Final Jeopardy: Writers In Residence (4-9-26)

The Final Jeopardy question (4/9/2026) in the category “Writers In Residence” was:

In 1759 he purchased Ferney, the French home where he lived for 2 decades, largely because of its proximity to the Swiss border

19X champ Jamie Ding, a bureaucrat & law student from Lawrenceville, NJ, has now won $539,573, after finishing in second place for the first time yesterday. In Game 20, his challengers are: Alexandra Leith, a national account manager orig. from Dedham, MA; and Prithish David, a financial advisory consultant from Washington, DC.

If Jamie wins today, he’ll tie Julia Collins’ 20x record from 12 years ago. (He already beat her 20x winnings of $428,100.)

Round 1 Categories: Also Found in A Theater – Leo-Pourri-O – Allow Me to Interject – Song Lyrics – Young Adult Fiction – 5 Blunders of the Ancient World

Jamie found the Jeopardy! round Daily Double in “Allow Me to Interject” under the $800 clue on the 20th pick of the round. He was in the lead with $4,000, $1,400 more than Prithish in second place. Jamie made it a true Daily Double and he was RIGHT.

A 2009 article in the NYT Magazine explored how this word denoting lack of success “went from verb to interjection” show
WHAT IS FAIL?

Jamie finished in the lead with $8,800. Prithish was in second place with $3,400. Alexandra was last with $800. All clues were shown.

Round 2 Categories: Science of the 1800s – Suspected of Left-Handedness – “A” City to Remember – Literal Latin – Americans in Paris – Champagne Problems

Alexandra found the first Daily Double in “‘A’ City to Remember” under the $1,600 clue on the 1st pick of the round. She was in last place with $800, $8,000 less than Jamie’s lead. Alexandra bet $2,000 and she was RIGHT.

Great Scot! It sits upon the rivers Dee & Don on the North Sea show
WHAT IS ABERDEEN?

Jamie got the last Daily Double in “Americans in Paris” under the $1,200 clue on the 14th pick of the round. In the lead with $19,200, he had $13,400 more than Prithish in second place. Jamie bet $3,800 and he was RIGHT.

This expat, writer & salon host is said to have sat for Picasso 90 times before he finally finished her portrait show
WHO IS GERTRUDE STEIN?

Jamie finished in the lead with a runaway $32,200. Prithish was in second place with $6,600. Alexandra was last with $6,000. All clues were shown.

Only ONE of the contestants got Final Jeopardy! right.

WHO IS VOLTAIRE?

Voltaire, 18th century French Enlightenment writer and philosopher, lived at the Prussian court from 1750 to 1753 until his relationship with Frederick II went sour. Unwelcome in Paris, Voltaire moved to what was then the Republic of Geneva, but felt stifled due to the Calvinist ban on public theatre. Voltaire bought a chateau in Ferney, a tiny hamlet on the French side of the France-Geneva border.

Voltaire built a life for himself at the chateau and lived there for 20 years. During that time, he undertook transforming Ferney with such projects as building homes and supporting businesses. After Voltaire died in 1778 at age 83 on a trip to Paris, the town renamed itself Ferney-Voltaire in his honor. However, it didn’t become official until the 100th anniversary of Voltaire’s death.

Alexandra had no response. She lost $601 and finished with $5,399.

Prithish went with (Johann David) Wyss (“Swiss Family Robinson” author). That only cost him $100. He finished with $6,500.

Jamie got it right. He bet $827 and won the game with $33,027. Jamie’s 20-day total is $572,600.

Final Jeopardy (4/9/2026) Jamie Ding, Alexandra Leith, Prithish David

A triple stumper from the last round:

SUSPECTED OF LEFT-HANDEDNESS ($2000) This man of many media, including TV’s “Catch a Contractor”, confesses when he talks about having to use a right-handed saw

LITERAL LATIN ($400) Meaning “Our Father”, it’s another name for the Lord’s prayer

More clues on Page 2

2 years ago: TWO of the players got this FJ in “SPACE SHUTTLES”