Season 3 of "Celebrity Jeopardy!" promises excitement as it features some of Hollywood's biggest names competing for charity. Scheduled to premiere on January 8, the star-studded cast includes Rachel Brosnahan, known for her role on "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," Seth Green from "Family Guy," and Sean Gunn of "Guardians of the Galaxy" fame.
Joining these prominent figures are other notable personalities like Max Greenfield, Camilla Luddington, and Neil deGrasse Tyson, the renowned astrophysicist. A total of 21 celebrities are set to participate, battling it out for the chance to win $1 million for the charity of their choice. Previous winners of the show have included talents such as "Eastbound & Down" actor Ike Barinholtz and "Abbott Elementary" actress Lisa Ann Walter.
"Celebrity Jeopardy!" will be hosted by Ken Jennings, who has taken the reins after the passing of the beloved Alex Trebek. Episodes of the show will air on ABC, with streaming options available on Hulu the day after they air.
While anticipation builds around the famous contestants, another issue has surfaced from earlier episodes of the main series. Recently, former contestant Heather Ryan from Binghamton, New York, publicly addressed some discomfort related to a clue on the October 28 episode.
During this episode, Ryan selected the $400 clue from the "Complete the Rhyming Phrase" category. Ken Jennings read the clue, which led to controversy and conversation surrounding appropriateness. The clue was: "Men seldom make passes at…", which prompted reigning champion Will Wallace to buzz in and answer, "What are 'girls who wear glasses?'" The exchange instantly created tension, with Jennings commenting, "Yeah, a little problematic. Sorry, Heather," to which Wallace agreed.
Heather Ryan recalled the moment, saying, "It is definitely an odd choice." She noted how the clue created discomfort not just for her but for everyone involved, including Jennings and the audience. She expressed the hope for future episodes: "Maybe we choose more rhyming phrases in 2024," highlighting the importance of being mindful about the messages such clues can send, especially to younger audience members. "Unfortunately, there are still girls who are [in] middle school, and they don't want to wear glasses, and they're losing out on their education. So, I think it's much more important to be able to see than anything else."
The comments have ignited discussions about the show’s handling of sensitive topics and how important it is for game shows like "Jeopardy!" to approach themes inclusively.
Despite the uncomfortable moment, Ryan remained positive about her experience on the show, stating, "My time on 'Jeopardy!' was very fun, and I had a great time." This showcases the complex feelings contestants face: the thrill of participating versus the challenges of engaging with the show's format.
With the new season of "Celebrity Jeopardy!" on the horizon, fans and contestants alike are eager to see how these notable personalities engage with the game. Meanwhile, the previous incident serves as a reminder of the impact words and phrases used on stage can have on diverse audiences.
Good Morning America has reached out to representatives for "Jeopardy!" for comment on the controversy surrounding the clue. Viewer opinions may lead to changes and adaptations within the show, influencing how future clues are framed.
Though two stories converge from the world of "Jeopardy!", the anticipation surrounding Celebrity Jeopardy's star contestants and awareness of the impact of show's phrasing both contribute to the conversation around the beloved game and its broader cultural relevance.