If you missed it on social media, former fan-favorite Sam Buttrey just reminded everyone why he’s one of the most entertaining alums in Jeopardy! history.
Ahead of the 2026 Tournament of Champions, Buttrey popped up in a hilarious Instagram video where he wandered the studio with a tiny microphone, ambushing contestants and asking them to deliver their best version of his iconic catchphrase: “Bring it!”
Spoiler alert: Sam was not impressed.
The video, shared on January 19, shows Sam Buttrey sitting casually on the Jeopardy! set before declaring it’s finally time for the Tournament of Champions to begin. From there, he takes viewers on a playful stroll around the studio lot, roasting contestants with perfectly dry one-liners.
He starts by chatting with Liam Starnes, pointing out that he’s the youngest competitor and jokingly quizzing him on whether he knows what “6, 7” means. (He did not.)
Buttrey then leans into some self-deprecating humor, asking how it feels to talk to someone who “got crushed” in his own Tournament of Champions run. TJ Fisher reassures him he did “fabulous,” while Brendan Liaw compares runners-up to American Idol contestants — suggesting they often come out better in the long run anyway.
When asked who they’re most excited (or nervous) to face, several contestants name super-champion Scott Riccardi, while others shout out Mike Dawson, Allegra Kuney, and Tom Devlin.
Then comes the main event.
One by one, Buttrey asks the contestants to give him their best “Bring it!” — the phrase he famously delivered before the final clue of a round. His reactions are pure gold.
After Dawson’s attempt, Buttrey politely says there’s “time to work on that.” Cameron Berry gets nothing but a long, silent stare into the camera. Matt Massie is told he at least “tried.”
When Aaron Levine jokes it’s his first time on camera, Buttrey responds with a concerned “Oh no!” Alex DeFrank earns a blunt reaction. Ben Ganger gets a dismissive “meh,” Bryce Wargin is advised not to quit his day job, and Ashley Chan gets a wagging finger.
Kuney reveals they actually practiced the line — though her delivery leaves Buttrey unimpressed — and Laura Faddah doesn’t even get a reaction before he walks away.
The video ends with fans debating the obvious question: who actually nailed the “Bring it!”?
The Tournament of Champions is officially underway, with episodes airing this week as contestants battle it out for a spot in the semifinals.
Jeopardy! airs weekdays (check local listings) and streams next day on Hulu and Peacock.
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