‘Jeopardy!’ contestant achieves one of the lowest scores in the game’s history

Tuesday night was rough for “Jeopardy!” contestant Matt King, who started the game strong only to find himself in a hole after several incorrect responses. Viewers at home could relate to Matt’s struggles and many fans respected his attempt to stay in the game. Ultimately he finished with a score of -$6,400.

“Matt, I'm afraid you took your swings,” said host Ken Jennings prior to Final Jeopardy!. “That's a strategy. It didn't always pay off. You were close so many times, but we're gonna have to say goodbye to you here. You'll finish in third place with $1,000.”

Several fans wondered if his score of -$6,400 was the lowest in the games history, but that honor belongs to a contestant who scored -$7,400 during Lavar Burton’s debut as guest host this summer. King’s -$6,400 does however tie 2012 contestant Christy Gibson for third lowest score ever.

Video transcript

MATT KING: What is the North Platte?

KEN JENNINGS: No, I'm sorry.

MATT KING: Who is Kavanaugh?

KEN JENNINGS: No.

MATT KING: What is the hypothalamus?

KEN JENNINGS: No.

MATT KING: What is the fulcrum?

KEN JENNINGS: No.

KYLIE MAR: Tuesday night was rough for Jeopardy contestant Matt King who started the game strong.

MATT KING: Who are the Steelers?

KEN JENNINGS: Right.

KYLIE MAR: Only to find himself in a hole after several incorrect responses.

MATT KING: What is life insurance?

KEN JENNINGS: No.

MATT KING: What is a coelacanth?

KEN JENNINGS: No.

MATT KING: Who is Thespius?

KEN JENNINGS: No, I'm sorry.

MATT KING: Who is press secretary?

KEN JENNINGS: No.

MATT KING: Where is [? my ?] [? trick? ?]

KEN JENNINGS: No.

MATT KING: What is 2045?

KEN JENNINGS: No.

KYLIE MAR: Viewers at home could relate to Matt's struggles. And while some felt bad for him, many fans respected his attempts to come back as did host Ken Jennings.

KEN JENNINGS: Matt, I'm afraid you took your swings. That's a strategy. It didn't always pay off. You were close so many times, but we're going to have to say goodbye to you here. You'll finish in third place with $1,000. Thanks for being with us.

KYLIE MAR: Several fans wondered if his score of negative $6,400 was the lowest in the game's history, but that honor belongs to a contestant who scored negative $7,400 during LeVar Burton's debut as guest host this summer. While Matt did manage to score less than cartoon character Marge Simpson, his negative $6,400 tied 2012 contestant Christy Gibson for a third lowest score ever. But regardless of the score, Matt got $1,000 and a chance to plug his Alma mater.

KEN JENNINGS: You're a Notre Dame graduate, and not the first in your family.

MATT KING: That's right. Third generation both sides. Both my parents went there. Both my grandfathers and aunt and uncle and hopefully all my kids.

KEN JENNINGS: I love it.