Drew Goins, the 31-year-old journalist from Washington, D.C. who became a fan favorite despite rarely winning, is headed back to compete on trivia television with his brother Zach by his side. The pair will team up for Season 2 of Netflix’s Pop Culture Jeopardy!, which premieres May 11, 2026, Goins announced in an Instagram post on April 28.
Their team name has already sparked a wave of enthusiasm among longtime viewers of the quiz show. In a promotional photo showing the brothers standing behind their podium, their moniker reads “Losers, In Other Words” — a reference that devotees of the franchise immediately understood.
A Deep-Cut Tribute To Alex Trebek
The name references a memorable moment from October 2016 when the late host Alex Trebek interviewed contestant Susan Cole about nerdcore hip-hop. Cole described the genre as featuring people who identify as nerdy “rapping about the things they love.” Trebek responded with a deadpan quip, calling them “losers, in other words,” creating one of his most quoted zingers.
Because Goins competed after Trebek’s passing, he never played when the beloved host was at the lectern. By honoring a moment that Jeopardy! diehards still quote nearly a decade later, Goins has further endeared himself to the fandom. His Instagram carousel also included an image of current Pop Culture Jeopardy! host Colin Jost shrugging with the caption, “What the hell, sure.”
Reactions in the comments section ranged from delighted to deeply invested. “This feels like cheating, and I don’t know why,” one commenter joked, while another quipped, “Man was so popular on Jeopardy! he qualified for Pop Culture Jeopardy!”
A Career Built On Close Calls
Goins has carved out a unique place in modern Jeopardy! history, becoming one of the most recognizable faces despite losing most of his games. His debut came on Sept. 25, 2024, when he dropped his original game. But after answering 22 of 25 clues correctly, he qualified for the Second Chance Tournament, which he won, advancing to the Champions Wildcard Tournament.
As first runner-up in the Champions Wildcard, Goins reached the Tournament of Champions (TOC) through an unusual route when Celebrity Jeopardy! winner Lisa Ann Walter dropped out, and Goins took her place. He lost his TOC semifinal but showed up to a later taping wearing a Lisa Ann Walter shirt and proclaiming himself her number one fan — a viral moment that further cemented his fandom credentials. The two have since become friendly online.
Goins then advanced to the Invitational Tournament, where his quarterfinal aired on Feb. 9, 2026. He faced T.L. Cubbage, a lawyer from Dallas, TX, and Liz Feltner, a law student from Baton Rouge, LA. Feltner finished third in the 2022 National College Championship.
Quarterfinal Drama At The Invitational
The Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament (JIT) — an invitation-only tournament where contestants choose whether to compete — offers a winner’s prize of $150,000 and a coveted slot in Jeopardy! Masters. Goins hit the first Daily Double on clue 11 in the category “From Samuel Johnson’s 1755 Dictionary.” Wagering all $3,000, Goins answered incorrectly. Host Ken Jennings delivered the bad news: the correct response was “lexicographer,” dropping Goins to $0.
After the first 15 clues, Feltner led with $2,200. Goins clawed back impressively, but it wasn’t enough to overtake the field. Feltner held the lead with $4,800 after the first round, Cubbage sat at $3,600, and Goins trailed in third with $2,800. All three missed Final Jeopardy, but Goins’ wagering strategy left him $1 ahead of Feltner — enough to advance to the semifinals. He ultimately fell to Long Nguyen in the semifinal round, adding another close-but-not-quite finish to his trademark style.
Family Teamwork On Netflix
Zach Goins hosts the podcast Inside the Film Room and works as a social producer at STN Digital, in addition to his career as a reporter. The siblings will make their first appearance in episode nine of the new Netflix season, airing May 21.
Pop Culture Jeopardy! Season 2 will drop one new episode every weekday for four weeks, beginning May 11. Given Drew’s track record as the show’s most lovable underdog and the brothers’ instantly viral team name, fans are already setting reminders.
