Shocking Jeopardy! Twist: Fans Are Left Reeling as Brad Rutter's Comeback Sparks Controversy Over the Buzzer—Is the Game Changing Forever?

This Huge Jeopardy! Update Causes Fans To Question Buzzer Amid Brad Rutter’s Franchise Comeback

Jeopardy's Brad Rutter gives a slight smile

Image via ABC

Jeopardy! Masters is fully underway, but there’s renewed attention on the buzzer after fans noticed something amid Brad Rutter’s return to the franchise. Jeopardy! Masters season 3 is currently airing, and has seen the return of such contestants as Brad, Victoria Groce, Yogesh Raut, Neilesh Vinjamuri, Matt Amodio, Juveria Zaheer, Roger Craig, Isaac Hirsch and Adriana Harmeyer. While Brad is a fan-favorite, the only reason he’s a part of the 2025 tournament is because James Holzhauer turned down the producers’ invitation; no reason was given for the shocking development, though James did recommend Brad to producers.

A Jeopardy! fan wondered if Brad Rutter is used to the current signal light that gives contestants the go-ahead to hit their buzzers.

According to an observation by Syllish on Reddit, Brad might not be used to the current signal light that gives the contestants the go-ahead to hit their buzzers. The fan wondered when Jeopardy! switched from incandescent lights to LED lights. “Brad’s era of tournament buzzer dominance was during the era of tungsten filaments,” they explained. However, LED lights “turn on faster than incandescents,” which could affect the timing of when contestants hit their buzzers.

TriciaAnn16 replied to the OP in the Reddit thread and claimed that Jeopardy! began the process of replacing the incandescent lights “somewhere between 2010-2013.” This claim hasn’t been confirmed, though. That timeframe is more than 10 years ago, which means some fans are just now noticing the change.

What Jeopardy! Changing Buzzer Light Means For Game

Jeopardy! Isn’t Just About Knowing The Right Answer

Ken Jennings hosting Jeopardy and grinning at contestants

This observation about the different types of lights Jeopardy! has used over the years for the signal light is a fascinating one to explore. Like the fan on Reddit noted, the change could definitely have an influence on the game itself with unintended consequences. There doesn’t appear to be any outcry from the contestants, so either they’re not aware of the change or it’s had little-to-no affect on their ability to hit their buzzers in a timely manner.

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Jeopardy! is not just a game of intelligence. The timing of when contestants hit the buzzer is extremely important, and buzzing just a millisecond too late could cost them the win. The fan on Reddit claimed that the lights were different when Brad initially competed on Jeopardy! That may be true since his first appearance was in 2000.

Our Take On Jeopardy Changing The Buzzer Light

Did Jeopardy! Producers Conduct Lighting Tests?

Ken Jennings posing in front of the contestants of Jeopardy! Masters.

Before the currently airing Jeopardy! Masters season 3 tournament, Brad last appeared in 2020 for the Greatest Of All Time tournament, so the LEDs would have been in place by that point if the alleged timeline from the second fan is to be believed. Interestingly, Brad lost that most recent tournament and came in seventh place on Masters in 2025. It would be interesting to know if the producers conducted various tests before changing the lights to ensure there would be minimal impact on the gameplay. Hopefully, there’s been no disruption on that front.