A contentious moment unfolded on the revered game show ‘Jeopardy!’ during its “Tournament of Champions” quarterfinal, igniting debate among its viewership. The incident, centered around a gender-related question, has sparked a wave of criticism and threats of boycott from a section of the show’s traditional viewers.
The episode, which aired on Monday, featured a clue in a category designated as “Speech! Parts of Speech!” Contestant Cris Pannullo chose the $600 clue, prompting the display of “Xem, Xyrs, Xemself.” Pannullo’s quick response, “What are pronouns?” was met with host Ken Jennings’s confirmation, “Those are pronouns. Neopronouns.”
This particular part of the program has led to a considerable backlash on social media platforms, with vocal critics expressing their intention to cease supporting the long-standing quiz show. Angered viewers took to platforms, notably X (formerly known as Twitter), where they vented their frustrations and dismay over the perceived direction of the game show.
One user lamented, “Jeopardy asked about xem/xyrs/xemself ‘pronouns’ during last night’s show. How would you answer this?” Meanwhile, another long-time viewer commented, “I still watch Jeopardy every day, but their questions and answers keep getting weirder and weirder. When Alex Trebek was still alive we never had any of this.” The sentiment of discontent culminated with another declaring, “I will NEVER watch Jeopardy after this. After Alex, it all went downhill.”
This episode is the most recent in what some perceive as a trend of ‘Jeopardy!’ distancing itself from its classic roots, as the show continues to incorporate content reflective of modern and inclusive language trends. This choice by the producers has brought the storied quiz show to the forefront of cultural discourse, as it navigates a changing societal landscape.
