Jeopardy! Masters Executive Producer Shockingly Reveals How James Holzhauer Influenced 2025 Tournament Despite Rejecting Show’s Invitation

Jeopardy! legend James Holzhauer declined his invitation to compete in Jeopardy! Masters season 3, but he still had an influence on the show as he recommended someone to replace him. James is best known for his 32-game winning streak in 2019, during which he set multiple single-game winnings records and later won the Jeopardy! Tournament Of Champions. After he won Jeopardy! Masters season 1, he returned for season 2 and placed third behind winner Victoria Groce and runner-up Yogesh Raut. However, James decided to sit out Jeopardy! Masters season 3.

James Holzhauer suggested that the show reach out to a fellow Jeopardy! icon to take his place during Jeopardy! Masters season 3.

In a behind-the-scenes blog on the official Jeopardy! website, executive producer Michael Davies revealed that James suggested that the show reach out to fellow Jeopardy! icon, and host Ken Jennings’ biggest rival, Brad Rutter, to take his place in Jeopardy! Masters season 3. He wrote, “James Holzhauer, the 2023 Jeopardy! Masters champion and last year’s third-place finisher, declined our invitation to participate. Graciously, he recommended that we reach out to the person who has won more money playing Jeopardy! than any human (or computer) alive: Ken’s rival of 20 years, Brad Rutter.”

What James Holzhauer Recommending Brad Rutter Means For Jeopardy! Masters

It’s Exciting To See Brad Back On Jeopardy!

Brad has won the most money of any Jeopardy! player in history. He’s been Ken’s rival for 20 years as they’ve competed in various Jeopardy! tournaments together, including when they unsuccessfully battled IBM’s computer Watson in 2011. James’ recommendation of Brad for Jeopardy! Masters season 3 means that viewers will now be treated to Brad competing against several new Jeopardy! legends he’s never played with before, which will be an exciting test of his gameplay. Those contestants include Victoria, Yogesh, Roger Craig, Matt Amodio, Juveria Zaheer, Neilesh Vinjamuri, Adriana Harmeyer, and Isaac Hirsch.

Our Take On Ken Jennings’ Rival Brad Rutter Taking James Holzhauer’s Spot

It’s Already Been A Joy To See Ken & Brad Reunite

In 2020, Ken defeated both James and Brad when he placed first in the Jeopardy! Greatest Of All Time tournament, hosted by the beloved late Alex Trebek, taking home the $1 million prize. James placed second, while Brad came in third. Brad made his Jeopardy! Masters season 3 debut during episode 1, and, despite placing third in that first game, he definitely brought the entertainment value.

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Ken and Brad referenced their rivalry twice. At the beginning of the episode, Ken shared that it was his first time meeting Brad from the opposite side of the podium as host. Brad quipped that he was sure that Ken was thrilled to see him, to which Ken replied that it was always a delight.

During his interview with Ken, Brad joked that his goal for the tournament was to make fun of him, which made Ken laugh. Ken responded that he was sure he’d give Brad many opportunities to do so. It was fun to see this friendly competition between Ken and Brad, especially because James has declared himself to be a game show villain, and his brand of humor is missing from Jeopardy! Masters season 3. Brad was the perfect choice to replace James, proving that James is always full of genius ideas.