JEOPARDY!’s brand-new Invitational Tournament features a star-studded lineup of legendary contestants, but not everyone fans craved to see was all-in.

Here are the most surprising omissions from the lineup of 27 greats coming out of the woodwork to compete.

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Ken Jennings is hosting the Jeopardy! Invitational TournamentCredit: Getty

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Brad Rutter – who fared phenomenally poorly in 2020’s G.O.A.T – declined the eventCredit: Getty

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A contestant – who beat the famed James Holzhauer – also declined to appearCredit: Jeopardy!

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Emma also declined JIT, disappointing fans since she dethroned James Holzhauer in 2019Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Jeopardy! has assembled a jam-packed lineup for its first-ever Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament (JIT).

The JIT premiered on Wednesday, March 20, and unlike other tournaments this season, producers opened the floodgates to iconic older champions and all-time game show greats.

The lineup of 27 icons includes Sam Buttrey, Amy Schneider, Chuck Forrest of the “Forrest Bounce” and contestants-turned-Chasers like Brandon Blackwell and Victoria Groce.

That said, a few of Jeopardy!’s major stars did not show out for the thrilling mini-event, which determines a slot in May’s Jeopardy! Masters.

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NOT BRINGING BACK BRAD

Brad Rutter is the highest-money winner of all time across any TV game show after walking away with $5.1million, followed by host Ken Jennings with $4.3million and James Holzhauer with $2.9million.

He first competed in 2000 before the 5-game win cap was lifted and went on to win a slew of tournaments until losing phenomenally in 2020’s G.O.A.T against James and Ken.

Brad – now a chaser on the trivia show The Chase – hasn’t come back since or had any involvement with Jeopardy!.

Fans were shocked he wasn’t included in JIT since many expected this would be his big return, but he decided to turn it down.

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Show bosses Michael Davies and Sarah Whitcomb Foss revealed that Brad declined JIT on the latest episode of the Inside Jeopardy! podcast.

“Of course, there were folks who we reached out to who weren’t available for a number of different reasons.
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“I want to make sure everyone knows that Brad Rutter, Julia Collins, Roger Craig, and Emma Boettcher all did receive invites.

“And for a variety of reasons, they weren’t able to compete with us in this JIT, but we certainly hope we’ll be able to welcome them back at a future one.”

Fans took to social media, where Reddit users predicted that Brad’s decision to bow out is a hint he’s done with Jeopardy! for good.

“I don’t think we will see Brad again. He seemed embarrassed by the GOAT performance.

“I hope he does come back but I don’t think we will see him on the Alex Trebek Stage again,” one fan wrote.

Another said: “I’ll be shocked if we ever see Brad again. He has nothing to gain from entering any of these big mega tournaments, and really just everything to lose.”

A third lamented: “The Rutter era is over. It’s time for a new generation of champions.”

Others pointed out that he could still be the elusive Producer’s Pick for May’s Masters, but given the statement, it seems unlikely.

EMPTY WITHOUT EMMA

James Holzhauer won 32 games and a monster $2.4million in 2019, second in regular play earnings just behind now-host Ken.

Emma Boettcher from Georgia, who wrote her thesis on Jeopardy!, stunned viewers when she rolled up and beat him, making her a “Giant Killer.”

James’ defeat game was the most well-played in Jeopardy! history as it has the highest so-called group “Coryat” score in regular play history of $53,200.

Emma lost two games later but played so well that she was invited to that year’s Tournament of Champions – where she came in second to James.

As the bosses shared in their earlier statement, Emma also declined JIT for unknown reasons.

Fans were bummed out since if Emma won JIT, she’d go to Masters for a rematch against James.

“All things considered, as much as it sucks, we still have a stacked list for JIT!” one Reddit user wrote.

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Buzzy would have made a winning addition but may be too involved with the game show to competeCredit: Instagram/buzzycohenofficial

GETTING A BUZZ

Buzzy Cohen was a fan-favorite during the host search after Alex Trebek’s tragic death in 2020.

The nine-time champion and 2017 Tournament of Champions victor previously hosted the $250,000 ToC in 2021.

That said, Buzzy has since taken on a behind-the-scenes role with the game show, co-hosting the Inside Jeopardy! podcast.

He also lent a hand to Ken Jennings and guest-hosted some qualifying games for a tournament earlier this season after Mayim Bialik was fired.

It’s likely that given Buzzy has seen too much behind the curtain, he wasn’t allowed to jump in.

FORMAT AND SCHEDULE FOR JIT

The mini-tournament will run from Wednesday, March 20 until early April.

The prize will be $100,000 and a slot in Masters Season 2, which airs in May on ABC Primetime.

There will be nine quarterfinal games, three semifinals, and a best-of-four final.

This means that the legendary player who wins two final games wins the title first.

The now-annual throwdown will decide one of the six spots in Masters, with the first three going to last season’s finalists – Matt Amodio, winner James, and Mattea Roach.

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The other Master’s slots go to Yogesh Raut for winning the 2024 Tournament of Champions and a still-unannounced Producer’s Pick.

After JIT, regular episodes will finally resume for the first time this season.

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Emma has been known as a “Giant Killer” since beating JamesCredit: Youtube/ Jeopardy

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Some Chasers from The Chase will be competing while others declinedCredit: ABC

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JIT will be running from the end of March to early AprilCredit: Instagram/jeopardy