Jeopardy! Fans Spot Possible Loophole in February 17 Episode
February 18, 2025 — Jeopardy! fans are buzzing after the February 17 episode of the 2nd Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament, with some speculating that a subtle loophole may have impacted the game’s outcome.
During the episode, Matt Amodio, the former 38-game champion, faced a nail-biting moment in Final Jeopardy. The category was “Literature & Sickness,” with the clue referencing a strep infection causing a rash, an apparent nod to Little Women and Little Town on the Prairie. Amodio, known for his analytical gameplay, initially hesitated but ultimately wrote “What is scarlet fever?”—clinching his semifinal spot with $45,400.
However, eagle-eyed viewers noticed an unusual moment before the final round. Some fans claim that a rule technicality allowed Amodio extra time to finalize his response. As the camera panned to him, it appeared he was still writing after the timer beeped—something that has caused controversy in past episodes. Others argue that the pause was simply a camera angle issue, not a rule violation.
Adding to the night’s intrigue, contestant Drew Goins had an ironic slip-up, missing a question about Céline Dion after expressing his admiration for her earlier in the game. This, combined with Amodio’s narrow escape, made for a drama-filled episode.
While Jeopardy! producers have not commented on the speculation, social media is buzzing with theories. Some believe it was just a visual trick, while others think Amodio may have exploited a gray area in the game’s timing rules.
What do you think? Was this just a normal moment in gameplay, or did Jeopardy!’s unofficial “villain in the making” find a loophole?
