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NEW YORK (AP) -- "Jeopardy!" master Ken Jennings, advanced his winning streak Monday, picking up another $10,001.
The Salt Lake City software engineer became an unlikely TV star this summer when he began mowing down opponents on the quiz show. He won 38 straight games before the show went on hiatus in late July.
The new season began Monday and Jennings' 39th win brought his total money won to $1,331,661.
"It's starting to be a lot of money," Jennings said midway through the show.
The Final Jeopardy question was "In 2002, the Library of Congress had William B. Jones Jr. speak on this 1941 to 1971 comic book series in its collection."
Jennings wagered $21,599 in Final Jeopardy, incorrectly guessing "Captain Marvel." The correct answer was "What is Classic Comics?"
"Jeopardy!" used to limit its champions to five appearances before changing its rules a year ago, allowing a winner to keep competing until being beaten.
Nobody expected the Jennings juggernaut. The 30-year-old has displayed a quick finger on the buzzer that frequently freezes out his opponents, and an impressively broad array of knowledge.
"Jeopardy!" will hold two more weeks of original episodes, which began taping in August, before leaving on another hiatus for a special tournament.
If Jennings keeps winning, he'll keep coming back. Game spokesman Jeff Ritter said there's been no discussion of a cutoff point, or another change in the rules, if Jennings' streak continues.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
