Birmingham native, 'Survivor' alum Drew Basile topples 15-day 'Jeopardy!' champ

Birmingham native Drew Basile is enjoying his second turn as a television star. Last year, he competed on CBS’ “Survivor 45," battling the elements in Fiji, and Wednesday night, he emerged triumphant in his first appearance on “Jeopardy!."

Basile, 23, is the first-ever "Survivor" cast member to appear on “Jeopardy!.” On June 19, he bested incumbent winner Adriana Harmeyer, a Purdue University archivist whose 15-day streak stacked up nearly $350,000 in cash.

Basile gave 21 correct responses during the broadcast, answering incorrectly only four times during the show’s first two rounds. He missed the Final Jeopardy! answer as well, but only wagered $118 toward his response.

Basile won $23,482 on his first day, and will return to compete again July 20.

More:Michigan native, national trivia champ Drew Basile to compete in season 45 of 'Survivor'

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While he was voted off “Survivor 45” before the final five, Basile seems primed for a decent run on “Jeopardy!.” He is currently pursuing a master’s in English literature at England’s University of Oxford, is an expert trivia player and winner and has a strong competitive spirit. As team captain, he won a national trivia championship in 2019.

“It’s not my first rodeo, Ken,” Basile said to host Ken Jennings on Wednesday’s show. “I had the privilege of being on 'Survivor' recently. So I lasted out there for 23 days of 26 with no clothes, no shelter, no food. (It) affected the noggin a little bit, but I’m hoping to, you know, be back on the horse for ‘Jeopardy!.’ 'Survivor's' pretty hard on the body, but ‘Jeopardy’s’ tough on the mind.”