Elgin resident wins $24,000 on "Jeopardy!" debut

Elisabeth Carrel of Elgin, pictured here with "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek, won $24,000 on her "Jeopardy" debut -- but not before Trebek teased her for blurting out a response before ringing in. Photo courtesy of "Jeopardy!"

A fixture in Elgin trivia circles had a come-from-behind win during her "Jeopardy!" debut Monday, raking in $24,000 and earning a chance to defend her title today.

Elisabeth Carrel, an Elgin resident and Arlington Heights native, turned in a strong performance the entire show, but she really cleaned up during Final Jeopardy.

She started that round in second place with $13,000 and bet $11,000 on this answer in the category of translated film titles: "This Robert DeNiro film is known as 'Il Cacciatore'."

The question? "What is the 'Deer Hunter?'"

Carrel's brave wager means she'll be the one to beat in today's rounds.

"I was surprised, very pleased, because I was the only one who knew the final answer," Carrel said.

She works as a copy editor at Farm Progress Companies in St. Charles; she previously worked at the Daily Herald for more than 20 years.

During the show, Carrel got off to a good start by getting a Daily Double in the first round.

That allowed her to double her earnings from $600 to $1,200.

She ended that round in first place, with $3,200. Also during that round, "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek gently chided Carrel for blurting out a response without first ringing in.

Her shows were taped on Dec. 13.

After her first episode was recorded, Carrel had a few minutes to change her clothes and refresh her makeup to make it look like a new day for the cameras.

Carrel has watched "Jeopardy" for years, and several categories focused on her strengths -- geography, English literature and wordplay.

She's also part of a local trivia team out of Elgin Public House that meets every Wednesday and has won at least three tournaments.

But she won't get to collect her earnings for another several months, per the show's rules.

The returning champion's next show airs at 3:30 p.m. today on ABC 7.