Why Jeopardy isn’t on the air this summer and when it will return with new episodes

The series’ 41st season concluded in dramatic fashion with super-champ Scott Riccardi losing after a 16-game winning streak.

Ken Jennings hosting ‘Jeopardy’. Credit:Christopher Willard/Disney

Jeopardy is on summer vacation.

The long-running game show, which has become an American institution over the course of its 41 seasons on television, is taking a break this summer. Season 41 officially concluded on Friday, which means viewers tuning in to the question-and-answer contest on Monday may be disappointed and surprised to call up a rerun.

Here’s why Jeopardy is taking the rest of the summer off, and when fans can expect season 42 to commence.

Since Jeopardy first entered daily syndication in 1984, the series has launched new seasons in September, and ended them in summer. Some seasons end in June, others in July and August, but 41 seasons of Jeopardy in a row have all kicked off in September.

Viewers tuning into their local network that carries the program can expect to see reruns until Jeopardy and its host, Ken Jennings, return for season 42 on Sept. 8.

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Season 41 concluded on a dramatic note on Friday when 16-game super champion Scott Riccardi finally lost to opponent Jonathan Hugendubler — by $1.

‘Jeopardy’ super-champ Scott Riccardi won 16 games.Jeopardy!

Riccardi had amassed a fortune in winnings over the course of his four-week streak, totaling $455,000. His victory in 16 consecutive games inducted him into several exclusive clubs peopled by past Jeopardy champs, including becoming an official “super champion,” meaning he won at least 10 games in a row.

Riccardi dominated Friday’s game as he had the last 16 in a row, entering Final Jeopardy with a $10,000 lead over Hugendubler, his closest competition. The clue for the “20th Century Names” category read, “According to one obituary, in 1935 he owned 13 magazines, eight radio stations, two movie companies, and $56 million in real estate.” The correct answer was William Randolph Hearst, but Riccardi guessed, “Who is Howard Hughes?”

Hugendubler went home that night’s champion, but Riccardi will be memorialized in Jeopardy history in perpetuity.

Jeopardy returns for season 42 on September 8. Check your local listings to see when and where the nationally syndicated game show airs.