The show was the subject of great interest and increased ratings (often out-performing "Wheel" and even some primetime programs) in the early portions of the 2004–05 season as contestant Ken Jennings, taking advantage of newly-relaxed appearance rules, won 74 matches before being defeated by Nancy Zerg in his 75th appearance. He amassed $2,520,700 over the course of his winning streak, as well as a $2,000 second-place prize in his 75th appearance, thus earning the record as the highest money-winner ever on American game shows, and his winning streak led the show to become TV's highest-rated syndicated program.