Game shows have an uncanny ability to create modern folk heroes, and the latest was Austin Rogers of Jeopardy! fame. The eccentric nerd managed to dominate the show for 12 games straight before being defeated by a mere $51 by stay-at-home mom Scarlett Simms. Still, Rogers was gracious in defeat and still managed to take home $411,000, which is no small sum.
Rogers also tweeted out his congratulations and will be returning for the upcoming Tournament Of Champions.
Scarlett. You are a killer!!!! #SCARLETTTTTTTT #austinonjeopardy #Jeopardy she deserves this so much. WHAT A GAME!!!!!!! So deserved. pic.twitter.com/WQdEitYyNk
— Austin Tyler Rogers (@austintylerro) October 12, 2017
The quirky bartender said in a statement that he did better on the show than he exected and isn’t quite sure yet how he’s going to spend all that cash.
“I set myself a goal of two wins, and I exceeded that expectation. I mean, I always wanted validation that I’m smarter than everyone, and now, when in an argument, I can just say ‘scoreboard!’ and point to an imaginary Jumbotron.
It would be really nice to just on a whim decide to go to an Arsenal [soccer] match. Or, like, Estonia. I’ve also wondered if a Steinway piano is a good investment.”
While Rogers may be content with his run, fans on Twitter are certainly sad to see him go.
For a stretch in October, we forget about politics for a 30min stretch and watched Austin be a boss #jeopardy pic.twitter.com/0n51NAG1l6
— maddie (they/them)🌈 Eras Gillette 5/20 ☔ (@MadK089) October 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/ljtibbets/status/918619775030439936
Thanks for making #Jeopardy entertaining, Austin Rogers. You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/JJPGZ8SvOr
— Bryan Mapes (@IAmMapes) October 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/JTuschh15/status/918623607256907776
Tournament of Champions can’t come soon enough. #AustinRogers #Jeopardy #DickTree pic.twitter.com/KYj4PYsdqT
— Bekah Berger (@BekahBerger) October 13, 2017
Austin made Alex say Dick Tree….I miss Austin already :( #Jeopardy
— Nicole Scola Thomson (@NicoleLouiseS) October 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/SarahReads2Much/status/918637559386910720
GAHhhh! X• @austintylerro , you were a joy and a thrill to watch! Thank you, kind sir! See you at the #ToC. #jeopardy #austinonjeopardy pic.twitter.com/2az5RHVkFg
— Netstryke (@Netstryke) October 13, 2017
I'm legitimately upset about Austin losing tonight and that's all I'm going to talk about tomorrow. #Jeopardy
— Alison (@alshanley) October 13, 2017
Congrats @austintylerro on your #Jeopardy run! You're an incredible competitor and truly charismatic. Thanks for the fun, laughter & love.👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/yG45EMsIHN
— Lisa Steinberg 𓄿 (@GoodHumorGrl) October 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/KithandKinMag/status/918636388723167232
What can we do to get Austin Rogers his own TV show? Sad #austinonjeopardy has come to an end. #jeopardy pic.twitter.com/747iVUswGd
— Stephanie Wonderlick (@stephstad) October 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/tylahnol/status/918634945475616769
That feeling when #AustinonJeopardy loses and you feel like you just lost a friend @austintylerro @Jeopardy #jeopardy
— Cara Rabik, MD, PhD (@crabik47) October 13, 2017
He’s no Ken Jennings, but it was a good run.
(Via Cleveland)