Jeopardy! host Mayim Bialik shocked by tense 'close game' as ‘understated’ champion Suresh Krishnan ‘sneaks up’ on rival

JEOPARDY! viewers and host Mayim Bialik were astounded by contestant Suresh Krishnan's come-from-behind win on Monday's episode.

At one point, the now-5-day champ was trailing heartfelt newcomer Michael Vallaley by more than $12,000 before proving why he's one to watch.

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Jeopardy! fans were convinced it was game over for the reigning champ before he flipped the script in the very last moments.

Suresh faced Marilyn Singer, a children’s book author from Brooklyn, New York, and Michael, a data analyst from Somerville, Massachusetts.

Suresh proved some strategic prowess early on with a rare minimum $5 Daily Double bet (which he was presciently incorrect on).

Mayim, 47, sternly admitted: “Close game,” going into the second round since both players sat at just over $5000, the enjoyable Marilyn was unfortunately at $0.

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However, in the Double Jeopardy round, while Suresh got the second Daily Double for $2000, Michael cashed in on the remaining hidden clue.

The long-haired contender - who emotionally revealed he plays Jeopardy! with a cancer support group - went all-in.

“You know I had three failed cancer treatments and I didn’t think I was going to be here so I‘m just going to bet it all,” the rival confessed as the crowd roared supporting him.

The clue was displayed and it read: "In 1814 U.S. Forces under Gen. Jacob Brown invaded Canada by crossing this river between Lake Eerie and Lake Ontario."

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Michael was correct with “Niagra” increasing his cash flow to $16,800 to Suresh’s 10,195.

'YOU'VE DONE IT AGAIN!'

Going into Final Jeopardy, Michael wound up with a tremendous lead of $26,400.

Suresh had $14,195 and Marilyn $4,400  -which meant Michael was inches away from a locked or runaway game.

Final Jeopardy under “Women In Mythology” read: "The name of this woman, the product of an incestuous union, means “against birth.”

Suresh stared at the clue for quite a while and it looked like he didn't know what he was going to write.

However, Suresh was the only one correct with “Antigone” (or as Mayim said “What looks like Antigone."

The last letter seemed “I” shaped, which wouldn't phonetically change it or render it incorrect, per Jeopardy! rules.

He then revealed he bet a massive $14,000 as the crowd went hush in shock, giving him $28,195.

Michael was a little off the mark as he wrote “Uncle Steve” and wagered $2000 - as a result, Suresh won out on the final clue alone. 

Mayim laughed with surprise- "You have done it again!" she said.

'HE SNEAKED UP AS A GOOD CONTESTANT!'

Fans went wild over Suresh's savvy Final Jeopardy swoop-in victory as one wrote under a YouTube clip: “I thought this was it for Suresh!"

"The $12,205 gap between him and Michael is the largest I've seen when the reigning champion still prevailed! Michael should be in the Second Chance Tournament!"

Another wrote: “Michael definitely impressed me with his daily double, but Suresh gradually proves why he is suitable for the Tournament of Champions.

A third wrote: “Suresh is so understated that he sort of sneaked up on me as a very good contestant."

“Close shave!” wrote another. “Uncle steve” wrote a fifth with a crying laughing emoji.

A sixth praised: I’m so glad that Suresh won his 5th game and will be going to the Tournament of Champions and now I hope that Suresh is going to become a super champion!! I just don’t know if it’s going to happen!!"

QUIETLY MAKING MONEY MOVES

Suresh is a networking engineer from Suwanee, Georgia.

He has surprised skeptics since in many of his wins since arriving last Tuesday, it simply looked like he wasn't going to win at all.

In his second game, he fell to $0 late into the Double Jeopardy round against rival Allison Strekal - whom Mayim said was "dominating" - but made a late all-in Daily Double bet, winning out.

On last Wednesday's game, he won out after a near-record-low 23 triple stumpers (or completely whiffed clues).

His fourth win on Friday was in a more sure-fire runaway fashion, and he'll now be an ensured addition to September's 2023 Tournament of Champions.

Fans were a little surprised the host didn't note as much was on the line in tonight's game.

“So does this mean Suresh is in the Tournament of Champions? Mayim didn't mention it,” one internet user remarked.

Nonetheless, he’ll be facing the likes of 9-day champ Ben Chan who lost over a controversial one-letter Final Jeopardy ruling, 8-day fan-fave Hannah Wilson and 21-win poker ace and clear frontrunner Cris Pannullo.

Much like another 2023 Tournament of Champions contender Ray Lalonde (11/13 on Final Jeopardy), Suresh has gone 4/5 on Final Jeopardy which has quietly cemented him at the winner's podium so far.

As for his contestant interviews, Suresh is no slouch - he made Mayim laugh by saying he “doesn't know how to tie a tie" the evening.

He’s also a fan of Legos and shared he once spent a year of vacations but unfortunately wherever he went "it snowed.”

Ken Jennings and the actress are the co-successors to the late, great Alex, who passed away from cancer at age 80 in 2020.

Mayim is finishing out the regular season until the summer.

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The fan-preferred Ken won't be seen until the Tournament of Champions, which will kick off Season 40 and be expanded to three tiers.

That is, barring the last week of Season 39 as Mayim is bowing out and supporting the writers' strike and Ken is returning not in solidarity with the strike.

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