History is made on 'Jeopardy!' during LeVar Burton's debut as guest host

LeVar Burton made his highly-anticipated debut as a fill-in Jeopardy! host Monday. And while it remains to be seen if the episode broke any ratings records, which is what his fans are hoping to do, we do know that a different kind of record was broken: for lowest score ever.

The contestant who accomplished this feat is Patrick Pearce, a product specialist from Fountain View, California. And with his amount of wrong answers dipping into double digits, he was climbing out of the hole most of the night before taking a major blow during a Daily Double toward the end. And then it was a question about US government buildings overseas that finally put him into record breaking territory.

Pearce’s $-7,400 breaks a record previously held by Stephanie Hull since March 12th, 2015, when she posted $-6,800, according to a write up in Slate.

Video transcript

- LeVar Burton.

- Thank you, Johnny. As a longtime viewer of the show, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to guest host "Jeopardy."

- It was LeVar Burton's highly anticipated debut as a fill-in "Jeopardy" host Monday. And while it remains to be seen if the show broke any ratings records because, judging by the amount of love he's getting, that could very well happen, we do know that a different kind of record was broken. The one for lowest score ever.

LEVAR BURTON: Patrick.

- What is a gopher?

LEVAR BURTON: No. Patrick.

- What is shell?

LEVAR BURTON: No. Patrick.

- What are cows and sheep?

LEVAR BURTON: No. Patrick.

- What is it--

LEVAR BURTON: No.

- The contestant is Patrick Pearce, a product specialist from Fountain View, California, and with his amount of wrong answers dipping into double digits, he was climbing out of the hole most of the night before taking a major blow during a Daily Double. And it was a question about US government buildings overseas that finally put him into record-breaking territory.

LEVAR BURTON: Patrick.

- What is Kennebunkport?

LEVAR BURTON: No. Kathleen?

- What is Dublin?

LEVAR BURTON: Yes.

KYLIE MAR: Patrick's negative $7,400 breaks a record previously held by Stephanie Hull since March 12, 2015, when she posted negative $6,800, according to a write up in "Slate Magazine." Of course, viewers on Twitter took notice of Patrick's accomplishments with comments like, "lowest Jeopardy score ever should be his new Bumble bio." And, "I feel so bad for Patrick. His nerves really got to him. Maybe Jeopardy can do a second chance tournament???" And on what was supposed to be LeVar Burton's big night, one fan said it perfectly with, "wait, did I, and probably a whole lotta other folks, just tune in for the first time in a LONG time to watch the lowest recorded score in Jeopardy history? If so, now I feel even worse for Patrick."

[BEEPING]

LEVAR BURTON: That means we're out of time. And unfortunately, Patrick, you're in the negative and won't be joining us for Final Jeopardy.