As Oakland’s Amy Schneider returned to “Jeopardy!” Wednesday to compete in the show’s Tournament of Champions, she reflects in a new interview on her record-breaking winning streak that made her a national superstar and a transgender icon.
Schneider also expanded in the Daily Beast interview on why she thinks Ken Jennings is a better “Jeopardy!” host than Mayim Bialik, saying, “It’s not that I think she’s bad …”
It’s been nearly a year since Schneider began what would turn out to be a record-breaking, 40-game winning streak on the beloved game show, first appearing on Nov. 17, 2021. By winning so many games in a row, Schneider enjoyed the longest winning streak for a woman on “Jeopardy!” and comes behind only Jennings in total wins. Regarded as one of the show’s most popular ever contestants, she racked up other accolades. Her winnings totaled $1,382,800, making her the highest earning female contestant in the show’s history and the fourth highest earning contestant during regular play.
Now, she becomes the first openly transgender person to participate in the Tournament of Champions. Anyone who has won five or more games qualifies for the tournament.
This year, Schneider faces off against some of the most decorated players of all time, although not Jennings, who will be hosting the tourney, the Daily Beast said. Other recent landmark winners from last season returning for the competition include Matt Amodio, who had a streak of 38 wins last year, and Andrew He, who nearly beat Schneider in her very first game.
“These are all people that have earned a certain intimidation factor of their own,” Schneider told the Daily Beast.
In the interview, Schneider also shared her view on what’s become a fierce debate among “Jeopardy!” fans: Who is the better host, Jennings or Bialik. The two were named to share hosting duties following the 2020 death of the legendary Alex Trebek.
In a Reddit AMA last month, Schneider said, “Ken in a landslide. No offense to Mayim, but Ken just ‘is’ Jeopardy in a way that can’t easily be replicated.” Her response pleased many joining in the AMA. With the Daily Beast, she further explained that preference.
“She’s certainly a fine host, and I know people prefer her. I can see why,” Schneider said. “The thing about it, to me, is that Ken has that deep knowledge of ‘Jeopardy!’ He has a love for it. He has an intuitive feeling for the flow of the game and can comment on it. The job of ‘Jeopardy!’ host is partly host, partly play-by-play commentator on how things are going, and I think he handles that balance really well. It’s not so much that Mayim isn’t good as I think Ken is extra good.”
In the interview, Schneider also talked about how her life had changed since she became famous on “Jeopardy!”
“When I’m outside of my apartment, there’s a chance that I’ll be recognized,” Schneider said. “I have to be ready for that, no matter what else is going on with me.”
“The main thing is really just having the freedom to do what I want to do, having that financial cushion to quit my day job and see what else in the world I can accomplish,” Schneider added. “It’s not something I expected to happen in my life. It’s been really exciting to go out there and not have to worry about making rent ever.”
Source: www.mercurynews.com