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Jeopardy!

Controversies

Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.

Back to profile4 entries

  1. 2021

    Mike Richards hosting controversy

    Mike Richards's appointment as host prompted renewed scrutiny of offensive remarks attributed to his earlier podcast appearances and lawsuits associated with his previous executive-producer work. He resigned from the hosting role and left the executive-producer position.

  2. 2021

    Jeopardy! apologizes for inaccurate medical clue

    Company response

    In June 2021, the game show Jeopardy! apologized after viewers and people with POTS criticized a medical clue as inaccurate. According to the event, the show said it had used an outdated and inaccurate term in the clue and issued an apology. The criticism came from viewers and from people with POTS, who objected to the accuracy of the medical clue. The event summary does not specify the exact wording of the clue or further details of the response beyond the statement that an outdated and inaccurate term was used and that the show apologized.

    Company response

    • Apology — Jeopardy

      After hearing from the community, we found we used an outdated and inaccurate term for this disorder, and we apologize

    Source excerpt

    • “Jeopardy” apologized to viewers Tuesday after the game show was criticized for a medical clue from the pervious day that was seen as “gross” and “inaccurate.”
    • After hearing from the community, we found we used an outdated and inaccurate term for this disorder, and we apologize
  3. 2020

    Jeopardy producers respond to controversial clue backlash

    Company response

    After a Jeopardy episode broadcast a clue that producers said was flawed and had not been corrected in post-production, producers said the clue had been voided and contestants' scores restored before broadcast. They regretted the error and said they would work to prevent a recurrence.

    After a Jeopardy episode broadcast a clue producers said was flawed and had not been corrected in post-production, producers said the clue had been voided and contestants’ scores restored before broadcast, regretted the error, and said they would work to prevent a recurrence.

    Company response

    • Apology — Jeopardy producers

      We regret the error and we will make every effort to ensure this never happens again.
    • Remediation — Jeopardy producers

      We restored Katie’s and Jack’s scores to what they were prior to the clue.

    Source excerpt

    • We restored Katie’s and Jack’s scores to what they were prior to the clue.
    • We regret the error and we will make every effort to ensure this never happens again.
    • In a statement, producers explained that the clue was never supposed to make it to air, saying:
  4. Debate over promotional clues

    Viewers have alleged that some clues and categories function as product placement or native advertising, including references to consumer brands and entertainment releases. The criticism focuses on the possibility that sponsorship may influence clue selection or undermine the show's editorial credibility.