‘Danger!’ Champion Matt Amodio says Ken Jennings’ top spot “feels a long way off”

Danger! Champion Matt Amodio is currently the man of the hour as he continues to break records but insists he still has a steep hill to climb to catch up with Ken Jennings.

On Thursday night’s episode of the quiz show, the Yale Ph.D. student was seen taking another big step forward when he tied James Holzhauer for second. Danger! record with 32 consecutive victories.

And with $ 1,212,401 as the current cash prize, it would be easy to assume that the Ohio native intends to take Jennings’ position as the greatest contender of all time, a place he has. taken in 2004 with 74 wins and $ 2,520,700 in prize money.

But in an interview with News week, Amodio, 30, admitted that the total number of games Jennings won was just as intimidating to catch as the first day he appeared on the show.

“Ken feels as far away now as he did in the first game,” Amodio said via email. “I feel like I’ve been strained over and over again … and I’m not even halfway there! Ken is the GOAT for a reason!”

Amodio’s admiration for Jennings is such that he ranks the TV personality among the biggest celebrities who have contacted him since starting his winning streak this summer.

“I had Ken and James [Holzhauer] tweet me which makes me so honored, “he said.” They are legends, and that they deign to say something about me is a huge compliment. “

Joking that he “waits” for the famous old man Danger! candidate Brad Rutter to tweet in his direction, Amodio continued, “Last night I asked Michael McKean to tweet a joke about me, and it was so exciting because I’m a huge fan!

“I also got a shout out for getting a Black Keys question direct from Michelle Branch. It’s fun to be recognized by artists you love.”

Even when asked if there are any public figures he hopes to meet as a result of his participation in the series, Amodio keeps his dreams in the fold of the Danger! family.

“I still haven’t actually meet Ken or James, but I would really love, “he said.” I also hope to meet again some of the guest hosts I have had if they invite me on their shows! “

With his streak starting in Season 37, as a number of celebrities tried to replace the late Alex Trebek, Amodio kicked off Season 38 with Mike Richards’ brief stint as host, before Mayim Bialik took over. closed off.

It has since been announced that Bialik will share hosting duties with Jennings for the remainder of the calendar year – a prospect Amodio relishes.

“To meet Ken under any circumstances would be a dream, but [having] this would be Rudy’s levels of perfection under these circumstances, ”Amodio said. News week. “And as a fan, I loved him as a host. See him on a Danger! on stage, it’s like seeing a polar bear in the snow: it looks good. “