Jeopardy! fans claim Ken Jennings allowed ‘incorrect answer’ and launch into debate over ‘disheartening’ ruling
JEOPARDY! fans have been left questioning host Ken Jennings after he allowed a supposed incorrect answer.
The commotion started during Wednesday’s episode when contestant Randall Rayford picked the Jeopardy! category: “11-Letter Words.”
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Fans debated the answer to this Jeopardy! clueCredit: Jeopardy!
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Host Ken Jennings allowed ‘Great nephew’ instead of ‘Grand nephew’Credit: Jeopardy!
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Randall Rayford competed against Andrew Whatley and Rachel Cohen during the Second Chance tournamentCredit: Jeopardy!
“Keep up! The son of your brother’s child is this relationship to you, old-timer, ” read the clue.
Player Andrew Whatley rang the buzzer first and responded: “Cousin,” before being deemed incorrect.
Randall buzzed in next, and after a few seconds said: “What is great nephew.”
“Hmm… yeah, we’ll take that, or grandnephew,” Ken, 49, told Randall.
However, in an online thread, viewers debated the relationship between different family members.
One critic pointed out: “Your Grandfather’s brother is your Grand Uncle. Your Great Grandfather’s brother is your Great Uncle.
“They are not the same. I thought the judges were going to correct it, but they never did.”
Another agreed and added: “I was thinking that, too.
“There have been many things the judges let slide that in the past they wouldn’t have.”
A supporter sided with the TV host and noted: “You all need to remember, this is first and foremost, a game show. Not a college thesis.
“They always have accepted commonly accepted alternatives, even if they are not ‘technically’ accurate.”
Another supporter wrote: “Even Ancestry allows for it.
“Just enjoying the game rather than nitpicking and hunting for “errors” makes it so much more enjoyable.”
A commentator chimed: “I’ve noticed more errors lately. It’s somewhat disheartening.”
‘COMING OVER THERE!’
This is not the only wild moment between the host and a contestant that occurred.
During the same installment, Andrew and Randall faced off against contestant Rachel Cohen during the Second Chance tournament.
In the Double Jeopardy! round, Ken laid down the clue and said: “Flammable, but with 2 more letters, and if you even think of saying inflammable, I’m coming over there!”
Ignoring the warning, Andrew repeated: “Inflammable.”
“No!” Ken scoffed.
After the audience erupted with laughter, Ken ruled Andrew incorrect.
He asserted the correct response was: “Combustible” before giggling onto the next clue.
Viewers loved the moment when Ken jokingly threatened: “I’m coming over there,” at the contestants.
One said: “Andrew saying inflammable after the clue specifically said that was not the answer was hilarious.”
Another viewer quipped: “I’m disappointed that he did not, in fact, go over there. Just another empty threat from Ken.”
Second Chance is the redemption round for players who fell short in the previous season, offering them another shot at glory.
The competition holds two golden tickets to the Tournament of Champions, which will air in mid-February.
THE ONLY HOST
Ken continues as the sole host after former co-host Mayim Bialik, 48, was fired from the quiz show in mid-December 2023.
On Saturday, a report from The Messenger suggested that her firing was not a mutual decision.
A source told the publication: “Mayim was notified right before the end of the year that she wasn’t coming back.
“She was hoping to come back, but now looking forward to her next chapter at this time.”
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Andrew had a hilarious mishap with the TV host during the same episodeCredit: Jeopardy!
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Mayim Bialik was fired from the game show last month, leaving Ken as the sole hostCredit: Getty
