'Jeopardy!' Catholic Priest Speaks Out After Loss to Super Champ Jamie Ding

Fr. Paul Baker came in second after getting the final clue wrong, as 11-day champion Jamie Ding extended his winning streak.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:57pm

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Losing on Jeopardy! is bad enough, but to lose to an 11-day champion is even tougher. Fr. Paul Baker, who lost to super champion Jamie Ding, spoke out about coming in second. After getting the final clue wrong on March 30, Fr. Baker ended with $9,999. Ding became a 12-day champion with a combined total of $314,440.

Why it matters

Jeopardy! is one of the most iconic game shows on television, and super champions who can win multiple days in a row generate a lot of excitement and interest among viewers. Fr. Baker's loss to the long-running champion Ding is a notable moment in the show's history.

The details

In the March 30 episode, Fr. Baker was unable to correctly answer the final clue, resulting in a win for Ding and extending his 11-day championship streak. Ding's total winnings now stand at $314,440 after 12 days on the show.

  • On March 30, 2026, Fr. Paul Baker lost to 11-day champion Jamie Ding on Jeopardy!.
  • Ding became a 12-day champion with a combined total of $314,440 in winnings.

The players

Fr. Paul Baker

A Catholic priest who competed on Jeopardy! and came in second place after getting the final clue wrong.

Jamie Ding

An 11-day Jeopardy! champion who extended his winning streak to 12 days by defeating Fr. Baker, taking home a combined total of $314,440 in winnings.

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What they’re saying

“I think, considering that, I managed to do decently well at the game.”

— Fr. Paul Baker

The takeaway

Fr. Baker's loss to the long-running champion Ding highlights the excitement and drama that super champions can bring to Jeopardy!, one of the most iconic game shows on television.