JEOPARDY! contestant Dave Rapp has left fans buzzing with a wild red mohawk and an even wilder comeback on Wednesday's episode.
Dave revealed he was "told" to redye his hair for Champions Wildcard before going all-in on a Daily Double just moments from Final Jeopardy!.
The writer from Valley Village, California, faced Nancy Donehower, a retired college admission counselor from Portland, Oregon, and Dana Hill, a stay-at-home mom from Thousand Oaks, California.
The past players were invited to Champions Wildcard by being brief winners from Seasons 37 or 38, and Dave boasted the best stats going in with three wins and $69,200 in 2022.
Dave also boasted a bright red mohawk, which host Ken Jennings, 49, couldn't ignore during their interview.
He explained: “The mohawk is a different color. When I came on before, it was purple, my favorite color."
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However, he was asked to change the color for his return: "I was told that it blended into the set too much.
"But I wouldn't want to be accused of being subtle," he joked, "So I went to my daughters and came up with a look that really popped this time."
Ken replied on Dave's new look: “It really does, and we could have changed the color of the set for you. We are flexible," adding it “looks great.”
'THAT'S A BIG RISK'
Going into Double Jeopardy!, Dave had $5,600, Dana had $5,000, and Nancy had $2,800.
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Dana began pulling ahead while Dave dropped a big $5000 on the second Daily Double.
He fell to third place and was $12,000 off the lead with just a few clues left.
But much like his hair, that was all about to change.
With just two clues left, Dave found the last Daily Double and Dana had $13,400, Nancy $8,400 and he had built back to $9000.
Dave shocked the audience by going all-in and one of his opponents said: “Wow, way to go" off camera. “That’s a big risk,” Ken warned.
Under: “I’m On The Case,” the clue read: “Brush up on Earl Warren's opinion for the 5-4 majority in 1966 on this man v. Arizona, regarding police questioning.”
Dave was correct instantly, with “Miranda,” leaping to $18,000 and the lead as the audience roared.
Scores going into Final Jeopardy: Dave suddenly had $18,400, Dana and Nancy $8,400.
Final Jeopardy! Under “21st Century Presidential Elections,” read: “It was the first election since 1952 in which neither the incumbent president nor the incumbent vice president was a candidate.”
Nancy was incorrect with “2004,” dropping $2000; Dana didn't finish her response losing all her earnings and looking peeved.
Dave sealed the deal by being the only one correct with “2008” referring to Obama and McCain, adding $10,000 and reacting in near-tears as he won.
FANS REACT TO SHOCK WINNING MOVE
One fan wrote in a Reddit thread after the episode aired: “Rooting for Dave, for obvious reasons!
Another post read: “Who wouldn’t be rooting for Dave after that? Way to go!"
A third wrote: “A MASSIVE TRUE DAILY DOUBLE IN THE WANING MOMENTS!
A fourth wrote: “Loved Dave's emotional reaction at the end, he earned that win for sure."
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Dave will advance to the event's semifinals, inching closer to a Tournament of Champions slot and $100,000.
The win was also a sigh of relief after fan-favorite Hari Parameswan's upset loss last night after dominating the earlier Second Chance Tournament, which opened Season 40.
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