**‘Jeopardy!’ Fans React After Spotting Ex-Champ Competing on ‘The Floor’**In a delightful twist for trivia enthusiasts, former ‘Jeopardy!’ champion David Madden has resurfaced on the game show circuit, this time competing on Fox’s ‘The Floor.’ Fans of the iconic quiz show were quick to recognize Madden, who previously made headlines for his impressive 19-day winning streak on ‘Jeopardy!’ back in 2005. His return to the spotlight has sparked a wave of nostalgia and excitement among viewers, eager to see how he fares in this new competitive arena.

Madden’s journey on ‘Jeopardy!’ is nothing short of remarkable. With a total of $432,400 in winnings, he ranks among the top players in the show’s history, tied for the eighth-longest streak with fellow contestant Jason Zuffranieri. His tenure on ‘Jeopardy!’ included a memorable defeat at the hands of Victoria Groce, followed by a stint in the 2006 Tournament of Champions, where he fell short in the semifinals. Most recently, he participated in the 2024 ‘Jeopardy!’ Invitational Tournament, adding another $10,000 to his impressive total earnings of $785,733.33.

Now, Madden is taking on a different challenge on ‘The Floor,’ a game show that pits contestants against each other in a battle of knowledge across various categories. The format is unique: 100 contestants enter with their areas of expertise, and they must outlast their opponents to claim victory. The show’s third season premiered on February 9, immediately following Super Bowl LIX, and promised to deliver even tougher categories than before.

Hosted by Rob Lowe, the first episode featured a range of challenging topics, including Marvel, Sports MVPs, and European Geography—Madden’s specialty. As Lowe introduced the categories, Madden’s confident demeanor and knowing smile hinted at his readiness to tackle the competition. “You’re sending off intimidating vibes already,” Lowe remarked, to which Madden replied, “The plan is working,” raising his eyebrows in playful acknowledgment.

Despite his confidence, Madden was not selected to compete in the initial rounds of the episode. He was frequently mentioned as a potential challenger, but contestants opted for categories that did not include him. “I feel very confident that people are going to leave me and my category alone for a while,” he stated, revealing a strategic approach to the game. Many fans speculated that his expertise in European Geography might deter others from challenging him, at least until the randomizer selected him.

The reaction from ‘Jeopardy!’ fans on social media platforms like Reddit was immediate and enthusiastic. One user posted, “David Madden is on S3 of The Floor. His category is European Geography,” sparking a lively discussion among fans. Comments ranged from recognition of Madden’s prowess to predictions about his chances in the competition. “Given that category, it seems highly unlikely that anyone will challenge him. We probably won’t see him play until the randomizer chooses him,” one fan noted, while another chimed in, “I watched the 1st episode and recognized him right away.”

Madden’s presence on ‘The Floor’ is not just a nostalgic moment for ‘Jeopardy!’ fans; it also highlights the crossover appeal of trivia-based game shows. The current season of ‘The Floor’ features a diverse cast, including contestants from ‘The Bachelor’ franchise, an Olympian, and even Brian O’Halloran, known for his role as Dante in the ‘Clerks’ movies. This eclectic mix adds an extra layer of excitement to the competition, as viewers are treated to a variety of personalities and expertise.

As the season unfolds, fans are eagerly anticipating Madden’s performance and hoping to see him in action. His strategic mindset and extensive knowledge make him a formidable contender, and many are curious to see how he navigates the challenges ahead.

For those interested in catching Madden’s latest endeavor, ‘The Floor’ airs on Fox on Wednesdays at 9 PM EST. As he steps back into the competitive arena, viewers can expect a thrilling blend of strategy, knowledge, and perhaps a few surprises along the way. Whether he emerges victorious or not, one thing is certain: David Madden’s return to the game show world is a moment worth celebrating for trivia lovers everywhere.

‘Jeopardy!’ Fans React After Spotting Ex-Champ Competing on ‘The Floor’

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From answering “What is…?” before every question to having to identify multiple items in a category, Jeopardy! player David Madden has found himself on Season 3 of The Floor and fans recognized him right away.

Madden is a former 19-day champion on Jeopardy! and holds the eighth-longest streak in show history, in which he is tied with Jason Zuffranieri. He is only behind all time greats including current host Ken Jennings, Amy Schneider, Matt Amodio, James Holzhauer, Mattea Roach, Cris Pannullo, and Julia Collins.

He first competed on Jeopardy! in 2005, and had a winning streak of 19 total games, with a total of $432, 400. Madden was defeated by Victoria Groce. He then went on to compete in the 2006 Tournament of Champions, but lost the semifinal match. Madden recently returned for the 2024 Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament but failed to win his match and took home an additional $10,000. This brought the contestant’s total earnings to $785,733.33.

Now, the art historian is putting his knowledge to the test once again on another game show. The Floor has 100 people who all come with expert categories. They face off against another person and whoever is left standing when the clock runs out, remains in the game until one person takes over the entire floor.

Season 3, Episode 1 premiered after The Super Bowl LIX ended on Sunday, February 9, and it promised “harder than ever categories.” Host Rob Lowe stood in front of the contestants and shouted out some categories including Marvel, Sports MVPs, and European Geography, which the crowd reacted to in a not-so-positive way.

Madden is the player who is connected to that category and he gave a sinister smile as Lowe called him out.

“You’re sending off intimidating vibes already,” he said.

“The plan is working,” David responded with a raise of his eyebrows.

“I really hope that all of you play aggressively because by the end of the night eight of you will be gone,” Lowe told the contestants.

Madden did not get picked by the randomizer or his fellow contestants to be challenged on the first episode. He was an option to be picked many times, but the contestants picked the categories around him.

“I feel very confident that people are going to leave me and my category alone for a while,” Madden said. “It’s part of my strategy.”

Many fans think that he will only be picked if the randomizer gets him because his category is tough.

Reddit users recognized Madden right away and started a conversation about it on the platform.

“David Madden is on S3 of The Floor. His category is European Geography,” the original poster wrote.

“Given that category, it seems highly unlikey that anyone will challenge him. We probably won’t see him play until the randomizer chooses him,” a fan commented.

“I watched the 1st episode and recognized him right away,” replied another user. They also recognized another contestant – Brian O’Halloran. who plays Dante in the Clerks movies.

Contestants from The Bachelor Franchise, an Olympian, and a Harlem Globetrotter are also on this season.

Watch Madden try to conquer The Floor on Fox on Wednesdays at 9pm est.