Jeopardy!’: Scott Riccardi Reveals Electrocution Shocker as He Eyes 12th Straight Victory

Among the most talked-about contestants in Jeopardy history, Scott Ricardi has emerged as a breakout star of Season 41. Hailing from Somerville, New Jersey, Ricardi has captivated audiences not just for his brilliant game performance, but also for a shocking (literally) story he shared on the show — he was once electrocuted on stage during high school.

With his 12th win on July 18, Ricardi officially broke into the top 20 all-time Jeopardy champions, with total winnings of $312,511. But beyond his trivia skills, it’s his personality, humor, and surprising anecdotes that have made him a fan favorite.

A High-Voltage High School Memory

During a light-hearted moment on the show, host Ken Jennings asked Ricardi to share a high school memory. What followed left the audience amused and a bit stunned. Scott recounted that while playing in the orchestra for school musicals, he accidentally got electrocuted on stage.

“During Rent, we were placed right on stage, inside a metal cage,” Ricardi explained. “Apparently, it wasn’t properly grounded, so every time someone stepped into it, they’d get a little shock. Then the next year, during rehearsals for The Addams Family, I tried to unplug a keyboard amp and got a serious jolt. I thought no one saw it until I looked over and saw a horrified freshman staring at me, mouth wide open.”

Jennings laughed and replied, “You’re definitely living an adventurous life. And now you’ve made it to the Alex Trebek stage.” Ricardi smiled and agreed, clearly enjoying the moment.

A Thrilling Run on Jeopardy

Professionally, Ricardi is an engineer — but he’s shown himself to be a trivia powerhouse. In his 12th game, he competed against Amin Ismile from Ottawa, Canada, and Julia Brousard from New Orleans, Louisiana. The game started off rough for Ricardi, who was in third place by the first commercial break after several unanswered questions.

However, he quickly turned the tide. Midway through the first round, Ricardi hit a Daily Double and answered correctly, pushing his total to $2,800 and taking the lead. He held that lead through the rest of the round, ending with $4,000, ahead of Ismile ($3,600) and Brousard ($1,800).

Double Jeopardy: High Stakes, Big Wins

In Double Jeopardy, Ricardi hit his stride. He answered three consecutive clues correctly before finding the first Daily Double of the round. Sitting at $8,800, he wagered $4,000. The clue, about a person who organizes and funds public events, was “impresario” — and he nailed it, boosting his score to $12,800.

Not long after, Ismile found the second Daily Double. At $5,200, he risked $5,000 but answered incorrectly, dropping down to $200. Meanwhile, Ricardi maintained control of the board and ended the round with a commanding $22,400. Brousard was second with $6,800, while Ismile had only $2,600.

Final Jeopardy: Victory Secured

The Final Jeopardy category was “Science Words.” The clue referenced a word coined by Isaac Asimov in 1941, based on one from a Czech playwright, for a field of science that didn’t yet exist. The answer was “robotics”, and all three contestants got it right.

Ismile wagered $15, finishing with $2,615. Brousard wagered nothing, ending with $6,800. Ricardi, ever the risk-taker, wagered $8,000, bringing his total winnings for the day to $30,400.

That brought his 12-day total to $312,511, moving him to #14 on the all-time leaderboard, according to The Jeopardy Fan.

Online Buzz and High Hopes for Season 42

Winning 12 Jeopardy games in a row is no small feat, and fans online were quick to show admiration. One Reddit user wrote, “Congrats to Scott! He makes it look so easy.” Another added, “There are only five episodes left this season. The way he’s playing, I think he could easily carry this into Season 42.”

With such momentum and only one more tape day left for the season, many believe Ricardi could extend his streak well into the next season — a feat achieved by only a handful of contestants in the show’s history.

More Than Just a Champion

What makes Ricardi stand out isn’t just his trivia knowledge, but his authenticity. From sharing a quirky story about getting shocked on stage to demonstrating cool composure in high-stakes moments, he brings a unique energy to the show.

His story — from an electrified high school musician to one of Jeopardy’s most successful modern contestants — is a reminder that success comes from curiosity, resilience, and the courage to be yourself.

What’s Next?

Scott Ricardi will return to the Jeopardy! stage for his 13th game on Monday, July 21st. All eyes will be on him to see if he can continue his remarkable streak and etch his name even deeper into game show history.

One thing is certain: win or lose, Ricardi has already become a beloved figure in the Jeopardy! community — and his journey is far from over.