Why Did Ben Chan Miss His 'Jeopardy!' Episode? Here's The Full Story

Lukas Jast 14 May 2025

If you're a devoted 'Jeopardy!' fan, you know how exciting it is to cheer on a contestant who's on a winning streak. Enter Ben Chan, the philosophy professor from St. Norbert College who had everyone buzzing after securing a three-game winning streak on the iconic quiz show. But when Ben didn't appear on the episode airing Monday, April 17, viewers were left scratching their heads. What happened to Ben Chan, and why was he absent from the show he's dominated so brilliantly? Let's dive deeper into the details.

Why Was Ben Chan Missing From 'Jeopardy!'?

The episode started off with a fresh lineup of three new contestants: Madeleine McKenna, Daniel Ciarrocchi, and Toni Van Kampen. Right off the bat, host Ken Jennings addressed the elephant in the room — Ben Chan's conspicuous absence.

"Sharp-eyed 'Jeopardy!' fans might have already noticed something unusual. Johnny Gilbert, our beloved announcer, didn’t mention a returning champion or their winnings when introducing the players," Ken explained, setting the stage for some clarity. "But here's the thing: loyal and eagle-eyed 'Jeopardy!' fans will recall that last week, Friday's episode wrapped up with Ben Chan clinching his third runaway victory. So, what gives?"

ken-jennings-today-jeopardY — Seth Wenig/AP/Shutterstock (

Ken continued, "It turns out that, on rare occasions in 'Jeopardy!' history, the reigning champion is unable to make the trip to the show. That’s exactly what happened this week," he reassured fans. "But don’t worry — Ben will be back on the show at a later date!"

The episode moved forward with the three new contestants, and Daniel Ciarrocchi emerged victorious in Final Jeopardy. He'll return as the champion in the next episode, keeping the competitive spirit alive until Ben's return.

When Is Ben Chan Coming Back to 'Jeopardy!'

Ben Chan himself later stepped forward to clarify why he didn't return for his fourth appearance on the show as scheduled.

"Before the taping of yesterday’s episode, I tested positive for COVID. Thankfully, it was a mild case. As you can see, I’m doing great now, and most importantly, my buzzer finger is in perfect shape!" Ben joked during a virtual appearance on Good Day Wisconsin on April 18. "I’m thrilled to watch what unfolds over the next few weeks and see who I’ll be competing against on May 15."

Living in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Ben has already racked up $69,001 in winnings from 'Jeopardy!' and has been overwhelmed by the incredible support from fans.

"My main goal going into the competition was to be thoroughly prepared and to play with joy. If I could accomplish those two things, I knew I wouldn’t have any regrets," Ben shared in an interview with the Green Bay Press-Gazette on April 4. "The preparation process was incredibly rewarding. I learned so much about topics I should have known years ago, and I discovered some fantastic study tools that I plan to share with my students. It’s been an amazing journey!"