A good sport: Strong finish to Waltham woman’s ‘Jeopardy’ run

If you’re ever at Tempo on Moody Street for trivia night, you’ll be up against stiff competition if resident Abigail Arnold – a veteran “Jeopardy!” contestant – joins the game.

A longtime Brandeis academic administrator, Arnold recently vied for the top prize in the Second Chance Tournament of the popular game show, after previously playing in 2024 (with the shows airing in 2025). Although she did not make it to the Tournament of Champions, she did win $15,000 in prize money and came away with a sense of accomplishment.

It felt “amazing … so redemptive,” to be asked to play again, she said.

Sworn to secrecy about revealing the game results, Arnold could finally speak about her experience to The Waltham Times on Saturday, Jan. 2.

The Monday, Dec. 29, show was a highlight during her experience. The winning category that day was “Women of the Bible,” in which she got every answer right, including a Daily Double.

Although she won that game, she ultimately came in second during that week’s finals and will not be moving on to the next round.

“I feel no regrets,” said Arnold, whose parents and college friend accompanied her on her return trip to Culver City, Calif., for the taping. They supported her by wearing shirts with her face on it.

“They loved it,” Arnold said of her mini fan club.

In addition to winning $15,000, Arnold also bonded with her fellow contestants.

“It’s nice to meet friends from different places,” she said.

Her Jeopardy! journey

As for advice to other “Jeopardy!” hopefuls, Arnold said to “be a curious person, read a lot, [and] watch movies.”

She also cautioned that it may take time to be chosen as a contestant – if you’re chosen at all.

Arnold’s own journey to “Jeopardy!,” which first aired on March 30, 2025, took its own time. After trying out three times starting in 2021, she finally was asked to compete in December 2024. Her episode didn’t air until March 2025.

She was delighted to be asked to return in October 2025, although she said, “It was a little more tense” during the second-chance games. Fortunately, the “Jeopardy!” staff “make you feel so at ease the whole time you’re there.”

Arnold prepared in much the same way as she did in 2024, by using a homemade “buzzer” – a spring-loaded toilet paper holder – to make sure she was fast enough, as the Times previously reported.

She also practiced how to make the most strategic bets if she got a chance to do so.

A fan of “Jeopardy!” since her college days, Arnold said she will still watch other contestants try their luck.

“I love the show,” she said.