Cape native finishes third on 'Jeopardy!'

Kent Buxton, formerly of Cape Girardeau, made his “Jeopardy!” debut Monday.

Unfortunately, because he finished third, his first appearance on the show also will be his last for the time being.

Buxton, a medical student in Kansas City, Missouri, went to the taping in Los Angeles despite important exams awaiting him back home.

“I flew out to L.A. to tape the show two days before a microbiology exam that I wasn’t totally prepared for and studied for most of my day in L.A.,” Buxton said in an email.

Buxton’s father, Kirk Buxton of Cape Girardeau, and his uncle flew to L.A. to attend the show.

Behind the scenes, Buxton was randomly selected from a group of 12 contestants to play the first game of the week. He battled against the returning champion, a college professor from Arkansas, and a patent examiner, also randomly selected, from Washington, D.C.

Ultimately, the returning champion was toppled, and Buxton was defeated as well.

“All the other contestants were clearly brilliant and friendly despite being competitors,” Buxton said.

Buxton spoke briefly to Alex Trebek, whom he said was personable with all of the contestants, when taping was completed. Overall, Buxton’s experience was a good one.

“It was a ton of fun,” Buxton said.

bbrown@semissourian.com

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