Ken Jennings on the set of “Jeopardy!” Jeopardy Productions, Inc.
In Ken Jennings’ first week as everlasting host of “Jeopardy!,” the controversial headlines began rolling in.
“‘Jeopardy!’ host Ken Jennings accused of misogynistic ruling after letting contestant change his reply,” Decider reported on Sept. 15.
“‘Jeopardy!’ followers revolt when Ken Jennings permits champ to right mistaken reply,” the New York Submit wrote a number of hours later.
“‘Jeopardy!’ followers slam Ken Jennings for letting present champ right himself,” TV Insider additionally reported.
The quiz present began trending on Twitter, as offended viewers started to flood the positioning with their reactions. However what all of those headlines don’t reveal — and what the upset followers who took to social media clearly don’t know — is that the controversy was misconstrued.
Jennings was merely following the principles of the sport.
What's the Ken Jennings controversial ‘Jeopardy!’ ruling about?
Throughout the “Jeopardy!” episode that aired Sept. 14, contestant Luigi de Guzman — who on the time had three wins underneath his belt — landed on a clue that confirmed a portray of a Nineteenth-century panorama. De Guzman was requested to call the British painter.
“Who's Fixed?” the lawyer from Arlington, Virginia, responded.
Jennings hesitated: “Say it once more?”
“Sorry, who's Constable?” de Guzman clarified.
The present deemed de Guzman’s correction acceptable and moved on with the sport.
Later within the episode, contestant Harriet Wagner additionally misspoke throughout a clue about an writer, saying “Angela LeGuin” as an alternative of “Ursula LeGuin.” In contrast to de Guzman, nevertheless, Wagner’s correction — which got here shortly after she misspoke — was not granted (it must be famous that had Wagner merely stated “LeGuin,” her response would’ve been accepted).
“Sure, Harriet, you remembered that her title was Ursula, however I had already begun ruling in opposition to you once you started correcting your self,” Jennings defined.
Jennings was referring to a “Jeopardy!” rule that states “contestants could change their responses so long as neither the host nor the judges have made a ruling.”
“There’s no solution to put together for a way nerves could have an effect on you when the sport is in play,” a submit from the “Jeopardy!” web site explains. “For example, have you ever ever seen a contestant blurt out a response, then give a ‘where-did-that-come-from’ look? Don’t chuckle! It occurs. When you’re giving a response and all of a sudden hear your mouth saying one thing your mind wasn’t planning on — or neglect to phrase your response within the type of a query — you may right your self; however you’ll must be fast.”
“The foundations are clear: if the host has dominated, the response is ultimate,” wrote Andy Saunders, who runs the web site The “Jeopardy!” Fan. “Each rulings have been right throughout the scope of the sport’s guidelines — a number of individuals even reported to Reddit that judges stopped tape in each situations as a way to verify that Ken’s rulings have been acceptable.”
De Guzman went on to win Wednesday’s sport, and so far has accrued $140,700 over 5 victories, per The “Jeopardy!” Fan.
What did the ‘Jeopardy!’ contestants say in regards to the Ken Jennings ruling?
On the night time the episode aired, de Guzman opened up in regards to the ruling on Twitter.
I knew it was Constable. I acknowledged the portray. Within the second I had this reminiscence of talking to somebody about Constable. However in between seeing/remembering/pondering/buzzing/answering, my wires received crossed and I stated one thing like ‘Fixed.’ I noticed Ken hesitate, and corrected myself.
If I had been in Ken’s footwear, I in all probability would have reduce Luigi off *brusquely* and moved on, de Guzman continued. However Ken hesitated, and within the second, I noticed him hesitate, and I saved speaking. The rule ended up on my aspect, however taking a look at it chilly, I see the way it may have ended up in a different way.
The “Jeopardy!” champion then referenced Wagner’s “LeGuin” second.
“Similar state of affairs, however Ken didn’t hesitate. ... He reduce her off,” he stated. “That put her on the opposite aspect of the rule, and I received the rebound and a put-back. If I’d have been Ken, I’d have both reduce each of us off, or hesitated each occasions. However that wasn’t the aspect of the stage I used to be on on the day, and it took an excessive amount of separation in time and house for me to observe it and see it.”
De Guzman stated he has since reached out to Wagner, a retired lawyer from Houston, Texas, in regards to the ruling.
Depart Ken alone!!!! He’s my primary man ( aside from my hubby) and has to work in actual time the identical because the contestants. He’s doing an important job. pic.twitter.com/LuGfO1HG5F
— Harriet Wagner (@Harriet43342263) September 15, 2022
“She has proven me the grace befitting an important litigator,” he wrote. “Which means rather a lot to me, and I actually admire it.
The next day — after a number of the sensational headlines began rolling in — Wagner additionally opened up on Twitter. Her response was temporary and to the purpose.
“Depart Ken alone!!!” she wrote. “He’s my primary man (aside from my hubby) and has to work in actual time the identical because the contestants. He’s doing an important job.”
Jennings and “The Large Bang Idea”/“Name Me Kat” star Mayim Bialik have each been named everlasting hosts of “Jeopardy!” Jennings is internet hosting the quiz present by December — together with the extremely anticipated Match of Champions — and Bialik will then take over in January, the Deseret Information reported.