'Jeopardy!' contestant criticizes game show over 'offensive' clue

Heather Ryan, a "Jeopardy!" contestant, is sharing her experience of an awkward encounter on the show.

A health program director from Binghamton, New York, confessed that the "sexist" clue on "Jeopardy!" made her feel uneasy.

In the October 28th episode, Ken Jennings read a "Complete the Rhyming Phrase" category clue.

The prompt read, "Men seldom make passes at…".

Returning champion Will Wallace correctly answered, "Girls who wear glasses."

The questionable phrase was from acclaimed poet Dorothy Parker.

Ryan, the female contestant who wore glasses on the show, told Binghamton University's newspaper Pipe Dream that her choice was definitely odd.

"The unexpected event made everyone in the audience and on stage, including Ken Jennings, uncomfortable."

"Maybe we choose better rhyming phrases in 2024," she suggested.

Ryan elaborated on the controversy surrounding the "Jeopardy!" clue and its potential effects on young female students.

"Regrettably, some girls in middle school refuse to wear glasses, which hinders their education. In my opinion, being able to see is more important than anything else."

Despite the tense situation, Ryan shared that she had a "great time" on the game show.

"The atmosphere was very welcoming at the event. As a significant aspect of American culture, I felt compelled to continue when I received the invitation."

""Playing a small role in this big project, which has been running for 40 years, is a special thing," she said."

In the "Jeopardy!" episode, Jennings realized that the prompt might have made Ryan uneasy because she wore glasses while playing.

"A little problematic, sorry, Heather," Jennings remarked.

Wallace defended the female contestant, adding, "Very."

Following the airing of the game show episode, viewers heavily criticized Jennings for the "sexist" clue.

"Why didn't you bring up the problematic issue before the game, Ken?" one comment read on X.

Another viewer wrote, "More like extremely problematic!"

"A fan on Reddit wrote, "I don't need to hear Ken read an outdated and inappropriate clue and call it problematic." They suggested that Ken use his position to replace it before it was broadcast."

A "Jeopardy!" viewer added on X, expressing anger about a sexist and rude comment made towards her.