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Last night, LeVar Burton, famous actor and director, appeared as a guest host on the popular daytime game show, Jeopardy! Fans had long awaited Burton’s presence on the show, with hopes that he might become the permanent host following the passing of Alex Trebek last year. Burton finally got his chance in the spotlight; however, the focus was unexpectedly shifted to one contestant’s remarkable lack of knowledge in trivia.
During the episode, contestant Patrick Pearce, a product specialist from Fountain View, California, made Jeopardy! history by achieving the lowest score ever recorded on the show. With numerous incorrect responses, Pearce ended the show with an unprecedented negative $7,400, surpassing the previous record of negative $6,800 set in 2015. His score resembled those seen in the comedic “Celebrity Jeopardy” skits on Saturday Night Live. Throughout the episode, it seemed as though Pearce was close to turning things around with just one correct answer, but a challenging Daily Double question about US government buildings sealed his fate.
Lowest Jeopardy score ever should be his new Bumble bio.
— Michael Sheehan (@BiggusDingus) July 27, 2021
Wait, hold up. Did I (and probably a whole lotta other folks) just tune in for the first time in a LONG time to watch the lowest recorded score in #Jeopardy history? If so, now I feel even worse for him?
— DOUG (@ickybooley) July 26, 2021
According to my Jeopardy-obsessed son, the dude who finished in the negative set a record for the lowest score in the modern era.
— Noel Murray (@NoelMu) July 27, 2021
On Twitter, there has been an outpouring of sympathy and support for Pearce, especially as many viewers tuned in for Burton’s hosting debut only to witness Pearce’s unfortunate record-breaking performance. While exact ratings for the episode have not been disclosed, the combination of Burton’s debut and Pearce’s record-breaking moment is likely to draw significant viewer interest and attention.
