Austin Rogers, a 38 year old bartender from upper Manhattan, is on an 11-day winning streak on Jeopardy. So far he has won well over $400,000.
It might be the most impressive thing I’ve seen since Nick Saban pulled off a perfect drift on a go-cart.
I’ve been with Austin since day 1. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a huge Jeopardy girl. It’s the quickest way to unwind after a long day while also enriching your brain with some cocktail party knowledge. So when I first saw this guy back in September, I took note. I know a champ when I see one. And Austin is it.
#austinonjeopardy is single-handedly getting me through this dark period of life. Austin Rogers, never stop annoying Alec, & be my friend. pic.twitter.com/MymvKcq1yx
— Liz Woodruff (@thelizness999) October 4, 2017
On his first appearance, he dropped his clicker because he was so excited to win a Daily Double. He also let out a string of expletives. On Jeopardy. Savage move. Not even Trebek minded.
Everyone take notes. This is a 17 minute clip of what a champion looks like. I will be referencing it frequently for the rest of my time on earth.
On the second day, he referenced Caddyshack which is a natural win in my book. It totally went over Trebek’s head but I’ll let it slide.
He has electric outbursts when he (rarely) gets something wrong, and really cool celebrations when he nails a question. He even orders Trebek around like he’s running the show (he is).
AUSTIN ROGERS FAN CLUB ROLL CALL let’s get day 7!! #jeopardy #austinrogers pic.twitter.com/ijalG6CWRC
— Marlee Brannock (@_marleebee) October 4, 2017
He’s also clearly a fan favorite. One guy in the crowd couldn’t contain his excitement when Austin won $69,000 in one day.
Nice.
Trebek can’t even contain his developing admiration for Austin. “He’s got hair, he’s got chutzpah, and broad based knowledge. A bit of a showman in him. Our champion, Austin.”
It’s not just Trebek that loves him, though. He’s been interviewed on Good Morning America and CNBC, and is James Corden’s new favorite person.
He does have some haters, namely one loser who’s just tired of winning:
Really, Austin is the perfect Trump-era Jeopardy champion: a (now) rich asshole who inexplicably keeps winning.
— Jesse Oxfeld (@joxfeld) October 10, 2017
But he’s obviously mostly loved and widely regarded. And for good reason. He’s modest, charming, and completely out of control.
Austin Rogers eats up contestants, chews them up, & spits them out. Those who play against him are not worthy. #austinonjeopardy #Jeopardy pic.twitter.com/RgxsNdw6C9
— Al C. Junior (@OfficialMisterC) October 3, 2017
His secret to success is “being naturally intelligent and having an encyclopedic knowledge or everything [but] modesty is not a requisite for winning ‘Jeopardy!’. I mean, I have it, of course, but it’s not a requisite.”
Total baller.
If you care about your happiness, tune into Jeopardy tonight.
And that’s win number 11. Well done Austin Rivers! (Mr. Trebek has a brain fart, it happens.) #austinonjeopardy #Jeopardy #AustinRogers pic.twitter.com/2wcXy2sSrp
— Al C. Junior (@OfficialMisterC) October 11, 2017