Schumacher 20
(October 17–23, 2003)
$64,800
(4 wins)
2004 Tournament of Champions winner. $315,800 Round 1
$5,000
Rachael Schwartz 10
(October 22-28, 1993)
$37,499
(4 wins)
1994 Tournament of Champions winner.
First female and 4-time champion to win the ToC.
$147,499 Round 1
$5,000
Bev Schwartzberg 9
(April 30, May 17-20, 1993)
$65,900 1993 Tournament of Champions 1st runner-up. $85,000 Round 2
$25,000
Jim Scott 7
(September 25-October 1, 1990)
$49,300 1991 Tournament of Champions winner.

Youngest player to win the ToC.

$149,300 Round 1
$5,000
Melissa Seal (Sexstone) 15
(February 22, March 1, 4-5, 1999)
$25,000 1999-A Teen Tournament winner. $27,500 Round 1
$5,000
David Siegel 11
(June 27–July 3, 1995)
$86,200 Biggest Money winner of Season 11.
1995 Tournament of Champions 1st runner-up.
Third-highest regular games winner of the pre-doubled era.
$110,800 Round 1
$5,000
Diane Siegel 9
(January 25-29, 1993)
$65,479 $66,479 Round 1
$5,000
Robert Slaven 8
(March 24-30, 1992)
$53,202 $63,202 Quarterfinalist
$66,201
Bill Sloan 12
(January 29–February 2, 1996)
$62,800 $67,800 Round 1
$5,000
Babu Srinivasan 17
(May 16–22, 2001)
$75,100
plus Chevrolet Corvette
Biggest Money winner of Season 17. $90,100 Round 1
$5,000
Jeff Stewart 10
(May 6, 11-13, 1994)
$25,000
plus Dodge
1994 College Championship winner.
1994 Tournament of Champions 1st runner-up.
$45,800 Round 1
$5,000
Eric Terzuolo 6
(June 15-21, 1990)
$64,302 $69,302 Round 2
$29,801
Michael Thayer 6
(May 7, 16-18, 1990)
$25,000 1990 College Championship winner. $26,000 Round 1
$5,000
Paul Thompson 12
(October 13–19, 1995)
$72,199 Biggest Money winner of Season 12. $77,199 Round 1
$5,000
Eddie Timanus 16
(October 20–26, 1999)
$69,700
plus 2 Chevrolet Camaros
First blind Jeopardy! contestant. $74,700 Round 1
$5,000
Dave Traini 3
(October 10–16, 1986)
$54,502 1987 Tournament of Champions 1st runner-up.
1990 Super Jeopardy! 2nd runner-up.
First player to defeat Chuck Forrest on Jeopardy!.
$95,502 Round 2
$25,000
Grace Veach 13
(February 17–21, 1997)
$51,601 $56,601 Quarterfinalist
$64,700
David Venderbush 10
(October 15-21, 1993)
$50,800 $51,800 Round 1
$5,000
Jerome Vered 8
(May 18–22, 1992)
$96,801 Biggest Money winner of Season 8.
1992 Tournament of Champions 2nd runner-up.

Top one-day winner of the pre-doubled era.

$104,301 Finalist
$389,801
Brian Wangsgard 5
(January 20-26, 1989)
$62,398 Biggest Money winner of Season 5.
1989 Tournament of Champions 2nd runner-up.
$74,898 Round 1
$5,000
Chris Ward 14
(February 24-27, March 3, 1998)
$63,301
plus 2 Chevrolet Camaros
$65,801 Round 1
$5,000
Jamie Weiss 6
(February 8, 13, 15-16, 1990)
$26,000 1990 Teen Tournament winner. $31,000 Round 1
$5,000
Andrew Westney 7
(February 13, 20-22, 1991)
$25,000 1991 Teen Tournament winner. $26,000 Round 1
$5,000
Lynne Wexler 7
(January 23–29, 1991)
$70,351 First woman to win over $70,000 in regular games. $71,351 Round 1
$5,000
Shane Whitlock 12
(February 14, 19, 22-23, 1996)
$32,800
plus Volvo 850 Turbo
1996 College Championship winner. $37,800 Quarterfinalist
$55,400
Keith Williams 20
(November 12, 18, 20-21, 2003)
$50,000
plus Volvo S60R
2003 College Championship winner. $55,000 Round 1
$5,000
Dave Willis 8
(January 24-30, 1992)
$58,001 $59,001 Round 1
$5,000
Janet Wong 16
(February 7, 15, 17-18, 2000)
$50,000
plus Volvo S40 sedan
2000-A College Championship winner. $52,500 Round 1
$5,000
Fraser Woodford 9
(February 19, 22, 24-25, 1993)
$28,999 1993 Teen Tournament winner. $29,999 Round 1
$5,000
Jennifer Wu 20
(February 9, 17, 19-20, 2004)
$75,000 2004 Teen Tournament winner. $75,000 Round 1
$5,000
Phil Yellman 8
(March 13-19, 1992)
$60,400 $61,400 Quarterfinalist
$68,801
John Zhang 19
(February 4, 12-14, 2003)
$50,000
plus Volkswagen New Beetle
2003 Teen Tournament winner. $50,000 Round 1
$5,000
Matt Zielenski 11
(February 10, 14, 16-17, 1995)
$42,300 1995 Teen Tournament winner.
Held highest-winning score of any tournament in the pre-doubled era.
$47,300 Quarterfinalist
$70,601
Elaine Zollner 6
(March 2–8, 1990)
$52,800 $53,800 Round 1
$5,000

Tournament results[]

The tournament's twenty highest finishers are shown below in order of prize money won.

Rank Contestant UToC Finish Winnings
1 Brad Rutter Winner $2,115,000
2 Ken Jennings Finalist $500,000
3 Jerome Vered $389,801
4 Frank Spangenberg Semifinalist $105,199
5 Pam Mueller $102,201
6 John Cuthbertson $97,900
7 Chris Miller $93,844
8 Dan Melia Quarterfinalist $72,201
9 Brian Moore $72,200
10 Matt Zielenski $70,601
11 Michael Rooney $70,201
12 Phil Yellman $68,801
13 Robert Slaven $66,201
14 Grace Veach $64,700
15 Lan Djang $63,100
16 Michael Daunt $62,602
17 Steve Chernicoff $57,802
18 April McManus $57,801
19 Leah Greenwald Round 2 $56,800
20 Shane Whitlock Quarterfinalist $55,400

Round 1, which started on February 9, 2005, and ended on April 12, 2005, featured 135 contestants competing for entry into Round 2.

Unlike most Jeopardy! tournaments, in which only the final rounds are played for cash equal to the value of winners' scores, the winners of every match received their scores as winnings (or the guaranteed minimum for that round, whichever was greater). Also, for each round, there were no "wild card" spots for the non-winners; it was "win or go home".

Game Air Date 1st Place (Min. $15,000) 2nd Place ($5,000) 3rd Place ($5,000) Clues and Summary
(from the J! Archive)
Name Score Name Score Name Score
4708 February 9, 2005 Eric Terzuolo $19,801 Michael Galvin $10,600 Leslie Frates $0 Game Summary
4709 February 10, 2005 Michael Rankins $31,601 Rachael Schwartz $20,600 John Genova $800 Game Summary
4710 February 11, 2005 Arthur Phillips $8,800 Babu Srinivasan $8,700 Melissa Seal $1,200 Game Summary
4711 February 14, 2005 David Traini $12,800 Alan Bailey $12,000 Janet Wong $6,000 Game Summary
4712 February 15, 2005 Bob Harris $24,400 Tom Cubbage $15,201 Frank Epstein $12,600 Game Summary
4713 February 16, 2005 Vinita Kailasanath $10,800 David Sampugnaro $10,799 Steve Robin $0 Game Summary
4714 February 17, 2005 Beverly Schwartzberg $11,709 Sahir Islam $11,500 Michael Arnone $0 Game Summary
4715 February 18, 2005 Dan Melia $19,601 Jeremy Bate $0 Brian Wangsgard $0 Game Summary
4716 February 21, 2005 Mark Eckard $25,600 Lance Johnson $10,400 Kermin Fleming $1,599 Game Summary
4717 February 22, 2005 Michael Dupée $22,500 Sandra Gore $10,000 Jack Archey $0 Game Summary
4718 February 23, 2005 Jeff Richmond $23,300 Billy Baxter –$600 Bernard Holloway –$3,000 Game Summary
4719 February 24, 2005 John Beck $19,000 Tom Nosek $0 Carolyn Cracraft $0 Game Summary
4720 February 25, 2005 Tad Carithers $31,300 Leszek Pawlowicz $17,201 Al Lin $3,201 Game Summary
4721 February 28, 2005 Jerome Vered $27,601 Michelle Clum $21,501 Jim Scott $14,400 Game Summary
4722 March 1, 2005 Bruce Borchardt $19,201 Kevin Keach $19,200 Diane Siegel –$1,200 Game Summary
4723 March 2, 2005 Catherine Ramen $34,000 Lee Lassiter $0 Jennifer Wu $0 Game Summary
4724 March 3, 2005 Edward Schiffer $17,400 Andrew Garen $10,399 Paul Boymel $1,600 Game Summary
4725 March 4, 2005 Grace Veach $26,200 Keith Williams $13,600 John LeDonne $0 Game Summary
4726 March 7, 2005 Ryan Holznagel $8,224 John Kelly $100 Barbara-Anne Eddy $0 Game Summary
4727 March 8, 2005 Mark Dawson $21,250 Chris Ward $15,700 Elaine Zollner $11,800 Game Summary
4728 March 9, 2005 Michael Rooney $35,201 Erik Larsen $32,600 Mark Lowenthal $1 Game Summary
4729 March 10, 2005 Pam Mueller $32,201 Michael Day $30,601 Jay Rosenberg $4,400 Game Summary
4730 March 11, 2005 Steve Newman $38,700 David Siegel $19,500 Andrew Westney $10,600 Game Summary
4731 March 14, 2005 Chris Miller $21,799 Dennis Donohue $6,000 Michael Thayer $5 Game Summary
4732 March 15, 2005 Leah Greenwald $46,800 Doug Lach $2,400 Matt Morris $0 Game Summary
4733 March 16, 2005 Jonathan Groff $24,001 Eddie Timanus $19,200 Jean Grewe $4,000 Game Summary
4734 March 17, 2005 Brian Moore $32,000 Dan Katz $20,000 John Zhang $0 Game Summary
4735 March 18, 2005 Robert Slaven $28,801 Russ Schumacher $12,299 Bill Pitassy $6,000 Game Summary
4736 March 21, 2005 Shane Whitlock $20,400 Lynne Wexler $19,600 John Ryan $0 Game Summary
4737 March 22, 2005 Michael Daunt $24,801 Jeff Stewart $24,800 Jamie Weiss $4,400 Game Summary
4738 March 23, 2005 Steve Berman $20,801 Bradley Plovan $4,401 Phoebe Juel $400 Game Summary
4739 March 24, 2005 Eugene Finerman $15,600 Tom Nichols $13,999 Chacko George $6,799 Game Summary
4740 March 25, 2005 John Cuthbertson $11,500 Bob Blake $10,200 Bruce Ikawa $1 Game Summary
4741 March 28, 2005 India Cooper $16,000 Bill Sloan $100 Fraser Woodford $0 Game Summary
4742 March 29, 2005 Kyle Hale $14,999 Pat Healy $7,800 Bernie Cullen $3,966 Game Summary
4743 March 30, 2005 Rick Knutsen $23,201 Craig Barker $21,599 Amy Fine $18,800 Game Summary
4744 March 31, 2005 Bruce Naegeli $21,600 Tom Halpern $6,799 Graham Gilmer $100 Game Summary
4745 April 1, 2005 Matt Zielenski $35,601 Bob Fleenor $13,600 Kurt Bray $5,500 Game Summary
4746 April 4, 2005 April McManus $22,801 Paul Thompson $10,400 Larry Cloud $5,400 Game Summary
4747 April 5, 2005 Lan Djang $26,850 Andrew Hutchings $2,000 Dave Willis $0 Game Summary
4748 April 6, 2005 Paul Gutowski $22,802 Dave Abbott $17,599 Mark Born $2,799 Game Summary
4749 April 7, 2005 Lara Robillard $11,200 Michael Braun $9,109 Bill Dickenson $6,799 Game Summary
4750 April 8, 2005 Philip Yellman $25,601 Josh DenHartog $25,600 Trevor Norris $15,600 Game Summary
4751 April 11, 2005 Scott Gillispie $7,100 David Venderbush $6,500 Steven Popper $299 Game Summary
4752 April 12, 2005 Stephen Chernicoff $21,201 Roy Holliday $1,200 Ben Lyon $0 Game Summary

Round 2, which started on April 13 and finished on May 6, featured the 45 winners from Round 1 as well as nine new contestants.

Game Air Date 1st Place (Min. $20,000) 2nd Place ($10,000) 3rd Place ($10,000) Clues and Summary
(from the J! Archive)
Name Score Name Score Name Score
4753 April 13, 2005 Dan Melia $37,600 Rick Knutsen $9,600 Kyle Hale $3,601 Game Summary
4754 April 14, 2005 Stephen Chernicoff $21,601 Scott Gillispie $21,500 India Cooper $13,200 Game Summary
4755 April 15, 2005 Michael Rooney $10,500 Catherine Ramen $9,103 Tom Walsh[1] $1,405 Game Summary
4756 April 18, 2005 Michael Daunt $22,801 Bruce Borchardt $8,400 Bob Harris $2,200 Game Summary
4757 April 19, 2005 Shane Whitlock $7,600 Steve Berman $1,999 Eric Newhouse[2] $5 Game Summary
4758 April 20, 2005 Brian Moore $25,200 Vinita Kailasanath $2,873 Mark Eckard $100 Game Summary
4759 April 21, 2005 Jerome Vered $30,000 Sean Ryan[3] $18,000 Leah Greenwald $15,999 Game Summary
4760 April 22, 2005 Robert Slaven $22,400 Michael Dupée $16,999 Eugene Finerman $0 Game Summary
4761 April 25, 2005 Matt Zielenski $9,601 Robin Carroll[4] $9,599 Steve Newman $7,199 Game Summary
4762 April 26, 2005 Chris Miller $22,045 David Traini $6,000 Ryan Holznagel $3,905 Game Summary
4763 April 27, 2005 Lan Djang $21,250 Mark Dawson $21,200 Jeff Richmond $3,200 Game Summary
4764 April 28, 2005 Brad Rutter[5] $18,200 Bruce Naegeli $14,000 John Beck $0 Game Summary
4765 April 29, 2005 Grace Veach $23,500 Michael Rankins $2,000 Brian Weikle[6] $400 Game Summary
4766 May 2, 2005 Pam Mueller $18,699 Eric Terzuolo $12,400 Arthur Phillips $5 Game Summary
4767 May 3, 2005 John Cuthbertson $22,900 Tad Carithers $13,900 Bob Verini[7] $3,000 Game Summary
4768 May 4, 2005 Frank Spangenberg[8] $25,800 Paul Gutowski $9,197 Beverly Schwartzberg $4,700 Game Summary
4769 May 5, 2005 Philip Yellman $28,200 Lara Robillard $12,999 Chuck Forrest[9] $0 Game Summary
4770 May 6, 2005 April McManus $18,001 Edward Schiffer $600 Jonathan Groff $0 Game Summary

Round 3, which began on May 9 and ended on May 16, featured the "Elite 18" (Round 2 winners) competing for entry into the semifinals.

Game Air Date 1st Place (Min. $30,000) 2nd Place ($15,000) 3rd Place ($15,000) Clues and Summary
(from the J! Archive)
Name Score Name Score Name Score
4771 May 9, 2005 Brad Rutter $6,400 Stephen Chernicoff $6,399 Michael Rooney $5,601 Game Summary
4772 May 10, 2005 Pam Mueller $25,201 Philip Yellman $8,000 Brian Moore $0 Game Summary
4773 May 11, 2005 Frank Spangenberg $34,399 Shane Whitlock $2,399 Grace Veach $0 Game Summary
4774 May 12, 2005 John Cuthbertson $22,401 April McManus $22,300 Robert Slaven $4,399 Game Summary
4775 May 13, 2005 Chris Miller $19,201 Lan Djang $950 Matt Zielenski $0 Game Summary
4776 May 16, 2005 Jerome Vered $32,200 Michael Daunt $18,400 Dan Melia $18,400 Game Summary

Round 4, which began on May 17 and ended on May 20, featured the six winners from Round 3 competing in two-game matches for entry into the finals.

Game Air Date First Place ($50,000) 2nd Place ($30,000) 3rd Place ($20,000) Clues and Summary
(from the J! Archive)
Name Score Name Score Name Score
4777 May 17, 2005 Jerome Vered $23,100 Frank Spangenberg $13,500 Pam Mueller $10,000 Game Summary
4778 May 18, 2005 $7,800 $5,800 $4,899 Game Summary
Total $30,900 $19,300 $14,899
4779 May 19, 2005 Brad Rutter $10,000 John Cuthbertson $13,500 Chris Miller $10,000 Game Summary
4780 May 20, 2005 $26,600 $200 $1,699 Game Summary
Total $36,600 $13,700 $11,699  

Round 5, which aired on May 23, 24, and 25, featured Round 4 champions Brad Rutter and Jerome Vered competing against Ken Jennings in a three-game final for $2,000,000. Rutter won the match in a runaway and displaced Jennings as television's largest game show winner in history at the time (Rutter, under the tournament set up and the elimination of Bernie Cullen in the first round, was the only player who could have done so). However, Jennings later reclaimed that distinction by winning $500,000 on "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" in October 2008, only to lose it again after coming in second to Rutter in the Jeopardy! Battle of the Decades (May 2014). But after winning the Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time tournament in January 2020, Jennings once again reclaimed the distinction from Rutter.

In the first game of the finals, Ken, Brad, and Jerome tricked Alex Trebek into emerging onstage without trousers, saying they would do the same; they did not.

Game Air Date 1st Place ($2,000,000) 2nd Place ($500,000) 3rd Place ($250,000) Clues and Summary
(from the J! Archive)
Name Score Name Score Name Score
4781 May 23, 2005 Brad Rutter $18,400 Ken Jennings

[10]

$16,000 Jerome Vered $16,400 Game Summary
4782 May 24, 2005 $20,000 $10,000 $3,200 Game Summary
4783 May 25, 2005 $23,600 $8,599 $1,000 Game Summary
Total $62,000 $34,599 $20,600  

Evaluation[]

It was a tournament for Ken Jennings, for Ken Jennings, for Ken Jennings, but it can be said that it was a tournament that proved that there are many hidden talents with the birth of a new strongest player. Perhaps, if the unlimited winning streak system had been introduced from the beginning, many people showed excellent skills, winning more than 6 consecutive wins, and many participants like Ken Jennings winning more than 10 consecutive wins.

Through Utoc, which lasted for three months, two people were decided to meet Ken, and Brad and Jerome were selected as the main characters. Even in the beginning, there were many viewers who expected Ken to win, and the first match continued with a similar confrontation. However, in the 2nd match, Brad opened up a score gap with his terrifying skills, and in the 3rd match, he maintained the gap and eventually won, establishing himself as a celebrity next to Ken.

Perhaps a bye could have been poisonous, and there would be some benefits to a bye, but since he hadn't been able to practice the buzzer for a while, he wasn't used to pressing the buzzer, and because of that, Ken was defeated by Brad, who played before.

Jerome, in particular, was also forgotten between the two, but received a lot of attention by taking third place, and Brad and Ken subsequently won 5 times, including 2011 IBM challenge, 2014 Battles of the Decade, 2019 All-star games, and 2020 Greatest of all-time. As we met together, we continued our rivalry.

Now, 15 years of confrontation has come to an end with All-star games, and the two are maintaining a good relationship, taking on the role of Chaser in The Chase a year later.

Through this UtoC competition, it was proved that there is no eternal strongest player, and the ToC victory of the super champion is a competition that proves why Jeopardy is still gaining popularity, just like the nickname of the Quiz World Cup, as James Holzhauer won only in 2019.

Trivia[]

  • After this competition, a two-way structure between Ken and Brad was formed. After that, they met and played a rematch a total of four times: 2011 IBM Challenge, 2014 Battle of the Decades, 2019 All-Star Games, and 2020 The Greatest of All Time. Brad also established himself as Ken's rival in Jeopardy!. This two-way system has brought about a new change with the advent of James Holzhauer in 2019.
  • During this season, only 55 regular games were played due to various tournaments including this tournament. Also, in this season, there are only two champions with more than 5 consecutive wins, Kerry Breitenbach and David Madden, because Ken's solo system in the first half, there were few winning streak matches with several tournaments, and David's solo in the second half.
  • Later, a similar method to this tournament is being held in S40 (Second chance → Champion wildcard → ToC → invitation champion → Masters). The difference is that S40's tournament system features a variety of participants and is long in duration.
  • Leslie Shannon, Larry McKnight, Amanda Goad, Michael Block, Richard Kaplan, and Jerry Frankel couldn't participate in this tournament.

References[]

  1. Tom Walsh received first round bye as the first seven-time champion, and the record holder in regular winnings until Ken Jennings. More detailed statistics
  2. Eric Newhouse received first round bye for getting second place in the 2002 Jeopardy! Million Dollar Masters tournament. More detailed statistics
  3. Sean Ryan received first round bye for being the first six-time champion. More detailed statistics
  4. Robin Carroll received first round bye for the most cumulative money won on Jeopardy! (including all tournaments except Super Jeopardy!) until the Jeopardy! Million Dollar Masters tournament. More detailed statistics
  5. Brad Rutter received first round bye for winning the 2002 Jeopardy! Million Dollar Masters tournament, as well as the most money won on Jeopardy! until Ken Jennings. More detailed statistics
  6. Brian Weikle received first round bye for being the record holder in regular winnings from Season 19 until five-day rule change. More detailed statistics
  7. Bob Verini received first round bye for getting third place in the Jeopardy! Million Dollar Masters tournament. More detailed statistics
  8. Frank Spangenberg received first round bye as the record holder in regular winnings from Season 6 until Season 19. More detailed statistics
  9. Chuck Forrest received first round bye as the record holder in regular winnings until Season 6. More detailed statistics
  10. Ken Jennings received a bye to the final round for his numerous Jeopardy! records.
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