‘Jeopardy!’ fans furious as episode is cut short due to breaking news of Philadelphia plane crash
The ‘Jeopardy!’ quiz show, hosted by Ken Jennings, was interrupted in Philadelphia due to breaking news coverage of a plane crash (Jeopardy!, 6abcActionNews/ YouTube)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Fans of ‘Jeopardy!’ were left frustrated on Friday, January 31, when the episode of the beloved game show was abruptly cut short due to breaking news of a plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia.
The news coverage caused local broadcaster WPVI to interrupt the broadcast during the high-stakes Tournament of Champions quarterfinal game, leaving many viewers unable to watch the final rounds.
The January 31 episode of ‘Jeopardy!’ featured contestants Kevin Laskowski, Allison Gross, and Mark Fitzpatrick in the tournament’s fifth game (Jeopardy!/ YouTube)
‘Jeopardy!’ cut short for Philadelphia viewers due to plane crash
The ‘Jeopardy!’ episode featured contestants Kevin Laskowski, an Episcopal priest from Falls Church, Virginia, Allison Gross, a data scientist from Cleveland, Ohio, and Mark Fitzpatrick, a content manager from Riverside, Connecticut, as they competed in the fifth game of the tournament.
The trio was tested in categories such as ‘Way, Way Back in the Day’ and ‘On The Movie Soundtrack’ in what was shaping up to be a thrilling contest.
While most viewers around the country were able to watch the entire episode, those tuning in from the Philadelphia area were disrupted by breaking news coverage of the crash, which occurred at 6 pm, The Mirror reported.
The crash involved a small plane that went down in the Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard area, leading to a massive fireball explosion and multiple house fires.
The local news took over coverage of the incident, cutting off the final moments of ‘Jeopardy!’
Despite the disruption, the game continued for viewers outside of the Philadelphia area, and Allison Gross emerged as the night’s victor with an impressive total score of $13,400.
Gross answered 15 questions correctly and made two incorrect responses, securing her place in the next round of the tournament. She narrowly beat her competitors, Mark Fitzpatrick, who finished with $12,200, and Kevin Laskowski, who ended the game with $6,200.
Viewers question WPVI’s response time as ‘Jeopardy!’ gets interrupted
However, the disruption left many ‘Jeopardy!’ viewers wondering if the breaking news coverage could have been handled differently to allow for both the emergency updates and the beloved game show to be aired in full.
A user said, “I like breaking news as much as the next person but you can’t preempt #Jeopardy!”
Another added, “WPVI knows Philly loves its #Jeopardy. This is how you cut in for breaking news.”
The third commentator remarked, “Sorry, there’s breaking news, and it’s in an area of NE Philly which I’m very familiar… see you all next time #jeopardy.”
As ‘Jeopardy!’ fans in Philadelphia vented their frustration over the interruption of the show, others were equally vocal in their criticism of WPVI for not cutting into the broadcast sooner to provide live coverage of the plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia.
A person stated, “@6abc Why is Jeopardy STILL on and not coverage of the plane crash in the NE? All Other Philly channels @FOX29philly and @NBCPhiladelphia and @CBSPhiladelphia are covering it, LIVE BUT you.”
Another chimed in, “@6abc This is the most callous so-called news network in America! There was a plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia. You did not cut in with breaking news until 45 minutes later and when you did you showed a split screen with a commercial that interrupted “Jeopardy”!”
The comment further added, “You cut back to the show in progress, while every other news station stayed with the aviation accident. You do not care about this city and I will never watch another news-related show on 6ABC, ever! I hope others join me and say NO TO 6ABC as well!”
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