Final Jeopardy! Today delivered a clean literary closer on Friday, November 14, 2025 (Season 42, Game 50), with returning champion Harrison Whitaker facing Sarah Khan and Brent Steele under the category “21st Century Novels.” The clue read: “Part 1 of this novel is Toronto & Pondicherry; Part 2 is the Pacific Ocean.”
All three wrote on the same wavelength, but only two locked onto the exact title. Harrison Whitaker solved it with “What is The Life of Pi?” to finish at $24,799 and post a four-day total of $116,600. Sarah Khan also converted with “What is Life of Pi?” to reach $14,001, while Brent Steele missed with “What is Eat, Pray, Love?” and ended at $4,599.
Harrison defended his 3-day champion streak against Khan and Steele. The exact two-part geography is baked into the clue.
Who played today — and how they finished (November 14)
- Harrison Whitaker — researcher originally from Terre Haute, Indiana; entered as a 3‑day champ ($91,801), won with $24,799 (4‑day total: $116,600).
- Sarah Khan — graduate student originally from Toronto, Ontario, Canada; finished at $14,001.
- Brent Steele — environmental engineer from Sellersburg, Indiana; finished at $4,599.
Final Jeopardy! responses and wagers:
- Brent: $7,000 – $2,401 = $4,599 (“What is Eat, Pray, Love?”)
- Sarah: $9,400 + $4,601 = $14,001 (“What is Life of Pi?”)
- Harrison: $21,800 + $2,999 = $24,799 (“What is The Life of Pi?”)
Category recap — “21st Century Novels”
The two‑part structure in the clue pointed straight to Yann Martel’s Booker Prize–winning novel Life of Pi, whose sweeping journey aligns with the locations cited: “Toronto & Pondicherry” in Part 1 and “the Pacific Ocean” in Part 2.
Contestant breakdown (hometowns & occupations)
- Harrison Whitaker — researcher; Terre Haute, Indiana. (Career stats through 11/14: 117 correct, 11 incorrect; 5/6 rebounds on 15 opportunities; 46.93% first on buzzer (107/228); 5/11 Daily Doubles, net +$1,200; 4/4 in Final Jeopardy; average Coryat $25,250.)
- Sarah Khan — graduate student; Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Career: 14 correct, 1 incorrect; 2/2 rebounds on 3 opportunities; 21.05% first on buzzer (12/57); 0/0 Daily Doubles; 1/1 in Final Jeopardy; average Coryat $9,400.)
- Brent Steele — environmental engineer; Sellersburg, Indiana. (Career: 15 correct, 3 incorrect; 0/0 rebounds on 2 opportunities; 29.82% first on buzzer (17/57); 0/0 Daily Doubles; 0/1 in Final Jeopardy; average Coryat $7,000.)
Note: Ages were not confirmed in the sources for the November 14 broadcast.
Why Harrison’s line worked
Down the stretch, the conservative cap bet — a $2,999 wager from a $21,800 lead — protected against a miss while still sealing a runaway if correct. With the book identified, the total landed on $24,799 and pushed the champion’s tally to a four‑day $116,600.
Final Jeopardy! Today — November 14 takeaway
Final Jeopardy! Today served up a fair, well‑signposted closer. The geography breadcrumb (“Toronto & Pondicherry” / “Pacific Ocean”) led two players to Life of Pi; accuracy plus prudent wagering kept Harrison’s streak alive into Monday.
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