Danger! Host Ken Jennings ends the contestant’s reaction in an awkward moment on stage ahead of Matthew Marcus’ second win

KEN Jennings provided Friday’s Jeopardy! Episode when he took a player wrong, right and right Then wrong again.

Reigning champion Matthew Marcus claimed on Reddit that he was instead “locked out” after the host “changed his mind.”

5

5

5

The returning champion was joined by Ricky A. Rivera II, an employee stock ownership plan analyst from Chicago, Illinois, and Andrew Bembenek, a construction project manager from Los Angeles.

Matthew, a software developer from Portland, Oregon but originally from the UK, climbed to the left of the podium after a big first win of $42.2K.

During double jeopardy! Round, a $1,200 notice was read under “The National Park System” by host Ken, 48.

“A historic site in Alabama invites you to travel back in time to the 1940’s and learn more about this group of black military aviators.”

“WE WILL NOT TAKE THIS”

Ricky hummed along, “What’s that Tuskegee Red – Red Wings.”

“No,” Ken replied. “Oh yes, no.” the host replied in a confused moment.

Ricky slumped on his podium and none of the contestants knew what to do. Champion Matthew could be seen dashing in but was not allowed to answer.

Ken broke the silence: “We’re not taking that.”

Andrew then buzzed in when the shore seemed clear, “What are the Tuskegee Airmen?”

“Yes,” Ken replied. “Or the Tuskegee Red Tails. Ricky, so close.”

It seemed like the host was confused as Ricky was close to the correct alternate answer, leading to a clunky back and forth.

‘THIS TUSKEGEE QUESTION’

Champ Matthew brought up the odd tip incident about the game on the Reddit thread and didn’t like how it was handled.

He blamed Ken’s handling of “locking him out” of the tip.

A user claiming to be Matthew wrote: “I was quite saddened by how this Tuskegee question turned out. If you look closely, Ricky buzzes in, gives the wrong answer, I buzz in right away, then Ken changes his mind and I’m locked out, then Ken changes his mind back and Andrew buzzes in. Luckily it didn’t matter!

One fan replied: “I agree with you and noticed the same during my observation. I’m actually surprised they kept it as it’s pretty clear you should be able to answer before Andrew. It doesn’t matter (fortunately).”

And a third wrote: “Interesting point. Is it like this in real time? I’m surprised that hasn’t resulted in a break and re-recording or some sort of edit.”

Matthew replied, “I think I could have made a fuss if I wanted to, but I think the show was moving on very quickly, so I shrugged.”

‘STARRED ME AT THE END!’

From there, the episode flew to an exciting conclusion that culminated in Final Jeopardy.

Matthew had $28,800, Andrew $11,800 and Ricky $11,200.

The category was “World War II” and the note read: “Mimi Reinhard, who never learned to type with more than 2 fingers, produced this with 1,100 names, including hers.”

Ricky was right about “What is: Schindler’s List?” and doubled it, leaving him with $22,400.

Andrew also almost doubled, giving him $23,578.

Matthew got it wrong with “What is the Holocaust Memorial?” and for a moment it looked like he had bet too big and lost.

Luckily for him, he only bet $5,000 on the line and wiped his brow with just $302, winning the game for $23,800.

“Got me scared at the end!” A Youtube user wrote below a clip of the fiery finish.

“Matthew is the real champion. Congratulations!” applauded another on Reddit.

“Phew! I love a close game. All 3 contestants were excellent!” raved a third.

“What about the abundance of talent on Jeopardy these days!? Matthew is amazing!” wrote a fourth.

“I thought the same. Andrew or Ricky could have won a game against most of the other contestants. Matthew was just too strong.” A fifth agreed.

So far this season, which is nearing its halfway point, only five contestants big enough to qualify for next year’s Tournament of Champions have won.

This year we look to recent 6-day winner Troy Meyer, fan favorite Ray Lalonde with 13 wins, former poker ace Cris Pannullo with 21 wins, five-day champion Luigi de Guzman and four-day champion Champion and Priest David Sibley.

With two solid results, fans are hoping Matthew – who fans say has a great British accent – will be next.

The sour note on that odd halfway hint comes after fans “felt bad” for a female contestant earlier this week when she ran out of time while correctly guessing Final Jeopardy.

5

5