Jeopardy Host Calls Clue ‘Problematic’ and Apologizes

During a recent Jeopardy game, host Ken Jennings had to navigate an awkward moment when a controversial clue was revealed in the category "Complete the Rhyming Phrase." The phrase given to the contestants was "Men seldom make passes at...," with the correct response being "girls who wear glasses."

This outdated expression caused some discomfort, particularly since one of the contestants, Heather Ryan, a health program director from Binghamton, N.Y., was wearing glasses herself. Acknowledging the awkwardness, Jennings referred to the situation as "a little problematic" and quickly apologized, saying, "sorry, Heather."

Adding to the tension, contestant Will Wallace, the reigning champion, chimed in with a "very," making the moment even more uncomfortable. While it would have been interesting to see Ryan win, she ended up finishing in second place, just one dollar short, according to the detailed records from J! Archive.

Jeopardy, which has been on the air since 1984, underwent significant changes following the death of its longtime host, Alex Trebek, in 2020. After his passing, there were several guest hosts, including NFL star Aaron Rodgers and actor LeVar Burton, before Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik took over hosting duties. Bialik later stepped down, leaving Jennings as the permanent host.

Jennings, a fan favorite, became famous for his record-breaking 74-game streak during Trebek's tenure, earning him $2.5 million. As host, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity, acknowledging the challenges of stepping into Trebek's iconic role. He told The Hollywood Reporter in December 2023, "It’s impossible to fill those shoes, but it’s such an honor. Hopefully, I’ll be here for 37 more years, when I’m a very, very old man."

This moment highlights the way Jeopardy continues to evolve, with Jennings adapting to his new role while maintaining the spirit of the show that fans have cherished for decades.