In a recent episode of “Jeopardy!,” host Ken Jennings found himself in hot water after a clue that many viewers deemed “sexist” sparked outrage. The incident occurred during the category “Complete the Rhyming Phrase,” where Jennings read the phrase, “Men seldom make passes at…” to the contestants. The expected answer was a line from poet Dorothy Parker: “Girls who wear glasses.” However, the timing of this clue raised eyebrows as one of the contestants, Heather Ryan, was visibly wearing glasses.
Following the contestant Will Wallace’s correct response, Jennings awkwardly acknowledged the situation, saying, “A little problematic, sorry Heather.” Wallace added his agreement, calling the phrase “very” problematic. Despite the discomfort in the studio, Ryan, a health program director from Binghamton, New York, did not voice any concerns during the episode. Ultimately, she lost the game by just a dollar to Ian Taylor, a food sales representative from Cleveland.
As the show aired, viewers took to social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), to express their outrage over the clue. One user questioned why Jennings hadn’t flagged the issue to the writers beforehand, tweeting, “Yeah, a little problematic—then why didn’t you bring that up to the writers before the game?” Another fan chimed in, stating, “More like extremely problematic! #girlswithglasses.” Many expressed frustration at what they perceived as an outdated and inappropriate reference, with one Reddit user lamenting, “I don’t need to hear Ken read an obviously outdated and inappropriate clue.”
Criticism of Jennings has been mounting, as this isn’t the first time the former contestant-turned-host has faced backlash. Fans have pointed out various missteps, such as rejecting an answer that was merely one letter off, allowing a contestant to self-correct, and even making jokes about elderly contestants that some found tasteless. His handling of the recent clue incident has only intensified scrutiny over his suitability as the show’s host.
Despite these controversies, Jennings continues to hold the position after stepping into the role following the death of iconic host Alex Trebek. While Jennings initially served as a guest co-host in 2021, he became the sole host for Season 40 in September 2023 after Mayim Bialik’s departure. However, reports indicate that Jennings lacks a long-term contract, which has led to speculation about his future on the show.
Amid the criticism, some have wondered whether he might be replaced, especially with Colin Jost, known for his work on “Saturday Night Live,” set to host a new spinoff, “Pop Culture Jeopardy!” However, insiders suggest that Jennings’ job is secure for now, stating, “The only real reason to replace Ken is if the ratings took a nosedive, and that hasn’t happened yet.”
“Jeopardy!” continues to air weekdays at 7 p.m. ET, but as Jennings navigates the minefield of public perception and scrutiny, one thing is clear: he’ll need to tread carefully to avoid further controversy in the future. The question remains whether he can adapt and regain the trust of devoted fans or if the mounting pressure will ultimately lead to his downfall. As the saying goes, “the show must go on,” but at what cost?
